I saw a shiny new, black Pontiac Solstice parked in the Beverly Center lot yesterday on the way back from lunch. And, it really caught me off guard, because even from afar I couldn't help but feel myself drawn over for a closer look...

The closer I got, the more suprised and amazed I began to feel. I've seen and driven the new MX-5 Miata. But, this was NO Miata, which suddenly seemed unexpectedly pale in comparison. But, wait. This is a Pontiac? a GM? What?!!

Whoah! * * *

The very first things you notice are the extremly fluid & muscular lines and elegantly designed exterior. This is one comfortable yet masculine car to look at- not in any way likely of being stamped a "girly car" that the Miata sometimes is accused of being.

Suprisingly, the profile and overall design flow of the car REALLY resembles the RX-8. (Yes really.) Even the interior, with it's two-toned leather, identicle a/c vents, and elegantly designed dash gave me flashbacks of my 8...

I think this is the very first time an American car has ever made me do a double-take and make my heart pump. Now the million dollar question is, how does this thing drive? I think I'm going to have to go find out. . .

Ouch.

 

you see new models on the road all of your life, but i have to admit when i first saw one it did surprise me as well. Its really unlike anything i've seen on the road, especially the black one.

 

sorry i dont share your enthusiasm .. there is one sitting in this office parking lot where we go to lunch and every time i look over im filled with disappointment .. i liked the one in the auto show .. but on the street .. hhmm whats the word .. lame

 

its a cool looking car, but not that jaw dropping, and the mx-5 still kicks its *** in almost everyway

 

^werd. Not all that impressed myself.

 

I think the saturn sky looks better

 

u have to see one in person i think. i didn't think too much of it either until i saw it up close.

 

I've seen a couple very up close here in Florida. Still not that impressive.

 

When I see them in person, they always remind me of a fish. More like the sluggish grey fish that just sits at the bottom...

 

what color did u guys see? have u seen a black one?

 

The Solstice and Sky look great. I would buy them over the Miata in a heartbeat and that's probably one of the few times I'll ever make a decision based on looks over performance. Lets face it, none of them are exactly performance juggernauts and I think the new MX-5 is awful. The MX-5 looks like what barbie (maybe Kent ) would drive if she were a lego action figure.

Detrich, the only color I've seen on the road is black.

 

Well, at least dillsrotary and Ike understand where I'm coming from...

Honestly though, if the Solstice looks like a fish, I've also been told that my RX-8 looks like "a Frankenstein mobile because all the panels look disproportionately pieced together and the fenders stick out kinda weird." <shrugs> <lol> Well, the 8 grows on you, so what can I say to that. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... And, honestly tho, I would be a bit puzzled if fellow 8 owners who have seen a Solstice- like the one like that I saw- would say that it looked like a sluggish fish. I may not be a car expert, but I still think I have fairly decent taste and am not a complete moron...

Having seen & driven the new Miata already, it definitely pales in comparison to the Solstice in the "looks" area... I haven't driven the Solstice yet, so I can't speak on its performance... I still like the way the new Miata looks- just not as much as I like the Solstice...

 

Wait for this one, and all doubt will be erased from your mind:


"Set to be launched next fall, the GXP sports a 2.0 liter turbo engine with variable valve timing that features the highest specific output in the General’s history. The 260 horsepower amount to 130hp per liter, with max torque peaking at 260 pound-feet.

"The mill is also GM’s first-ever direct-injection engine. According to Pontiac, the Solstice GXP can cover the 0 to 60mph dash in under 5.5 seconds."

Or, you could just throw all caution to the wind and go for this one:



"All the horsepower of the Corvette slammed into the Pontiac Solstice. The 400hp GM LS2 engine is an awesome addition to this super slick roadster. Mallett Cars has engineered it as a complete package. Extensive track and street testing has been done to assure that this car handles better than stock on either a Sunday drive or on a road course. The cars are complete from front to back using Genuine & Official Licensed Products of GM with the stock OEM catalytic converters in place to assure state emission compliances. Our package retains stock features such as cruise control, ABS brakes and all OBD-II diagnostics. And only Mallett Cars will back this kind of performance with a 2-year, 24,000 mile warranty.

ONLY 100 CARS WILL BE BUILT! With a base price of only $19,995 (not including car) they will be sure to go fast. Packages are still available. Order yours today!"

 

yeah i heard Mallett was going to do one, first time I've seen pics though. ****, if it's anything like their corvettes that thing probably kicks some serious ****.

 

they test drove the Mallett one and had to launch it from 2nd gear to even get a below 5 sec 0-60. all of the weight is up front and the rear's(I believe they were upgraded wider) would just smoke all through first and second gear. but on the highway its probably a beast.

 

^^ Wrong. Mallet specifically moved the engine as far back in the engine that he could in order to give the car 50/50 weight balance...

 

As far as the solstice, its mainly the front I dislike/reminds me of a fish. Something about the shape of the nose/grill that isn't appealing to me. The sky on the other hand... wow, saw one and loved it even more in person. Might just have to test drive the sky redline one of these days...

 

i have seen the solstice in person and heard it drive by and they are quite nice...to coutinue on what cathces me is that its a pontiac :0, I would like to give it a test drive some time. i havent seen the saturn sky yet but maybe soon.

 

If it was only half as good as it looks. Most auto journalists favor the Miata and sorry… it's not even close.

 

Every write up I've read said they were very close. The Mx-5 just "feels" better. Considering the weight difference, I'd say that's an obvious statement.

Sadly the Mx-5 looks horrible, even with Mazdaspeed acoutrements.

A sports car must do more than perform like a sports car. It must look like a sports car.

 

I like the new Miata, I think it's definitely the best looking Miata yet, and it definitely seems to be a slicker, better designed car; as well as having a sizeable power/weight advantage. Having said that, the styling is still too cutesey, yet conservative, at the same time. The Solstice is clearly the sexier car, and anyone who disagrees needs to clean off their glasses and stop smoking crack. Which car would most ladies go for, styling wise? I'd bet 9/10 go for the Solstice--'nuff said.

Personally I think it would be easier to fix the HP/weight disadvantage of the Solstice than to fix the styling of the Miata. If there's some super awesome body kit for the Miata though I might reconsider. All the blahlblahblah about how much room the convertible top takes up is irrelevant--you can put your groceries in the front seat. If you've got more than that...well that's why you have a second car/truck, right?

Hopefully competition will push Mazda to take more risks with styling, and GM to put their cars on a diet. Oh and GM, let's put the Sky's interior into the Solstice, mmmkay? Much better looking. I won't be surprised if we see people doing dashboard swaps once these cars are more common.

 

So you're saying the Solstice is a girlier car?

No doubt from the outside it looks a lot better than the miata.

It feels cheap in the driver's seat and doesn't feel refined at all when driving. But then again, that's almost a given for every GM car.

 

The car is sexy no doubt about it, and it catches my eye every time. This comes down to what's more important to us. I happen to think the Solstice is nicer looking then the Miata, and the Sky is a bit nicer then the Solstice. It's most certainly a head turning car, but I have not driven one yet to know if it can match it's looks. I do not care for the front end of the new Miata. There's something about it that bothers me. In the end, I believe I own the best roadster for the money (S2000). I'll spend the extra and get the better car. Of course the S2000 is tamer and simpler in looks compared to these new roadsters, and I hear 07 is last year of this model S, so we'll see what Honda does. Either way it's noce to see an American tagged roadster that looks really nice. The Miata has gotten boring, so it's nice to see some new interesting competition.

 

I've seen the Solstice in black, blue, and red down here. Blue is my favorite followed by red. I like it overall but the back is hideous in my opinion. Looks like a cross between the MR2 Spyder/350Z from behind.

Regardless, I'd probably get a GXP if I had the extra cash.

Also I saw someone driving an 06 black Miata yesterday and it just looked sleek as hell.

 

You are no less than right on that!
A couple of weeks ago at a busy downtown intersection, people were gawking at a red one as I rolled up at the light in the 8. All attention shifted to the 8 (kinda used to it now) and the Solstice driver hunkered down in his seat as his smile got wiped away.