some comparisons i'm interested in

[mattles]

drove a base model solstice and it was pretty much shit compared to my miata. The GXP I hear is faster, but still doesnt handle as well as a miata.

Hey, what can you ask for, they were low cost platform sharing cars with lots of parts-binning (using the transmission out of a chevy colorado for example).

[chulooz]

Originally Posted by ahausheer

Its a recipe, a very good one, but have you ever tried baking? Its a bitch, it almost never comes out right. The Solstice just didn't come out right, and that is why they are not coveted at all in any way by real car enthusiasts. They are decent, sporty cars, but they are not classic sports cars. They are like BMW roadsters, good, but not great in terms of a sports car. From the same era, get an MR2, s2000, Porche (if you like repair bills) or a Miata. Those are sports cars, the solstice is a really engaging sunday drive convertible coupe. It had a lot of hype when it came out and a lot of journalists succumb to that but time and hindsight are better judges.

Just because people do not flock over them doesnt mean they are not sports cars. I noticed you evolved your argument into "classic" sports cars; of which it is not and I agree. However; make no mistake, a GXP would gobble these cars up on the street and track.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by ahausheer

Its a recipe, a very good one, but have you ever tried baking? Its a bitch, it almost never comes out right. The Solstice just didn't come out right, and that is why they are not coveted at all in any way by real car enthusiasts. They are decent, sporty cars, but they are not classic sports cars. They are like BMW roadsters, good, but not great in terms of a sports car. From the same era, get an MR2, s2000, Porche (if you like repair bills) or a Miata. Those are sports cars, the solstice is a really engaging sunday drive convertible coupe. It had a lot of hype when it came out and a lot of journalists succumb to that but time and hindsight are better judges.

This sounds a lot like certain cars we all know so well. Some publications don't think the FRS/BRZ lived up to the hype either. Just ask EVO.

[SUB-FT86]

1. 3:15.0 - 2008 Honda S2000 CR
2. 3:15.7 - 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP
3. 3:16.0 - 2007 Mazda Speed 3
4. 3:16.3 - 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
5. 3:16.6 - 2008 Lotus Elise SC
6. 3:17.5 - 2008 Infiniti G37 Sport
7. 3:18.2 - 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
8. 3:19.0 - 2006 Mazda RX-8
9. 3:19.0 - 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
10. 3:20.6 - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged
11. 3:20.8 - 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4
12. 3:20.9 - 2006 Ford Mustang GT
13. 3:21.8 - 2008 Volkswagen R32
14. 3:22.9 - 2007 Mini Cooper S
15. 3:24.8 - 2008 Honda Civic Mugen Si
16. 3:25.1 - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
17. 3:26.5 - 2006 Honda Civic Si
18. 3:26.6 - 2008 Volvo C30 T5 Version 2.0
19. 3:29.3 - 2006 Mazda MX-5

Boy look where the GXP lands on ViR. And oh look where the greatest car in the world, the MX5 lands on the list. The GXP must be a shitty handling car I suppose.

[ahausheer]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

This sounds a lot like certain cars we all know so well. Some publications don't think the FRS/BRZ lived up to the hype either. Just ask EVO.

I agree completely that the hype behind this car may be distorting journalists views. Time will tell and I do hope they are right because this car does have the right ''ingredients''. see what I did there?

[ahausheer]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

1. 3:15.0 - 2008 Honda S2000 CR
2. 3:15.7 - 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP
3. 3:16.0 - 2007 Mazda Speed 3
4. 3:16.3 - 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
5. 3:16.6 - 2008 Lotus Elise SC
6. 3:17.5 - 2008 Infiniti G37 Sport
7. 3:18.2 - 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
8. 3:19.0 - 2006 Mazda RX-8
9. 3:19.0 - 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
10. 3:20.6 - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged
11. 3:20.8 - 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4
12. 3:20.9 - 2006 Ford Mustang GT
13. 3:21.8 - 2008 Volkswagen R32
14. 3:22.9 - 2007 Mini Cooper S
15. 3:24.8 - 2008 Honda Civic Mugen Si
16. 3:25.1 - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
17. 3:26.5 - 2006 Honda Civic Si
18. 3:26.6 - 2008 Volvo C30 T5 Version 2.0
19. 3:29.3 - 2006 Mazda MX-5

Boy look where the GXP lands on ViR. And oh look where the greatest car in the world, the MX5 lands on the list. The GXP must be a shitty handling car I suppose.

Fast? yes, decent handling? yes, very good lap times at the right track? Yes, great sports car? No. Decent sports car? Yes. Are there better options in the price range? Yes. Maybe I came down on it a bit to hard, but there are better options out there. Unless you only want a fast lap time then it appears it gets the job done.

[SUB-FT86]

You said you have driven the base model. The GXP is not the base model.

[R Corse]

Originally Posted by SUB-FT86

1. 3:15.0 - 2008 Honda S2000 CR
2. 3:15.7 - 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP
3. 3:16.0 - 2007 Mazda Speed 3
4. 3:16.3 - 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
5. 3:16.6 - 2008 Lotus Elise SC
6. 3:17.5 - 2008 Infiniti G37 Sport
7. 3:18.2 - 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8
8. 3:19.0 - 2006 Mazda RX-8
9. 3:19.0 - 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
10. 3:20.6 - 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged
11. 3:20.8 - 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT-4
12. 3:20.9 - 2006 Ford Mustang GT
13. 3:21.8 - 2008 Volkswagen R32
14. 3:22.9 - 2007 Mini Cooper S
15. 3:24.8 - 2008 Honda Civic Mugen Si
16. 3:25.1 - 2006 Volkswagen GTI
17. 3:26.5 - 2006 Honda Civic Si
18. 3:26.6 - 2008 Volvo C30 T5 Version 2.0
19. 3:29.3 - 2006 Mazda MX-5

Boy look where the GXP lands on ViR. And oh look where the greatest car in the world, the MX5 lands on the list. The GXP must be a shitty handling car I suppose.

[QUOTE=ahausheer;300743]Fast? yes, decent handling? yes, very good lap times at the right track? Yes, great sports car? No. Decent sports car? Yes. Are there better options in the price range? Yes. Maybe I came down on it a bit to hard, but there are better options out there. Unless you only want a fast lap time then it appears it gets the job done.[/QUOTE]


Is there any way I can quote this permanently in every one of my replies, like some forums?

I thought that's what performance was about....


and, apparently, it compares very well to the RX-8.

[ahausheer]

Not sure if you are making fun of me but yes there is a way to have a quote at the end of each of your posts. Also, my post may have been misleading. I meant that the GXP is fast around certain tracks and if all you want is a fast lap time then the car would suffice. But a lot of people want a car that puts handling and fun above a fast lap, like 99 percent of the people on this forum.

[chulooz]

Fast lap = good handling. No need to knock the kappa platform, its highly a capable performance setup; those who have experienced what it can do will know. Fun is a good arguing point... especially seeing that it is totally subjective.

[Turbowned]

I haven't driven a Solstice or Sky, but Keiichi Tsuchiya agreed it was cheaper, faster, and easier to drive/handled better than the MX-5:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6nV12oMIm4"]SOLSTICE SPORTS FR Best Motoring Int. - YouTube[/ame]

There was a local guy running a base Solstice on slicks at auto-x; that thing was always on top of its class; 10-20sec ahead of my MR2, easily! I quite liked them myself, considering it was the first actual sports car under $30k produced by an American manufacturer in recent memory. The base engine seems uninspiring, but the 260hp/260lb/ft Ecotec turbo engine seems like a great powerplant; it's used in the Cobalt SS which got good reviews. You can even get a Solstice coupe with a targa roof, something that we haven't seen since the Supra IIRC, although they are rare because I think they came out in 2009; the Solstice's last year. A GXP can be had for $20k or less with low miles; would it deter me from buying a BRZ/FR-S? Probably not. However, YOU should drive one and decide for yourself!

You could always get a cheaper base model and do a Mallett LS2 V8 conversion

[R Corse]

They're just putting the LS motor in everything; WTF.

That really is a nice looking vonversion though...