Solstice beats Miata in sales for 2006
When the Pontiac Solstice first arrived on the scene, the buff books said it was nice but that the new generation Mazda Miata was still the better two-seat, rear-wheel drive ragtop. The Miata has, in fact, proven it's the best low-priced roadster in the U.S. by racking up significant and steady sales for Mazda since it debuted in 1989. Of course, 2006 is the first full year in which the Miata actually has to contend with some competition. Both the Pontiac Solstice, and later the Saturn Sky, were unveiled to extremely high consumer demand, and we've learned that apparently consumers don't care all that much about which car has less body roll, is faster in the slalom or can grip the road with more confidence. The excitement of a reasonably priced rear-wheel drive convertible from our very own General Motors was enough, in fact, to propel the Solstice to 18,362 unit sales by the end of November. The Miata sold 15,873 units through November.
Next year will be even more interesting as each ragtop arrives ready to fight. Production will be up to speed on the 260-hp Pontiac Solstice GXP, and the Miata will be available with a retractable hardtop that doesn't devour trunk space. This will be an extremely fun rivalry to watch over the years.
[Source: AutoWeek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Phillp 8:07PM (12/14/2006)
Miata = womens car
No self respecting male would ever drive one.
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doglet 8:19PM (12/14/2006)
had the miata been called the mx5 from day one, they would have sold twice as many over the lifespan of the car.
GM must be making money hand over fist on the solstice/sky. i know dealers love them. i wonder if the program has paid for itself yet.
the solstice sells this well, just imagine how well the coupe (with a trunk and a couple grand off the base price) will do.
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Carlos 8:23PM (12/14/2006)
I disagree with the girly car comments. So does the consistent 80% manual transmission take rate.
Not saying girls can't drive stick... just saying Miata buyers are, on the whole, people who prioritize the drive.
But congrats to the Solstice. It does have better looks, a much greater brand fanbase, and better options packaging. Based on the sales numbers, it obviously works for more people. It's the Camry of affordable roadsters =].
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Blooooooooooooood 8:23PM (12/14/2006)
What defines a MANLY car? Saturn Relay or Buick Terraza or maybe Chevrolet Uplander or and the Pontiac Montana???? Which?
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Dave 8:24PM (12/14/2006)
BS Phillp. Sports car enthusiasts over the age of 12 aren't concerned with what others think should they choose the light, reliable, superior Miata over the ill-handling Solstice. The Sky does win in style points, however.
I declare that a year from the Solstice/Sky loving will be over.
In driving my Miata you think I'm gay, by all means let me know and I'll let you know if I'm interested. That goes for the ladies, too.
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vectorbug 8:27PM (12/14/2006)
"had the miata been called the mx5 from day one, they would have sold twice as many over the lifespan of the car."
Even still, called a miata its the best selling sports car, ever.
Hey I'm a man and I love my NA I traded in my desk-weight of a Jetta (vr6 w/supercharger) for one, anyone who knows anything about them stops making fun of them, so you can always tell who's done their research and who is just ignorant. There are many people who do not like the miata, even after gaining respect upon learning of its impressive specs catered to handling and fun, but those who insult it are usually not car people or just don't know anything about it.
Then again, this is the internet, where everyone is a professional about every subject ever.
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Blooooooooooooood 8:29PM (12/14/2006)
I have one beef with sports cars, they are not everyday cars. You really can not drive to work in them everyday. I sat in Miata and Sky and Mustang, all these cars are very very uncomfortable. My friend is 5'7 his head was touching the roof of Rx-8, elbow room...forget it. These cars look great but they are really weekend cars..........the problem is how many people can afford to buy a car for 25-26-28 Gs that is used 2 times a week. Also many of these sports cars have terrible base models, you really HAVE to buy second or after models. Those cost in mid 20's to early 30's.
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Christine 8:32PM (12/14/2006)
"excitement of a reasonably priced rear-wheel drive convertible from our very own General Motors was enough, in fact, to propel the Solstice to 18,362 unit sales by the end of November. The Miata sold 15,873 units through November."
WOW. I like the Solstice, this is good news to me.
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Pontiac Solstice 8:33PM (12/14/2006)
The Solstice and the Sky both SHOULD beat the Miata. Lets be honest.. none of them are known for their performance so saying the Miata handles better is like saying a tug boat handles better than a garbage scow. The only to rate them on is styling and the Solstice and Sky win that one.
If youre interested in the Pontiac Solstice, check out http://www.solsticeforums.com
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Phillp 8:34PM (12/14/2006)
I see that the Miata owners are raising their heads.
Face it, the Miata is about is manly as a pink VW Beatle convertible.
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Blooooooooooooood 8:36PM (12/14/2006)
Wow #9 is the least biased individual i ever met.
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Jeff Banks 8:38PM (12/14/2006)
You can keep your crappy "manly" lifted trucks and other road-going SUV monstrosities, and i'll take a MX5 miata and we don't need to ever speak to each other ever again.
Anybody who judges one the most capable sports coupes (for the price) as a "girl car" is a complete idiot.
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vectorbug 8:40PM (12/14/2006)
7= well, they're called sports cars for a reason. Not sports-sedan, not sports-wagon.
That said, all I have is my first gen miata and its my only car. I've managed to take a christmas tree home in it. I'd rather NOT have elbow room, room = weight. I'm 6'1" and I fit fine. I'm also still pretty young (pre-30s) so back problems and arthritis arent an issue.
If you want leg room, elbow room, head room and power, get an A4 or something, but please pull over when cars are lining up behind you on highway 1.
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Car videos & Motorcycle videos 8:50PM (12/14/2006)
Saw the Solstice in person for the first time the other day and must admit its quite a value, I have heard the turbo model will be coming out which will be awesome.
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purecoda 9:24PM (12/14/2006)
My $.02
1. The Solstice is affordable, good looking and performs well for it's class. A win for GM.
2. Strictly by the numbers the Miata is not, and probably never will be, a "chick's car". That would be the Mitsubishi Eclipse (can't find the numbers now, but they're out there). And numbers be damned, if you like the vehicle, buy it.
3. There is adequate headroom and legroom in the front of both the Miata and RX-8. I've autocrossed both several times, and I'm 6'3". However if you want stupid good performance and more head and legroom than you know what to do with, go with an Evo (current ride).
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Billy C. 9:12PM (12/14/2006)
Read the Edmunds.com long term review of the Solstice. They liked the looks, but they didn't like to drive it. It was the last car in their fleet that anyone wanted to drive home at night - and they also had a MX-5.
Then go test-drive a Solstice. Force yourself to raise and lower the top 5 times while you sit in the driver's seat between each change. Then do the same in an MX-5.
If you do this and drive both, you will never buy a Solstice.
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Quiksilver 9:24PM (12/14/2006)
Not owning either of the cars, the Miata's looks never appealed to me. The Solstice and the Sky aren't bad looking, but I wouldn't want either of them. But congrats to GM for making a vehicle that actually sold a decent number and not having super bad looks.
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Misaniovent 10:12PM (12/14/2006)
While the Solstice is clearly not as well-designed as the MX-5 at the moment, I think that with time its faults will be improved significantly and it'll really be a vehicle that can match its incredible sex appeal.
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JGN 10:43PM (12/14/2006)
My only complaint about the Miata has been that it is not particularly exciting as far as looks go, which would be integral to me buying a car like that.
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Quiksilver 9:27PM (12/14/2006)
I agree with 16, except my current ride is an STI limited... different category though.
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