How Much Is Insurance for a Pontiac Solstice?
Rolling onto showroom floors in 2004, the Solstice remained part of the lineup until the brand name was discontinued in 2009. A sleek and stylish sports car, it begs to be driven along the open highway. Nominated as the North American Car of the Year in 2006, it scored a home-run for the struggling Pontiac line. While you can’t pick up a new Solstice, you can find them on the used car market. If you have been pining for a sports car, here is what you will need to know about the Solstice and how your insurance premiums will change after you buy one.
Solstice's Back Seat Keeps Insurance Cost Low
The roadster is not only fun to drive and incredibly sharp-looking; it’s also defined as a family vehicle. While you may not be squeezing any teenagers into the tiny backseat, the car does, indeed, have a back seat. Combined with the four-cylinder engine, the end result is a car that looks like a sports car without being defined as one by the insurance company. This little feature helps to bring the insurance rates down, and allows you to let the kids ride along.
Convertibles: Wind in Your Hair, Pain in Your Wallet
It’s true that it feels great to roll down the highway with the wind in your hair and the sun shining down on you. The problem is that, in addition to providing you with the option of riding with the top down, they also drive up your insurance costs. When a car is involved in an accident, convertibles are naturally lacking an important part of the safety cage that other cars have. The chances of the occupants being seriously injured and even killed are higher in a convertible, a fact that makes your insurance provider very nervous. They compensate for this increased liability with slightly higher premiums.
Low Curb Weight
When the insurance companies are reviewing liability numbers, they look at more than just how safe the occupants will be. They also review the risk posed to other people on the road. A small car with a low curb weight, the Solstice does not provide any type of risk to other drivers. Because the potential for the car to create injuries to others is low, the insurance is held to lower amounts than it might otherwise end up at.
The Pontiac Solstice Shares Platforms with the Sky
Buying any car with a retired brand name can make you nervous. You want to know that replacement parts will be available as the years march forward. You want to know that some manufacturer will still support your vehicle, even though the name is no longer in production. The Solstice is a twin to the Saturn Sky. While both cars are out of production, they continue to be supported by GM. Because there are so many of these two models on the road, support is also available through aftermarket avenues. This helps bring the insurance cost back down as the companies know that the cars are affordable to repair after an accident.
Safety Features on the Pontiac Solstice Save You Money
The Solstice is loaded with attractive safety features like a tire pressure monitor, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control and daytime running lights. These systems all work together to make the car safer to drive. Despite being available in a convertible, the Solstice also features four star safety ratings for front impact collisions and side impact collisions. Overall, the car is surprisingly safe to drive, another feature that keeps the insurance low.
The Pontiac Solstice looks like a million bucks. The fluid lines and retro grille are reminiscent of fine European sports cars, but they were always very affordable cars. It has the looks of a sports car with the insurance rates of a minivan. The average cost to insure a Solstice is below $100 a month, making this car a fine choice for anyone on a tight budget who is craving a sports car.