CD Article: 2006 Pontiac Solstice

[sterling]

Nor in AB.

[genetik_freak]

Nor in BC (I think).  I have no front plate and funny enough, the cop stopped me for having blue front turn signals and said nothing about not having a front plate.  Honestly, there is really no need for a front plate.  Most cars look better without one.

[ovr50]

Front plates are required in BC and I saw a guy in an RX8 get a ticket (or warning) the other day for not having one. I do not have a front plate on the Bullitt and I figure sooner or later, I'll get stopped for that. I hate having to have that front plate!! 

[genetik_freak]

Really?  Guess I dodged a bullitt (no pun intended  ).

[davidm]

Got a ticket outside of Hope for no front plate on the first Miata.  Wonder if we are seeing VPD vs RCMP on the issue.  The same day I got a ticket from the RCMP in Hope I went through a roadcheck on the Sea to Sky and got no grief.

[rovermark]

GM should have designed a front plate holder further down from the grill. If I would get it, I'd have it fixed down there.

[Howswedeitis]

Wow just saw a black solstice and it is stunning!
I would never be caught dead buying an American car but this
thing is something else. If rumours are true it might be worth the
wait until a 250hp turbo charged version comes out. The Miata
might be the more "pure" sportscar but it looks well like an
overgrown Miata...The Solstice seems to have it all...well
engineered chassis, well tuned suspension, great looks and
a liveable compromise in terms of interior comfort and space.
GM I'm impressed...I cant believe I said that!

[Shnak]

The Solstice seems to have it all...well
engineered chassis, well tuned suspension, great looks and
a liveable compromise in terms of interior comfort and space.
GM I'm impressed...I cant believe I said that!

Don't forget the truck transmission and the golf BALL-sized trunk. 

[Howswedeitis]

Oh there is no question that to meet the price point GM was aiming for there
were definately compromises made (see transmission which could have surely
been a 6 speed) and yes I'm sure the trunk is small but I'm guessing it's
no smaller than say a Miata or that overpriced rice burner Honda s2000
(gotta love a car with lots o horsepower but no torque...not)
It's still an impressive effort and to be sure will improve with time.
An ecotec turbo charged motor with a close ratio 6 speed would
make this car really something else.

[davidm]

Based purely on pics, the Solstice trunk (when the top is down) is substantially smaller than even the first Miata, let alone this new bigger Miata.  As for the S2000, don't knock it until you try it.  Won't take a Mustang in a straight line, but the moment you use that funny middle pedal or the silly round thing (you know, the big handgrip in front of you) it is sure to put a smile on anyones face.

On the Solstice, I'll reserve overall judgement until I get to drive one.  Is it a beautiful cruiser, or is it a real sports car that will give Miatas (and S2K, Boxster, Z4, etc.) a run for their money in handling and braking (I could care less about acceleration).

[wing]

All I have to say is HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Have you seen the trunk on the miata and S2000 and the solstice, Shnak wasn't joking when he said golf ball sized.

The S2000 trunk fits 2 golf bangs.  Over priced hahahahahahahhahahahahhahah, let me know if you can find any other roadster that is comparable to an S2000 for less.  Good luck with that.  It's actually the least expensive car in it's segment.

davidm, actually the S2000 is faster than a mustang GT pre '05 even in a straight line! 

[ovr50]

Janes - what will the S2000 do 0-60 and the quarter mile - just to back up your statement, before I have to drag my Bullitt down there to put "void" to your claim...

[wing]

0-60 5.4s 1/4 mile 13.9s
Head to Head

[ovr50]

http://2rdrilling.com/bullitt/quartermileNA.htm

These are times for stock Bullitts. No blowers, etc. - as they come.

Like some other wag once said, it's 12-13 sec car with a 14 sec driver (me).

It would be close - I didn't realize the S2000 was quite that quick.

 

[wing]

The thing about lack of torque in the S2000 is just silly.

Yes it has less torque than other cars with 240hp, but it has MORE torque than any other naturally aspirated 2.0L 4 cyl engine.

It has way more torque than my tiburon had, nobody complains the tiburon has no torque. 

It's a myth brought on by kiddies who magazine and internet race.  Even the "Oh it needs to be revved to 9000 rpm for power is false"  It has more power under 6000 rpm than any other engine of this type.

Doesn't really matter to me, it's just funny.  The Solstice and S2000 aren't even comparable, the miata on the other hand is and it is better in all regards from what I can tell.   The miata is just more fun.

I'll take fun over power anyday.

As bob_defly says, to go quick you must add lightness

[wing]

Ovr, how different is the bullit from a stock GT?  Gears are huge on the mustang, as it is on an S2000.  Gears gets you to 13.4 in an S2000 but what a waste of a car to drag race it

[ovr50]

James - Bullitt puts out about 10-15 more HP and about the same additional torque. Gearing and suspension set up is different also - no doubt the Bullitt is faster than an 01 GT.

Having said that, the Bullitt is not the best Mustang for drag racing, the Bullitt is a better road course car than a dragger. The Mach 1 in 03 & 04 put out about 310 hp and 325 torgue (close anyway). Stronger than the Bullitt and a better dragger.

I don't know what a straight stock 05/06 GT would do, but the 300 hp/320 torque should get it in there some where (although it may be a touch heavier than before).

Guys who are serious about drag racing a Mustang never leave them stock anyway.

[wing]

Ok last off-topic post

A guy took out a Cobra to auto-x this past weekend.  OHHH H MY GAWD, what a sound that thing made.

Fast as all hell too.  He didn't turn fast but he made it up between the cones!

[Arthur Dent]

All I have to say is HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Have you seen the trunk on the miata and S2000 and the solstice, Shnak wasn't joking when he said golf ball sized.

The S2000 trunk fits 2 golf bangs.  Over priced hahahahahahahhahahahahhahah, let me know if you can find any other roadster that is comparable to an S2000 for less.  Good luck with that.  It's actually the least expensive car in it's segment.

davidm, actually the S2000 is faster than a mustang GT pre '05 even in a straight line! 

My old Triumph Spitfire has more interior room than an S2000 or Miata - more truck space too - of course the S2000 is a little faster ... 

My only real beef with the S2000 is the bland styling - looks like a 2dr Lexus. Otherwise a nice car - just a little spendy for my price range.

[wing]

Timeless styling   5 years old and I still get asked if that is a NEW car.... never seen one before