I have been thinking about purchasing a Pontiac Solstice a lower end model nothing fancy. The reasoning is that I miss the roadster 2-seater experience. I recently bought a 06 RX-8 6-speed (exhaust and short throw shifter) and I’m not too impressed with it. I came from a 06 MX-5 5-speed (coilovers, chassis braces, front/rear strut bars, performance 35 series tires). I really miss the nibleness, balance, handling and the enjoyment of driving the MX-5 on curvy roads. I don’t think I will ever get that with the RX-8 even with tires, bracing and coilovers.

With the employee pricing and promos on American cars the Solstice has intrigued me. Being in a Roadster Club in a big city in the past I know a little about the solstice speed and handling. I know it’s a little on the heavy side (still lighter then the rx-8) and the 2.4 liter engine is not well matched for this car. I’m not worried about the straights more of a corner person. I have never driven the solstice.

I guess my question is. For those who driven the MX, RX-8 and Solstice can you give some input please.

Coilovers and wheels do a LOT for balance on this car. Add some strut bars and I think you'll be very impressed.

Don't feed the troll........he's "famous" ya know.

But I have a bunch of food I didn't eat after lunch....it's starting to stink up my desk.

well you can always Nimble and balance the rx8 off a cliff.

A stock RX8 is one of the best handling cars on the road and it rides smooth as hell. My bud had a soltice GXP and he beats me in a straight line but on the autox course I eat him up. The Soltice is very easy to upset.

A stock RX8 is one of the best handling cars on the road and it rides smooth as hell. My bud had a soltice GXP and he beats me in a straight line but on the autox course I eat him up. The Soltice is very easy to upset.

Exactly, so therefore he either has to have no idea of what he's really talking about, or is trolling.

Not trolling....

My old MX-5 and my new RX-8.

Well get some coilovers, swaybars, and tires. You will notice a difference.

Solstice isn't as good. Plus it's cheap and american.

I own an RX-8 I knew this was going to get biased answers. Just wanted to know if anyone else has driven the 3 different cars and can give a compression.

You mean impression?

Or comparison?

Anyways.. Why waste MORE money on an auto loan for a POS Pontiac?

This car has amazing potential, and handles VERY VERY well. As said above, it crushes the Solstice in AutoX.

The rx-8 handles very well and I was impressed at the balance with the car being a 4-door. I guess coming from a track modified MX-5 to a stock RX-8. I miss what I had I guess I’m trying to fill the missing void with “just something”.

The void will become a gaping crater with the Pontiac.

Turn the 8 into a track modified car and it will never cease to amaze you.

If it's that bad, find a junked MX-5 (newer model) or one with a blown engine and drop a renesis in it. No one here will burn you for that :)

get another miata.

get another miata.

I still have bracing for the car too!!!
The employee pricing, promos, 0% financing and lifetime power train warranty is hard to beat. Where as Mazda has little to nothing on the new styled MX-5.

If you're in love with the MX-5, why'd you trade it in for an RX-8? Different car all together.

To make a long story short I had to trade in the MX-5 because I moved back home to New York where it was winter and the MX-5 was not able to handle the snow I need something. I wanted to stay loyal to Mazda and I always loved the RX-8 and I still do.

To make a long story short I had to trade in the MX-5 because I moved back home to New York where it was winter and the MX-5 was not able to handle the snow I need something. I wanted to stay loyal to Mazda and I always loved the RX-8 and I still do.
so you traded in a car, that you didnt even test drive to see if you liked it or not? because if you did, i dont think you would of been driving a rx8, since you think its not agile enough for your taste.

The Solstice won't get you back what you had. It'll get you a car without the room of the RX8 or the handling of your Miata. But the price can't be beat. :rolleyes:

In simple terms, you can get a damn fine handling car that will amaze you and can also throw more than one passenger in the car when needed.
Besides it ain't nothing but a clone car with the Saturn.

I did test drive the RX-8 before I purchased the car and it was a good deal. Thanks for the concern though. I don’t really care about how big the trunk is or how many people I can take for a ride.
I just wanted some impressions if anyone has experience in the cars mentioned (mx5, rx8, solstice).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_d5-K109DQ

The one thing I did'nt like about the Soltise was that the interior, is kind of cramp up . Other than that i think it is a very nice looking car . Anyways if your still in NY aren;t you going to have the same problem you had with the MX .

To make a long story short I had to trade in the MX-5 because I moved back home to New York where it was winter and the MX-5 was not able to handle the snow I need something. I wanted to stay loyal to Mazda and I always loved the RX-8 and I still do.
Makes no sense. Why couldn't your Miata handle the snow? Snow tires on either the Miata or the RX-8 would yield comparable handling. If anything, a well set up Miata would be better because of its lighter weight unless you had lowered it too far in some really deep snow. My '93 Miata is currently my winter beater when it snows, I pass up SUVs in ditches all the time. Last year passed up a 4-matic MB on an uphill curve as it started to slide out of control because the driver was scared to death and was driving too slow after that--and I thought I drive really slow in the snow. It's all about tires. You think a Solstice will be better in the snow?

I hear the crossfire is pretty good...

I tested the mx-5 when I was looking for another car. In the end, I prefered the rx-8. My folks had an NA and it was fun though it lack the power. The mx-5 fun too. But alas, the rx-8's total package was superior. I know lots of folks that drive the mx-5 in winter. With the PRHT model, just slap a set of winters and you're good to go.

OH BOY

http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=133620&stc=1&d=1234484469

get the solstice... mazda sucks!!!! :UNCLESAM:

all jokes aside, the stock 8 suspension is very soft. but then again so was the MX5 that i test drove. another thing you want to remember is both cars share the same chasis just one is heavy but has more power.

i did test drive the solstice when it first came out (not the redline... yet). i remember it was sprung and dampened better then the mx5. didnt really push it though so i dont know how well it behaves under spirited driving.

Half the people in this thread jumped down the OP's throat for no other reason that to be negative. Give the guy a break, he posted a valid question looking for advice.

This forum's thread ettiquette is falling.

Solstice drives like a ford windstar.
It would take a lot of $$$$ to make it handle well.

THere is a reason they are not selling well, because they can not do what a roadster is supposed to do.


If you want a convertable, go back to your Miata, or make the wise choice and get a Toyota Spyder

Half the people in this thread jumped down the OP's throat for no other reason that to be negative. Give the guy a break, he posted a valid question looking for advice.

This forum's thread ettiquette is falling.

Yes, you're absolutely right. There is simply no excuse for such personal slandering and thread derailing.

So let's get back on topic.

To answer the OP's question: No, there is clearly no more hope for you, so you might as well shoot yourself in the face right now.

Thanks for everyone’s time.

Don't mind the D bags man. Seriously though the RX8 and the Soltice are not that comparible. Personally if you like a roadster ger a used S2000 and save a ton of money. My friend just picked up an 06' S2000 for like 16k with super low miles. The depreciation on that Soltice will be huge (same as with the RX-8).

I test drove all three back in 06 before buying the 8. My thoughts after test driving the Solstice was this is a piece of shit. It is poorly designed in every way, the base engine is noisy and weak, reliability from what I have read has been so so, and a redesign is uncertain at this point.

It looks good from the outside but with the top down, there is zero storage space. I asked the saleswoman "What do I do if I'm going to the beach with another passenger and luggage?" She didn't answer me. There is no storage space inside either. Oh wait, there is an ashtray like storage compartment in the waterfall divider. It is the only car I have ever been in with a center console but no center console storage. Lastly, I'm 6'3 and for me the steering wheel lip covers the gas gauge. And yes I tried to adjust the wheel several ways but it wasn't much better. I intended to drive this car every day and the Solstice would never work.

I didn't find these problems on the MX5 and really liked the car but due to my height, it was uncomfortable. Now that the chassis is stretched, I would consider getting one. I guess I look at it as Mazda has been continually updating and improving the MX5 whereas GM has treated the Solstice like a lot of their cars, they gave up after the first run.

It seems like price is swaying you right now but consider resale value. I didn't do the numbers but I would guess the MX5 holds its value far better than the Solstice. Then consider if the model or the entire Pontiac division is discontinued. What is going to be the resale on that car if that happens? GM management changes like the wind but I thought the last I read, they wanted to concentrate on 4 core brands, Chev, Cad, GMC, and Buick.

Demand for the Solstice fell off a cliff after the first couple years and the plant here in DE is down to one shift. In comparison, the MX5 is the best selling and most popular small roadster. These are just my thoughts after test driving each car. It was just a test drive and nothing extensive. In the end you are the one making the payments and you are the one who has to live with it every day so buy what you want.