Revving the 2006 Pontiac Solstice isn’t much fun. The engine dislikes life near redline, whining and thrashing as the 7,000-rpm rev limit approaches. Power is decent, but the car doesn’t feel as quick as we expected it to, and the clutch engagement point is rather high. When running through the gears, if you shift the rather clunky transmission out of second too early, the Solstice drops you off a cliff in third. Plus, gear whine and drivetrain lash were problems in our test car, leaving us with the impression that the Solstice’s powertrain is unrefined. Still, we averaged 21.7 mpg during a drive that included plenty of high-rpm driving and elevation change. Given the reality of fuel prices today, the Solstice can certainly be considered a “cheap thrill.”

If the Pontiac Solstice disappoints in terms of its powertrain, it wins your heart with its handling. Thanks clearly go to the wide 18-inch tires, which assist in giving the Solstice terrific grip, balance, and control. The Solstice exhibits little excess body motion, excellent weight transition, and high handling limits, and the tail rotates nicely if you lift off the throttle or apply a bit of brake mid-turn. Steering is linear with perfect heft on center, successfully filtering major road anomalies without killing communication. Crisp turn-in – quick and direct – makes it easy to place the Solstice exactly where you want it. The car remains balanced on bumps, and the steering wheel feels great in your hands thanks to soft and smooth leather that’s perfect for shuffle steering.

Great handling doesn’t come at the expense of ride quality, making the 2006 Pontiac Solstice a fun cruiser on warm summer nights. The motor emits an entertaining burble at low rpm, and the suspension is firm and well connected but not punishing. At speed, the Solstice manages most dips without bottoming or scraping its front air dam. The view over the hood is cool, with the Solstice’s fenders bulging up higher than the low, flat hood. However, the side mirrors are too small, the windshield pillars are a bit thick, and the passenger’s seat and right decklid fairing block over-the-shoulder visibility a bit. Top up, rear visibility is fine through the vertical rear glass, and the wider spots of the top are notably trim.

Is the 2006 Pontiac Solstice fun to drive? Yes, but the car does feel a little heavy and clunky at times, and the drivetrain needs more power and refinement. We’d bet the Solstice GT, which is rumored to have a turbo- or supercharged engine making more than 215 horsepower, will be an absolute blast to drive.