Cheap Pontiac Solstice Car Insurance

What You Need to Know About the Pontiac Solstice

With buggy-eyed headlights and a sporty design, the Pontiac Solstice has been popular with gear heads ever since it first came out in 2005. If you’re familiar with the Porsche brand, the Solstice closely resembles the design of these iconic German roadsters but it’s generally available at a much more affordable price point.

Although the final year of production for the Solstice came in 2010, Pontiac sold a considerable number of these models in the United States. The roadster experienced the height of its popularity in 2006 when 19,710 were purchased in dealerships across the country.

Does having a sports car increase car insurance? In most cases, yes, car insurance will be more than your average run-of-the-mill sedan. Cheap Pontiac Solstice car insurance rates average $116.66/month or $1,400 a year.

If you are looking for cheap Pontiac Solstice car insurance, keep reading. We’re here to help you out.

This comprehensive article is going to provide you with an overview of the Pontiac Solstice and how you can obtain an affordable car insurance for your Pontiac Solstice. You’ll learn about the car’s fair market value, safety ratings, coverage level options, how much repairs generally cost, and tips to keep your insurance rate as low as possible.

Let’s get started right now by learning all about the history and design of the Pontiac Solstice. Once we have a firm understanding of this model, we’ll go over your best options for securing a cheap car insurance rate so you can compare car insurance quotes like a seasoned shopper.

You may find yourself asking, “How can I find Pontiac Solstice auto insurance near me?” Well you’re in-luck, enter your five-digit ZIP code above to get instant quotes from multiple providers.

Finding Cheap Pontiac Solstice Car Insurance

Now that we’ve covered what makes the Pontiac Solstice tick, you might be wondering how much it costs. We can figure that out by finding the fair market range of the vehicle, which varies from the oldest to the most recent model year.

In case you’re unfamiliar, the fair market range provides a general idea of the price point retailers and private sellers are using for Pontiac Solstice for sale. And even though Pontiac ceased operations about a decade ago, you can still find used Solstice models available for sale online or at dealerships.

Take a look at the following table that shows the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) fair market value for Solstice models that were in production from 2006 to 2009. These values come courtesy of Kelley Blue Book, one of the most trusted third-party evaluators in the automotive industry.

2006-2009 Model-Year Pontiac Solstice MSRP by Style

After reviewing these suggested fair market prices, you can see how this model is a more affordable option than some other pre-owned roadsters on the street. For example, a 2009 GXP convertible goes for $10,905 on average and a 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera has a fair purchase price of $39,683. The Pontiac Solstice average insurance cost should, therefore, be lower.

While you have these values in mind, it’s important to consider the possibility of force-placed insurance.

This is a policy that your lender insists upon to protect the value of the vehicle. You should only encounter this if you didn’t get enough insurance coverage in the first place or missed a payment.

Now that we’ve addressed the fair market value and braced ourselves for any hidden costs, it’s clear that the Solstice can scratch that itch to get a sports car for a reasonable amount of money. But do those savings translate to the insurance policy for the Solstice? Keep reading to find out.

Finding Cheap Pontiac Solstice Collision Car Insurance Rates

It’s important to have a firm understanding of collision coverage to see how the fair market range can affect Pontiac Solstice insurance cost. Collision coverage is a type of insurance that will pay to repair or even replace your vehicle if it gets damaged after colliding with another car or object, such as a light pole or tree.

If you were to lease or finance a Pontiac Solstice, you may be required to have collision coverage by your lender, in case anything happens while you’re still paying off the car. Based on the fair market price of the Solstice, you can expect to pay the following insurance rates based on the model year.

Pontiace Solstice 2007-2009 Model-Year Average Annual Collision Car Insurance Rates

After seeing the stats from this three-year period, it’s evident that there’s a correlation between the fair market range and your insurance rate: the more recent, expensive model years are more expensive to insure.

In order to get the right sense of how other vehicles in the class are impacted by collision coverage rates, take a look at the following table. This data comes from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Small Sports Cars Collision Coverage Loss Percentages

Coming in at -9 percent of the average for small sports cars, the Pontiac Solstice is on the right side of the median if you’re hoping to get low collision coverage rates. While the insurance losses for the Audi TT are the best in the field at -56 percent, the Solstice still has insurance losses that are better than the average for this class of vehicles.

A negative percentage is beneficial to the driver because that means the collision rates for that particular model are lower than the average. Nobody wants to pay more money than what’s necessary, right?

In this case, drivers of the Mercedes SLK class convertible have the most expensive collision coverage premiums at a rate of 28 percent more than similar vehicles.

Read more: Cheap Mercedes-Benz Car Insurance

Finding Cheap Pontiac Solstice Comprehensive Car Insurance Rates

Another type of car insurance you’ve probably heard about is comprehensive. Similar to collision insurance, this level of coverage will repair or replace your vehicle after it has taken on significant damage. Comprehensive car insurance offers even more protection by covering other damage your vehicle can sustain from elements outside of your control, like a branch falling onto your car.

Let’s take a look at how the Pontiac Solstice stacks up compared to other vehicles in the same class. This will give us an idea of how much it will cost to have a comprehensive insurance policy with this model, and whether or not it’s a good financial decision.

Small Sports Cars Comprehensive Coverage Loss Percentages

This data suggests that comprehensive coverage losses for the Pontiac Solstice are better than the rest of the field at -14 percent. That’s considered slightly above average, especially if you compare that loss percentage to drivers of the Honda S2000 who pay nearly three times more than other vehicles in this class.

Models that generally have higher percentages like what we’ve found here with the Honda S2000 happen because insurance providers are seeing more claims and therefore paying out more money. In order to maintain a healthy overall loss ratio, they pass this cost onto policyholders that drive higher risk models.

You can avoid high premiums by driving a car that sees a lower number of overall claims.

In other words, any model that is close to the 0 percent line or trending to the left of it will be on the cheaper side. Insurance companies see these vehicles as less risky and therefore more affordable to insure.

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What are the safety ratings of the Pontiac Solstice?

Car insurance rates for the Pontiac Solstice are impacted by safety ratings. This section is going to cover how safe the Pontiac Solstice is to drive. We will highlight the vehicle’s safety ratings, and how they affect PIP and MedPay insurance rates.

The Pontiac Solstice’s Safety Ratings

Despite its smaller size, the Pontiac Solstice scored well in safety ratings. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Solstice the highest possible rollover rating, and it also received four out of five possible stars in both front and side-impact tests.

Safety features include GM’s signature OnStar service, which alerts emergency responders if the vehicle is involved in an accident. Other standard features include electronic stability and traction control.

Potential owners should note that reviewers find the Pontiac Solstice’s rear visibility to be poor, especially with the top up. This doesn’t seem to be an issue for everyone, but there is a chance it could affect your ability to have a clear view of the car’s rear end.

How do safety ratings of the Pontiac Solstice affect Personal Injury Protection (PIP) car insurance rates?

Now that we know how the Solstice scored on its safety ratings, we can see how these mostly positive scores affect Personal Injury Protection (PIP) rates.

This type of coverage pays the minimum benefit amount for each person inside your vehicle who sustained an injury as a result of an accident.

Small Sports Cars PIP Coverage Loss Percentages

The data reported by the IIHS suggests that at -24 percent of the average, the Solstice shows a favorable loss percentage for drivers.

Even though the other four models with data in this class rank even better, it’s still nice to know that PIP rates are financially reasonable for the Pontiac Solstice.

How do safety ratings of the Pontiac Solstice affect MedPay car insurance rates?

Medical Payments (MedPay) is the last form of coverage we’ll look at in this section. Simply put, MedPay will cover medical bills for you and passengers in your vehicle if you’re involved in any type of wreck.

When it comes to evaluating insurance costs for small sports cars, IIHS only had information for the Solstice and Saturn Sky convertible.

Small Sports Cars MedPay Coverage Loss Percentages

Once again, the Pontiac Solstice shows an average percentage that’s better than the rest of the market at -26 percent. This is most likely because the model tested well in crash tests and received good safety ratings as a result.

How does the safety of the Pontiac Solstice compare to other vehicles with the same size class?

Since the Pontiac Solstice is classified as a small sports car, you might be wondering how safe it is compared to other vehicles in the class.

Take a look at the following data provided by the IIHS that shows fatality data for

How does the size of the Pontiac Solstice affect car insurance rates?

You might have heard that the bigger the vehicle is, the safer it is to drive. However, there is much more to calculating the cost of liability insurance than the size of the vehicle.

Since the Pontiac Solstice is a smaller vehicle, let’s explore how much you can expect to pay for liability coverage based on its size alone. You might be surprised at the high ratings it received despite being smaller than a lot of vehicles on the road.

Take a look at the following table that shows different liability insurance rates for the Pontiac Solstice based on coverage level.

Pontiac Solstice Average Bodily Liability Insurance Coverage Rates

These figures suggest that if you go with the highest level of liability coverage, you’ll be paying about $160 monthly. The lowest form of coverage will cost about $140 per month.

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Car Insurance Coverage Options for the Pontiac Solstice

Collision, comprehensive, and liability are the most common types of car insurance. But there are plenty of coverage levels to choose from based on what your provider offers. Take a look at the following video that outlines what the term full coverage insurance means:

https://youtu.be/PiYyLELU5l4

A lot of drivers choose to get liability because it meets the minimum legal requirement. This form of insurance will pay for damages that are your fault.

The minimum requirements can vary from state to state but a lot of experts recommend you carry liability insurance that reaches the 100/300/100 thresholds.

What do those car insurance numbers mean? In this case, it means that you will have up to $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, with $300,000 total for bodily injury in a single accident, and $100,000 for damaged property.

The right Pontiac Solstice car insurance coverage depends on your state’s laws and your particular situation and needs.

How does the frequency of claims filed on the Pontiac Solstice affect car insurance rates?

Data collected from the Insurance Information Institute (III) shows how the frequency of claims filed for a particular vehicle can impact overall insurance rates. As a sports car, the Pontiac Solstice will fall into the first category of vehicles since the III evaluates it as a passenger car.

Take a look at the following table that shows claim frequency rates for all vehicle types.

III Passenger Vehicle Collision Coverage Insurance Losses

This information suggests that drivers of the Pontiac Solstice stand to experience an average loss of $501, which is a greater loss than what you would experience if you drove an SUV or pickup truck.

How does the size of the Pontiac Solstice affect bodily injury liability car insurance rates?

Bodily injury liability insurance will cover things like medical expenses and lost wages that result from an accident. If you’re deemed at fault and carry this type of insurance, your coverage should take care of the costs.

The Pontiac Solstice has an insurance loss percentage of -38 percent bodily injury, which is better than other vehicles of the same class.

How does the size of the Pontiac Solstice affect property damage liability car insurance rates?

Property damage liability will cover the costs to repair or replace other people’s property if you are deemed at fault for an accident.

The Pontiac Solstice has an insurance loss percentage of -43 percent for property damage, making it substantially better than the average for other vehicles in its class.

Why does the size of a vehicle affect how safe it is?

When two vehicles crash, the impact you feel can vary depending on the size of your car.

For example, if you were driving a Pontiac Solstice and got involved in a crash with an SUV, you would experience a greater sense of impact than the person in the other vehicle. This is because there is a shorter distance from the front of the Solstice to the occupant compartment, where you would be sitting.

While this can seem scary, we already covered how the Pontiac Solstice received four out of five stars for front and side-impact ratings administered by the NHTSA. This is because the weight distribution of the Solstice is well-balanced.

How safe is the Pontiac Solstice’s size class?

After thinking about a worst-case scenario, you might be curious to know how safe the Pontiac Solstice is within its own size class.

With a curb weight of 2,877 pounds, the Solstice falls into the “small” size class as determined by the IIHS.

Based on data collected from the past three years, this vehicle class experienced 48 driver deaths per million registered vehicles in 2018, 46 in 2017, and 44 in 2016.

These rates have been much higher in the past because the differences between larger and smaller vehicles are less extreme today.

Passenger deaths from crashes in a smaller vehicle totaled 13,138 in 2018, which was greater than the number of pickup truck and SUV passenger deaths combined.

What is the cost of repairs on a Pontiac Solstice?

A reality of owning any vehicle is that you will have to pay for it to keep working. Let’s take a look at how much repairs cost on average for the Pontiac Solstice. Even though Pontiac is now defunct, it’s still possible to bring your model into a repair shop to have work performed on this sports car.

How much will it cost to repair my Pontiac Solstice?

Reports from Repair Pal suggest that the average annual cost to repair a Pontiac Solstice is $456. This figure includes regularly scheduled maintenance appointments, like oil changes, in addition to major work.

For a more detailed idea of what it costs to repair certain parts of the vehicle, take a look at the following table. These estimates come courtesy of Instant Estimator.

Average Pontiac Solstice Repair Costs by Labor Type and Body Part

You don’t want to get rear-ended in your Pontiac Solstice. The most expensive part to repair on this sports car is the rear bumper, with an average bill of $521.80.

How does the cost of repairs affect collision and comprehensive car insurance rates?

If you get involved in an accident and make a claim with your insurance provider, you will most likely wonder what will happen to your insurance rate. After paying a set amount on a monthly basis, it can be stressful to think that your rate might spike.

Before you get too far ahead of yourself, you can limit any negative thoughts about repair costs if you have collision or comprehensive coverage.

Having these expensive repairs taken care of is the reason for opting into collision and comprehensive coverage policies in the first place. Your insurance company will foot the bill on any repairs as long as they’re covered under your policy. Whether or not your monthly premium will be impacted is entirely up to your provider.

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What are the theft rates of the Pontiac Solstice?

Every year, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) releases a report that details the most commonly stolen vehicle models in the United States. The Pontiac Solstice did not make the most recent list, meaning it’s an uncommon target for car thieves.

But that doesn’t mean the Pontiac Solstice is untouchable. The NHTSA reported that for the calendar year of 2007, which was right in the middle of the life cycle for the Solstice, a total of 16 models were stolen in the country.

Pontiac produced a total of 21,310 models that year, giving the Solstice a vehicle theft rate of 0.7508 per 1,000 vehicles.

In layman’s terms, the overall theft rate of Pontiac Solstice was low when the car was being regularly manufactured, and these theft rates remain low today.

How do the theft rates of the Pontiac Solstice affect comprehensive rates?

Insurance providers are keenly aware of vehicle models that are commonly stolen and adjust the price of a comprehensive policy accordingly. Companies do this because if you sign up for a comprehensive policy with a commonly stolen vehicle, it puts the insurer at greater risk of having to pay out an expensive claim.

Geography also plays a part in how much you pay for a comprehensive car insurance policy.

For example, your insurance rate will likely increase if you move to a neighborhood with high crime rates and more vehicle thefts. If your vehicle is at greater risk of being stolen because of where it’s kept on a daily basis, insurance companies might try to offset that risk by charging higher premiums.

All things considered, the Pontiac Solstice has a low theft rate so you can expect that your comprehensive car insurance policy will not be greatly impacted.

Now that we have explored the history of the car, how size and class impact insurance rates, the average cost of repairs, and theft rates, you might just be able to consider yourself an expert on the Pontiac Solstice.

However, if you still have a few lingering inquiries, we’ve outlined answers to frequently asked questions that consumers have about this sports car below.

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What is the size class and class of the Pontiac Solstice?

We already covered how the Pontiac Solstice bears a resemblance to a Porsche, but this small two-door sports car is so much more than a doppelganger for the German roadster.

The following table shows a list of each vehicle in this class broken up by make and model so you can see which types of vehicles are similar to the Pontiac Solstice.

Small Two-Door Sports Cars Comparable to the Pontiac Solstice

Now that we have an idea of the types of cars the Solstice is competing with, you might be wondering what makes it unique.

Critics rave about the exterior of the Pontiac Solstice — it even received a nomination for the “Design of the Year” award from the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) in 2006.

But while the exterior of the car is considered to be aesthetically pleasing to most, the interior design leaves something to be desired.

Car reviewers noted that the Solstice is difficult to enter and exit, but this is to be expected in a sports coupe. Edmunds finds the head and legroom to be “adequate,” and a Forbes’ reviewer notes that although hip and elbow room are somewhat tight, the Solstice features comfortable elbow rests for both the driver and the passenger.

When it comes to features, the Solstice goes old school with manual windows and optional air conditioning.

New Car Test Drive points out that the Pontiac Solstice does come equipped with a high-quality stereo, XM Satellite Radio, and iPod connectivity, which is on par with the technology of the day.

The last complaint echoed by nearly all reviewers is that the vehicle’s cargo space is small and hard to access, even for a roadster. The trunk opens from the back and there is no place in the car to store the Targa top when it’s removed. This is definitely a design flaw, as it makes it difficult to load items into the vehicle.

All things considered, the Solstice has some minor design issues, but it’s still a handsome sports car that brings a lot of joy to its drivers. That happiness is made possible by its performance capabilities, which brings us to our next section.

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What are the performance capabilities of the Pontiac Solstice?

Since the Pontiac Solstice is no longer in production, it’s not currently ranked by consumer rating organizations like U.S. News and World Report. If you’re weighing the purchase of a used Pontiac Solstice against that of a new sports coupe, though, you can still compare them directly.

For example, if the 2009 Pontiac Solstice were stacked against new affordable sports cars ranked by U.S. News, it would rank fifth out of six vehicles. With an overall score of 7.9, it would beat the Mitsubishi Eclipse, but it would lag behind the Mazda MX-5 Miata (number one), the Hyundai Genesis Coupe (number two), the Nissan 370Z (number three), and the Mazda RX-8 (number four).

Read more:  Cheap Mazda Car Insurance

Reviewers like Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book find the base model Pontiac Solstice’s 177 horsepower 4-cylinder engine acceptable, but they say that the Pontiac Solstice GXP’s 260 horsepower engine is downright impressive.

Car and Driver calls the Pontiac Solstice a “pure roadster,” and Edmunds calls the GXP “thrilling.”

According to Edmunds, the Pontiac Solstice GXP goes from 0 to 60 in 5.8 seconds, compared to 7.7 seconds for the base model. The number-one-ranked Mazda MX-5 Miata offers a bit less power, generating just 167 horsepower.

When it comes to handling, the Pontiac Solstice delivers a solid performance, as well. Although reviewers say that it doesn’t handle as smoothly as the Miata, it is “remarkably compliant,” according to Consumer Guide, and MarketWatch calls it “confidence-building and fun.”

One of the few complaints comes from Edmunds, which notes that the steering “lacks feedback” compared to the Miata. A reviewer from MSN says that the brakes are “firm,” but only “average” for a sports coupe.

All of these opinions from car reviewers are great, but in order to get a real idea of how the Solstice stacks up, let’s take a look at the following video from MotorWeek. As a quick side note, even though the production level of the footage is a little dated, it provides valuable information about this car.

“Still, it is on the street where the Solstice hits its stride.” This is one line from the review that beautifully summarizes what you can expect out of the Pontiac Solstice. Its well-balanced weight and more forgiving suspension translate to a quieter, more comfortable ride without forfeiting any of the giddy-up you’d expect in a sports car.

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The History of the Pontiac Solstice

The first Pontiac Solstice marketed to American consumers was the 2006 model, but it was formally introduced at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. Production officially began the following year in 2005.

The Solstice, which was produced by General Motor’s (GM) Pontiac division, was so popular with consumers that 6,000 units were ordered during the car’s first 10 days on the market. Pontiac had only planned to produce 7,000 cars for the entire 2006 model year, but it quickly upped this figure to 10,000 to meet the unexpected demand.

Between 2006 and 2009, Pontiac sold over 50,000 units of the Solstice. Despite the car’s popularity, GM discontinued the Pontiac brand in 2009 amid financial turmoil.

Pontiac became the second brand GM eliminated within a six-year timeframe, making the 2010 model the final Solstice to ever go into production.

Take a look at the following vehicle spotlight video from Fitment Industries that reviews a 2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP. This will give you a good understanding of why the Solstice continues to be relevant a decade after the last new-year model was made.

If you didn’t know any better, you might think that the GXP is newer than 2008. The Pontiac Solstice was way ahead of its time, and it was engineered to last.

But just how popular was the Pontiac Solstice in its heyday?

Take a look at the following table, which displays total sales figures from GoodCarBadCar during the lifespan of Pontiac’s two-door speed machine.

Pontiac Solstice Sales Numbers by Model Year

You can see that sales figures were strong for a three-year stretch between 2006–2008, but these numbers experienced a significant drop off at the end of the vehicle’s production life.

Nonetheless, there are still Solstice models on the market and you might be curious to know how much an insurance policy for the roadster will cost you.

Pontiac Solstice Insurance FAQs

The last section of this comprehensive article will cover frequently asked questions car buyers have about the Pontiac Solstice. This should tie up any loose ends there might be regarding this stylish sports car and how much it costs to insure.

Is the Pontiac Solstice a good car?

After factoring in the performance, price, and design of the Pontiac Solstice, it’s safe to say that this is a great car.

It’s a shame that Pontiac went out of business because the automaker did a fantastic job in manufacturing this sports car. Although the newest model year you can find comes from 2009, the vehicle is a sensible roadster with technology that is still relevant today.

How much does car insurance cost for a Pontiac Solstice?

How much you pay for car insurance on a roadster like the Pontiac Solstice depends on what level of coverage you decide to get. Generally, you can expect to pay an annual premium that sits somewhere around $1,400.

Why are there no new Pontiac Solstice models?

GM discontinued the Pontiac brand in 2009, which is why there are no new Solstice models after this year. Overall, the sports car had positive sales numbers, so it is likely that there would’ve been more produced in the years that followed if the brand had stuck around.

Is the Pontiac Solstice safe?

Although it looks flashy, the Pontiac Solstice is still a safe vehicle to drive. The sports car tested well in crash tests and received high safety ratings from the NHTSA, including a five-star rollover rating. The vehicle also has plenty of safety features, such as a tire pressure monitor, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control, and daytime running lights.

What’s the highest trim level of the Pontiac Solstice?

In its short-lived production cycle, the Pontiac Solstice has been made available as a convertible as well as a two-door coupe. The highest trim level comes in the form of the GXP version, which debuted in 2006. This model has more performance power and capabilities than lower trim levels and offers a fun experience for drivers who take it on the race track.

If you’re starting to feel inspired to get behind the wheel of a Pontiac Solstice, enter your five-digit ZIP code in the box below to see the insurance rates available for you right now.

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