Buy this car with AAA

• List price: $20,490 • List price: $24,310 • MPG - 20 city/ 28 highway

Likes:

• Gorgeous styling • Bargain price • Incredibly fun to drive

Dislikes:

• Trunk/storage space • Safety features • Try to buy one without paying a premium

Four months later the Pontiac Solstice concept car was the hit of the auto-show circuit. Such a success was Solstice, GM approved it for production and in 72 months — practically overnight in automotive terms — Pontiac’s first ever rear-wheel-drive, two-seat roadster was rolling into dealer showrooms.

GM provided me with a Solstice to test drive for a week. After driving it, it’s easy to understand why 13,000 folks have plunked down a deposit, sight unseen and without a test drive, to buy one — regardless of color or equipment.

Not since I first tested the Mini Cooper a few years back has a vehicle elicited the head-turning, double-take, slack-jawed, broad-smiled reaction from onlookers as the Pontiac Solstice. Without question, Solstice is the hottest, sexiest car in America today.

The Solstice just plain looks terrific with a shape to die for. To say Solstice is “curvaceous” is near understatement given there isn’t a flat surface or straight piece of metal on the body of this car. For that, you can thank a process known as hydrofoaming, which uses extremely high water pressure to press and shape sheet metal body panels into a mold. It’s a slow, low-volume, labor-intensive process that results in a firmer chassis and improved handling and ride characteristics for the vehicle.

For now, Solstice comes in just one trim level powered by a 2.4-liter, 177-horsepower four-cylinder engine. The only transmission is a five-speed manual, but I expect Pontiac will offer an automatic early this year.

A second model, the Solstice GXP, with a whopping 260 horsepower and 260 lb-ft torque will be available as a 2007 model beginning in the fall of 2006. Pontiac claims a zero to 60 mph time in less than 5.5 seconds.

Solstice has a starting price of just $20,490, but don’t be misled. At that price you get hand-cranked windows, manually adjusted outside mirrors, and no air conditioning or anti-lock brakes. I tested a very well equipped Solstice that included air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, leather seats, power windows/locks/rearview mirrors, keyless entry, XM satellite radio, Monsoon premium audio system, cruise control, electronic driver information center, front fog lamps and floor mats for $24,310.

But getting a Solstice anytime soon might be a problem if you don’t already have one reserved. Initial plans called for only 7,000 to be built for 2006 (20,000 per year thereafter), and Pontiac has more than 13,000 orders. You can expect to pay over window sticker for the privilege of owning a Solstice, at least for now. The first 1,000 were sold through the popular TV show “The Apprentice.”

But if you can’t wait, eBay recently had 35 listed for sale, with most priced a few thousand over list price.

I recently tested the newly redesigned Mazda MX5 (Miata) and liked it every bit as much as the Solstice, but I haven’t heard of any waiting lines or over list price rumors. I like the exterior looks of the Solstice better, but in terms of reliability and resale, time will tell if Pontiac will be able to match the track record established by Miata. One thing I really liked about the MX5 was that I could lower the manual top from the driver’s seat without getting out of the car. Not true for Solstice’s clunky operation, which requires exiting the car, popping the trunk lid, lowering the top and slamming down the trunk lid. However, the Solstice does look better with the top down than the MX5.

Inside the cockpit is extremely tight, especially for tall drivers. My lanky torso used every available inch of driver’s space. The two-tone dash is a wraparound hard plastic instrument panel with deep-set round gauges. The gas gauge was so deep set I couldn’t see it. Thankfully, a low fuel light indicator will illuminate when the tank nears empty.

The seats seemed comfortable but, again, with no space to spare it was difficult to evaluate. Stowage space is minimal at best and limited to a tiny glove box and a small covered compartment between the seats on the back wall. Without a center console or bin, I had to put my cell phone in a small expandable pouch on the front of the seat between my legs. Two inconveniently located cupholders pop out of the rear wall and another out of the passenger side center stack, but were too flimsy for me to trust.

Even with the top up, don’t expect to put anything in the trunk beyond a small flexible duffle bag. The fuel tank sits high in the middle of the trunk and squeezed into the trunk in place of a spare tire is an air compressor and a can of spray sealant.

But heck, who cares about space; the Solstice is a blast to drive. Need space? Buy a mini van.

Although Solstice is noisy on the highway and I felt some harshness over bumps and uneven pavement, the tradeoff is effortless road hugging driving dynamics that allow the driver to push through Arizona’s twisty canyon roads.

I’ve heard some auto journalists complain about a need for more horsepower, but for me the Solstice isn’t about going fast. It’s more about precise handling through twists, turns and dips in the road. My Solstice felt like it was riveted to rails. Somehow it felt even better with the top down.

The safety stuff falls short and is less than impressive. With standard antilock brakes and side air bags, MX5 is a better choice. ABS is extra on Solstice and you can’t even order side bags or stability control. If safety is a major concern, I recommend waiting for crash test results to be completed before purchasing.

While far from perfect, I loved the affordable, gorgeously styled Solstice and applaud GM for bringing it to market. They have a winner on their hands. For most it will provide tireless thrills and pleasure and plenty of grins behind the wheel. Best of all, it’s affordable. But if you don’t want to wait a year or more, I suggest trying the impressive Mazda MX5.

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