@Matt Hardigree: I just don't understand why you are being criticised for reviewing the car you drove, instead of a supposed brilliant car (if you have the right options) which you didn't get to drive.
Matt, I'm not sure how but you did it wrong, although it might not have been your fault.
The Solstice GXP handles much better than your review indicates. The fact that you didn't mention the stability control at all in your review leads me to believe that you weren't aware of it, and your accusation that the transmission downshifted in mid-corner, causing instability, lends creedence to this suspicion.
Help us out here, and if you really had these problems, and you were actively using both traction control and stability control, say so, and also take a shot at explaining why you had so much trouble when most owners do not.
@Jim Hubert: As mentioned here, I used both traction control off and on. It was a press fleet vehicle, there was no choice of manual or automatic. I've driven plenty of RWD sports cars and this one merely didn't perform very well. It felt like a lot of the problem was with transmission but, when pushed, there was also a noticeable lack of stability. I've met many solstice owners who love their car. That's fine. I didn't.
So, a nice car is ruined by a transmission that should only be ordered by people that don't have the use of their left leg.. It's like buying an automatic Miata..who DOES that?
All that verbage about how complex the manual top is reminds me how much I love my CRX Spyder. Simple. Two unlatch handles, then you throw the top back. Lifting it from the driver's seat is easy. You could raise and lower the top 20 times at a stop light (if you wanted to show off.)
@pauljones: I remember a customizer doing these (I'm tempted to say ASC, but I might be wrong) - whoever did it, also did a convertible Dodge Stealth (as featured in Automobile Magazine, some time in '91).
@Leeeeena, a Jalopchick: Yeah, I remember the factory turbo Mazdaspeed Miatas. Those were actually my favorite bodystyle as well. The stock turbo was tiny, though. Good for boost response, but were I willing to go aftermarket with a Miata, I'd go for moar power.
I've driven a couple Sky/Solstices, and they're pleasant cars at around-town speeds. But I suspect overall, they're like Jalopnik-icon Megan Fox - hot but stupid, and not something you'd want to live with. Its competitor, the Miata, is probably closer to the afformentioned Ms. Fey - cute and much more fun.
Personally I think the GXP is one of the great Pontiacs and frankly one of the best GM cars ever. Think of this, you get great handling, 0-60 in 5.1 seconds and 33-34 mpg highway in a car that costs only $29,000. Just a few years ago you would have been agog if a Corvette had turned in the Solstice's numbers at twice the price.
I have 22,000 miles on my '07 GXP Z0K (the competition version with stiffer suspension) and it works as good now as it did new despite being used as an autocrosser every weekend. Not to mention I've had exactly zero problems with the car, something I could not say about the trouble-prone '06 Miata I had previously. I think GM got almost everything right on the car so having a funky top (which is easy to get used to) isn't a big deal for me.
BTW turning the traction control off (did you also turn off the stability control accidentally?) makes no sense unless you're racing and have sticky race tires on the thing, you really should leave it on for street driving.
@Leeeeena, a Jalopchick: In photos, I agree: the Solstice from the front looks like a Davenport. In person, though, the Solstice makes a lot more sense.
@Timtoolman, now with power tools!: Except that all the reviews said go for the Miata because it handled better, was cheaper, better built, had a stronger aftermarket, was more reliable, and was a better car.
@Alphamazing: For what it's worth my 2006 Miata handled worse and was less reliable than my 2007 Solstice GXP by quite a bit. I'm a long-time Miata fan (the 2006 was my 5th Miata over the last 20 years) and hadn't bought an American car in 23 years so it's not like I have any pre-disposition towards GM, for my uses the Solstice was by far the superior vehicle.
Here are two autocross pictures, you decide which is the better handling car:
@solracer: That's pretty crazy, and I'm glad you posted photographic evidence to back up your claims. I didn't take the text of your comment too seriously until I saw the pictures, and now that I've read about you on your .mac page, I'm even more impressed.
How do you think the NC compares with your Sport NB? What sort of mods did you have on each?
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The Solstice GXP handles much better than your review indicates. The fact that you didn't mention the stability control at all in your review leads me to believe that you weren't aware of it, and your accusation that the transmission downshifted in mid-corner, causing instability, lends creedence to this suspicion.
Help us out here, and if you really had these problems, and you were actively using both traction control and stability control, say so, and also take a shot at explaining why you had so much trouble when most owners do not.
Thanks.
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Seems its biggest problem isn't its flaws, but the lack of flaws in the Miata.
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Did you create this as a custom?
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[www.caranddriver.com]
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Here's the build thread, if you'd like to check out what he's done to it:
[www.norcalroadsters.com]
07/06/09
Just sayin'
I've driven a couple Sky/Solstices, and they're pleasant cars at around-town speeds. But I suspect overall, they're like Jalopnik-icon Megan Fox - hot but stupid, and not something you'd want to live with. Its competitor, the Miata, is probably closer to the afformentioned Ms. Fey - cute and much more fun.
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Don't boot me.. but I like Tina Fey more than Megan Fox. Atleast she's not stupid in a literal sense.
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If you want stupid, try Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, or Kim Kardashian.
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I have 22,000 miles on my '07 GXP Z0K (the competition version with stiffer suspension) and it works as good now as it did new despite being used as an autocrosser every weekend. Not to mention I've had exactly zero problems with the car, something I could not say about the trouble-prone '06 Miata I had previously. I think GM got almost everything right on the car so having a funky top (which is easy to get used to) isn't a big deal for me.
BTW turning the traction control off (did you also turn off the stability control accidentally?) makes no sense unless you're racing and have sticky race tires on the thing, you really should leave it on for street driving.
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and
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Here are two autocross pictures, you decide which is the better handling car:
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How do you think the NC compares with your Sport NB? What sort of mods did you have on each?
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