$10K Solstice (2006) run away?

So, I know the sales manager of the local Subaru dealer. he as a 2006 Pontiac Solstice on the lot for right at $10K. 5 Speed, 2.4 Ecotech

The research I have done says they usually go for about $14K.

It does have 91K mile on it though, could that be it? what else is there to know about them? Have I used the letter "K" too much in this post?

I have sent a note though our local message boards for more info, but I trust the objective views here probably more than the guy trying to sell it. (I like the guy and have bought from him before, no regrets yet, I just want to cover all bases)

Thanks,

Eric M

Have you driven one? Miata is the better car by far. Check the trunk

I think that you should buy it, never drive it, and sell it two months later

And they do have two Miata's

http://www.subaruofchampaigncounty.com/used/Mazda/2003-Mazda-Miata-3a71b8210a0a006400bcc82f395144f3.htm

http://www.subaruofchampaigncounty.com/used/Mazda/2002-Mazda-Miata-414b82760a0a000201b3c3d9a52e59e5.htm

mtn wrote: I think that you should buy it, never drive it, and sell it two months later

Just so you know , I did drive the 944, twice.

And just so you know, those of us on both cice and here NEVER cross talk. got it?

EricM wrote: Have I used the letter "K" too much in this post?

Maybe it is just your subconcious thinking of the Kappa platform that it is built on.

I've autox'd the turbo version. I was a solid 2 seconds ahead of the rest of the pack before an STI broke out of his rut an edged me by 2 tenths. That was the first time I had ever driven the car.

The GXP version is actually a really good car, it earned my respect that day. Cheap interior for sure though. Like "I know where they didn't spend any money" cheap.

EricM wrote: Just so you know , I did drive the 944, twice.

Thats one more than me! The new owner is very generous with co-drives for autocross.

EricM wrote: And just so you know, those of us on *both* cice and here NEVER cross talk. got it?

In a situation like this, I would think that is assumed.

Junkyard_Dog wrote: Have you driven one? Miata is the better car by far. Check the trunk

i have to disagree. While the miata is cute in a non-manly sort of way, it feels like anythign I touch might break. THe Solstice is larger, feels more substantial and is a very fun ride.

Besides, when was the last time you could stuff 285's under the fenders of a Miata?

mtn wrote:

EricM wrote: Just so you know , I did drive the 944, twice.

Thats one more than me! The new owner is very generous with co-drives for autocross.

EricM wrote: And just so you know, those of us on *both* cice and here NEVER cross talk. got it?

In a situation like this, I would think that is assumed.

nice, I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page

Bobzilla wrote: i have to disagree. While the miata is cute in a non-manly sort of way, it feels like anythign I touch might break.

I have never even seen the inside of a new MX-5 but I can't believe that anything could feel cheaper, slapped together or more likely to break than the interior of a Solstice. It was obviously designed to encourage gutting it and installing a full rollcage.

I drove my 2000 Miata to a GM test day and tried the 2.4L NA Solstice so I had good back to back comparisons. For the highway I might choose the Solstice for cruising, everything else I would take the Miata. I mean everything - feel, brakes, shifter, visibility..... I was not impressed.

GTwannaB wrote: I drove my 2000 Miata to a GM test day and tried the 2.4L NA Solstice so I had good back to back comparisons. For the highway I might choose the Solstice for cruising, everything else I would take the Miata. I mean everything - feel, brakes, shifter, visibility..... I was not impressed.

Compare apples to apples by comparing to an NC* and you'll be even more impressed by how bad the Solstice is.

*all NCs need sway bars out of the box, but are still nicer to live with than a Solstice.

If you're getting a Sky/Solstice, go straight for the turbo version. The engine is dreamy, especially with the GMPP tune....100k mile warranty, 290 hp, 360 ft lbs. There's room for huge-ass tires to boot if the factory meats don't do the job for you. Hard to cross-shop that against a Miata. The engine is so awesome that it makes the crummy ergonomics, interior quality, and tiny trunk quibbles disappear in the back of your mind, hiding from the devil on your shoulder that keeps laughing hysterically and prodding you to go faster evermore.

I am HIGHLY biased, as I have a Sky Redline and I think it's the bees knees if you want a very fast and sexy convertible...absolutely unbeatable value. It also gets great fuel economy, which is a great perk when buying sexy, fast machines.

Bryce

Junkyard_Dog wrote:

GTwannaB wrote: I drove my 2000 Miata to a GM test day and tried the 2.4L NA Solstice so I had good back to back comparisons. For the highway I might choose the Solstice for cruising, everything else I would take the Miata. I mean everything - feel, brakes, shifter, visibility..... I was not impressed.

Compare apples to apples by comparing to an NC* and you'll be even more impressed by how bad the Solstice is. *all NCs need sway bars out of the box, but are still nicer to live with than a Solstice.

So, is there ANYTHING out there that you can say is better than your Miata? Just asking.... because Miata isn't ALWAYS the answer.

I've driven both and I can't find anything in a Miata that I desire. It's gutless, tiny, expensive when it breaks and breaks more often than anything I own (from my observations).

It's just another GM bashing thread.

Let them play.

Isn't there one more factor to consider: they're not made any more, therefore may be more sought after in the future, making resale a little bit easier ("Oh it's one of those!!" type reactions.) than a "it's another miata" reaction. And, maybe a bump in its value in the future. Since you do know the salesman, and it's the END of the month, could he be making you a good deal since he knows you're a repeat customer, and quotas (bonus) may have to be met? Aspects to ponder...

Nashco wrote: I am HIGHLY biased, as I have a Sky Redline and I think it's the bees knees if you want a very fast and sexy convertible...absolutely unbeatable value. It also gets great fuel economy, which is a great perk when buying sexy, fast machines. Bryce

I prefer the look of the Sky (although both are hotness). Is the Redline the exact same package as the GXP in more grown-up skin? Is the Saturn badge more likely to net me a big savings if I can find one? I'm not actually looking now... I'll just keep one on my radar knowing full well the interior is unlivable because its also optional ;).

Bobzilla wrote: So, is there ANYTHING out there that you can say is better than your Miata? Just asking.... because Miata isn't ALWAYS the answer.

Elise...and the Solstice trunk is still smaller

Zomby woof wrote: It's just another GM bashing thread. Let them play.

I forgot where I was for a moment..... thanks for bringing me back to reality.

OK got some more info on it. That is the bottom price (trying to sell it before winter as most people don't look for RWD convertibles in winter) of course they could jack the price in the spring.

It is a verified one owner, though I am not sure if that actually means anything to me.

I told them I am "tire kicking" right now. But I would like to see it.

and YES!, I would rather a turbo version but renovating the house right now puts the kibosh on that.

one other good point in favor of a Solstice is that almost every part of the suspension, brakes, and drivetrain can have parts from bigger and faster GM cars easily swapped in.

look up the build Hot Rod did in conjunction with GM back in '05 or '06 where they bolted in a beefed up LS7 out of a Z06 Corvette. they swapped in a bigger differential and huge wheels and brakes without doing too much fabrication. that's not gonna happen with a Miata..

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I prefer the look of the Sky (although both are hotness). Is the Redline the exact same package as the GXP in more grown-up skin? Is the Saturn badge more likely to net me a big savings if I can find one? I'm not actually looking now... I'll just keep one on my radar knowing full well the interior is unlivable because its also optional ;).

Basically, yes. The Solstice has an edge in that it has shorter overhang up front and has an available hard top if you want to (properly) race the thing. They both have some really minor trim and suspension options that don't exist on the other, but generally speaking they're the same car aside from looks. Jessica and I greatly prefer the Sky styling to the Solstice, so the hard top was a moot point. It doesn't seem that the Redlines are any cheaper than a GXP, so you should look for what you like the most. If you like them both, I'd shop based on what options and price you find rather than model, as they are rare enough to be hard to find with all/most of the options you'd prefer.

Food for thought for those shopping. The bumper-to-bumper warranty is only 3 year/36k, but the powertrain warranty is 5 year/100k. For us sporty-driver types, that 100k powertrain warranty with the GM Performance Parts tune is a very, very attractive offer.

Bryce

There's your answer. Buy it now, store it, and sell it come spring, when demand goes up. Pocket the profit.

If the size of the trunk is the deal-breaker for the Solstice, wouldn't the Elise even be less appealing?