I can't believe Mazda had the guts to put their emblem on that Ibuki piece of crap. I have never seen anything that looked more like a hotwheels invention than that in my life. Honestly, what were they thinking? :confused
The Miata looks like a slant eyed china man, not a slick sports car, I think Mazda needs to rethink the front end from that pic. Also, beefing up the engine would make the Solstice a real slick ride, say 0-60 w/in 6 sec? It looks fast, why not make it fast. I want it to at least be able to beat my Towncar from the line or at least my girl's Escape!!! Let's try a Supercharger.
Supercharged version due out summer of 06, the solstice wil be release in fall of 05.
its going to be a small eaton roots type blower on top of the block.
Me and Bizz coming from the GTP crowd know that you can easily and cheaply switch the pulley to increase the boost.
I fell in love with the solstice at the auto show a couple years back. It truly is a wonderful car.
I am 6 foot 3 and i fit perfectly well in the production version (dont ask, friend of a friend of a friend..)
Power out of this vehicle is not going to be any sort of a problem.
If supercharged or turbo charged is concern to you dont let it get to you, GM already sells the SAAB ecotec4 with a turbo for the SAAB 9^3R. So there are already multiple engine options.
My only concern so far is that they will pull the same thing with the solstice that they did with the 97-03 grand prix. The gt version is the 3800 series II engine, no blower, the GTP has an eaton blower on top, so many people thought "heck i wil just buy a GT and get the blower later" right? wrong. there are signifigant changes to the upper block between the cars that makes it very difficult to add a supercharger to the GT version.
I want the solstice but i may have to wait for the SC version before purchasing because I know I will want the blower.
This looks much better than the Ibuki concept in my opinion. Will be interesting to see what Mazda does, as it is Mazda's Corvette/Mustang in many ways - the car that surely helped keep them in the market when their other models were sagging.
Don't say I never gave ya anything... SpyShots of the 2006 Miata (from Germany?):
Looks a lot less like the Ibuki and a bit more like a BMW Z3/RX-8 crossbreed. It may not be as stylish as the Solstice... but it unfortunately (for Pontiac) will most likely be more reliable.
My miata isn't all that reliable. New radiator, coils, plug wires in the first 50,000 mi. One of the hood latches seems a little loose, too. Nothing horrible, but my wife's caravan has a better repair record.
My miata isn't all that reliable. New radiator, coils, plug wires in the first 50,000 mi. One of the hood latches seems a little loose, too. Nothing horrible, but my wife's caravan has a better repair record.
Hanging out on the Lotus Elise forums, there's one woman there who has a Miata that she's turbo charged to 350+ WHP. Apparently the engine itself is extremely overbuilt for what little power it produces. Now the rest of the parts around the engine I have no clue about though.
Looks a lot less like the Ibuki and a bit more like a BMW Z3/RX-8 crossbreed. It may not be as stylish as the Solstice... but it unfortunately (for Pontiac) will most likely be more reliable.
I definately like how this prototype looks a lot more then the older MX-5. Now I might be crazy, but it actually looks like the Miata is starting to look more like the Solstice then a Miata. It's got the raised up rear end above the front, the front hood slopes down forward to a more rounded nose, the doors now have the fairly swooping curve to them instead of the completely verticle doors on the old Miata.
Hmm I just noticed this one has dual exhaust too.
This sounds interesting too...
Quote:
A rotary engine is expected as an option on the new Miata, due in dealerships late in 2005.
Now that engine would be a damn nice option in the light weight Miata. Far more power without having to force induction the engine.
Don't say I never gave ya anything... SpyShots of the 2006 Miata (from Germany?):Looks a lot less like the Ibuki and a bit more like a BMW Z3/RX-8 crossbreed. It may not be as stylish as the Solstice... but it unfortunately (for Pontiac) will most likely be more reliable.
Thanks for putting up the link. What a load off!! Now I know almost 100% for sure I'm getting the Solstice!!:thumbs Granted the camo makes it hard to say for sure, but it doesn't look too changed from the current MX5, and I think I like the current one better. Glad they ditched the goofy hump in the trunk lid, but I don't know about the high mounted headlamps. Looks like it may comply with the European pedestrian law, hence the seemingly tall hood line.
Overall it looks like it'll look pretty decent, but no Solstice for sure. I agree, the rotory engine could be the kick that car needs. Not sure I'd want one though. Guess I'd have to drive it. The last time I drove a rotory engine was in 1978 in an RX7. I suspect they have changed a little. :thumbs
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Thanks again Bob, for building my car! Envious/Ebony VIN #0051
From those picks it looks like the styling will hold true to past Miata’s, and that isn’t a bad thing. The Miata is a good looking roadster in its own right. Until I see one without so much camo so I can get a good feel for its lines and styling details, I won’t make an overall styling determination on the car, but it does look promising.
I like the sounds of an available rotary too! Having a rotary underhood will produce plenty of ponies and keep weight done (and the center of gravity down too). It should be a very good performing roadster in its own right!
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