Mazda MX-5 vs Solstice
Discussion
Hadn't seen this comparison before. Quite nice to get something different to compare the PH Halo car too.
Full article: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/05q4/first...
Full article: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/05q4/first...
CandD said:
First Face-Off - Road Test
Mazda MX-5 vs. Pontiac Solstice
BY TONY QUIROGA, PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM FRANK
October 2005
It took some wrangling, but we got a Pontiac Solstice and a Mazda MX-5 together for a day. It wasn't enough time for a traditional comparison test, which can exhaust the better part of a week, but it was enough time to draw some conclusions in nine purely subjective (touchy-feely) categories crucial to roadster enjoyment.
Exterior: Park the Mazda next to the Pontiac, and the show-car-like American two-seater is the one that will draw a crowd. The Solstice has the advantage of a brand-new shape, wheels at the corners, and bulges in all the right places. The MX-5 isn't styled as radically as the Solstice, but it does look lighter and more agile. Advantage: Solstice.
Interior: Like the exterior, the interior of the MX-5 is a fresh interpretation of the previous-generation car. For the most part, the fit and finish of the Mazda is better than the Solstice's. The Solstice has generally mediocre interior plastic, but the classy instrument surround almost makes up for that. Both roadsters have tilting steering columns (neither telescopes), but the Mazda's moves higher to clear the view of the instruments. Also, the Mazda doesn't lock you in until you remove the key. Advantage: MX-5.
Top operation: Neither has a power top, but the MX-5's can be raised or lowered from the driver seat. It's easy to operate the Solstice's top, but you do have to get out. Advantage: MX-5.
Practicality: The MX-5 has a weekend-trip-friendly trunk that doesn't lose capacity when the top is down. When the Solstice's top comes down and competes for space, the trunk goes from minute to minuscule. Inside, both have similar storage spaces, and the Solstice has handy pockets in the front of the seats. Advantage: MX-5.
Ride: On rough roads, the MX-5 feels as if it has softer springs and more wheel travel than the Solstice. The MX-5 feels wispy and light on its feet, but the Solstice's stiffer suspension still manages to sop up the bumps while feeling more planted. Advantage: Solstice.
Handling: Both have handling limits that are substantial yet easy to probe. Approach the limits in the MX-5, and the softer suspension never quite settles down. The light-footed ride gives the MX-5 a delicate character. The Solstice trades that featheriness for a secure, buttoned-down feel at the limit. Comparatively narrow summer tires on the MX-5 stick and then break away; the Solstice's wider all-season rubber loses grip more gradually. Advantage: Solstice.
Structure: It takes a lot to get either roadster to shake, but the heavier Solstice feels a little stiffer. Advantage: Solstice.
Primary controls: The shifter in the MX-5 doesn't go easily into gear when cold; once warm, its short throws and directness are superior to the Solstice's good but unremarkable gearbox. Brake-pedal feel is similar in both cars: no lost motion and easy to modulate. We preferred the turn-in feel of the Solstice's steering-nicely weighted and precise. The MX-5's gets you close to the contact patches, but excessive kickback over bad roads gets annoying. Advantage: Draw.
Engine: The MX-5 sounds wimpy at idle but builds revs quickly and sounds happier as the revs increase. The Solstice idles better and barks louder, but the engine feels as if it has a heavier flywheel, and it buzzes more than we like. Nevertheless, the growling Solstice sounds better. Advantage: Draw.
THE VERDICT
The frenetic and lightweight MX-5 is a single-minded sports car. The heavier Solstice has two personalities: cruiser and sports car—it excels at both. In this purely subjective evaluation, the Solstice scores higher. When we do a formal and objective comparison, the result might change. But we'd say the General has won this skirmish.
Mazda MX-5 vs. Pontiac Solstice
BY TONY QUIROGA, PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM FRANK
October 2005
It took some wrangling, but we got a Pontiac Solstice and a Mazda MX-5 together for a day. It wasn't enough time for a traditional comparison test, which can exhaust the better part of a week, but it was enough time to draw some conclusions in nine purely subjective (touchy-feely) categories crucial to roadster enjoyment.
Exterior: Park the Mazda next to the Pontiac, and the show-car-like American two-seater is the one that will draw a crowd. The Solstice has the advantage of a brand-new shape, wheels at the corners, and bulges in all the right places. The MX-5 isn't styled as radically as the Solstice, but it does look lighter and more agile. Advantage: Solstice.
Interior: Like the exterior, the interior of the MX-5 is a fresh interpretation of the previous-generation car. For the most part, the fit and finish of the Mazda is better than the Solstice's. The Solstice has generally mediocre interior plastic, but the classy instrument surround almost makes up for that. Both roadsters have tilting steering columns (neither telescopes), but the Mazda's moves higher to clear the view of the instruments. Also, the Mazda doesn't lock you in until you remove the key. Advantage: MX-5.
Top operation: Neither has a power top, but the MX-5's can be raised or lowered from the driver seat. It's easy to operate the Solstice's top, but you do have to get out. Advantage: MX-5.
Practicality: The MX-5 has a weekend-trip-friendly trunk that doesn't lose capacity when the top is down. When the Solstice's top comes down and competes for space, the trunk goes from minute to minuscule. Inside, both have similar storage spaces, and the Solstice has handy pockets in the front of the seats. Advantage: MX-5.
Ride: On rough roads, the MX-5 feels as if it has softer springs and more wheel travel than the Solstice. The MX-5 feels wispy and light on its feet, but the Solstice's stiffer suspension still manages to sop up the bumps while feeling more planted. Advantage: Solstice.
Handling: Both have handling limits that are substantial yet easy to probe. Approach the limits in the MX-5, and the softer suspension never quite settles down. The light-footed ride gives the MX-5 a delicate character. The Solstice trades that featheriness for a secure, buttoned-down feel at the limit. Comparatively narrow summer tires on the MX-5 stick and then break away; the Solstice's wider all-season rubber loses grip more gradually. Advantage: Solstice.
Structure: It takes a lot to get either roadster to shake, but the heavier Solstice feels a little stiffer. Advantage: Solstice.
Primary controls: The shifter in the MX-5 doesn't go easily into gear when cold; once warm, its short throws and directness are superior to the Solstice's good but unremarkable gearbox. Brake-pedal feel is similar in both cars: no lost motion and easy to modulate. We preferred the turn-in feel of the Solstice's steering-nicely weighted and precise. The MX-5's gets you close to the contact patches, but excessive kickback over bad roads gets annoying. Advantage: Draw.
Engine: The MX-5 sounds wimpy at idle but builds revs quickly and sounds happier as the revs increase. The Solstice idles better and barks louder, but the engine feels as if it has a heavier flywheel, and it buzzes more than we like. Nevertheless, the growling Solstice sounds better. Advantage: Draw.
THE VERDICT
The frenetic and lightweight MX-5 is a single-minded sports car. The heavier Solstice has two personalities: cruiser and sports car—it excels at both. In this purely subjective evaluation, the Solstice scores higher. When we do a formal and objective comparison, the result might change. But we'd say the General has won this skirmish.
How many did they sell before they went bust?
ETA: From Wiki
2005 - 5,445
2006 - 19,710
2007 - 16,779
2008 - 10,739
2009 - 5,642
The rear axle and differential are from the Sigma-based Cadillac CTS
The interior storage bin is from the Cadillac XLR
The passenger side's front airbag, steering column, and exterior and interior door handles are from the Chevrolet Cobalt
The backup lights are from the GMC Envoy
The heating, ventilating, and air conditioning modules are from the Hummer H3
The front fog lamp assembly is from the Pontiac Grand Prix
The steering wheel is also featured in the Pontiac Torrent, Pontiac G5, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Malibu
The 2.4 L Ecotec engine is shared with the Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet Malibu, and Chevrolet HHR
The five-speed manual transmission is the same as in the Hummer H3, GMC Canyon, and Chevrolet Colorado
The five-speed automatic is identical to those of the Cadillac CTS, STS, and SRX
The side view mirrors and AC vents are from the Fiat Barchetta
The seat frames are from the previous generation Opel Corsa
ETA: From Wiki
2005 - 5,445
2006 - 19,710
2007 - 16,779
2008 - 10,739
2009 - 5,642
Gun said:
What's the Solstice based on? Merc SLK?
The Solstice shares major components with nearly every GM division:The rear axle and differential are from the Sigma-based Cadillac CTS
The interior storage bin is from the Cadillac XLR
The passenger side's front airbag, steering column, and exterior and interior door handles are from the Chevrolet Cobalt
The backup lights are from the GMC Envoy
The heating, ventilating, and air conditioning modules are from the Hummer H3
The front fog lamp assembly is from the Pontiac Grand Prix
The steering wheel is also featured in the Pontiac Torrent, Pontiac G5, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Malibu
The 2.4 L Ecotec engine is shared with the Pontiac G6, Chevrolet Cobalt, Chevrolet Malibu, and Chevrolet HHR
The five-speed manual transmission is the same as in the Hummer H3, GMC Canyon, and Chevrolet Colorado
The five-speed automatic is identical to those of the Cadillac CTS, STS, and SRX
The side view mirrors and AC vents are from the Fiat Barchetta
The seat frames are from the previous generation Opel Corsa
Edited by Uhura fighter on Thursday 20th January 13:27
doogz said:
EDLT said:
Gun said:
What's the Solstice based on? Merc SLK?
I think it was an original design. Mercedes owned Chrysler, Pontiac was part of GM.The Solstice became the Opel GT in europe, its never been sold in the UK (or RHD) though.
Edited by EDLT on Thursday 20th January 13:27
Not really surprising; you can tell from the article that the Americans value very different things to the Europeans. The Solstice damned well ought to be the better car for Americans, since that's the market it's tuned for.
I think in many of the areas, I'd agree with the comments but disagree with the conclusion of where the advantage lies.
ETA: I've driven the Opel GT but not the Solstice, so that comment is based on assuming they're the same.
I think in many of the areas, I'd agree with the comments but disagree with the conclusion of where the advantage lies.
ETA: I've driven the Opel GT but not the Solstice, so that comment is based on assuming they're the same.
Edited by kambites on Thursday 20th January 13:49
Quite a good test that, lets take a really good car in it's class of small lightweight sport car and put it against a "higher class" big heavy tourer and see what wins, very scientific indeed, next we will have the Corvette compared to the Corsa VXR where the Corvette "just" manages to be slightly better.
Sorry but what a rubbish test, you are comparing chalk and cheese and trying to get the chalk to appear like the cheese, compare the Solstice to something in the same class and I can bet it loses, it should lose on principle of looking utterly dreadful
Sorry but what a rubbish test, you are comparing chalk and cheese and trying to get the chalk to appear like the cheese, compare the Solstice to something in the same class and I can bet it loses, it should lose on principle of looking utterly dreadful
Uhura fighter said:
How many did they sell before they went bust?
ETA: From Wiki
2005 - 5,445
2006 - 19,710
2007 - 16,779
2008 - 10,739
2009 - 5,642
How many has the MX5 sold? ETA: From Wiki
2005 - 5,445
2006 - 19,710
2007 - 16,779
2008 - 10,739
2009 - 5,642
Year Production Sales (U.S.) Sales (Global)
1988 12 (pre-production cars)
1989 45,266 23,052 35,807
1990 95,640 35,944 75,789
1991 63,434 31,240 71,586
1992 52,712 24,964 53,031
1993 44,740 21,588 45,155
1994 39,623 21,400 38,826
1995 31,886 20,174 35,673
1996 33,610 18,408 33,205
1997 27,037 17,218 32,035
1998 58,682 19,845 49,205
1999 44,851 17,738 46,370
2000 47,496 18,299 44,573
2001 38,870 16,486 39,258
2002 40,754 14,392 38,917
2003 30,106 10,920 32,990
2004 24,232 9,356 26,531
2005 29,950 9,801 14,316
2006 48,389 16,897 22,546
2007 15,075
2008 10,977
Total 807,293 373,774 735,813
Sales figures aren't the best indication as to whether anything's any good. Most X-Factor contestants shift albums by the truckload but in terms of musical quality they can be torpedoed by most bands playing in live venues all over the country, most of whom you'll never have heard of. Same goes for sports cars - plenty, like the Alpine GTA and Honda NSX were absolutely superb and worthy of praise, but just because some better-known competitors sold more doesn't mean they're bad cars.
It's a pity the platform never made it over here. As I understand it they were mooting a 'Vauxhall Lightning' but it never arrived. Would've been a 'baby Corvette' in the tradition of the original Brissoneau & Lotz-bodied Opel GT of the '60s and '70s, or the Vauxhall Equus concept of 1978.
It's a pity the platform never made it over here. As I understand it they were mooting a 'Vauxhall Lightning' but it never arrived. Would've been a 'baby Corvette' in the tradition of the original Brissoneau & Lotz-bodied Opel GT of the '60s and '70s, or the Vauxhall Equus concept of 1978.
pits said:
Quite a good test that, lets take a really good car in it's class of small lightweight sport car and put it against a "higher class" big heavy tourer and see what wins, very scientific indeed, next we will have the Corvette compared to the Corsa VXR where the Corvette "just" manages to be slightly better.
Sorry but what a rubbish test, you are comparing chalk and cheese and trying to get the chalk to appear like the cheese, compare the Solstice to something in the same class and I can bet it loses, it should lose on principle of looking utterly dreadful
I think the Solstice looks great Sorry but what a rubbish test, you are comparing chalk and cheese and trying to get the chalk to appear like the cheese, compare the Solstice to something in the same class and I can bet it loses, it should lose on principle of looking utterly dreadful
think an eye test might be in order if you truly think it looks dreadful.As for the comparison - WTF???????????????????????????????????
They are both fairly small 2 seat sports cars. People happily compare the MX-5 to a Z3, Z4 or S2000 as a rule here. So why the smeg do you want to be bias and single out the Solstice?
JonnyFive said:
Uhura fighter said:
How many did they sell before they went bust?
ETA: From Wiki
2005 - 5,445
2006 - 19,710
2007 - 16,779
2008 - 10,739
2009 - 5,642
How many has the MX5 sold? ETA: From Wiki
2005 - 5,445
2006 - 19,710
2007 - 16,779
2008 - 10,739
2009 - 5,642
Year Production Sales (U.S.) Sales (Global)
1988 12 (pre-production cars)
1989 45,266 23,052 35,807
1990 95,640 35,944 75,789
1991 63,434 31,240 71,586
1992 52,712 24,964 53,031
1993 44,740 21,588 45,155
1994 39,623 21,400 38,826
1995 31,886 20,174 35,673
1996 33,610 18,408 33,205
1997 27,037 17,218 32,035
1998 58,682 19,845 49,205
1999 44,851 17,738 46,370
2000 47,496 18,299 44,573
2001 38,870 16,486 39,258
2002 40,754 14,392 38,917
2003 30,106 10,920 32,990
2004 24,232 9,356 26,531
2005 29,950 9,801 14,316
2006 48,389 16,897 22,546
2007 15,075
2008 10,977
Total 807,293 373,774 735,813
Baryonyx said:
That side by side comparison looks like a load of rubbish to me, I've always thought the Solstice looked like a load of cack!
But really though, why be so offensive and act like a 12 year old? I know I can be a bit blunt too, but it's very rare if never that you'll see me call anything worse than dull and drab.
300bhp/ton said:
JonnyFive said:
Uhura fighter said:
How many did they sell before they went bust?
ETA: From Wiki
How many has the MX5 sold? ETA: From Wiki
Year Production Sales (U.S.) Sales (Global)
What other cars fill this part of the market in the US?
Merc slk? Honda s200? I would have thought the pontiac would have sold better.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff