Since finding this forum like a week ago I've been itching to put up a post about my thoughts and EXCITEMENT over my new car the "mysterious" black 2007 GXP Solstice. I've done a bit of reading on here already and I think this is a AWESOME site and I want to share my two cents about what I've gathered.
For starters, what a great great car this is....the power...the handling...the looks...the PRICE...I just love so much about it I cant stand it!!
I've had it for about two weeks now and have had a blast.
Anyway, now that I got the obvious out of the way what made me want to put up my first post were reviews I've read.... by "professionals" and posters alike. One poster in particular (I believe his name is Jimbo) posted a very good piece about comparing the Solstice to the Miata and he posted something else about Edmunds favoring foreign (Japanese) cars....I found both posts to be very educational and entertaining as well and wanted to add my angle on it.
For one thing I found that Edmunds piece comparing the Sol to the Miata to be a total downer and misleading. Now correct me if I'm wrong but wern't they comparing the N/A Solstice to a Miata and running them around some track doing a bunch of turns and accelerating?? They acted like they did such a fair test but I really question that for this reason....THE TEST ISNT BASED TOTALLY ON REAL WORLD CONDITIONS. Let me give some examples...
HANDLING- From my understanding (I've never driven a Miata) the Miata is quite the responsive little vehicle...I'm sure it zipped around that track quite nicely being lighter than the base solstice and being smaller(?) and more maneuverable....maybe it had a little more power than the N/A...I dunno. But folks, what good does all that extra handling do you when you're driving a straight line 80% of time like I do on Arizona's straight roads. I'm not darting around tiny streets in some european village and doing hair-pin turns from one side to the other. I do regular turning in my GXP and feel very good about it thank you very much! Dare I say I actually can whip around some corners and feel quite sporty about it....Have I done it through a bunch of cones over some race course??...NO!...and I dont plan on it either because I live and drive in the real world and not on a racetrack. I want to say though I appreciate how my Sol HUGS the road...I feel secure and firmly planted with that baby....I feel like a part of the car.
Also a sidenote about the handling...something I believe Jimbo pointed out when he took a Miata on a long 8-10 hour trip somewhere. He said the Miata required hit total attention driving because if he looked off somewhere he'd find himself wandering in another lane.....like the car acts too responsive. That would drive me CRAZY....I'm paranoid enough as it is without having that in my life. Being out west like I am and living in a big state surrounded by big states there can be great distances involved. I want to be able to RELAX when I drive for hours....the Solstice is very forgiving on the road. See, thats something Edmunds doesnt take into account at all....
POWER- As in GXP power! I tell you what, this car has all the power I could ever want or need. I dont need to supe it up at all for my tastes....great acceleration AS IS. I read somewhere that it compares very well speedwise to the Porshe Boxter...I tend to believe it. I never drove a Porshe but back in the day I had Formula Firebird (which I believe had an extra big 5.7 liter engine) and this car is very comparable to that....but the great thing about the GXP is it uses a small engine! You get power AND great gas miliage...does it get any better than that especially with todays high gas prices?? Going back to the Miata...do they even have a comparable car powerwise to the GXP? I heard they're working on it....better keep working boyz!
STORAGE- Some reviews go on and on about how little storage there is...*YAWN* Look, If you're buying it as a only car or a family car then yeah...there could be problems. BUT I did carry a few bags of groceries in my trunk WITH the top down in the trunk so its definately possible to carry stuff. About interior storage...the only real storage is that middle compartment between the two seats (its kinda sizable) and the glove compartment...but also there is a front pocket in front of each seat and pocket behind each seat as well. Also, what downing reviewers ever fail to mention is you can accessorize your Sol with more storage devices if you feel the need...like a saddlebag (Pontiac makes em!) that fits over the center area between the two seats or wedge devices that fit next to your seat...people are even working on some side door compartments. If you got a creative mind and willingness to adapt you can work out the storage issues pretty easily....If its still not good enough buy a SUV for crying out loud!
I have a SUV and it makes for a great partner with my GXP
ROOF- OK the roof takes a little doing getting it out of and in the trunk. One person can do it but its a lot easier with two. I know Miata is light years ahead when I hear while seated you can just whip one arm over the back and open and close the thing no problem....but then I hear it doesnt tuck in the trunk either and stays OUT.
Now for me here is where the real world comes in again...As I said before I live in Arizona and the weather is predictable and Sunny 90% of the year....I dont need split second timing getting the roof up because of rain like I would if I lived in England or somewhere else with a lot of rain. I dont mind the extra minute it takes the get the roof where it needs to be. I also dont mind the roof being canvas because I dont get snow where I live....The Sol is just a great Arizona car so what else can I say!
LOOKS- This car is HOT HOT HOT. If you want a hotter car be prepared to spend like 80-100 grand. For the price this car is you get more looks and nods than you even deserve believe me. In the looks department I almost feel like I'm driving a Ferrrari or something! Anyone who owns this car knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about.
So to sum it up I'm not trying to over criticize the Miata but some reviews like Edmunds has brought it on...I must defend Sol's honor! The Solstice or Miata are VERY dependant on your family needs and the area of the country you live in and many other factors...something Edmunds better wise up to if they want our respect!
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