Forget arguing with our friend here, it's like trying to hit a constantly moving target. Shoot down his points, and he won't address it and hit on something else.

Solstice (at least, initially) has that coveted "reverse sticker shock" that we have been talking about lately, like with Chrysler's LX cars. You should've seen the look on NAIAS-goers' faces when told the Sky would be so affordable....those people were expecting a $30,000+ price tag, 4 cylinder or not.

As far as using parts-bin parts, who gives a rat's a$$ if it makes the damn car affordable and if they work. Hell, redzed's beloved reverse sticker-shocking 300C uses a Ram truck V8 and auto transmission for Pete's sake...who's complaining?

 

Your right, now they make a 6 cyl. roadster with 4 cly power

you are measuring a 7 year gap 96-03, I measured from 1995, the calandar year the Z3 came out to 2005 our current year. 10 year gap at 2% which is ver conservative some years it was closer to 3%

I could have seen that happening, swap the 4 cyl. for a 210hp DOHC 2.8L V6 add an A&S front end throw in a NAV system and heated leather and sell it for $35K. I would be right there with the TT & Z4

 

The pictures I've seen so far really impress me with this new car. For the right price, I wouldn't mind having a forced induction version in 06 (about what time I'll buy my next car). I'll keep an eye out for this one.


"well equiped" would NOT have roll up windows, and anywhere in California, it WOULD have a/c.

Oh yeah, in the other thread you mentioned your age just kidding

I agree with your sentiment. You gotta have one premium model available, even if its marked up quite a bit.

 

The only thing is:
You guys mentioned the Miata and the Beemer Roadsters...in both of those I look like "The Big Show" from WWE when I'm sitting in them, and I'm only 5'9". I hope this car doesn't have that characteristic.

 

From pontiac website

Click on the link then, click on the "Top Down Exhilaration" button.

It states "*Starting price does not include AC or manual transmission."

oops!


BTW:
Who needs AC when you can put the top down?

 

Anybody in the Southwest from the months of June to mid September.
Don't know about you but it's not fun cruising around in a convertible in 100+ degree temps. Feels like driving in an oven on broil.

 

Bob Lutz stated the starting price includes the 5 speed stick. Perhaps Pontiac needs to update its website.

Even if A/C is optional, what would the cost be? A couple hundred bucks? The only thing that might hurt Solstice's sales out of the gate is dealer gouging. Let's cross our fingers.

 

How can a manual not be the standard transmission on a roadster?? This has to be how the majority of Solstices will be built (if all other roadsters serve as an example); as was mentioned, this must be a typo.

I'd also look for a lot of this stripped equipment to reappear a year or two after the car has been out when the "under $20k" hook is no longer such a factor (e.g. Dodge SRT-4 now sells for over $20k after using fastest car under $20,000 as a selling point).

 

At that price (and without huge dealer markups) I think the solstice will be a huge hit. Good job gm

 

As usual, red has to come and **** on this parade. Oh well.

A little sidepoint on BMW's decision to discontinue 4-cylinder. I do not know the reasons why, but it is absolutely certain that V6 is no guarantee for a formula, and that 4-cylinder can equal success in a car. Just look at what Miata was able to do and the roadster it was able to build.

It'll be lucky to break 22-23K mark.



And still produces weak base I6 engines that lag behind in power from many 4-cylinder engines. A 168-HP I6 engine with a mere 155 lbs tq, who would've thought!

All good things come to an end eventually.

Did you say Nissan?

 

Touching back on the FI versions that are coming . They most likely will not be using superchargers as it was my understanding that , the supercharger in the Cobalt was just interim until the turbo ecotecs are released .

 

Yeah, but you still wont be intercooled, wont have the sodium filled valves, forged I-beam rods, piston oil squirters, or forged crankshaft. No high flow exhaust either, but thats easy enough to change

Did you guys know that the supercharged ecotechs require 7 quarts of synthetic oil? Made me take a second look at getting the service contract.

 

Turbo ecotecs have been out for a while on the Saabs.

 

Could be that they are waiting to use the 2.4 VVT and turbo it, that would be sweet.

 

so the first day they go on sale i can get one installed?or do i have to wait for the kit to be made?