First Solstice vs Miata Overview

[mystik]

Dont know if anyone caught the Miata vs Solstice shoot out in the new Motor Trend. Sadly, the Solstice was labeled as the loser, and Motor Trend sends a few buyers in Mazdas direction. A few notes from the "review" -Solstice is 400 pounds heavier, thus a worse car. -Has a better interior than the MX-5, more legroom and headroom, but they kept this section as short as they possible could. -The cupholders and window controls are in awkward spots, making them hard to get to -No center storage -Less smooth engine -Is cheaper -Less room in the trunk with the top down "The MX-5 is a more athletic, lithe drive in most every respect." Also, looks were not really taken into account in this article. Funny how the "gotta have it" factor was blatantly ignored in this article...when it was very easily taken into account in the GTO vs Charger article a few pages ahead. At least we got some publicity.

[capriceman]

Same in Car and Driver in the December issue. Pontiac 2nd miata 1st beacuse trunk space and better lap times. but the ZO6 beat the Dodge Viper SRT10 :)

[Satty]

There is absolutely no reason for the Solstice weigh less than 200 pounds less than my Saturn L200. It'll still sell, I'll never deny that, but as long as the numbers go in the MX-5's favor, I cannot call the Solstice the better car. numbers dont lie.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

It's Motor Trend... What do you expect? These are the very same idiots that spent half a page in the front of the November issue explaining and justifying how and why domestics are gaining HP while the imports are losing under the new system, BLATANTLY making sure to excuse the import companies for their inaccurate measurements (It's even pretty much a disclaimer) Then at the end of the article say "Meh, what's a 197 HP Civic Si compared to a 200HP Civic Si? So long as it's accurate, the extra lost ponies don't matter much" Then in the back of the very same issue on the long term test of the Titan they put "Most horsepower in it's class" as a main selling point. For those of you who don't know, it has a mere 5 HP advantage over the F-150. So... I guess a few ponies don't matter much when an import loses them, but they're a deal breaker when the import has an edge over a domestic?!?!?!? These people REVEL in this deceit and I'm sure they're more than happy that Detroit is seeing hard times now.

[mystik]

Thats my issue with Motor Trend as well...they did an article on the GMT-900s if anyone saw. Basically, in a nutshell, they said: "Will they be top of the line? Yeah. Will they look good? Yeah. But the SUV market is declining so fast, so even if they hit one out of the ballpark it wont really matter if the market is gone." I saw that too, about the HP. That was in the same issue I believe where they said GM should be worried about a new Tundra coming out. lol. It's blatant, and that's what I hate about it. Even if the Miata is lighter, its only quicker to 60 by .1. I'm not denying that the Miata is a nice car, but come on give GM a break and stop nitpicking at every little thing. It happens in Cobalt, H3, Solstice, STS, CTS, SRX, and Impala articles. GTO too...guess its an uphill battle.

[CaddyXLR-V]

Anyone want to look up the weights of all the other small 2 seat roadsters for sale? How much do the Mercedes, BMW, and Porsches weigh? I believe they are all heavier than the mx5, does that mean the Mazda is better than all of them? No, they are different cars with different purposes, just like the Solstice. The Solstice just happens to be in the same price range as the MX-5. Edited November 7, 2005 by CaddyXLR-V

[Satty]

The Z4 2.5 weighs about a hundred pounds more than the SOL, the SLK whatever with a manual weights about 300 pounds more, the Boxster weighs a little less. All roadsters serve one of two purposes; they are either there for the driver to be seen in or they are there for the driver to drive aggresively. Weight kills handling, which is a much more important part of driving than 0-60 times.

[CaddyXLR-V]

All roadsters serve one of two purposes;  they are either there for the driver to be seen in or they are there for the driver to drive aggresively. 

[post="39832"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I think the Solstice has the perfect balance of both. The MX-5 is only for driving aggresively. The SLK is only for being seen in, and the BMW and Porsche are more towards handling, but still look good, except they cost double what the Solstice does.

[balthazar]

Then in the back of the very same issue on the long term test of the Titan they put "Most horsepower in it's class" as a main selling point. For those of you who don't know, it has a mere 5 HP advantage over the F-150.

Doesn't the titan have 305 HP? Doesn't the Ram have 345? Isn't the titan 40 HP shy of the Ram?? What's that? The Hemi is optional? Oh, sorry; I didn't realize that trucks with optional engines are automatically in a "different" class". What a load of horseshit. Edited November 7, 2005 by balthazar

[capriceman]

Then in the back of the very same issue on the long term test of the Titan they put "Most horsepower in it's class" as a main selling point. For those of you who don't know, it has a mere 5 HP advantage over the F-150.

Doesn't the titan have 305 HP? Doesn't the Ram have 345? Isn't the titan 40 HP shy of the Ram?? What's that? The Hemi is optional? Oh, sorry; I didn't realize that trucks with optional engines are automatically in a "different" class". What a load of horseshit.

[post="39895"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Hey wait your forgetting a GM truck that gets 95 more horsepower than the titian the SSR, what its a truck in my world.

here are GM's number

Standard in the 1500 (well at least mine) 5300 295 hp 335 ft/lbs
Optional 5300 H.O. 310 hp 335 ft/lbs
Optional 6000 345 hp 380 ft/lbs
The SS has 345 hp 380 ft/lbs

THEY ALL HAVE LEADING TORQUE i belive

SSR 6.0 400 HP 400 ft/lbs (whos leading now?) Edited November 8, 2005 by capriceman

[capriceman]

Same in Car and Driver in the December issue. Pontiac 2nd miata 1st beacuse trunk space and better lap times. but the ZO6 beat the Dodge Viper SRT10  :)

[post="39664"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

At least they said if you were driving a solstice and a miata side by side the solstice would always get more looks. Also they compared the cars on the track.

Its weird thats decembers issue and its what november 8th.

[Polish_Kris]

Why do so many of you cry as soon as a car magazine rates a GM products below something else? I have the issue, and I read the comparo, and I thought it was pretty fair. There is a quote in there that says when you rev the ecotec, it feels like you are hurting it. Well that is true, because I have driven many Ecotecs and it does sound thrashy. In the same issue, there is a sedan comparo, and the Ford Fusion took second place, and the Camry was placed last. Because they felt the car has no emotion, and I agree. Do you see me crying? no. So relax a bit. And I felt the Corvette and the Viper comparo was fair too. The Vette is nice, except for that generic steering, it kind of bugs me.

[CARBIZ]

A week ago, the Toronto Star ran two commentaries on the Solstice in their Wheels section. Once again, they reconfirmed why (after 20 years) I cancelled my subscription 2 years ago. Laurence Yap, who hates everything American, surprisingly gave a fairly balanced and generally favorable review of the Solstice. Directly beside his article, Mark Richardson, the editor of the Wheels section, listed ten reasons he doesn't like the Solstice. He bitched and complained about everything. Again, unbalanced and yellow journalism. It is fine to have an opinion that in general you like or dislike something, but when you are in a position of "authority" like they are, it at least has to appear to be balanced to a certain degree. I may dislike Toyota, but even I can find things about the Camry and Corolla that are good.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Why do so many of you cry as soon as a car magazine rates a GM products below something else?

Read the financial news lately?!?!? This BIAS is killing GM.

The Solstice is overall a MUCH better car than the Miata. It might not be quite as fast (.2 seconds isn't that noticable :rolleyes:) and it is supposed to be the revolution car for GM.

By the media scoffing at it and it not being able to out perform a warmed over Miata, they're kicking dirt on the entire GM renaissance and on Lutz name IMO. It's more of the TYPICAL same 'ole stuff. GM makes an AWESOME car and it "Isn't quite good enough or isn't quite as good as [insert random import]"

I would however like to know if the write up on the Solstice was positive overall or just a bashfest.

Camry was placed last. Because they felt the car has no emotion, and I agree. Do you see me crying?

If you're a fan of Toyota you have nothing to cry about... They're not failing or in danger of going out of business. Or better yet being RUN out of business by bias and unfair business practices.

Oh, and what finished 1st? The Mazda 6 maybe? Wouldn't surprise me... Eventhough they are essentially the same car, the bias would place Mazda above Ford.

[Polish_Kris]

Read the financial news lately?!?!? This BIAS is killing GM.

The Solstice is overall a MUCH better car than the Miata. It might not be quite as fast (.2 seconds isn't that noticable :rolleyes:) and it is supposed to be the revolution car for GM.

I would however like to know if the write up on the Solstice was positive overall or just a bashfest.
If you're a fan of Toyota you have nothing to cry about... They're not failing or in danger of going out of business. Or better yet being RUN out of business by bias and unfair business practices.

Oh, and what finished 1st? The Mazda 6 maybe? Wouldn't surprise me... Eventhough they are essentially the same car, the bias would place Mazda above Ford.

[post="43846"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Ok, you alwyas think you're so smart with your comments. How do you know the Solstice is a better car? Maybe it is, maybe it isnt. But you are so quick to judge, of whatever has the GM badge on it, must be good, and as soon as something wrong is said about it, you go crying "ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!!ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!!ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!!ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!!ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!!ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!! ITS THE MEDIA!!!!, weee, weee, weee mommy!" Relax man, yes the Solstice is a nicer looking car in person, and on the road. I personally think the current Miata looks kind of weird. But that doesn't mean Car&Driver is automatically bias because it's a domestic. Oh, you think you're such a philosopher, pick up the current issue and READ it! They placed the Accord above the Ford. However, the Ford came above the acclaimed Sonata and the Camry. And GM and Ford are not in trouble because of media bias. They are in trouble because many baby boomer are retiring who work for the UAW, are going on retirement. And unlike here in Canada where the gov't pays the pensions. In the US, the private sector who they worked for must pay the pensions. That's allot of money. Plus other issues. But not your self-invented media bias! I'm not fan of any company, I am a car guy, you, my friend, are a overprotective GM freak, who jumps to conclusions to quickly before even listening completely through.

[Satty]

Wait, its not the medias fault that when my cell phone is in my cupholder and it vibrates, I can feel it in the arm rest? The media didn't install the cheap, crappy exhaust manifold in my car that I dropped a good chunk of change to repair? I cant blame the media for the rattles and wind noise my car has at highway speeds? Damn, now whose fault is it that my car sucks? Not the medias, they didn't build it. Not mine, I didn't build it. Could it be, should we actually put this on GM? They engineered it, they built it, they leased it to someone who didn't want it, so I ended up with it. Yep, its GM all right.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Such hostility guys.... (FOG pats the sheep on the head) It'll be okay. Don't like it, don't read it. If you think the last 30 years is entirely GM's fault then you're remiss and if you think the opinion of an import fan and a former mod matters to me in the first place, then you're delusional. Have a nice day. :)