CarAndDriver

I think the biggest thing hampering the Sky and Solstice is a poorly executed interior with a lack of storage and user friendliness. Maybe they'll fix it in a year or two.

alfy28

personally i think the Sky looks very gotti like. i thinks it has to much chrome trim on the extetior

Spin9k

One cozied up to me in the parking lot at a local shopping center while I was shopping - even thou I parked like in the boonies. When I came back I saw it and it looked nice, but then I got closer and noticed all the really REALLY shiny chrome all over the front - sorta like that plastic chrome trim you might get in a model car kit. Why'd they have to do that? I think some old GM designer said "Hey, it's more expensive than the Solstice - so let's put some chrome jewelry on it!" lol.

6speed8

That is the MAIN problem with the Solstice/Sky. The parts bin at GM were raided and major compromises were made.

Numbers on paper or one or two reviewers don't quite tell the story. Both the Miata and the RX-8, while perhaps not the fastest cars, and not the best cars for MPG, were puposely built. They were DESIGNED specifically for their goal as sports cars and as such have unique quality about them that the Solstice and Sky are missing.

Kudos to GM for TRYING, but they SHOULD have been able to do better. I mean GM sells more cars in one year than Mazda does in ten. GM HAS the ability to do it right and they didn't. If the Soltice and/or Sky ever reach the levels of achievement the MX-5 has, then you can talk about what great cars they are. Unfortunately GM will probably kill them off in less than 5 years, or make major changes to them, and hopefully get them right.

MazdaJeff

The turbo pontiac is nice, but as you drive it no matter how hard you try it "feels" American and loose. I totally know this is a subjective thing, but during my test drive that is all I could keep thinking about.

I think the looks are okay, but not great. Anyone know how the sales are going? In the vid they indicated they sold out the first run.

Lithium Lotus

2006 Sales figures up to November. The first 1,000 Solstice's were sold in 44 minutes.

Miata: 15,873
Solstice: 18,362

LionZoo

My thoughts as I read this thread:

The Solstice, even the base one, is a better track or autocross car compared to the Miata as it has 40mm more contact patch per corner and a stiffer suspension. However, the Miata is a better driver's car as the ergonomics and tactile feedback are engineered just so. For example, the difference between the NC's shifter and Soltice's is night and day.

The accusation that the Solstice is a parts bin car is a bit unfounded as the original Miata was also a parts bin car (read some of Bob Hall's comments if you disagree) and the current Miata is built off of the RX-8's platform. The Solstice is actually the first GM car on the Kappa architecture.

I don't feel sales figures is a great way of proving a car is superior. The Solstice is, after all, the first small American roadster in quite some time and so there was always going to be a rush to get it just from the flag waving crowd. As much as I don't buy into the "Solstice is the new Fiero" argument, I have to point out that the Fiero sold well initially too.

I guess the bottom line is, if it were my money, I'd buy a Miata and simply swap out the shocks and springs.

6speed8

I would expect the Pontiac to sell more the first year or so. One reason is there are most likely more Pontiac dealerships and two, since the MX-5 has been out for 18 years the market is pretty well saturated for MX-5s. Personally I think the front end of the new MX-5 is not very good looking, and that might be a factor as well.

The original Miata might have had some parts sourced, but it had and has a great transmission (not a truck transmission) and the engine has proven itself over time. Let's see if there is a Stolstice or Sky in 2035, I doubt it.

CarAndDriver

Saw two on the road today.

rovic

hmm the drift king likes the car...surprised anyone japanese would say an american car is even worth looking at. Perhaps he was surprised it wasn't a piece of junk.

I realize he'a a great racer, but I don't think any drifters really appreciate the miata's feel. On the other hand American cars, by their inbred nature, appeal to drifters. Perhaps it's the torque advantage, which drifters seek, why the dk would pick the Soltice over the Miata.

saturn

I personally think this is an absolute amazing endorsement. I've never driven a Solstice or a Sky, but I always though the MX-5 was much harder to drive than the 8. I always felt like I had to throw the car around just to get it to not understeer. I guess some people like that, but I like cars that are easier to drive fast and the Solstice sounds like it does just that. I also think the Sky and Solstice look better -- and so do a lot of people.

The MX-5 has been the standard for quite some time, but these two GM offerings appear to have everything going for them and the sales are starting to show that.

Detrich

generally speaking, the japanese people in japan are fairly white-washed. that means, they pretty much have a devout, elevated attitude to everything american...

that said, the saturn red line does look nice on the outside. i've never driven one, so i can't say anything about how the performance feels. however, i sat in one at the la auto show, and was disappointed the minute i sat down. the cheapest plastic you've ever touched, the ugliest console with big fat ugly ***** protruding like i dont' know what to call it, and not to mention a heavy sunk-in driving position. it instantly reminded me that this was still an american car and that some things never change.

saturn

Wow. I'll get the popcorn!

dbright007

Never ridden/driven a Miata. So I can't compare.

My sister/bro-in-law just got a new turbo sky.
Other than some strange cupholder placement, gauge placement - things I would have to get used to - the interior impressed me alot. It just seemed high quality and put together well.
It is a very good looking car in person. Well set up and designed. The whole thing just looks and feels quality.
It sits low, feels REAL stable on a curvy road - big sticky tires, Bilstien shocks standard, very nice. Turbo kicks in just over 2500 rpm. 260 hp/260 tq - it is there quickly and whenever you want it. Brakes are great, turns in great, and really kicks you in the *** powering out. (I have autox'd and road coarse'd - not much, but I have). Playing with it on the track is going to be like playing with a turbo Miata.

6speedRenesis

What part of ohio?
There are some very twisty roads down here in cincy.

As far as the Solstice goes, i'm indiferent. I've got no beef with Pontiac at all, they have a few very respectable cars, but the same can't be said for the rest of the "high american standards"

Looks don't mean to much if you're talking objectively about performance. If people bought cars soley on looks, the Subi WRX and Mitsubishi Evo's would never sell. But to deny what those cars truly is, is not right. They are very impressive performing vehicle.

ASH8

While I very much respect your opinion Saturn, all the North American comparos particularly of the Solstice and MX-5 I have read put the Mazda in front in almost all categories, the others have trim quality issues and drive trains that are "cruder" (Particularly the Gearbox), while I have not driven the Sky or Solstice or NC MX-5 the NA and NB model that I have are just an ALL out FUN mode of transport.
Mazda really have never intended the MX-5 to be a "performance HP " sports car, it is the TOTAL package which has won over many devoted owners, far more internationally than almost any other "sports" car maker.
Particularly those hard core British enthusiasts that can appreciate a well "engineered" piece of motor.
From a HP Performance stand point the SKY and Solstice with their Turbo's and larger capacity engines obviously will out perform any MX-5 Miata.

From an appearance point of view, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I admit the NC MX-5 had to "grow" on me, it is a far better looking car in the flesh then in any picture.
Personally, I think the MX-5 could have a slightly better looking front nose and headlight treatment as the present vintage looks very plain, again, better when you look at it in person.
I also believe we will see soon a 2.3 litre version by 2010.

Lithium Lotus

North East Ohio, Youngstown-Akron area. There are some nice roads in PA though.

I found some SCCA stuff while surfing the net.

5-9-2006
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=115301

http://www.theracesite.com/index.cfm...e&mag_id=12290

Too bad the Solstice is so heavy and can't handle.

LionZoo

I still don't get it; why are you trying to justify your purchase of a Solstice on a RX-8 board? They're not even competitors! If you want more entertainment, try www.miata.net

RufusVonStorm

Solstice/sky is the best thing GM has made in a long time, I'm glad to see an American car company finally trying to make an appealing car.

When I first saw the solstice, I immediately wanted to buy one. Looks great and under 20k is the right price. Not so sure I would choose one over a miata however, I think the only edge it has is being perceived as more of a man's ride.

MazdaMonkey

The Solstice has a huge advantage in SCCA AutoX because of the larger rear wheels. Most dedicated SCCA people I have talked to are quite pissed off about the GM's advantage in C class (any serious C-Class competitor has to consider moving to the Solstice if they want to win nationals), but hey, that is life. Only a matter of time until someone new figures out how to dominate a category with a new configuration, Mazda did it for over a decade.

I am almost positive if you put the same sized rubber on an MX-5 and tweaked the suspension to handle it, it would be more than a match for the Solstice

canaryrx8

iTrader: (3)

sorry, didn't bother reading through the thread, but it's Keiichi Tsuchiya, not the other way around, give the man his props yo.

Lithium Lotus

In Japan, it's proper to say the family name before the given name. So Tsuchiya is his family name, and Keiichi is his given name.

And that's how you address people in Japan. Like Tsuchiya-San in humble speak, and Tsuchiya-Sama in honorable speak.

Spin9k

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/18/i...-gxp/#comments view from the other side from this user

Pololo_RX8

AND THE POINT OF THIS THREAD IS????

Don't get it... I guess some people have NOTHING better to do.

Carlos.

bruce_van

I think the Solstice is a dead sexy car. It has much more visual appeal than the Miata. Don't get me wrong, I love Miatas and used to own one and regret selling it to this day.

Some people will buy a car solely on styling and some solely on performance/function. If I were in the market for a roadster, I would probably take a serious look at GM's offerings giving the slight edge to the Sky.

Mazda should have made the Miata a little more aggressive. The conservative styling just helps to reinforce the hair dresser stigma.