Sign me UP! Unless I get rich enough to afford the Elise, a Solstice is in my future. It's the REAL new 240Z. My main concern is weight. If they keep it light (~2400 lb.), it'll be sweet! I'm thinking 240hp, 2400 lb., $24,000 would be magic. If it's 2600 lb., though, forget about it. I'd sooner turbo a Miata.

Dan Baldwin
'95 Z28 M6 convertible
'71 240Z 3.1 (my FAST car)

 

I thought about you after I posted that. I figured you'd look at the Solstice that way.

 

I have to admit that I loved the looks of the Solstice, if only in coupe form. The inspiration was pretty obvious - the 1968 Opel GT, a car that I can best decribe as a tiny tin bodied rendition of the Stingray Corvette.

My guess is that this car will replace the Opel/Vauxhall Speedster in Europe. The only sad thing is that the Solistice isn't nearly as engaging a car.

The Speedster was "just" a rebodied Lotus Elise, minus the lift-off oversteer. I doubt the Solistice will better this car in acceleration, or for that matter, in handling. The secret to the Lotus designed car was its light weight and simplicity. The car might have used an unmodified ECOTEC 4-cylinder, but that didn't stop it from doing 0-60 in less than 6-seconds.

The Solistice will have the additional weight associated with inevitable power steering and the clunky 6-speed T56 gear box. It's no wonder that GM will be resorting to a supercharged ECOTEC.

(I do have to wonder why they would be fitting a manual transmission shared with the Viper, Mustang Cobra and Corvette? Could it be that a V8 is on its way... eventually. The prospect of modern-day AC Cobra or Sunbeam Tiger fascinates me.)

 

Is it that you opponents of this car do not like the idea of an affordable, true roadster/sports car (emphasis on open-air, all-around performance), or just do not like this particular sample? I don't see what's not to like if the car has ample power (turbo Ecotec should be that). Perhaps a few extra styling touches or a toned down front end will make it more appealing. It will still be an exciting car (even an under-powered Miata is a fun drive). I'd still rather have it mid-engined, but GM and Pontiac in particular need a car in this niche.

I hope you guys aren't looking at is as "if we get this, no Camaro." I don't feel this is the case. Both cars can co-exist. The Fiero and Firebirds both had good sales numbers when they were being produced simultaneously. GM is going to have to develop a true Mustang competitor again at some point. That's not what they're trying to achieve with a car like this.

On a side note, I was reading in the current Automobile Magazine that the US-bound Elise might be powered by the Toyota Celica/MR2 powerplant. Can anyone else confirm or deny this? Why not keep it's original (and presumably Lotus-engineered) powerplant? It just surprised me to see this as I really didn't know their (GM and Toyota's) ties beyond the Matrix/Vibe project. Oh, and you can put me down as a fan of the Elise, too!

 

The original Elise powerplant was a Rover K-series (1.8 liters, 118hp). Since this engine isn't federalized, it makes sense to use the Toyota powertrain. (The failed front-wheel-drive Elan was originally supposed to be a rear drive car based on Corolla GTS drivetrain components.)

The Elise will also need the extra power when it comes stateside. The european example has no power brakes, steering, A/C or airbags. It would be a miracle if the government gives Lotus a complete safety exemption. I suspect that the U.S. Elise will be a much heavier car as a consequence, perhaps even with a longer wheelbase?

 

Yes, the message is "We don't have everything in place to build the V8 powered RWD vehicle that fans want as a new Camaro, so we'll build the Solstice for now instead." Would you be happier if the Solstice were a Chevy and badged Camaro? If not, then just have patience. They can build the Solstice because it's a parts bin special.

 

You know, with the Sunfire due to be killed off after 2004, and the Solstice due in 2005, though I didn't think of it before, you could view Solstice as Sunfire's replacement. Especially since Sunfire is only a coupe now & Solstice will be a coupe & convertible.

 

I don't like the looks of it. And as a musclcar person it doesn't appeal to me in any other way either.

 

Do you know something about the pricing of the Solstice? I would assume that a "Sunfire replacement" would have entry level pricing - something that I can hardly imagine for a RWD two-seater.

 

Bob Lutz stated the Solstice's price range would be in the $20-$25K range.

At an entry price of $20K, I think that it'll be a smash hit.

 

http://www.popsci.com/popsci/auto/ar...3259-6,00.html

 

Whoa great article
This is my fav pic
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/images/...02speed_A1.jpg

 

I second that; great story.

 

i wan't one.

 

Four cylinders eh? Did the other half of the engine fall off or something?