So I can find these for reasonable cash in good shape. Seem like an interesting option for fun in the sun and autocrossing. Can they be a good option, or would they prompt "I coulda had a Miata" feelings?
Yes my automotive ADD is in overtime, a lease end will do that to you.
Well, I'm looking for one to put the motor and tranny INTO my miata, so you can take that for what it's worth. The few rides I've had in them have been good, but I've never been in one pushing limits.
edit, I think I saw the same couple you did if you're looking on CL. was kinda surprised at the price, but they appear to be in really really nice shape.
Driven quite a few through work and was never really impressed. Despite being externally larger than a Miata, they have a lot less interior room than my NA, my knees end up jammed right against the dashboard even with the seat all the way back. Also, the drivetrains just very crude and coarse and shakey and unpleasant-sounding. It's like driving a small low tractor. GM's entire NVH team must have been on vacation when they designed these. Or they just think "sporty" and "vibration" are synonymous. And they suck to work on under the hood. Definitely a "coulda had a Miata/S2000" experience in my mind. Too bad because these were a car that I wanted to like (I still think the Sky is quite pretty) but just couldn't bring myself to do it
In reply to revrico:
God, why?
We've had a GXP vert, then bought a GXP coupe new when they were available. Nice cars, haven't had to to work on either because they haven't needed anything. I'm 6'2 230 and have no issues fitting and being comfortable. There is a guy that autocrosses one here and has a thread with good info in the build section.
260hp and 260tq is really nice, but a tune really wakes them up.
NickDs experience is completely opposite mine. I could see someone getting the coarse feeling in a brz/frs, but the GXP is very smooth imo. I would just go drive one and see for yourself.
The AR5 transmission, from what I understand, is pretty decently bullet proof. The ecotec motor on the other hand, allows close to the same power and torque as boosting the 1.6 would, with a lot less room for error and a lot more room to grow.
Doing it myself, ontop of learning how to tune, to get my 1.6 to 200 hp with boost would be 4-5k with a new turbo kit.
I could take the car to the ecotec miata guys in the Great White North and get the swap done for a little over 5k.
Those transmissions are hard to come by though, may wind up with a bellhousing swap and a t56 tranny, but then I need to track down and make the parts for a V8 swap rear end.
revrico The GXP is a 260HP turbo motor. A couple of sensors and a reflash have you knocking on 300HP. Much more can be had.
Yea, i forgot the redline/gxp are fancy boost machines. Makes it even better than boosting the 1.6 NA. But this is a whole other thread unless Pinchvalve wants to do a really expensive engine swap, judging by our Local list of craig at least.
Why not do a 1.8 swap with a turbo and avoid the rough ass GM motor?
I looked for a gxp coupe instead of c5. Figured it was a cross between a miata and a vette.
Driven a few, never a coupe i always liked them.
I'd start by reading road tests of the era.
The coupe is cool. It's too bad it couldn't stick around.
I've driven a GXP and I think it's definitely worth considering.
How cheap? I would imagine it would immediately prompt "coulda had a miata" feelings. Or, if price is higher, "could had an S2000".
The top on those is awful. It takes up pretty much the entire trunk. They are tiny inside. They are large outside. They have terrible visibility (yes, worse than a miata or s2000).
They do make decent power, fit a lot of wheel & tire, and have good suspension geometry though.
My driving experience was that the car had lots of grip and was reasonably quick. Compared to a Miata or S2000 the handling felt pretty numb but finally came alive when pushed hard.
Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: Why not do a 1.8 swap with a turbo and avoid the rough ass GM motor?
The 1.8 + turbo will be heavier and less reliable (at the same price point) than a LE5 @ 200hp. The ecotec motor upper limits under boost are higher. It bolts to a transmission that will survive much longer at those power levels. The LNF in the GXP/Redline is a beast. Its pretty much the same as the motor in the 2016 Camaro that will knock down 13s in the 1/4. Stick that in a tiny Japanese sports car and it should be a lot of fun.
GM has made some crappy 4 bangers, but I wouldn't describe the Ecotec as rough, especially when compared to a BP. Putting one in a Miata seems like the the best of both worlds.
I always thought the solstice was cool looking, it's interesting to hearthe potential these cars have
FYI SCCA street autocross classing really screwed these cars. AS for street class (so you get to race C5/C6 Z06's), ineligible for any ST class, so then goes straight to ASP or SSM.
nderwater wrote: My driving experience was that the car had lots of grip and was reasonably quick. Compared to a Miata or S2000 the handling felt pretty numb but finally came alive when pushed hard.
I think if the s2000 is thrown into the mix the Boxster s should be as well. Personally, I would go Boxster S before s2000.
Da Boss's dad has one with an LS3. He just finished up the swap and started driving it a couple weeks ago. It fits like the chassis was made for it, except for the exhaust tunnel.
I have no idea what electrickery it took to make the PCM talk to the BCM. I know that it is a somewhat convoluted swap.
In other news, I'm curious as to how swappable the turbo Ecotec drivetrain is, specifically the GM computer which would be mandatory because direct injection.
In reply to ProDarwin:
NickD wrote: Driven quite a few through work and was never really impressed. Despite being externally larger than a Miata, they have a lot less interior room than my NA, my knees end up jammed right against the dashboard even with the seat all the way back. Also, the drivetrains just very crude and coarse and shakey and unpleasant-sounding. It's like driving a small low tractor. GM's entire NVH team must have been on vacation when they designed these. Or they just think "sporty" and "vibration" are synonymous. And they suck to work on under the hood. Definitely a "coulda had a Miata/S2000" experience in my mind. Too bad because these were a car that I wanted to like (I still think the Sky is quite pretty) but just couldn't bring myself to do it
Perhaps you and NickD need to have a chat?
Here is the thread I was talking about. Some good info on setting up for autocross, tire sizes, tune, etc. https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/project-solstice-07-gxp-build/74947/page1/
I find the coupe to be a very pretty car. Out of curiosity, I opened up my local craigslist and searched on GXP coupe: 2 results: $35,000 and $40,000 
In reply to Stefan (Not Bruce):
Or he can drive one and decide for himself.
Kreb wrote: I find the coupe to be a very pretty car. Out of curiosity, I opened up my local craigslist and searched on GXP coupe: 2 results: $35,000 and $40,000
Yeah, they've definitely done well as far as lack of depreciation goes. I don't even remember what we paid for ours new, so would have to look through the the docs, but it's a loaded GXP coupe and I'm sure it was under 35k.
I had the want's for a Solstice real bad. One test drive cured that. The ergonomics were terrible for me. I'm smaller than Cotton at 6', 200lbs but I absolutely didn't fit. I have long legs and like NickD my knees were in the dash so hard I couldn't transition from the accelerator to the brake without awkwardly twisting my ankle, like I was trying to reverse heel-toe.
It's a shame too, I was all set to buy that car. Had my heart set on it.
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