Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Coupes & Convertibles Pontiac Solstice Pontiac Solstice vs 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
376 messages, Last post on Jan 17, 2008 at 3:20 PM
You are in the Pontiac Solstice Forum. Your Host is claires
|
Replying to: jwstump (Mar 25, 2006 6:16 am) here is a pic for you of a golf bag in the solstice: http://www.solsticeforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=820&sort=2 http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4657&d=1142519281- |
|
|
Replying to: ttbuyer (Mar 26, 2006 5:22 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: pao (Mar 27, 2006 4:54 am)
|
|
|
I have to agree that the Solstice looks better than the MX-5, hands-down... but I bought a MX-5 (Miata). For my price-range, if looks were the deciding factor I would have bought the Pontiac... if performance was deciding factor than the turbo-neon would definitely have won... but here's why I got the Mazda: 1: Everyone knows that you can typically rack up TONS of mileage on Japanese cars, just look at all the 200k+ mileage old Civics and Miatas out there. 2: The girlfriend loved the MX-5. We didn't get to drive the Pontiac, we only got to sit in it (I guess I should have worn a business suit to the dealership, with a checkbook bulging out of a pocket?)... I made my girlfriend practice leaning over and placing her head on my lap (it's obvious why) in both cars, and she said the Solstice's hand-brake was in the way and the center console was too wide for her to comfortably make the right motions... The Miata wasn't too comfortable for her either, but she said it much easier. 3: As my only car, I need trunk space. 4: some tuners managed to get over 320 horses (to the wheels!) in a 2nd gen. Miata with a turbo (flyingmiata I believe)... can't wait to see what they can do with the new, bigger engine.. And because I plan on owning this car for 5-10 years or more, reliability issues will come into play when it's time to throw a turbo on the car... and I have a feeling this Mazda will be more reliable than a Pontiac come then. Sure that Corvette-powered Solstice would be VERY COOL, especially since they managed to get 50/50 weight distribution with such a big engine... and there will surely be turbos available for the Pontiac at some point... but there seems to be so many hard-core Miata tuners out there that I bet the options for upgrading parts will be much better than the Pontiac's in the future. After owning my MX-5 Miata for 3 days, here's my impressions: The convertible top needs some break-in time (I imagine... and hope!)... the top on my '01 Miata was much easier to drop because my long arms made reaching the right-side clamp easy... with this new top, I have to get out of the car and press down pretty hard, I thought something might break at first... but it is nice how it locks in place and looks better than the old top... one thing I miss on my '01 is throwing the top down at 70 MPH! You're definitely sitting higher up... like someone said, you feel more like you're in in the car as opposed to on the car My God the 17" wheels look sooo nice on the new car... and it looks as though 18" will fit no problem! 17" 245s might fit, 225s for sure... In the drive-through windows and elsewhere, people give the car the left-to-right visual sweep and are very impressed... instead of the old "cute car" responses the '01 Miata got, now a more typical response is "bad-ass" or simply "nice wheels". If my car had a vagina somewhere on it than it definitely wouldn't be driving straight, and would already need lube/oil maintenance... I love this car! -Z |
|
| haha speaking of which, there is a covered hole about 2" in diameter on the right side of the bumber on my '06 MX-5... The perverted engineers must have had similar thoughts as me lol | |
|
Replying to: ttbuyer (Mar 27, 2006 7:46 pm) |
|
|
Replying to: zonads (Mar 28, 2006 2:35 am) we personally didnt like sitting higher in the MX-5....we wanted that roadster feel..and got it in the solstice...having the car wrap around you.....and cruising with the top down is a great feeling...... as your only car...yes..trunk space is important..for us...this is a third car.....with a Ford Bronco..and Chevy Maxx in the stable..for the other cars.....but we seem to be spending a awful amount of time in the solstice these days... reliablity....a proven point in the miata....for Pontiac..and GM as a whole..they are trying to break a mold from the past....and seem to be making progress..but only time will tell..... tuner....well...again not really into that..but realize that mazda has been on the market for over 10 years now...and the market as had time to provide plenty of aftermarket items...in time you will see the same for teh solstice....the ecotec engine is highly tuneable..if you want to go that route...springs sway bars..cai..exhausts etc..are already on the market for the solstice...and a turbo kick is in the working..again.....in time there will be plenty.... enjoy the new ride......glad you are enjoying it....as we are ours...cheers
|
|
|
Replying to: pao (Mar 28, 2006 4:39 am) from what I have seen the Solstice is a great car, and I would love to have one some day. I guess the proven long-term reliability of the Miata was the clincher for me. I hope the Solstice proves reliability in 5 years from now, then for sure I would pick one up. For now, I'm thinking a good question is this: What was the mind-set of the employees at the time they built the Pontiac? If they were mostly upset over the impending loss of benefits/pay/etc they were sure to see..... the car may prove to have a poor build quality in a few years time, however, if they were aware of and understood the doomed collapse of GM and used this to motivate them to do an extra great job (like us Americans are capable of), then the Pontiac Solstice could prove to be a very reliable car. The cool thing is this- we are both happy with our rides! Obviously, GM and Mazda did two things right here! cheers
|
|
|
Replying to: pao (Mar 28, 2006 4:39 am)  Without having actually drove the Solstice, this is probably an accurate poll- The Solstice is better looking, more spacious on the inside, less spacious in the trunk, has bigger wheels and tires, is "easier to drive fast", has no build quality reputation, has cheap plastic interior, turbo option soon. The Miata is smaller, quicker, has a bigger trunk, more cup holders, proven reliability, it's easier to get head, it's easier to come by, and it has a covered 2" hole on the right side of the front bumper haha ok I just waisted too much time posting here so it's time to sell my computer...adios |
|
|
Replying to: zonads (Mar 28, 2006 2:35 am) Having owned two Miatas, I cannot fault you for selecting one. The reason stated above is not valid, however. The ecotec in the Solstice and Sky is also used by Opel, Holden, Saab, and Chevy. It is a popular tuner. Some 2.0 ecotecs have been tuned to well over the stated 320 horses. Ecotec tuner parts are readily available. The ecotec tuner community is in fact much larger than that for Mazda.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
Coupes & Convertibles Pontiac Solstice Pontiac Solstice vs 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2009 Pontiac Solstice
2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
