Too bad it's a Pontiac...

[LeeH]

I like the Pontiac, but not the Saturn. While I like the look, I wouldn't consider buying one until the performance matches the appearance. Seems like a textbook case of all show and no (or not enough) go.

[Yargk]

I've been looking for an excuse to post about the new miata. It's great that Pontiac is putting pressure on Mazda, and it seems mazda has certainly risen to the occasion. With 2860 pounds to move around and 177 hp, the Pontiac Solstice has 16.16 pounds/hp.

The new miata weighs in at 2470 pounds and 170 hp, so it only burdens each of its hp with 14.3 pounds. The miata will be quicker in a straight line. Also just imagine how much more fun it would be to drive a car that weighs 390 pounds less. It will cost a few thousand more, but I can't imagine any real reason not to opt for the miata instead. I like my serious performance/track cars closed cockpit, but this little sub 25k car is very appealing to me as something to throw around on weekends if I'm not at the track. Pontiac calls the Solstice a "pure roadster," the mazda makes that statement look like a joke.

[tdatk]

Could somebody photoshop the rear tail lights on the Pontiac where they only come up to the top of the trunk and not over the back of the car?

Tim

[azasadny]

I saw the Solstice at the Detroit auto ahow last year and loved it. Maybe it will help GM stay in business?

[Yargk]

Originally posted by Moses
Roadster Power/Weight data;

http://solstice.inner-ninja.com/RoadsterCompare.htm

money/(lbs/hp) doesn't make sense because more money is bad and increases this figure and less lbs/hp is good and increases this figure. So you're not combining two goods. It should be money X (lbs/hp) and you look for the low number.

[Yargk]

Originally posted by kaisen
Think what you may, but the Kappa platform Sky/Solstice (Opel uses it too) is going to change how you view GM's performance cars. A GM engineer told me that it was designed with the possibility of the LSx V8 engine family nestling into an engine bay of one of these down the road.

Imagine a 400hp V8 Saturn roadster at under 3000 pounds.

E

Imagining is all I think we'll be doing. If a 177 hp roadster weighs 2860 pounds, a 400 hp V8 will not weigh under 3000.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by MichiganMat
watching too many episodes of SpaceGhost:

that, sir, is not possible

[BlueSkyJaunte]

but I can't imagine any real reason not to opt for the miata instead

An aversion to being hit on by middle-aged gay men?

[Yargk]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
An aversion to being hit on by middle-aged gay men?

I think my opinion of them might have changed ever since I saw them beating lots of pricy machines constantly at the racetrack. When I talk to non-track people they sometimes bring up your issue. Most of the track people see them as wonderful lightweight platforms even if they wouldn't be caught dead in one. I am glad that the new one looks a little more butch though.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I agree, but if I really had a hankerin' for a seriously lightweight car I'd just get a teener or spring for a 550 replica.

My WIFE even shares the old-gay-guy viewpoint, which pretty much would rule it out for me even if I did like the car...

[legion]

I finally saw a real Soltice on the road in town yesterday. A great looking car in person. GM has confirmed that a turbo version will be available in a year or two.