I have a 1988 Solstice GXP. I also have a Saturn Sky Redline,  but that's another story for another time! I  am interested  in acquiring a 1990/91Solstice coupe, but the price is a bit daunting. Any thoughts/ideas out there as to the future value of the current $40K?

48 minutes ago, captj06 said:

1990/91Solstice coupe

Do you mean a 2009? The Solstice did not exist in 1990/91.

Assuming you meant a 2009 Sostice GXP, an excellent condition (#2 condition) is worth around $33k while a concurs car (#1 condition) is worth $53k, according to Hagerty Collector Car Insurance's price guide. That said, the Solstice is a nice roadster and is meant to be a bit of a corner carver. Low mileage examples may push to $40k asking price, however, the value of anything is what someone is willing to actually pay for it. Personally I'd be wary of someone asking for $40k for a #2 car.

The Solstice will not be a desirable six-figure car anytime soon due to it's 4-cylinder engine, even with the GXP turbo. However, it will remain a fun car to drive that special someone to get ice cream or to a drive-in on a summer evening.

Oh, yeah. My bad. What was I thinking  (or not). I have a 2008. I am looking at a 2009.

Was I able to answer your question or do you have any follow-up questions?

The info you provided was spot on. The difference between a Solstice convertible (around $10K ) and a 2009 coupe (around $35k-40-k) sounds like a Vegas gamble I'm not willing to make!

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

I get that some people like turbo anything these days. With the cost of gas going up and waning V8-power being available, I see the draw of a turbo 4. However, there is no replacement for displacement. So other than winter driving, I'd much rather have the convertible for nice summer days and corner carving. So does a turbo really matter with this car? For some folks, the answer is yes but for most people I think the answer is no.

All that said, if you find a Mallet Solstice for sale, I would jump on it. These are LS-powered Solstices that you could order from a dealer and the car was sent out to Mallet Performance to have a LS V8 installed. Think of a modern day AC Cobra! Think of the power to weight ratio of this car! Wow! Now those might well be worth $55k.

Edited February 18, 20251 yr by Frosty

As an owner of a 2006 Mallett Solstice I agree they are great cars, And I have owned a Base Manual Transmission 2009 coupe that was alot of fun to drive and own, but I sold it a few years ago.

That said the base cars are great handlers and are faster and more reliable than any 70's British sports car. You can usually find a Base coupe for well under $20,000 if color and transmission type are flexible. GXP Convertibles with under 50K miles are available for $15-20K base convertibles in very nice shape can go for 1/2 that price.

Things to look at are convertible top condition & weather seals, and if it is a Turbo has the water pump been changed? They tend to be a failure mode on the turbo cars more than the base cars. and can be expensive to repair if you do not do it yourself. And if you do it yourself it is a full weekend job. And while you have the engine torn down that far you should replace the timing chain and the balancer chain guides and tensioner's. its not that much more work.

Other than that check the age of the tires, low milage cars tend to still have the original tires that are now 15-18 years old. Just another thing to use when bargaining on the purchase price, and tire will run $1000-1500.

 

They are great handling and fun cars no matter what version you get. And the Mallett's are usually way  under priced for what you get. High 12 seconds in the 1/4 mile, and they still handle fantastic, and stop well.

As usual but the best condition car you can afford, it is usually cheaper in the long run.

 

Jeff - good to hear from you! It’s been awhile! You still busy with the Overhead Cammers Chapter? Thanks for chiming in!

Frosty, I do still have 1 cammer a 67 Sprint 4-speed with A/C & California emissions, but mostly work and travel for work. Then I forgot my login and had a bit of trouble logging on.

I have actually been working on my 71 Catalina Freeway Enforcer and got it running enough to get it to a Resto Shop that actually was exited to work on it! So hopefully we will have it ready for this years Lights and Siren Parade for the Dream Cruise. My wife wants to drive it 90mph up and down Woodward ave and not get a ticket!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome back!

I’d love to catch up with you on or before Woodward. I suspect that we will be based out of the M1 Concourse in Pontiac again this year. I also plan to be at Roadkill Nights the week before.

The Enforcer sounds cool. You will have to share that build up with us. 

Are you coming to the Widetrackers Dustoff on June 14 or the Motor City Summer Round Up in August - week after Woodward?

Edited February 21, 20251 yr by Frosty

I won't be able to make the Dustoff as I will be Driving the Mallett to the Annual Solstice and Sky nationals in Taos NM that week. I could not miss this one as the roads in that area are perfect for Sports cars. Depending on work the Round Up is possible.

I should Start a thread on the Enforcer. not much to see at the moment, about all that is going on with it is it running now for the 1st time in 5 or 6 years, and it has new tires on the cleaned and powder-coated Original Wheels,

Taos is on my bucket list of places to visit period. I always wanted to ski there in the winter but arthritis has hit me hard in the last 6 years. Without knee replacement, my ski days are either limited or thru. They say I am too young for knee replacement since I am not bone-on-bone yet. I guess I need to be 75 for that. Go figure.

As for spirited driving, I eventually want to become a Dragon Master and "Complete the Dragon" when I retire. That is drving all those twisty turny places out east know as:

1. Head of the Dragon

2. Tail of the Dragon

3. Back of the Dragon

4. Claw of the Dragon

https://www.headofthedragonwv.com/team-1

 

Driving Route 66 from Chicago to California is also on the bucket list. With Hot Rod Power Tour this year, the second stop is Route 66 Dragway in Joilet. Indyman Joe and I are planning to run from Joilet to Pontiac Ill to the Pontiac-Oakland Museum. That will be the third time for me down there.