The steel frame does offer extra rigidity. It probably does help contribute to the ride and feel of the car. However, it's not the only factor. That extra 400 lbs of car will also help smooth out the ride too.

As for reviewers, I think they have tended to focus on the dynamic traits of the car. Since they seem to think the Sol is too neutral in handling, and maybe has a bit too much understeer compared to the MX-5, they probably don't think the really solid structure is a clear out benefit. It DOES have many benefits, but in a back to back comparison, they are still going to pick the car they felt was more fun. They all seem to think that is the MX-5.

 

The steel frame does offer extra rigidity. It probably does help contribute to the ride and feel of the car. However, it's not the only factor. That extra 400 lbs of car will also help smooth out the ride too.

As for reviewers, I think they have tended to focus on the dynamic traits of the car. Since they seem to think the Sol is too neutral in handling, and maybe has a bit too much understeer compared to the MX-5, they probably don't think the really solid structure is a clear out benefit. It DOES have many benefits, but in a back to back comparison, they are still going to pick the car they felt was more fun. They all seem to think that is the MX-5.

I think the solstice will be way more fun, the dash wraps around the driver and I will take a smoothe ride over a chopping one any day

 

I think the solstice will be way more fun, the dash wraps around the driver and I will take a smoothe ride over a chopping one any day

They do appeal to two different groups. However, I am not sure the MX-5's ride is really choppy in comparison. The biggest different that could be felt and/or seen is likely in the amount of cowl shake the cars exhibit over rough roads, followed by chassis flex in turns. I have been told by people who have driven both that the Sol is noticeable better on both counts. But if a buyer prefers hanging the tail out more, and feeling a little more connected with the road through the controls at the expense of that extra rigidity, they probably would like the MX-5 more. It's not like the MX-5 has so much less rigitity that it feels like it has all the integrity of a wet noodle.

 

The solstice has a steel frame. The mx5 has a unibody I would think the steel frame is much stronger than a unibody design, especially in crashes. I have read reviews on the solstice saying the pontiac roadster is as solid as a railroad trestle. I wonder if that is the reason why the solstice ride is smoother and more solid. And last why dont the reviewers point that the solstice steel frame beats the mx5 hands down in solidness thats my opinion:devil:

That reminds me, we never saw pictures of that totalled Sol. Whose was that again, and where are the pics?

 

The NC Miata's chassis construction is similar to an S2000. The S2000 chassis has still been commented upon as stiffer than the Solstice by the reviews I've seen that mention both cars.

The Solstice chassis is stiffer than the MX-5, but a steel frame isn't always the best choice. It is however, one of the easiest to develope.

 

However, it's not the only factor. That extra 400 lbs of car will also help smooth out the ride too.

I wouldn't be surprised if the steel frame is the primary reason why the Solstice weighs 400 pounds more.

 

That reminds me, we never saw pictures of that totalled Sol. Whose was that again, and where are the pics?

Yes we did, days ago:

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=152870&postcount=36

 

Yes we did, days ago:

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=152870&postcount=36

I sit corrected. I guess I should rephrase that statement...

That reminds me, I never saw pictures of that totalled Sol. Whose was that again, and where are the pics?

Don't know how I missed that. I guess I should have paid closer attention to that thread... thanks for pointing it out Forty!

 

thanks for pointing it out Forty!

Anytime, Mr. San.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the steel frame is the primary reason why the Solstice weighs 400 pounds more.

Thats not what I was trying to imply with that statement, although I can see how it could be taken that way. The real reason the Sol is 400 lbs heavier is primarily because it is bigger. The extra square footage of car adds to the weight. It is close in eweight to cars like the S2000 which is very close dimensionally to the Sol.

 

The solstice has a steel frame. The mx5 has a unibody I would think the steel frame is much stronger than a unibody design, especially in crashes. I have read reviews on the solstice saying the pontiac roadster is as solid as a railroad trestle. I wonder if that is the reason why the solstice ride is smoother and more solid. And last why dont the reviewers point that the solstice steel frame beats the mx5 hands down in solidness thats my opinion:devil:

I am convinced that the mass media is pretty much anti-American cars. American cars ARE as good, and in many classes of vehicles, much much better. Japan doesn't really have anything that compares with some of the Cadillacs that are out on the street right now. There is no Lexus or Infinity that compares with some of the high-end Cadillacs.

The media seems to be fascinated by negative news from GM and FORD.

I'll never forget the news report I saw on MSN a few months ago. GM had made a large voluntary recall on their SUVs for failing ignition wires. The failure was not the typical "fire" issue that you often hear of with ignition wire recalls, but this recall had to do with the fact that often times, you wouldn't be able to start the car. The title of the article was: "MORE BAD NEWS FOR GM, 500,000 CARS RECALLED!!!"

And then, at the VERY bottom of the article, it said... "In other automotive news, Toyota recalls XXX,XXX number of 4-Runner SUVs because of steering wheel linkage failure under hard turns."

Now, I don't know about you, but I think a broken steering rack is quite a bit more devestating than a bad ignition wire. One will kill you, the other one will just ruin your day.


It's CONSTANTLY like this. I know I'm just complaining and whining right now, but I really am sick of it. The media has been NON-STOP anti-American cars for the past God knows how long...


Anyway, my point is.... it's undenyable that this car is amazing looking. There's nothing that the automotive press can say negatively (and be taken seriously) about this car. Everyone loves this car, the few people who don't, just have significantly different tastes. If they don't like they looks of it, they are either lying, or wish it was under a different marque.


I don't know, maybe I've woken up on the wrong side of the bed (which means I would have had to roll over my wife), but I just see the press taking every pot shot at the company that they can. Anything that's superior they'll simply just kind of mention, but loathingly so.

The space frame that the Solstice uses is a VASTLY superior frame technology to anything that's currently on the market today with the exception of exotics and the Corvette. That's because this frame is designed using the same technology as the Corvette. If you take a look at the steel space frame of the Corvette, it looks almost identical. Even down to the fuel tank placement.

If there was ever an Opel GT of this decade... the Solstice is definately the baby Corvette.

 

:agree:

 

If there was ever an Opel GT of this decade...

While the GT's exterior had a resemblance to a Corvette of the time, with the suspension from an Opel Kadett-B that's as far as it went.

I don't think you really want to make that kind of comparison to the Solstice.

 

While the GT's exterior had a resemblance to a Corvette of the time, with the suspension from an Opel Kadett-B that's as far as it went.

I don't think you really want to make that kind of comparison to the Solstice.

The comparison was that people called the Opel the "Baby Corvette".

I think the Solstice fits that bill...

 

I am convinced that the mass media is pretty much anti-American cars. American cars ARE as good, and in many classes of vehicles, much much better.

I work for a mass media company and :agree: ... totally! I've seen the prejudice in action when our reviewer did his piece on the Solstice.

 

The comparison was that people called the Opel the "Baby Corvette".

I think the Solstice fits that bill...

So Solstice looks like a Corvette but has none of it's performance?

 

So Solstice looks like a Corvette but has none of it's performance?

I said that in my opinion, the Solstice is very much like a baby Corvette in the same way that people referred to the old Opel GT as a baby Corvette. The Opel GT didn't have anywhere near the horsepower of the Corvette in it's time, but it shared many of the same characteristics as the Corvette.

The Solstice shares many of the same characteristics of the Corvette, the way the hood opens, the arrangement of the components (battery, etc), the type of frame, etc...

It's not to be taken literally...

 

There certainly is some anti-American bias in the mass media, but I am not sure the Solstice has been a big victim of this bias (for the most part). Most of the major reviews have been complimentary to many of the Sol's attributes and driving dynamics, and have overall been positive of the car. The big negatives that get pointed out are generally the obvious things... the top, the trunk space, etc. Dynamically, they tend to criticize the fact the car does not like to get it's tail loose, but they also gtend to give it credit for a very good ride/handling compromise in the suspension.

There have been some unduly harsh pieces, but most have been fair... including most of the comparos.

PS, I have seen some other cars reviewed recently that have received a lot of praise from our journalists. Car and Driver has recently heaped a ton of praise on the V8 Grand Prix GXP, and also had the Cadillac STS-V finish second in a comparo with the BMW M5 (first) and Mercedes E55 (3rd). Jim Healey also has been very complimentary in many of his reviews of domestic offerings recently too. He really disliked the Sol's top, but seemed to liket he car otherwise (and again, I don't blame anyone who dislikes the top/trunk design, both are a legitimate criticism in comparison to other company's offerings).

 

Sad day for my Solstice

Up until January 26th, my 2006 Solstice had 5300 miles on it. Beautiful and sparkling blue with all the bells and whistles. Then along came a 16 year old girl who had just gotten her license 2 days prior. T-Boned me into another vehicle; the passenger side and front end are toast.

Here is where I am now: it has a frame it's not a uni-body so they may fix it. I've had a SUV fixed that was in pretty bad shape and it was NEVER the same.

I will NEVER find a Solstice as nice and new and pristine as the one I had: if you had one it wouldn't be for sale

Having said all this, I am praying they will total it but even if they do that I believe blue book was 16,900. Either way I'm screwed. What are your opinions: if they total it, should I buy it and rebuild it or just walk away?

I know a guy who rebuilds/works on exotic cars and he thinks he can make her look and feel like new.

Broken hearted right along with my broken nose, Shaz

 

Up until January 26th, my 2006 Solstice had 5300 miles on it. Beautiful and sparkling blue with all the bells and whistles. Then along came a 16 year old girl who had just gotten her license 2 days prior. T-Boned me into another vehicle; the passenger side and front end are toast.

Here is where I am now: it has a frame it's not a uni-body so they may fix it. I've had a SUV fixed that was in pretty bad shape and it was NEVER the same.

I will NEVER find a Solstice as nice and new and pristine as the one I had: if you had one it wouldn't be for sale

Having said all this, I am praying they will total it but even if they do that I believe blue book was 16,900. Either way I'm screwed. What are your opinions: if they total it, should I buy it and rebuild it or just walk away?

I know a guy who rebuilds/works on exotic cars and he thinks he can make her look and feel like new.

Broken hearted right along with my broken nose, Shaz

I'm SO sorry about your loss; that SUCKS! I'm glad you're (mostly) okay. I might have a solution to your problem:

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f30/fs-2007-solstice-gxp-w-5-471-miles-gm-warranty-several-gm-upgrades-71209/

 

There is a lot of nice Solstice's out there I would take the money & purchase one that's not been hit. WOW 7 years between a post, I wondered where it was going when I started reading the first post.