- #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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- #331 of 376
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Re: Mazda badddd... [pao]
by dumbluck
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Nov 18, 2006 (11:08 pm)
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Replying to: pao (Oct 30, 2006 10:01 am)
I have to agree. How easily the top operates shouldn't be a point of discussion. I know that I only want to drive a roadster when it's sunny, and if there is any chance of rain, well I will make sure not to get caught in it, or at the very least bring a rain coat so I can stay dry while I get out of my car and do the top up dance. And I know for a fact there is enough room to shove a rain coat in the trunk, it took me a little while to figure it out, but it does fit!
I also chose the solstace based on unproven reliability, I mean it's sexy and that's what matters, not that consumer reports reliability ratings for the miata make it look like a corolla.
And being in the military has helped me with packing as well. In fact I think anyone who buys a solstace should have been in the military anyway, what's the point of having trunk space when you can always spend additional money on luggage that will fit in the solstace. Regular luggage and trunk space is over rated.
By the way did I mention how sexy the solstace is? Oh and thankfully there are lots of reviews and people to back me up on this point! I mean it may be a new car but I can always sell it next year if it turns out to be as reliable as a pontiac. And if it turns out to be as reliable as a miata I just might keep it. But at least it's sexy.
I mean... it's like the beer commercials right? If I'm in a solstace I must be sexy too? Or is it that I have a big... er.. I just can't seem to remember...
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- #332 of 376
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One Solstice reliability record
by manybmws
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Nov 19, 2006 (4:24 pm)
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- oil leak from gasket
- top failed to secure in back
- squeak in dash
- door jam wide gap can't be repaired
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- #333 of 376
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Re: Mazda badddd... [dumbluck]
by aviboy97
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Nov 20, 2006 (1:47 pm)
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Replying to: dumbluck (Nov 18, 2006 11:08 pm)
How easily the top operates shouldn't be a point of discussion.
That is totally subjective. Obviously it is not of importance for you. However, there are many that will drive a roadster year round. So, I guess it does become a point of discussion, as well as trunk space.
What will happen if you just want to take a weekend trip in your roadster with your spouse/significant other. Sure as heck can't put anything in the trunk of the Solstice. You might have to wear the same close all weekend long.
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- #334 of 376
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Re: Mazda badddd... [aviboy97]
by pao
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Nov 21, 2006 (4:54 am)
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Replying to: aviboy97 (Nov 20, 2006 1:47 pm)
again..creative packing just as Im sure all MX-5 owners do.....I can hang clothes on hangers behind the seats....I can pack for 5 days in the solstice...did for the first national meet in KC last July with my significant other riding as shotgun.......have had many long weekends so far in the car...without packing issues......again...creative packing two soft side duffels fit find in the car..and there are plent nooks and spaces to place other things......sure I cant get a hard side case ..but I can carry enough for a long weekend..to include several changes of clothes
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