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Solstice surges past Miata in roadster race

NFS4

NFS4

No Lifer
Automotive News / February 6, 2006 - 6:00 am

For 16 years, Mazda's MX-5 Miata has been the world's top-selling entry-level two-seat roadster. With more than 700,000 built, the Miata has knocked off British Leyland's venerable MGB, produced from 1962 to 1980, as the most popular roadster ever.

But the Pontiac Solstice is off to a strong start, and is far outpacing the newly redesigned Miata.

In January - the first month of full availability for the Solstice - the sleek Pontiac roadster nearly doubled the Miata in sales, 1,990 to 1,067. It was the same story in December, when the Solstice clobbered the Miata, 2,746 to 1,007.

To be sure, Miata sales in January were 106.8 percent ahead of the same month last year, when the previous model was on its last legs. But the new Miata isn't doing well in one critical area: consumers' willingness to pay more than sticker. Based on completed eBay auction sales, the highest price a 2006 Miata sold for was $21,900, but a Solstice brought $26,100. Including freight, the base Miata MX-5 stickers for $20,995, and the Solstice stickers for $20,490.

Pontiac officials are thrilled and a little surprised by the early results. Said Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson: "The Miata is an extremely strong competitor, and we thought it was going to be a really good horse race."
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Solstice (and the Sky when it hits) have that new car(brand new model) buzz about them. Give it 2 years for that to die down and see how the numbers work out.

The Miata is a refresh, not a completely new product. Not a really fair comparison.

Same thing will happen when the new Camaro comes out. Sales numbers will be inflated on that because of limited production and wating lists.
 
Not overly surprising since the Solstice is a whole new car. A cheap roadster for those who won't buy foreign.
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Solstice (and the Sky when it hits) have that new car(brand new model) buzz about them. Give it 2 years for that to die down and see how the numbers work out.

The Miata is a refresh, not a completely new product. Not a really fair comparison.

Same thing will happen when the new Camaro comes out. Sales numbers will be inflated on that because of limited production and wating lists.
Click to expand...

Plus i think both the sky and solstice look better than the miata 😛
 
GM is doing what they do best - RUINING THEIR potential market. They're going to flood the market with as many Solstices as they can in the first 2-3 years, then they're going to wonder why nobody wants to buy their vehicle after that.

Typical GM proliferation mindset.
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Solstice (and the Sky when it hits) have that new car(brand new model) buzz about them. Give it 2 years for that to die down and see how the numbers work out.

The Miata is a refresh, not a completely new product. Not a really fair comparison.

Same thing will happen when the new Camaro comes out. Sales numbers will be inflated on that because of limited production and wating lists.
Click to expand...

I wouldnt't call it a refresh, considering everything on the Miata is a new design.
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
The Miata is a refresh, not a completely new product. Not a really fair comparison.
Click to expand...

Uhh, the NC Miata is the first all-new Miata since 1989

 
Too bad the Miata drives better than the Solstice 🙂

The Solstice is for those who don't really care about the driving aspect of a roadster, and instead want the look of it. The Miata is a driver's car -- the Solstice is not. Drive both and you will know.
 
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: vi_edit
The Miata is a refresh, not a completely new product. Not a really fair comparison.
Click to expand...

Uhh, the NC Miata is the first all-new Miata since 1989
Click to expand...

Not to the average 40-something, midlifer crisis suffer. It's still basically the same thing from an astetic standpoint.
 
Everyone wants to buy "something new" for the first year or two until they see the number of defects and learn how unstable the engine is. I'd be interested to see how the Pontiac stacks against the Miata in longevity. One thing that hurts the miata is simply it's size as a roadster. It's an extremely tight ride and could stand to be improved on some more in those aspects. I would have to test drive a pontiac solstice before I could really comment on whether or not I think it'll last. 😉
 
Meh. EVERY comparison test I've read between the two cars declares the Miata the winnar in all categories aside from maybe sex-appeal. And we know which is the more reliable car.

Edit: If I was in the market for a new drop-top, I would walk straight past a Pontiac stealership and right to the Miata store.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Meh. EVERY comparison test I've read between the two cars declares the Miata the winnar in all categories aside from maybe sex-appeal. And we know which is the more reliable car.

Edit: If I was in the market for a new drop-top, I would walk straight past a Pontiac stealership and right to the Miata store.
Click to expand...
Really, and we know this how?
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Solstice (and the Sky when it hits) have that new car(brand new model) buzz about them. Give it 2 years for that to die down and see how the numbers work out.

The Miata is a refresh, not a completely new product. Not a really fair comparison.

Same thing will happen when the new Camaro comes out. Sales numbers will be inflated on that because of limited production and wating lists.
Click to expand...

exactly.
 
I think the Solstice looks great, and it's very affordable. I haven't driven one yet, but I'd consider buying one. It's innovative in looks and design. The old Miata was a little cramped for my taste, but I haven't driven the new 'refresh' version yet.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Meh. EVERY comparison test I've read between the two cars declares the Miata the winnar in all categories aside from maybe sex-appeal. And we know which is the more reliable car.

Edit: If I was in the market for a new drop-top, I would walk straight past a Pontiac stealership and right to the Miata store.
Click to expand...
I'm just curious....what car do YOU drive? 😛 Come on now.....tell us. 😀
Obligatory Pic...
 
Originally posted by: PokerGuy
I think the Solstice looks great, and it's very affordable. I haven't driven one yet, but I'd consider buying one. It's innovative in looks and design. The old Miata was a little cramped for my taste, but I haven't driven the new 'refresh' version yet.
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the new miata supposidly has a lot more interior room. including a tilt wheel. 😛
 
The Solstice is such an ugly car just like that crappy Thunderbird.
The rear is kinda like a 350Z so that looks pretty good. Fits the roadster pretty nicely.
Now lemme take a look at that Sky:
The Sky is a very sporty looking car to me. (All about preference I guess)
Uh, maybe like some Merc, but it looks a whole lot better than a Miata or the butt ugly Solstice. The only thing I question is the build quality and reliability of that car although I can be sure it probably has some great features/accessories due to being an American car.
Kinda makes me want one too if I can ever afford a fun go-around car.
 
has there been as much advertising for the miata? i've seen solstice commercials every saturday from september through december, practically.
 
It'll die off. The Miata will regain it's crown as best-selling roadster when people realize the North America can't build a car that handles worth a sh!t
 
Originally posted by: Ryan
GM is doing what they do best - RUINING THEIR potential market. They're going to flood the market with as many Solstices as they can in the first 2-3 years, then they're going to wonder why nobody wants to buy their vehicle after that.

Typical GM proliferation mindset.
Click to expand...

Despite them producing limited numbers of it. Excuse them for meeting their sales target.
 
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