Edmunds Comparison Test: 2006 Pontiac Solstice vs. 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata

[NFS4]

Reading now...this should be fun

 

[sniperruff]

conclusion: spend a little more and get an S2000

 

[K1052]

I want a F/I Sky.

 

[GTaudiophile]

But the biggest reason the Miata took this one is the simple fact that it's 10 billion times more fun to drive. It's more responsive. Its engine is livelier and its gearbox feels like it was plucked from a shifter kart. It also has more steering feel, and it stops better.

PWNED!

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
conclusion: spend a little more and get an S2000

Miata interior space > S2K interior space (for me)

 

[FeuerFrei]

Comparing base versions, the Solstice is $4000 cheaper than the MX-5

 

[vi edit]

Keyless entry on a roadster just seems....odd.

 

[BW86]

I'd take the miata

 

[Theguynextdoor]

I wouldn't drive either one.

 

[preslove]

But, but the pontiac is so much prettier.

 

[Minjin]

I'd like to see lap time comparisons. I'm sure one the magazines will do a more extensive review. So far, the only car that has come close to dethroning the Miata has been the MR2 Spider...

Mark

 

[vi edit]

So the consensus is:

Miata for all out auto-xing madness
Solstice for a liveable daily driver

?

 

[DanTMWTMP]

i heard the sky will be priced higher than the solstice @ around 25k. Since they're most likey identical cars, save for the bodywork/interior, looks like miata's an obvious choice over the sky, although there's a certain amount of charm and wow-factor with the sky that I'm so impressed about.

I love how the sky looks, just can't get over it.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
So the consensus is:

Miata for all out auto-xing madness
Solstice for a liveable daily driver

?

Have you seen the trunk of the Solstice? Daily driver my ass

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: Minjin

I'm sure one the magazines will do a more extensive review.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=9967
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=9968
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=9969

 

[FeuerFrei]

Originally posted by: klah

Originally posted by: Minjin

I'm sure one the magazines will do a more extensive review.

http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=9967
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=9968
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=9969

Cliffs below.

THE VERDICT
The frenetic and lightweight MX-5 is a single-minded sports car. The heavier Solstice has two personalities: cruiser and sports car?it excels at both. In this purely subjective evaluation, the Solstice scores higher. When we do a formal and objective comparison, the result might change. But we'd say the General has won this skirmish.

 

[Theguynextdoor]

Intresting so C&D liked the Solstice better. I'd like to see what the Sky Redline will be like.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: K1052
I want a F/I Sky.

Same here, but next pick would be the new Miata. I'd wait until they made a turbo version of course. I wouldn't sell my miata for a slower miata.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Just how much shorter is the gearing in the Miata's six-speed compared to the five-speed in the Solstice? Listen to this. The Miata finishes the quarter-mile at the top of fourth gear, while the Solstice hits the traps in third. And out on the highway the difference is really jarring. The Miata revs close to 4 grand at 80 mph in sixth gear, while the Solstice is revving under 3,000 rpm in fifth. This makes passing on the highway easy, while passing in the Solstice requires a downshift, maybe two.

No offense, but dealing with the Miata as a daily driver buzzing along at 4000rpm sucks! Solstice wins in livability as a car from what the article reads, while the MX5 is the sporting champ. Since maybe 5% of Miata owners actaully "drive" their cars like they were made the Solstice sounds better as a daily driver.

 

[Shawn]

Wow, looks like Edmunds really liked the new Miata.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I noticed in the review it said their Solstice's radio came with RDS (Radio Data System) :Q:Q:Q:Q Good luck putting an aftermarket radio in that, $$$; stupid GM :roll:

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
I noticed in the review it said their Solstice's radio came with RDS (Radio Data System) :Q:Q:Q:Q Good luck putting an aftermarket radio in that, $$$; stupid GM :roll:

Umm, isn't that what tell's you what's playing on the radio for the few radio stations that support it? Wouldn't affect putting in an aftermarket radio at all.

 

[Theguynextdoor]

Originally posted by: Shawn

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
I noticed in the review it said their Solstice's radio came with RDS (Radio Data System) :Q:Q:Q:Q Good luck putting an aftermarket radio in that, $$$; stupid GM :roll:

Umm, isn't that what tell's you what's playing on the radio for the few radio stations that support it? Wouldn't affect putting in an aftermarket radio at all.

It is...my mom's catera has it. I didn't notice anything different when I replaced it...