For several years now, I've been drooling over the Pontiac Solstice.... Now that the Solstice is finally in production, I'm seriously considering ordering one. Last weekend I went to the Central Florida Auto Show and got to look at the Solstice, Sky, Miata, Crossfire, S2000, Mini, 350Z, etc...

I think that the Solstice is far and away the best looking of the roadsters out there that are under $35k... And I just might buy one for that reason alone... That being said, it would basically have to be my personal toy... Much like owning a motor cycle...

I was looking at the MX5 Miata, and although it is certainly not nearly as good looking as the Solstice, it is a car I can see myself driving on a daily basis... It gives up a fair amount of torque to the Solstice, but is about 10% lighter... The interior was nicer and much more functional, there is no comparison of cargo space... The Miata's trunk is easily accessable and usable, where the Solstice just isn't... The Miata's top is MUCH easier to put up and take down (though it doesn't stow out of sight like the Solstice)...

I have the old GM Blue card so I have maxed out my GM$$$ at $3500.... That helps sway me toward the Solstice, but I have a feeling I'd be happier owning the Miata...

All that being said, It comes down to one or the other as all of the other options simply didn't measure up by my criteria... (price being a big factor)

I know this is a GM kind of place and I don't mean to be putting down the Solstice... I really want one... What do you guys think??? For the record, the wait to get a Solstice doesn't bother me... I have my z28 convertible as my daily driver now...

 

I have an older Miata, and as a daily it isn't too bad (but neither would a Solstice be bad), if DD duties just include running to work and back. But even with the better-than-Solstice trunk in the Miata, it is still a useless trunk. I can get groceries in the trunk, but in plastic bags (and I'm only shopping for one, typically). Sometimes stuff goes on the floor in the passenger side, too.

Now that I have the Ion, I don't dd the Miata much. In terms of luggage/cargo space, both the Miata and the Solstice suck (the Solstice just sucks a little more).

Get the Solstice; you know it is the one you want (you've been drooling over it for years)!

 

Mags seem to say the same things.

Miata
* better performing due to being 400lbs lighter.
* easier to work top. Don't have to exit vehicle to do so.
* better interior
* Available 6spd auto and 6spd manual on top of 5spd manual (big PLUS)
* better fuel economy (going back to weight difference).
* just as roomy inside despite not being as wide as solstice.

Solstice
* better priced
* Tq'er motor
* much better looks (makes miata look plain and boring by comparison)

But solstice's top you have to exit the vehicle to work. That's a bit of a turnoff. And your only option is a 5spd manual.

I think i too would go for the Miata. It doesn't look as good, but it seems to be the better overall car.

Word of advice, it may be worthwhile to wait a bit and see how the Solstice GXP turns out. That may make you reconsider and look at the solstice in a completely different light . By then, Mazda might have a Mazdaspeed-miata too. So that too would be worth looking into. So i'd say just wait a bit and see how things turn out. The solstice just might win you over.

 

Thanks for the replies... The sad part is that I think you are both right...

I should get the Solstice on one hand because it's the car I feel more passionate about... It is simply beautiful... Does anyone think that they will show a GXP version at either Detroit or LA this year?

The Miata would be the smarter choice... The trunk isn't big by any stretch, but it is usable and I could easily fit enough luggage for a weekend trip in the trunk... (No chance on the golf bag though because it isn't wide enough...) The Solstice is worse with the top up and is utterly useless with the top down... Though oddly enough, I could fit one golf bag back there, but no chance on even carry on suitcase...

The Solstice seems to be the hot girl I want to date on the weekend...

The Miata seems to be the girl I want to bee with all the time...

If the GXP comes in over 220 HP and under $25k it would be like dating a **** star...

 

Solstice for sure...

1) Miatas are kinda looked at as chick cars. Maybe not where you are but if I pulled up to work in one....

2) Shock appeal. No one has really seen these yet. You know you would like it....

 

the miata looks bland next to a solstice, and incredibly boring next to a sky.

in my book i'd rather have the sky/solstice than the miata mainly due to style and engine output. i wouldn't buy either the sky/solstice or the miata due to their interiors.

besides, the miata is a traditional "gay male" vehicle


but then again, GM did license a cinderella solstice ...

 

BWAHAHAHAH!!! Wow...thats awesome.

Anyway, I would think that the Miata is much more the weekend type car, while the Solstice is teh daily driver. You have to keep your foot on it to keep the revs up, handling of the 2 is nearly the same, the Miata just feels better because there isnt another 400lbs on top of it. I STILL dont understand why people get so upset about the Solstice's top. IMO, I WANT a hard top cover!! It keeps the design of the rear very clean and even better looking then it would without the hard top cover. Its almost like its a roadster full time. Quality of interior...I sat in both, both are the same. Miata just has mroe standard options, but option a Solstice with the same things, and they come to the same price, MSRP wise anyway. Miata also has the "gay" stigma. I dont like the look of the new one at all, looks like a tic-tack with a windshield. No design in it, very boring and dull. Solstice is very curvy and sexy, and offers you the same performance of the more expensive Miata. You could buy a stripper Solstice for the weekend, or you can option it out and use it as a daily, and its a car that not many know about, but deffinalty looks more expensive then the Miata does.
One of the biggest things that sticks out is how my dad looked at the Solstice and thought it was a 30-40k car. With the Miata, it looks cheap till that 27k sticker jumps out at you.

 

Solstice over the Sky and WAY OVER the Miata!

Personally, I can't stand the look of the Miata's--way to small, and non aggressive. Im actually stunned when I see one perform, because they look like that power wheels pictures above (nevermind the fact that the power wheels is the solstice ).

However, realistically can you even begin to consider the trunk space (or lack of) as a buying point?
You know the truth is, you're not buying the car for it's cargo space. All though you'd have an easier time carrying a couple of 2x4's home in a convertible Solstice over my Fiero -- I've ran into that problem more than once.

I have a Fiero as a DD and love it. My #1 reason:

The cargo room. (actually, because I have no cargo room).

As a result, my car is always clean. Im always last picked when it comes to "who's driving?" Im never voted on at work to make a run to the printers.

To me, these are reasons to buy a car! :-)

Enjoy the Solstice. I wish I could!

 

I agree with anasazi that the Solstice has a more masculine look than the Miata... I've never been one to to worry about how other people look at my car... If I did, I wouldn't be driving a Z28... I still love driving my Z28 though so it doesn't really matter...

By the way, that princess Solstice is hillarious

I'll probably wait to see if they are serious about a GXP version since I'm not in a hurry... I do love the look of the solstice...

Big Als Z... The base Solstice is a little cheaper, but doesn't have AC which is a must here in Florida... Apples to apples comparison, the Miata is a little cheaper... Neither is practical, but that clearly isn't the point of this type of car... I do agree that the Solstice looks like a much more expensive car... That's one of the big reasons I love the Solstice... The top on the Solstice looks like an afterthought and operation of the top pretty much proves that... Of course, I think that most people that buy these, will only be driving them in weather where the top should be down... And I'm okay with that! One of the issues we deal with down here in Florida is that it goes from sunny to Thunderstorm in a matter of seconds in the summer... With the Miata, I could stop the car and have the top up in 5 seconds... With the Solstice it would take at least a minute and I'd probably be very wet...

All things being considered, I think I'll get the Solstice and keep my Z28 convertible as my DD...