IMO, .3-.5 secs off a 0-60 time is pretty substantial... but, like I said, what they are offering is not horrible ... I just expected a bit better.

I never said the car is measured purely by straight-line acceleration. It IS however, a big factor.

 

Solstice is actually a bit faster than the V6 Fieros--most rags were getting 8.0 to 8.5 out of them back then. Fiero 4's were 10.5-11.0. I owned both a 4 and a 6, and neither were fast cars.

Also interesting to note Fieros sold 100K units the first year--seems like it harvested the whole market in one shot with the slow version, which was probably not the best strategy. 20-30K Solstices a year allows GM to whet the appetite and then bring out a faster version later for people who are more serious.

Still, given the ongoing upgrades in horsepower, it would be very, very, very, very nice if the base Solstice had 0-60 #s that started with a 6. No fun to be beaten by a Honda minivan in your new sports car.

And if the "hot" Solstice only has 205 HP, someone should be shot at GM.

 

All well and good.....BUT, in the age of high horsepower...anything in the 100 range "sounds" weak....

I've posted this car on our local ricer (youth) boards and they ALL call 170 weak...even though it's probably more than they currently roll with....but they love the styling.

I love this car, don't get me wrong, BUT GM has shot themselves in the foot more often than not on this very issue....let's not repeat the Fiero debacle.....

Hell, I'd personally seriously consider one of these...but I'll want mid 200 hp levels or look elsewhere.....

 

It's possible, don't know. I see it being closer to $20,000 (ala $19,995). Most people buying roadsters like these probably aren't too concerned with the price.

I think the S2000 is a bit over priced, but it's a VERY nice car. The S2000 will be faster and hopefully you're comparing its new 2004 2.2L engine with more torque to the Solstice than the old 2.0L. Also, Mazda has the Mazdaspeed Miata out with 176 HP. The aftermarket is huge for both those cars as well. It might be faster than a MR2, but the top Miata and S2000 are faster.

I think price, not performance is going to sell these cars, so I agree somewhat. I totally disagree with the Sebring/Mustang comparo. If you look at roadster sales compared to those two, you'll see there is no competition. I really don't see Solstice eating into Sebring/Mustang sales at all.

 

With the Solstice selling for so cheap just go to the aftermarket for more power. I’m sure you’ll have some cash left over.

 

400 lbs too much.

 

Geez, people. 170 hp will be plenty for the base roadster. My brother's '90 Miata has 116 hp (iirc), and it is a lot of fun. These little roadsters are fun for reasons other than raw acceleration (wind in the hair, nimble handling, etc.). Even with only 116 hp, my brother's car can get out of its own way (only weighs 2100 lbs or so).

Besides, I'm fairly sure that the upper level version will be packing considerably more than the 205 hp speculated here...

 

I'm not saying it won't be fun, just not as fun as what's out there (if you pay more). I think it'll do well though compared to other roadsters.

 

Thank you Guy

People, we're talking about a $20K roadster in base trim, not a holy grail. IMO, 0 - 60 in 7.2 seconds is just fine for its main market. New adults will be trading in their used Miatas or V6 Mustangs and go to this and totally be blown away. Not only that, this car is a lot more than just a pocket rocket, its going to be somewhat of a boulevard cruiser. Just driven around to get some looks. I'm sure the aftermarket for the car will be huge. I'm sure the top level Solstice will hit 60 in well under 6.8 seconds. Chill out and remember that you get what you pay for.

 

I've been following the Solstice since the beginning, and I still remember the first article I saw about it. Hp for the supercharged version was to be 240, and performance figures were 4.7 0-60 and 13.2 in the quarter- I'm guessing the ecotec engine is coming out with a roots-type under the hood? Anyway, it remains to be seen if GM can actually keep close to those figures, the main problem most likely being weight, the production model could get heavier if certain parts of the chassis have problems, or if they decide the level of boost is too much and they don't want to risk having to do too much warranty work they might only come out with a tad over 200 hp. But if they do I'm sure that the serious buyers will just go out and buy a smaller pulley.

As much as it would irritate me to have one of those and having to worry about being beat by a four cylinder, it makes me happy to know that there's something at GM that I would actually consider buying other than a Corvette.

All they need to do now is unveil a new Camaro and I might actually be pleased with GM (if it doesn't look retarded).

 

Where did you see those at? I've never heard of those #'s being associated with this car at all.

 

The next steps up when you pay more are the S2000, boxer, Z4, and Vette vert. For the kind of cash those cars cost they better be more fun than the $19K Solstice.

 

I think that is common sense though. The more cash the more fun. Thats like me saying the new Mustang Gt isn't as fun what else is out there(if you pay more).

There has to be a starting point, and the solstice is right on with it's starting point.

 

If someone is going to buy a Solstice for just a weekend car they can buy a used Porsche Boxter, Convertible Vette, and BMW for under $25,000 or a used Miata for under $10,000 .

 

what you're neglecting to mention is that at 2850lbs the Solstice will also be out of range of roadsters like the mister2 and Miata, but what 350+ lbs? as much as weight matters to 1/4 times, it matters even more to sporting handling, which is where this car is supposed to have it's day. so being that it will have an advantage over the MX-5s of the world in the straight line, it will likely lose to the more nimble on the Auto-X course.

i am more than sure there will be tuners lined up for miles trying to sell you a hotter engine for the Solctice. that's not the problem. I and I'm sure others expected a much lighter car (and we all know weight isn't something that mods well). its a whale next to the small Japanese roadsters it is being compared to. basically, where's this car's edge?