Is the Pontiac Solstice a V8 swap away from perfection?

One bit of trivia on the Solstice coupe - it would have been a true fixed head coupe, except that the safety approval process would have had to be redone at considerable cost, so GM opted to use a removable top panel, which sidestepped that expense. 

Unfortunately they bodged the design of the top by not making the panel that you remove storable behind the seats so they offered a collapsible soft top that would stow there, but not well. Today the soft top changes hands for around $2K as not many were made (I bought my coupe new off the lot but didn't want a soft top - I'd have preferred the hard top to be welded to the body!)

Changing the top (an amusing video):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U60VlW8ucCM

I would love it if my targa top was that easy to install.

Start at 3:00....

https://www.google.com/search?q=installing+gen+1+viper+top+youtube&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS958US958&oq=installing+gen+1+viper+top+youtube&aqs=chrome..69i57.6113j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_ozmeY_GaMomiptQPm96E6AI_27

In reply to wspohn :

Love the coupe!

NickD said:

While I'm not a huge fan of the drivetrain, the majority of my gripes with the Solstice come from it's bulbous styling, low-rent interior, and garbage ergonomics, and a V8 doesn't fix any of that..

The Saturn Sky fixes the styling. Although I didn't remember the interior, I haven't been in one in more than 10 years. 

M2Pilot said:

I've never driven nor even rode in one of these cars. I like them.  But, it seems that I've seen many mentions of awful ergonnomics.

Not a vehicle fit for two adult humans to ride around in.