- #322 of 376
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Re: The Foresight of GM [glennglenn]
by aviboy97
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Sep 02, 2006 (5:21 am)
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Replying to: glennglenn (Sep 01, 2006 9:31 am)
Sure, they don't currently have the refinement of the Miata, BUT thats a car 17 years (actually 18) in the making and neither was the Miata that great a car when it arrived here in the very early 90s. It rattled, was noisy with top up and down and was underpowered. I won't even go into the host of reliability issues the early cars had
There was little to no reliability issues with the early Miata. Sure, there was not much power, and a plastic rear window was not too cool, we are talking about 1989 here! But, I still see many in here for oil changes with 200+ thousand miles on them.
I do give GM credit for a first attempt in the roadster market. It has been a success. They should get praise for that.
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- #323 of 376
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Re: Best Motoring review [glennglenn]
by carlisimo
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Sep 04, 2006 (9:17 am)
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Replying to: glennglenn (Aug 31, 2006 8:31 am)
It wasn't a surprise, after the initial reports of both cars.
Autocrossers quickly discovered that "stock" (which in autoX means "equipped with race tires on stock sized wheels"), the Solstice was faster than the new Miata. (Neither were as fast as the old Miata at the time though.)
The biggest reason for the Solstice's advantage is its larger (wider) wheels. It simply has more grip. In the Miata's defense, the British press reported that Mazda said they didn't want to increase grip from the previous generation, because low grip was part of what made it so much fun. But that doesn't explain why the new Miata doesn't work so well on race tires. According to those same autocrossers, it's because the camber isn't as adjustable as it used to be... it remains to be seen if tuners (or Mazda) can do anything about that.
Still, I'm going to continue to recommend the Miata to anyone who wants a roadster as a daily driver.
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- #324 of 376
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Re: Mazda badddd... [mightymouse197]
by ttbuyer
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Sep 17, 2006 (6:49 pm)
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Replying to: mightymouse197 (Aug 09, 2006 1:11 pm)
MazdaUSA took great care of me. After I returned my 2002 Miata (at the end of a two year lease) I got a 2004 RX-8. Loved the car, it had some problems (transmission mostly). Mazda bought it back. Very easy. I have since purchased a 2001 Miata Special Edition (used). Mazda makes a great product and stand behind them when there is a problem. I'll probably buy a CX-7 when my wife's Jeep Liberty needs replacing. BTW the Liberty has been rock-solid reliable too.
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- #325 of 376
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Funny debate
by erics6
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Oct 02, 2006 (7:56 pm)
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I like the direction Mazda is going with the Miata. I recently test drove the PRHT. I could see replacing my NA with it. Is it as raw and sharp as the NA... No, but it would be fine for me.
The Solstice/Sky is a nice effort by GM. Lot's of folks will buy it because of it's looks. They are nice looking. Performance/handling is good too. It has some drawbacks and my experience with the long-term GM reliability has not been good. Do I think most Solstice/Sky owners will be happy in 5 years and 75,000 miles, probably not. Heck, a lot of Miata owners won't be happy with the lack of practicality. Would I enjoy driving the Solstice/Sky... Sure, it would be a fun car to drive.
Me, I'll stick with the Miata. Wait a few years and pick up a used PRHT. I know how reliable they are. Too soon to comment on the Solstice/Sky. I have a feeling they will be rather less reliable. Time will tell.
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- #326 of 376
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Re: Mazda badddd... [mightymouse197]
by zoomzoom7
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Oct 06, 2006 (7:20 pm)
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Replying to: mightymouse197 (Aug 09, 2006 1:11 pm)
I bought my MX-5 a year ago, about a month or so after they went on sale. I drive it every day and it now has 17,500 miles on it and I have had ZERO problems with it.
I highly recommend the MX-5, it's an excellent car.
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- #327 of 376
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Re: Mazda badddd... [glennglenn]
by zoomzoom7
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Oct 06, 2006 (8:31 pm)
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Replying to: glennglenn (Aug 10, 2006 2:55 am)
The best thing about the MX-5 is that after 17 years it's still the standard by which the S2000 and now the Sky and Solstice are compared.
The Sky and the Solstice are great looking cars and GM has done a pretty good job but it will be several years before we know the real story on these cars.
I know one thing for sure, I can put the top down from the seated position in 2 seconds in my MX-5 and back up just as quickly. Meanwhile all those Solstice owners will have to get out of their cars to do either. Mazda had this figured out from the start, something which GM missed. I wonder what else they missed....
The S2000 is over priced and the sales figures show it.
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- #328 of 376
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Re: Mazda badddd... [zoomzoom7]
by pao
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Oct 09, 2006 (10:31 am)
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Replying to: zoomzoom7 (Oct 06, 2006 8:31 pm)
those of us who compared the two and own the solstice, really dont consider the top operation a deciding factor in the purchase of the car...I personally dont mind having to get out of the car to secure the top underneath the clamshell for a true clean look.....when we test drove the MX-5..the sales person had to get out of the car to lock the mazda top in place as well......so honestly....if you are buying the car for top operation....buy the mazda or the mazda power top option......
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- #329 of 376
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Re: Mazda badddd... [pao]
by zoomzoom7
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Oct 27, 2006 (3:45 pm)
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Replying to: pao (Oct 09, 2006 10:31 am)
The operation of the top is a major consideration when buying this type of car, it is a convertible and that is one of it's main selling points. I also believe that if it is well engineered it will also be easy to operate, like the Mazda's. If looks are all you need then buy the Solstice; if you want functionality and looks then the Miata is the better choice. I use my Miata as a daily driver and functionality is very important in my choice of a vehicle. If you can really look at a new Miata with it's top down and say it doesn't have a clean look then we obviously have different ideas of that phrase. "True clean look" is in the eye of the beholder isn't it? My phrase for having to get out of the car to secure the top is "pain in the a..". Had you spent any time with a Miata, new or old, you would know how easy the top is to operate. I have owned my 2006 MX-5 for over a year and it now has 18,000 miles on it. When I first purchased it the top may have been a little stiff to operate but I have never had to get out to secure it. I open and close the top on my car from the seated position, with the seat belt on all the time with very little effort. I can pretty much guess that the issue with the top on the Miata you looked at was that it was new. It's like buying a new pair of shoes it takes a little time to break it in. After that period it is smooth as silk, unlike the clamshell on your Solstice which will never get easier to operate.
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- #330 of 376
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Re: Mazda badddd... [zoomzoom7]
by pao
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Oct 30, 2006 (10:01 am)
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Replying to: zoomzoom7 (Oct 27, 2006 3:45 pm)
I disagree the operation of the top is a major consideration when buying a roadster......its more than a convertible....a mustang or a sebring is a convertible....the MX-5 and the solstice as well as the Z4 and a few others are true roadsters, and as I said if you are buying a car for just the operation of the top..go wtih the MX-5.....I looked for more than just a top operation when I compared both....comfort, ergonomics, styling, performance, etc.....after driving both I decided on the solstice.....did you compare and drive both???? ......we have had our solstice almost a year now..and 21K miles....and are quite happy with it just as you appear to be happy with your purchase...and bottomline that is all that matters
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