did the SKY debut as a 2007 model? I thought it was 06. If it was 06, I am not sure how accurate the website is.

 

You might be thinking of someone else, I've just wanted a hardtop convertible sky to come out.

 

Ahh shiat, after I thought about it I was certain you were talking about the Sky then... oh well

 

Here's a cool looking version.

 

Good GOD man! Lose the wing on that and I'd be all over it like a fat kid on cake!

Where's that from?!?!

 

I think it's called the "Weekend Racer" or some gibberish. That's the hardtop look I like, I say ditch the wing too. And maybe add some nice, dark, multispoke wheels.

 

I like the coupe more than the convertible... but that's more because I'm not a ragtop kind of person, not because the coupe is the much better looker.

 

The clubsport version is available and there is a hardtop (track only) to meet SCCA regs. I would love a coupe with the clubsport option as a weekend track car.

 

I believe there is a real potential market for a coupe as pictured.

Pricing is THE key, but there is a large market for a 2 seater sports coupe that meets 3 inseparable parameters, IMO.

Many have come and gone for one reason or another... but they did make money while they were around.

I think GM loses a big chance if they dont produce such an option. It's a different market than the pure roadster "fun" market. It's a bit more of a hardcore performance over the FUN/performance customer. KEY here...REPEAT.. KEY is price, BIG fun/PERFORMANCE factor first and close the deal with PRICE.

Unspoken,but also key is the "expectation meeting" or "expectation exceeding" quality. < Nothing rubs the shine off of a fun/performance car faster than unexpected trips to the dealer or calls for a tow... > Here's where loyalty is produced.

Cars in this class, which made money... and enthusiasts, in my recollection, would include such as Opel GT < a huge hit from 1968 and through earliest 1970's , MGB GT & Triumph Spitfire GT--which were the last hurrah for the brands from Leyland which could be called reasonable in price--Datsun 240Z , Fiat X19. Pontiac Fiero, and to a degree, the Toyota MR2.

What tends to kill these cars off is either poor quality < real or perceived > or a killing of their fun/PERFORMANCE factor by making them heavier and/or more option laden and thus expensive in each successive year. Datsun is a prime example of this kind of market elimination.

A stylish, well priced, sport performance coupe'... YES there's a market ...as long as the three important parameters are not compromised.

Such a car needs to be offered in manual and auto transmission models, WITHOU EXCEPTION... <better still,make the auto a paddle shift capable experience for the house that has one or the other drivers being manual trans challenged or reluctant>.

Making sure such a car can flat tow capable is a very important side consideration. There's a good 5K-10k a year sales opportunity for a flat tow capable coupe that also is "fun based". < For you youngin's...flat tow is something RV'ers really care about...RV'ers are a real market as the have need & $$, and usually want to buy something to pull behind the huge rig < as running around from here to there is a pain in a 40 foot "bus" > RV'ers will be a larger and larger market...gas prices be damned. I believe folks that can stroke up to a 1/4 million dollar check for a "bus" and will need a tag along vehicle are a real market... < I'm not an RV person... but believe me, I have heard their plea...>

I myself would consider a 300HP, hard roof'ed coupe, 5-6 speed manual trans, which weighed approx 2.9k-3.2k pounds, and handled like it was on "rails"... and $20k-$25k priced???? "Closest thing to a 'vette yet" comes to mind...

Pontiac and Saturn need such a car...but I wouldn't object if it were a Chevrolet Corsa GT... Nope I would go with that if offered the chance.

Oh''' I'd keep my Z06 too, but a "1/2 price" funster would intrigue me .... There are a lot of couple households out there now... and there will be more.

 

 

first, the solstice and sky are available with auto's.

300HP from the factory with the weight and price requirements is very hard to deliver. Base solstice GXP cost 25995, weights 2976, and has 260HP. If they put a hardtop on it, and reduce the price to 25k base, that is as close as you will get.

current mustang is 300HP, cost 26k base and I don't know how much it weighs, but likely well over 3200 lbs

 

I understand where we are now... I will offer that a non-open roof should allow options in lower weight as opposed to a roadster/convertibles layout. Eco-Tech motors are capable of producing the juice. A coupe' should excell the structural integrity of a roadster, and be able to deliver some performance goods at less weight.

I have only an academic intrerest in what Ford is putting in their cars... I care about beating them more than I care about matching them. All that considered, I'd prefer to whip the world's companies over beating the folks from Dearborn. I have a vested interest in my country's products doing well in the market as well.

O.K. Let's postulate a turbo'ed, "bad boy", Eco motor at 275+ HP with a curb at 2940lbs.? Anyone interested?

I think that it's been a very long time since any Mustang with real guts has tipped the scales from the plant, @ 3200lbs. or less. Regardless, Mustang and it's curb weight are not a point of reference for mewhen considering whatr "solstice" should or might achieve.

Do not underestimate the importance of the laws of physics.

Give me the best power to weight ratio'ed vehicle every time.

 

Personally, if I were AutoNews I wouldn't call it a coupe....

 

You probably wouldn't call it a comeback either...

 

I would be all over that too. Adding 15 HP to the Solstice GXP/SKY Redline should not be a problem with aftermarket parts and tune. And besides, maybe we could get a bit more boost out of the turbo. Nice thing about the GXP is the torque range.

Engine, 2.0L Turbo Ecotec® DOHC Variable Valve Timing, 4-cylinder, aluminum (260 HP [193.9 kW] @ 5300 rpm, 260 lb-ft [351.0 N-m] @ 2500 - 5250 rpm)

Max torque at 2500 rpm and goes to 5250 rpm. Pretty nice.