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Mazda MX-5 Miata vs. Pontiac Solstice

376 messages,  Last post on Jan 17, 2008 at 4:20 PM

You are in the Mazda Miata Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Solstice, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 33 of 38

#319 of 376 The Foresight of GM by glennglenn

Sep 01, 2006 (10:31 am)

." If you want to boast about a GM product, can we agree the discussion should be limited to the corvette? "
 
NO, because 1. Its off topic here and 2. All I'll hear is how great the Skyline or the Twin Turbo Porsche is etc etc.
 
Granted, its not GM's Best effort BUT why can't the Miata-philes admit that is a good first effort and for the MONEY, the SKY and Solstice are good cars. 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. Give GM a break, they are certainly doing a good job with the car.
 
As to a GM bankruptcy, do you have info we don't because I don't think that will happen? In fact the parent company of Mazda who makes the Miata is certainly in more trouble right now than GM. Companies that live in glass houses should not throw stones.

#320 of 376 Re: The Foresight of GM [glennglenn] by audia8q

Sep 01, 2006 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: glennglenn (Sep 01, 2006 10:31 am)
Granted, its not GM's Best effort
 
Why not? why not build the best you can? Is it because they can't or did they figure they could do some razzle dazzle marketing and the buyers won't know any better? GM doesn't have a corner on that marketing plan, all the domestics are big on dazzle dazzle and little on real quality.
 
why can't the Miata-philes admit that is a good first effort and for the MONEY, the SKY and Solstice are good cars.
 
It could very well be a fair first effort but Miata owners don't have to settle with a good first effort, they already have the real deal.
We also don't really know if the sky and Solstice are good cars, we won't know for a few years, but if the track record is similar to many other GM products then the sky/solstice will be doomed. Miata owners already know the quality of their car is second to none, again why settle with a maybe?....maybe the GM cars will get better, maybe its a good first effort, maybe it will have good resale values down the road, maybe it will be reliable, maybe it won't have squeeks and rattles down the road, maybe, maybe maybe....The Miata isnt a maybe.

#322 of 376 Re: The Foresight of GM [glennglenn] by aviboy97

Sep 02, 2006 (6:21 am)

Replying to: glennglenn (Sep 01, 2006 10:31 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.

#323 of 376 Re: Best Motoring review [glennglenn] by carlisimo

Sep 04, 2006 (10:17 am)

Replying to: glennglenn (Aug 31, 2006 9:31 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.

#324 of 376 Re: Mazda badddd... [mightymouse197] by ttbuyer

Sep 17, 2006 (7:49 pm)

Replying to: mightymouse197 (Aug 09, 2006 2:11 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.

#325 of 376 Funny debate by erics6

Oct 02, 2006 (8:56 pm)

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.

#326 of 376 Re: Mazda badddd... [mightymouse197] by zoomzoom7

Oct 06, 2006 (8:20 pm)

Replying to: mightymouse197 (Aug 09, 2006 2:11 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.

Messages Page 33 of 38

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