How's the confidence in your Solstice? And GM?

Billcat · 01-02-2009, 12:22 AM

Just thought I'd ask. I was soooo tempted to buy one but after hearing from new owners who found things wrong like the oil level issue in the rear end, the ones that were lucky to find out before the seal went and were luckier still to find that the seal did go before the rear end locked up or just broke from the resulting lack of oil. The motor that never sounded smooth and a gear setup that was just stupid. With the tire size and trans. gearing it should have had a 4.11 gear ratio in the rear but they took the cheap route and used parts from other cars to get it out and not really quite right and that had the big impact on why I didn't buy one. It's the best looking roadster out there but I ended up buying a used miata, go ahead and blast me but I just heard too many things that left me sour about the car. Now GM is in a bad situation that may see many of it's parts companies going out of business or very thin I wonder if there will be any shortages on parts for the car?
So, I ask, still glad you bought this car? I'd imagine most are. But I'd like to buy one just to shove it in a garage for 20 years. It might be worth a lot by then.
Most see GM's best move is to go bankrupt and rebuild which I agree with. They have a load of fat that it would be able to get rid of and come out better in the long run but in the few years a lot of suppliers would be hit very hard and there comes back the parts problems for repairs and such. I wish you all good luck in this very very hard time. It is a good reminder that I found out long ago that the world isn't fair or nice and eats the ones that think it's a safe place to live in. And worst is most of the underhanded crooks under the guise of CEO's and high end paid folks don't get hammered like the middle class on down. I have too many friends who are being worked to death by large companies that are making good money but not hiring needed workers and they are lucky to see any days off. There was a time long ago that before unions the same thing happened and there was a large revolt of workers that stopped this abuse of workers. It's one area where I wish history would repeat it's self. But the union's that partly helped are now one of the major causes of problems in the world economy where they go on strike even when the company is ready to fold. GM has felt this bite like Boeing. They should look how it did in the british company leylan (not sure about that spelling) where they kept on strike right till the plant closed it's doors for good. And yeah, their car's weren't all that good but they did have a few good models.
Heard on TV about GM's troubles and mention of Saturn div. being shut down. This was on tonight 1/1/09... Might be a good investment to get the Sky. There would be very few and it would quickly become a collectors item at a good price in 10-20 years. But who knows. I'm not into how it's all going to wash out in the next 10 years for GM.

Canuck Sol · 01-02-2009, 08:16 AM

You could have started a few threads with all the questions

Yes, after 1 1/2 years I'm still happy and my seals have been replaced (the only repair I've had). The last I heard, there have been only two failures and the diff is used in several other models as well. Regular maintenance includes looking for leaks, and they don't fail before they leak.

I don't think parts will be a big problem, they used a lot of "off the shelf" stuff.

It may become an good investment, the Edsel is collectable (low production numbers, not public perception).

Companies/Unions - when anyone has too much power there are usually problems

PubliusE · 01-02-2009, 08:23 AM

Personally, I would never buy a current production car in anticipation of it being a collectable. Buy it becasue you like it.

GregGXP · 01-02-2009, 08:29 AM

Enjoy the used Miata.

mbfesta2009 · 01-02-2009, 09:05 AM

Love the Solstice. Almost 3 years old now. Would never trade it in for any other roadster on the market. I did about a year of research before I bought it including test driving just about every roadster available under $60k. I like this one the most, bought it, kept it, use it. I originally planned it to be a weekend car only and became addicted to it and now use it every day, snow, rain, clear. The miata I felt was just too boring compared to this care. I went GXP and IMO if you buy the Solstice get the GXP. But if you plan on buying these cars to sit in your garage let someone else be the proud purchaser. Especially because who knows if after 20 years of just sitting how well it will run, if even start up.

Los Sol · 01-02-2009, 09:17 AM

As a former Miata owner, I am happier with my Solstice. At the present, I plan on hanging on to mine for many years to come. The Miata may even be a better reliable car. With that said, the Miata is just to common in comparison to the Solstice. I got rid of my PT Cruisser when I started to notice more and more on the roadways. The same thing happened when I had my Chevy HHR. I enjoy the element of being uncommon. That is not the only reason of course. The Solstice just resonates a chord within on many levels.

I beleive GM will survive also ............

Canuck Sol · 01-02-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los Sol

As a former Miata owner, I am happier with my Solstice. At the present, I plan on hanging on to mine for many years to come. The Miata may even be a better reliable car. With that said, the Miata is just to common in comparison to the Solstice. I got rid of my PT Cruisser when I started to notice more and more on the roadways. The same thing happened when I had my Chevy HHR. I enjoy the element of being uncommon. That is not the only reason of course. The Solstice just resonates a chord within on many levels.

I beleive GM will survive also ............

A Sol Mate!

I started in cars as an AMC fan, my Javelin and Classic are not common. The PT was cool when it came out, but it is now common

.

I've had my Sol rust proofed even though I will never drive it in the salt (not that stupid one time garbage, but an annual treatment that is not just oil).

NOW that I have mine, I like seeing the shift cut backs and the recent shutdown, it won't become a Miata.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los Sol

The Solstice just resonates a chord within on many levels.

Yonnie · 01-02-2009, 10:51 AM

Two years after buying my Solstice I'm very glad I did and never can get enough of it.
When the Miata came out I looked closely because at that time there wasn't much to choose from in a roadster without spending over $50k. I thought it was a great idea, but felt it lacked substance. After the Solstice came out I kept my eye on it for over a year before deciding to buy one. No regrets! As for GM, no one knows how the metamorphosis will utimately play out or how painful it might be, but one thing I would bet on is that in ten years we'll still have GM and it will be relevent.
I plan to hold on to the Solstice for a long time. I try to keep mileage as low as possible and to date it has only been wet once.
One day a Miata pulled next to me at a stop light and the owner asked me if I wanted to trade. "Not on your life," was my response. I haven't changed my mind.

mazda3jdm · 01-02-2009, 11:10 AM

I traded in my mazda 3 5spd for a black 2008 gxp. I have never felt a better driving experience then in the Solstice. I look back and i get the same gas mileage as i did in the mazda 3 but with alot more horse power. My fiance was a little mad that it cant store much if we go shopping or luggage wise but she loves the car to0. I love this car and will cherish it.

GreyFox · 01-02-2009, 11:51 AM

I have no idea of why I'm responding to a poster who has intended to rip apart a Solstice in a long list of what he has determined is inferior engineering,qualityand performance. All I can say is...my wife had a brandnew 1999 Miata...and had no problems with the car. It was a fun..good handling car during the couple years that she had it(pre-Solstice). The downside was that it was much more midget sized and feel while under-powered. June 21,2007 I purchased a GXP...with it's higher body line(door line)...sculptured body...bigger wide tires...altogether beefing up any appearance of a midget or "tiny" car. Still a small two seater....but with a bigger car stance. Even with the top up..it is sleekly proportioned to the body design..rather than a tall top stuck on a tiny car. A coved dash and well designed interior with everything within easy reach reminds me of my '65 Vette..but much more refined. The 2.0 Turbo releasing 260 hp is a dream come true for many of us. Monday on a trip to the Indianapolis car show & back at 80 mph on the interstate the average MPG read 31.3. This summer I averaged 36.8 at traveling speeds of 55-75 mph. I have had no problems,whatsoever wuth this GXP..except did have the diff seal replaced under warrenty(it wasn't leaking).
Now you have a Miata. Good for you! Perhaps you have bypassed problems...maybe not.
In my view...the GXP really has very few similarities to a Miata. The GXP differences,to me are profound enough that I have no desire to settle for less.

Mac · 01-02-2009, 12:42 PM

First off looking at what is comparible, if i was to not have bought my 08 gxp(no issues for @ 6k so fare, just this am had the stage 2 upgrade(WOW) it was quick now its quiker.

I would never evem consider a miata, maybe a s2000 ,,, nada. support the home team or face it where will your home be?

Koobie · 01-02-2009, 02:16 PM

Umm... I'll respond very quickly:

This is a global market. It may have mattered in 1969 if is was "Made in USA" but things have changed and that really doesn't matter anymore to the general public.
If you want to have a slow roadster, buy a Miata. Outside of a 2010 Z4 or Boxster this car has the most power for the price.
NEVER buy a car hoping it becomes a collectible, you are just wasting $. But if you have the money to burn by all means.
GM will survive. The next administration will ensure that. It may just cost more than what it needs to because we are afraid to let the market do its work.

Fformula88 · 01-02-2009, 02:23 PM

Not an easy read... and I think I will move it out of the news section.

That said, there will be parts if there is demand. Cars that went out of production decades ago still have parts availability, where there is a demand for them. Even if a parts company goes bankrupt, eventually another source for the part will appear to satisfy demand.

Example: I am into Fieros (hence the screen name). My 88 is the last year they made them, and that year had a unique to that car and year suspension. Only 26K 88's were made. About 7 years ago, the manufacturer of the sealed bearing wheel hubs stopped making them. Crisis? Nope. There was enough demand from this apparently small market that another company did a new run of the hubs/bearings, and they are still available, as are just about every part on the car.

So, I would not be fearful.

Buy what you like. You liked the Miata and bought it. Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by.

Fformula88 · 01-02-2009, 02:25 PM

PS, even if it comes to bankruptcy, GM isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It may get new management, new owners, etc, but a company with 25% of the US market, and about the largest single share of the world market isn't going to suddenly disappear.

BellaVerde · 01-02-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PubliusE

Personally, I would never buy a current production car in anticipation of it being a collectable. Buy it becasue you like it.

Buy it 'cause you want it. any other reason will just cause you heartburn. BellaV has had its problems, but my interest in the car offset the problems. Enjoy your Mazda and put a deposit down on the Tesla.