rx8wannahave

This thread is more about how the US auto makers seem to be waking up (Saturn to be specific), than...would I buy it over this or that. Remember that...also, history is good...but holding back cars or limiting them because they have none is a bit unfair.

Every car made started with NO history at all, it's up to GM to make the Solstice into something worthy of having a history.

No...performance wise it's not better than the MX-5, but I'd take it's looks over the MX-5 anyday. Also...it performs pretty good regardless of what the MX-5 is doing. It might have pushed the MX-5...but the MX-5 slapped it back, lol.

These cars are not perfect and I agree there is room to improve, but what I think we are watching is an advancement of the US auto maker world...at least, they seem to be headed in the right direction.

As for this car over the RX8...remember, some of us need those backs seats and wouldn't have looked at a 350Z, S2000, MX-5, or Solstice because of their 2 seat configuration.

One thing I don't agree with...is that they are pricing these cars (well, let's see when the final numbers come in (performance per $$) "IT SEEMS" a little too high. Their history of poor quality...dose not justify the high price tag.

But again...we shall see, I don't have the final numbers to tell yet.

I'm still impressed that they came out with such good looking car and at the entry level it's an affordable sports cars.

A 2.2L 200HP I-4 would have been better as the entry level engine...

bascho

The most important aspect of the Solstice/Sky is that it is a brand new vehicle and already compares very well to the MX5. The MX5 did beat the Solstice in many of the performance tests....but by very small margins. When the GXP/Redline versions come out, the MX5 will be killed in every performance category.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

FYI, Bob Lutz recently announced that basically, Saturn will become Opel of US; the whole Saturn line will eventually be replaced by Opel cars, wearing Saturn badges of course.

snizzle

What comparo?

I've read it was much MUCH closer than "trounced"

snizzle

There is some truth to this already with some of their past cars (i'm thinking some of the L & S series). Not to mention the Sky Redline and Open GT are the very same car.

skillmaker

I'm driving one right now! My 2000 Cadillac Catera!

Precursor to the CTS. And, it was a rebadged/Americanized Opel.

Prior to 2000, they had engine problems, driveline problems, electronics problems, interior problems, etc.... It's that fine German engineering! 2000 and above, they had fixed the majority of the problems, and it became a fine little sedan. However, the evil reputation followed it until its demise.

My Catera runs great, handles great, can cruise at highway speed +++, has a really nice 200hp 3L engine, and is quiet and comfortable for the daily grind. However, it has had it's share of little problems, as most high milage daily drivers will (65K and rolling).

Basic for me is, every manufacturer has things it does right (Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Pickup, etc), and things they do wrong (Toyota MR2, Honda Element, Ford ZX2, Pontiac Aztek).

The American manufacturers are slowly getting better, and hopefully they will stop doing design in a vacuum and actually listen to the people that view their concept cars and use their regular cars for future ideas (WTF were they thinking with the Pontiac Aztek? We were at a state fair where GM was showing it off, and there were hundreds (yes, hundreds) of people walking away actually laughing and joking at the gawdawful ugliness of the thing).

We who live in the real world are still ignored by the 'design by committee' folks at some manufacturers, many of whom seem to be either blind, tactile-impaired, or afraid to voice a real opinion, and unable to understand and interpret feedback from the people that may actually purchase their product.

JRichter

Yep. The redesign of the ION that was about to be released was canceled and a rebadged Opel Astra will be brought in.

http://www.caranddriver.com/carnews/...a-in-2007.html

fizzer

True, but they're gonna be a lot more $$$ over the mx-5. The mazdaspeed mx5 will probably destroy them, but if straight line performance is your thing in a proper sports car (silly I know) then throw a turbo in the mx-5 for less than the price of a skolstice Redline/gxp.

therm8

I don't see how you're going to pull that off, considering the price of an Mx-5, unless you're buying a base model. In which case you lose 1 of the 3 redeeming aspects of the Miata...the interior. The others being weight and handling.

Let's wait and see who destroys who in the MS vs RL/GXP comparos. And who's aftermarket is better (we already know what the answer to this one will be...GM's). Mazda's recent forced induction attempts haven't been all that impressive...

snizzle

And lose your warranty on a brand new car.... no thanks

JRichter

It can probably be easily said that the MX-5 is more refined, has better build quality, better handling dynamics, and eventually better resale value than the Solstice due mostly to the fact that Mazda has over 17 more years experience and development time building this type of car.

I've already read that the GM cars were already rushed to the market. If GM would continue to make small refinements to further development these cars as opposed to waiting around for the sales surge to fall, holding the same design for another 5 years, slapping incentives and rebates on them, then comming out with a totaly different design--then they would probably be pretty decent.

Photic

Ick. It looks too much like an Aztek to me. I'm not fond of the phlegm color either.

snizzle

How dare you!?!??!?!??!?!

therm8

Looks more like a 2 door Cx-7 to me. Or maybe they both look like an Aztek . Either way the Saturn looks the best of the 3.