Today when getting my mail, I groaned as I noticed what I thought was my bill for my GM credit card. It was actually a welcome package (although I joined about 2 months ago). When I turned it over, peeking through a plastic window on the back was a picture of the Solstice (the 3/4 shot on that oceanic background you always see). Anyways, I ripped the package open to see what this was all about. Aside from this pic, on the other side of the card was photos and comments on the Buick Centieme 6-passenger turbocharged concept SUV, the Cadillac Sixteen 1000 horsepower vehicle and the Hy-wire. I'll quote what it said about the solstice -

"On the reverse side is the Pontiac Solstice. It's all about performance in a fun, agile, affordable raodster. Mixing new technology with proven GM components, the Solstice is a total top-down thrill ride. Coming Summer 2005."

I found it interesting that they quoted Summer 2005 instead of Fall like we've been hearing. Living in upstate NY, that would give me more time to enjoy that "top-down thrill ride" before bottling the Solstice up for winter! Of course, I know not to hold my breath.

Wow...God bless GM if that's true. Here in NJ I could use the extra few months myself.

Has to be Mkg 101!! roadsters don't sell very well in the fall of the year.

Earlier is better for me also.

Now which color??

Steve

Out of curiosity, how does the GM card work these days? I looked a while back and it was 1% of all purchases towards any GM car. What I always wondered is how you make sure the dealer doesn't just mentally add that to their bottom line when negotiating. What I mean is, if they know you have a $500 credit, might they just raise their minimum price by $500? Just wondering.

-Stephen M

www.gmcard.com

Steve

They specifically say "negotiate your deal BEFORE telling them about any GM Card points".

The GM card actually features 5 percent earnings. I qualified for the platinum card, but Im fairly certain that doesn't feature any more offers. Says on the welcome package "5% Earnings. No card offers more." and that on average, a person spends $8,800 on credit in a year alone. That would get you $440 in credit over 1 year. "Cardmembers average $1,300 on their next vehicle."

Points DO expire after 7 years though, after which point year 1 would expire and year 8 would replace it. I'd hope to buy a new car more frequently than every 7 years anyway.

And yeah, you'd think the dealer could find a way around these points, but the instructions for redeming points says - "Use available offers to lower the price", next "agree on a FINAL price", "THEN deduct your eligible GM Card Earnings."

Thanks all for the info. From the site:

"GM Card Earnings come from the GM Card, not the GM dealership. Your Earnings will help you save on the purchase or lease of a new GM vehicle—they won't influence the price of your eligible vehicle."

That explains it nicely. Now I need to figure out the value of 5% towards a new GM, a purchase which is uncertain, vs. my current 3% towards gas, which is weekly. :)

-Stephen M

The gm card is great. I've had one for about 1.5 years and have already gotten over $1k of earnings on it. Pay it off every month so there's no interest tacked on and it works like a charm. Let some balance carry over and it negates your earnings but that's the way with any credit card. :banasex0r But if it wasn't for the people who didn't pay it off every month they wouldn't be able to offer the earnings. So thank you to all of the people who don't pay it off. :D