CD Article: 2006 Pontiac Solstice

[Howswedeitis]

The fact remains that the S2000 has got no torque and anyone who knows anything about
what makes a car fast will tell you that it's torque that is most important. Sure a s2000 at full song on a racetrack
will be quick but in the real world where top gear acceleration, rolling acceleration will definately
be lacking. Who cares about 0-60 times... I've smoked a s2000 in my Saab turbo on the highway
when the hammers went down I was off like a shot (from 120kph to 210kph) and however
hard this guy tried in his s2000 he just couldnt keep up. Honda knows this that's why the increased
the displacement (longer stroke) of the recent model to improve the torque but it's still really lacking.

[wing]

Who cares about top gear acceleration?    Certainly not me, I certainly don't think the S2000 was "racing" in top gear, that wouldn't make much sense.

[wing]

Oh and Honda didn't increase the displacement to improve top gear acceleration they did it to shut the fatties in the US up.  An extra 10 lb/s of torque, the cars don't feel much different.  Only the US and Canada get the 2.2L engine, the rest of the world still gets the 2.0L.

[a4_tom]

2.0 still performs better than 2.2 in auto-X track.

[davidm]

James, surprised at those 1/4 mile times for an S2000.  Not bad.  As Ovr nicely points out - all moot as we mess up the launch anyways.

Saab turbo, nice car, but don't chase that S2000 through any corners (and please, dear god, do not try and out brake one - I don't want anyone to have to clean up that mess).  Who cares about 120-210 kph acceleration?  Talk about non-realworld scenario.  Maybe 60-120 kph acceleration (as in a hwy onramp), but not a very interesting test.

Besides, when you zip past someone on the street you have no idea if you are even racing - the other guy probably doesn't even care (I know I usually don't).

Besides, as James said, this is about fun cars.  High strung cars are just too much fun - kinda lets you feel 5% of what a bike is about.  Going 200 in a straight line in the Saab, or my 328 for that matter, is boring.  Try going 80 through some corners, much more compelling.

Enough about this.  Anyone wanna drag a 93 Miata - I think it might hit 16s (in a tail wind) 

[Howswedeitis]

The point I was trying to make is that torque is more important than horsepower which
the S2000 lacks. As for passing acceleration I do have to disagree with the person that said
that's not an important criteria when looking at a cars performance. To be sure, my "run"
with a S2000 from 120 - 210 only goes to illustrate my point on torque. Yes maybe a better
test would be 60kph to say 120kph (highway merging etc) which I'm sure my lowly Saab
at the time (95 900 turbo) would still easily beat a S2000. Of course acceleration is only
one criteria and handling and braking also are very very important in real world conditions.
That said, I've driven various porsche 911's, a 944 porsche cup racer and went for a run
as copilot in a 1970 911 all out race car (at Mont Tremblant) with a 3.8l slide valve injected motor putting out
close to 500 hp and at least 350ft/lbs of torque and so when I say I'm not so impressed
with the buzz bomb Honda calls the s2000 that's where I'm coming from. Sure it's a
nice sports car but it has never done well at the track and any well tuned 80's vintage
911 (OK 84 n up 3.2l carrera) will make mincemeat of a S2000 on the track and off.
 

[Howswedeitis]

Is a 1985 911 with a 3.2l motor a full blown race car? I dont think so!
Now let's not get testy! It's hard to compare a car that spins at 18,000rpm
and puts out some 800hp to a road car...
If 4 cylinder engines are your thing and it interests you to see what
can be done with them this might interest you...
This Saab might just take a f1 car 0-60 or come close!
Technical specification of Per Eklund's all-wheel drive Saab 9-3 Turbo
Engine
Longitudinally mounted, four-cylinder, 16-valve with twin overhead camshafts, Garrett turbocharger with 45 mm restrictor (to meet the competition rules), and intercooler. Displacement: 2.0 liters. Bore/stroke: 92/77 mm. Compression ratio: 9.0:1. Original Saab engine block and cylinder head. Engine tuned by Trollspeed of Trollhattan.
Rating
550 - 600 hp at 6,500 rpm (750+ hp 2001-2003)
Peak torque
592 Ib.-ft. at 4,000 rpm
Transmission
Four-wheel drive with programmable active differentials and six-speed Prodrive gearbox
Weight
532 Ibs. (1999 regulations)
0 - 60 mph
Under 2.5 seconds
Top speed
124 -155 mph, depending on the drivetrain ratio

[wing]

What does this have to do with a solstice or miata or S2000?

I want a convertable  that I can pay $25k or less  for I can drive to and from work, to the track, auto-x etc.  And not spend a dime on maintenance (warranty or none).

People don't buy '85 porsche 911's with those critiria you are just argueing for the point of argueing. 

I guess you only like Saabs, which is fine, but give up the Saab's are wholly than thou mantra.

[wing]

You seem to hate Hondas...... 

[sterling]

Boy, where's a moderator when you need one to keep things on track. 

[wing]

I don't think that's a moderator's job.  Otherwise I'd be deleteing or moving everything posted

[ovr50]

It's tough being the Moderator when you're both the Moderator and the Arguee!!

Talk about 2 hats for James - you're doing a good job, James, hang in there.

 

[84im]

Too bad Ovr50 and Wing don't live close by....I'd come looking for them in my Monster Miata   

[AVToller]

Now that's something I might pay to see. 

[wing]

84im, how does that V8 affect handling?  I'd throw in a super charger or turbo charger on a miata if it were me.

Although the roar of a V8 can be fun once and awhile for sure.

[ovr50]

Maybe we could meet in, say, Gimli, MB, I hear there's a paved strip there long enough to land an Air Canada jet that the fueling technicians short fuelled by mistake. Snowy could drive over from Sudbury and we'd have a little race meet right in the heart of the country (where the hell is Gimli, anyway)...

Ross could come and we wouldn't even charge him admission but he'd have to get himself there.

Priceless, bring your MasterCard.  

[ovr50]

84im, how does that V8 affect handling?  I'd throw in a super charger or turbo charger on a miata if it were me.

Although the roar of a V8 can be fun once and awhile for sure.

Ah, James, how about "all the time" - only unknowledgible youngsters don't appreciate the roar of a good V8 - one of the sweetest sounds in autodom. 

[mdxtasy]

That V8 Miata would eat the Mustang and S2K for a snack.  I cannot imagine what the rush would be like in such a machine.  I've piloted a FM Turbo Miata running 11psi.....and I suspect that the V8 would be a tad quicker. 

[davidm]

MDX, fun stuff isn't it.  I drove a Greddy turboed Miata at 12.5 psi.  First gear, what first gear?

[wing]

So I just went to gm's site to price out a solstice.  It certainly doesn't come with much

Optioned out  it's $31,915 you have to pay $700 for cruise and $1000 for A/C then $250 for limited slip.

For $32k, no doubt you could buy an '03 S2000.