New Solstice wowing Yanks

GM brand Pontiac's Solstice roadster has been released in the USA to rave reviews. The compact four-cylinder roadster has caught the imagination of the US market and with production expected to be limited, keen buyers are already paying 'over the odds' to get behind the wheel.

Pontiac expects to build 7000 of the two-seaters this year. However, demand for the car is far outstripping supply. Pontiac dealers have reportedly ordered 13,000 Solstices already!

According to US trade sources, the 2006 Solstice roadster is earning dealers as much as $6000 over 'sticker price' on online auction and car purchasing sites such as AutoTrader.com. Edmunds.com quoted Autotrader as stating the highest price for a Solstice was $26,500, while the average price was $23,998. The recommended retail price of the Solstice kicks off at $19,995. The top of the range car is priced at $24,700. All prices are in $US.

According to US trade weekly, Automotive News, buyers have paid as much as $32,900 for a Solstice, with the highest premiums going to the first 1000 cars which were sold to consumers via Donald Trump's popular reality television program, The Apprentice.

The car will also go on sale in Europe with Opel badging, but alas is only engineered for left-hand drive. As such is very unlikely it will make it Down Under.