I openly admit to GM bashing but this is seriously a car I would own in GXP trim.
I openly admit to GM bashing but this is seriously a car I would own in GXP trim.
In reply to Datsun1500: Was basing conclusion on supplied info. Yours throws my argument out the window. You've compared apples with apples. Good job on putting things into perspective.
Wow, the Miata geeks bashing the Solstice/Sky-shocking. Why wouldn't they, though? They dodged a bullet as GM pulled the plug on a much better looking car, a car that outran their beloved Mazda on the track, was easily and safely modded, was offered with a seriously quick factory turbo set-up and a stunning(although short lived) coupe. Even the GRM wonks picked it over the Miata for track use in a moment of clarity. And, for Pete's sake, who selects their sportscar based on trunk size?
forzav12 wrote: And, for Pete's sake, who selects their sportscar based on trunk size?
People like me that have (or in my case will have) said sports car as their only car. I would love to have a Solstice/Sky, I've driven them back to back against an NB Miata and yes, the Miata was a little more fun, but not much, and the Solstice fit me better inside. But I have to take a (half) hockey bag with me a lot, and if I have a passenger the Solstice would make that impossible.
I'm not asking for a huge area, but seriously. There was more trunk space in a 2nd gen MR2.
Which is unfortunate, because otherwise the Solstice would win by quite a long shot.
Bobzilla wrote:Junkyard_Dog wrote:So, is there ANYTHING out there that you can say is better than your Miata? Just asking.... because Miata isn't ALWAYS the answer. I've driven both and I can't find anything in a Miata that I desire. It's gutless, tiny, expensive when it breaks and breaks more often than anything I own (from my observations).GTwannaB wrote: I drove my 2000 Miata to a GM test day and tried the 2.4L NA Solstice so I had good back to back comparisons. For the highway I might choose the Solstice for cruising, everything else I would take the Miata. I mean everything - feel, brakes, shifter, visibility..... I was not impressed.Compare apples to apples by comparing to an NC* and you'll be even more impressed by how bad the Solstice is. *all NCs need sway bars out of the box, but are still nicer to live with than a Solstice.
I can agree that Miata is not always the answer. Plus I can agree the the Solstice is a better looking car. But if gutless and tiny are your sticking points then you won't be happy with the NA Solstice either. I loved me some SS Cobalt so I would probably change my tune for a turbo Solstice.
I don't see Solstice vs Miata as an apples to apples comparison. I think Mazda actually makes a profit on the Miata. If GM had sold the Solstice at a profit would it have even been in the same market segment as the Miata?
From GM Insider News Though the same information is available elsewhere:
The Kappa line of products makes the "cut" bill rather easily. GMI has been told that when the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky came to the market, GM was losing around $10,000 per unit built. Needless to say, that is not a money-making product line by any stretch of the imagination. It is not entirely surprising that Kappa has been a money pit of a product program. From the ground up Kappa cars are costly; starting with the frame no less. The Kappa architecture is hydroformed as part of the fabrication process to achieve the dimensions and frame rails needed. Many of the body panels (namely the hood, deck-lid, and fenders) are hydroformed as well. Hydra-forming is a costly fabrication method, particularly for vehicles that have such low starting prices and low volume to boot. Add on the fact that the Kappa vehicles are largely “hand built” cars (at least by today’s standards); it becomes quite evident why GM will likely never get a return on investment with the Kappa products.
forzav12 wrote: And, for Pete's sake, who selects their sportscar based on trunk size?
People who like to take long road trips for a week. Leaving Tuesday for a 2000+ mile trip that ends with a weekend at Deal's Gap. The supercharger was a fairly easy mod and makes the highway bits go by faster. No plans to take it on the track much. If I wanted a track car with no trunk I'd just build a locost. I hear Miatas are great for those too 
Junkyard_Dog wrote:forzav12 wrote: And, for Pete's sake, who selects their sportscar based on trunk size?People who like to take long road trips for a week. Leaving Tuesday for a 2000+ mile trip that ends with a weekend at Deal's Gap. The supercharger was a fairly easy mod and makes the highway bits go by faster. No plans to take it on the track much. If I wanted a track car with no trunk I'd just build a locost. I hear Miatas are great for those too
I take road trips on a motorcycle. I'm good for a week with a backpack and softbags. Our Solstice GXP vert was obviously better than that and our GXP coupe.....well you can keep your miata.
The Solstice I'd buy as a potential investment would be a GXP Coupe. It pretty much hits all of the 'future collectible' buttons as well as any car could. Limited production. Fast. Looks good. If we hadn't bought the 2nd MINI two years prior, we might have one.
forzav12 wrote: And, for Pete's sake, who selects their sportscar based on trunk size?
Ever been to a golf course? Ever see someone pull a set of clubs out of a solstice? Neither have I. I (sort of) work at a golf course, and I've heard some of the guys say the looked at solstices and skys and passed because the couldn't use the trunk. I do see lots of corvettes, mustangs, jags, slk's, miatas and the like though. I think alot of people put alot of importance on trunk size on there sportscar.
Joey
joey48442 wrote:forzav12 wrote: And, for Pete's sake, who selects their sportscar based on trunk size?Ever been to a golf course? Ever see someone pull a set of clubs out of a solstice? Neither have I. I (sort of) work at a golf course, and I've heard some of the guys say the looked at solstices and skys and passed because the couldn't use the trunk. I do see lots of corvettes, mustangs, jags, slk's, miatas and the like though. I think alot of people put alot of importance on trunk size on there sportscar. Joey
This too. A sports car trunk doesn't have to be big. But it should be there.
The Miata probably has more cup holders too, because that's also really important.
I have a '06 Solstice in NA trim. Yes the interior has a plasiky feel. Yes the trunk is non-existient. Yes rearward visibility sucks. Yes the Miata is more refined in every way. But as somebody said in another thread a long time ago.....
A Miata never got anybody laid.
If you want more power later on down the road you can start shopping for a Hahn Racecraft turbo or DDM Works supercharger. Both can get you over 300+ horsepower.
Insurance is ridiculously cheap for a NA model (I pay $240 every 6 months for full coverage).
It's a proven GM motor so I wouldn't have too much concern with the 91k but less mileage would be nice and not too hard to find.
Look in the glove box for the RPO codes. If it has code G80 it has a limited slip installed.
The was a recall on '06 models for the rear-pinion seal, check to see if that was done.
Cup holders suck and are prone to breaking.
Check the top carefully for wear as it can be prone to wearing through where the trunk touches it when stowed.
I love my car but I also don't have to live with it everyday either. If it was my DD I may have to rethink it.. It's also not the easiest thing to get in or out of with the top up, but once i'm inside it feels great. I know I plan on keeping mine for a long time.
That's about it. If you have any other questions let me know.
Marty! wrote: A Miata never got anybody laid.
Extremely not true! 
Datsun1500 wrote:Junkyard_Dog wrote:Marty meant in a Heterosexual way....Marty! wrote: A Miata never got anybody laid.Extremely not true!
Me too. You'd E36 M3 if you saw the tail I got with my Miatas.
it was just your "Keith Stone" personality, JD; not the car.
fastmiata wrote: it was just your "Keith Stone" personality, JD; not the car.
Dammit I shoulda done that for Halloween!
I like the "answer" in your avatar 
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