2006 Mazda Mx-5 VS. 2006 Pontiac Solstice
#26
you can't say a car looks better until you are standing next to it.
2> It's a cheap Pontiac.
It's not a stretch to say that one "thinks" that the build quality, driving dynamics, and resale will suck with the Solstice. It's a well-educated guess at worst.
#31
Registered
The price comparisons are deceptive - for example, the MX-5 includes air conditioning as standard, while it's an extra-cost option on the Sky/Solstice. With equal equipment levels, the cars will likely be very similarly priced.
For small roadsters, the weight is very significant. The 300 lb weight disadvantage of the Solstice can be made up with extra HP for acceleration - but cornering and braking will suffer from the extra weight, especially with those 18" wheels. For a nimble, responsive feel, there's no substitute for light weight. The Lotus Elise is testament to that fact. The Sky/Solstice weight puts them up against the S2K and RX-8, not the MX-5.
For an ownership proposition, the Sky and Solstice suffer from the same failing which drastically limited the appeal (and thus sales) of the Toyota MR2 Spyder - there is nearly NO luggage room. With the top down, the Sky/Solstice offers a whopping 1 (ONE) cubic foot of storage space in the "trunk"! If you want to go on an overnight or weekend trip with a passenger - forget it. The MX-5, while not possessing a huge trunk, seems to carry everything in comparison, and many, many Miata owners take advantage of having some (versus basically none) luggage room for extended drives of several days to weeks' duration - something that will simply not be possible with a Skystice.
If you want a toy car - then a Sky/Solstice will fit the bill. A MX-5 will do toy car duty, but can provide a bit of practicality when needed - want to go golfing, or pick up a few groceries? The MX-5 owner can take his car, the Skystice owner will be bumming a ride or driving their boring sedan.
Regards,
Gordon
For small roadsters, the weight is very significant. The 300 lb weight disadvantage of the Solstice can be made up with extra HP for acceleration - but cornering and braking will suffer from the extra weight, especially with those 18" wheels. For a nimble, responsive feel, there's no substitute for light weight. The Lotus Elise is testament to that fact. The Sky/Solstice weight puts them up against the S2K and RX-8, not the MX-5.
For an ownership proposition, the Sky and Solstice suffer from the same failing which drastically limited the appeal (and thus sales) of the Toyota MR2 Spyder - there is nearly NO luggage room. With the top down, the Sky/Solstice offers a whopping 1 (ONE) cubic foot of storage space in the "trunk"! If you want to go on an overnight or weekend trip with a passenger - forget it. The MX-5, while not possessing a huge trunk, seems to carry everything in comparison, and many, many Miata owners take advantage of having some (versus basically none) luggage room for extended drives of several days to weeks' duration - something that will simply not be possible with a Skystice.
If you want a toy car - then a Sky/Solstice will fit the bill. A MX-5 will do toy car duty, but can provide a bit of practicality when needed - want to go golfing, or pick up a few groceries? The MX-5 owner can take his car, the Skystice owner will be bumming a ride or driving their boring sedan.
Regards,
Gordon
#32
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Originally Posted by DARKMAZ8
you can't say a car looks better until you are standing next to it.
#33
you guys rip this car apart without even seeing one. it is a lot bigger than a miata, i think i read that it is 1 in shorter than a new vette. miatas are great but im 6ft 3 and will never fit into one. this car i could fit in so that makes it win hands down for me. who gives a crap about resell value, if you guys are buying cars expecting to get much out of them when your are done, you need to see a better financial advisor. cars are not an investment (except for a select few, buy stock to make money not roadsters)
#34
Somehow it reminds me of the Z4...
This is definitely somewhere out there in the "alternative design" club... (play twilight zone music.)
And whats with the vomit yellow leather? I thought thats a copyright of KIA motors...
This is definitely somewhere out there in the "alternative design" club... (play twilight zone music.)
And whats with the vomit yellow leather? I thought thats a copyright of KIA motors...
#35
you guys rip this car apart without even seeing one.
Nor does one necessarily have to see one in person to know it's ugly. I can look at a picture of a Pontiac Aztec and know it's ugly without having to see one on the road.
who gives a crap about resell value, if you guys are buying cars expecting to get much out of them when your are done, you need to see a better financial advisor. cars are not an investment (except for a select few, buy stock to make money not roadsters)
Again, this Forum is largely made up of car enthusiasts that will, more often than not, frequently buy new cars. 2-4 years from now most of the people on this Forum probably won't own an RX-8 any longer. So the price that their car sells at in 2-4 years is important -- it determines how nice of a car that can trade up to.
#36
HAS ANYONE ACTUALLY SEEN THIS CAR IN PERSON??????
well when you do...the front is FRICKEN UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!
the back is respectable
the build quality? well GM ****...sorry to say...it is so cheap I sat in the Saturn Sky...I swore I could dismantle the interior in 5 minutes with a bread knife
well when you do...the front is FRICKEN UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!
the back is respectable
the build quality? well GM ****...sorry to say...it is so cheap I sat in the Saturn Sky...I swore I could dismantle the interior in 5 minutes with a bread knife
#38
Originally Posted by IkeWRX
Yes, and it looked great including the frontend, as did the Sky.
btw performance wise...definitely the Miata by leaps and bounds
everything about these GM cars are going to be bad handling wise
#39
We're already quickly establishing 2 factions. I'm clearly on Gordo's and truemagellen's side. Then there's that other side comprised of....those other people. We are making comments based on a market perception beyond just 1 person. Many of the other side are just stating what they themselves want. I've placed my bets already. No changing positions later on, Ike, when the cars are out and what we say becomes reality.
#40
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Saw it in person and I was impressed on how the sky/soltice is comprised of duplicating other manufacturers. It plain looks cheap otherwise.
#41
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Originally Posted by Reactionary
We're already quickly establishing 2 factions. I'm clearly on Gordo's and truemagellen's side. Then there's that other side comprised of....those other people. We are making comments based on a market perception beyond just 1 person. Many of the other side are just stating what they themselves want. I've placed my bets already. No changing positions later on, Ike, when the cars are out and what we say becomes reality.
#44
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Originally Posted by BlueEyes
You seem angry.
#45
Bummed, but bring on OU!
Originally Posted by Gord96BRG
The price comparisons are deceptive - for example, the MX-5 includes air conditioning as standard, while it's an extra-cost option on the Sky/Solstice. With equal equipment levels, the cars will likely be very similarly priced.
Last edited by therm8; 04-19-2005 at 12:11 AM.
#46
Kaiten Kenbu Rokuren
Tough keeping threads on topic lately haha. I prefer the Sky over the Solstice, but both may be great cars. I haven't seem them in person but my brother took some pics at the auto show. I think they could be a great success but don't see them taking too much from the miata market, at least not so early on. I guess we shall see.
#47
Originally Posted by IkeWRX
Must not have been hugged enough as a child, or maybe just dropped on his head too many times. Quite frankly I'm shocked Reactionary can even tell the difference between the Solstice and the Miata.
#48
Bummed, but bring on OU!
Was reading a couple Miata forums, and it seems (currently) that you have to have the sport package or higher to get the suspension upgrade, but the sport and higher package only come with the 6spd tranny, which it seems quite a few of the autocrossers don't like. Something about 2nd gear ratios.