My wife got a nice raise this year and she's kinda looking for a "fun" car to drive about town in. I have an 05 MCS and she has a 04 Prius.
We are keeping both of those cars, (the Prius is great around town but awful on the highway and vise-versa for the MCS).

My older brother called yeaterday and was talking to her about the Pontiac Solstis. At first look, it could be a contender against an MCS, (although no room for anything except 2 people and a smile).

I told her to look at them and 06 MCC. The price is comapirable, (25ish) but you get more room with the MCC.

Any thoughts?

But since you already have a Mini in the family, go for the Solstice! Seems like a blast, and it's likely that there will be plenty of go fast goodies.....

I like driving (and sometimes owning) lots of different cars. Just let the wife know she can have whatever suits her fancy....

Solstace ~$25k
Mini ~$25k
Happy Wife = Priceless!

Matt

Unless the styling is your thing, buy an MX-5 (new miata) over the solstice since it outperforms it in many areas based on what I've read in car mags. Does she need all of the performance? If not, then she might love the MCC, although I'm not sure you could really compare the solstice to the MCC; it's more fair agaisnt the MCSC.

I guess you'd have to drive them all back to back to back.

mb

I don't know if it is in the running or how soon you will be looking for another car but the Saturn Sky is coming out soon.

with slightly different styling...

Matt

But the Saturn Sky looks so much better sans the Saturn badge.

I haven't had much time with a Solstace, but I did sit in one at the car show. The first thing I noticed is that the dash is huge and very high. I felt like I was sitting behind a wall and peering over the top. And the ergonomics were not that great. I know the Mini's cupholders are laughable, but the cupholder in the Solstace is on the bac wall between the 2 seats. There is no way you could reach a cup while driving!

No hurry on the new car. It just peeked her intrest in something "fun" to drive, (which the Prius AIN'T).

They are coming out with a turbo version of the Solstice. It's reported to have about 250 hp with a 2500# car. That's a little much for her, I think.

I specc'd one out with ABS, (option) AC, (option) and Sport and Preimun Package. Came in just over 24k.

Well I did a Ride n' drive with the Solstice last summer ( 4months about 2k miles behind the wheel)

Me on the Dragon 05


Well you might be right
Lets see From Atlanta to Charlotte (5 hours) Boring to say the least..
all day Saturday to get there.. I smell a detour...
Having a BBQ with friends at the base of Fontana Dam ..Excelllent
Driving the Dragon with a Solstice ok



Being pulled over by TN State Trooper Priceless ......
Driving to fast with Rhonda holding on the double Oh! **** handles.
the best was being threatened to be thrown in jail

NO ticket ......

I love the Car handles like a dream, corners very well. One thing change the rubber the OEM one's are poop now the GXP Solstice has 260hp 260tq

PS: I'll be driving the Sky this summer

If "fun" is the criteria than an MCc would be super! So, then what about space? If a two seater is do-able, you have a few options. If you value the practical space for passengers/errands then a MINI is the only contendor...the drop-top would add the extra fun factor!

If she's interested, throw the Miata into the mix, let her drive and choose!

Matt

I am considering Solstice GXP seriously, i work for a GM dealership, can get a good deal, mod the hell out of it without warranty concerns The regular one is alright, more pep would not hurt

i'm thinking of getting myself a Solstice
BTW: i have FTE

Your MCS is awful around town?

Given the choice between the parts-bin engineered Pontiac (Eco-tech engine, Colorado pickup transmission - Fiero all over again?) and a MCC I'd take a new Miata. Same money and a real sportscar. I had a '96, really good car, new one bound to be even better with the 2.0 liter engine.

The MINI is a bit jerky and bad around potholes.

I actually think the Solstice is a sweet ride. Decent specs, proven components, not a bad price, and looks great. I think it's a smart entry into the roadster market.

running 800 HP!

Matt

Solstice looks nice..but thats as far as I'll go there. I agree with a lot of others on here - go Miata (MX-5) - can't go wrong there

I drove a Solstice at a GM Automotion event and decided on the spot I could never own one. The center console seemed like it was SOOOOO high! I felt like I had to have my right arm out at 90 degrees to my body to change gears. No way would I be comfortable driving that.
If that doesn't bother you, it's a nice looking car and has decent acceleration and handling.

And I thought the MINI looked pretty bad with a front license plate on it... where do you put it on the Solstice?

Anyway, another consideration is the age of each model in its current iteration: MCS is in the last year of the current generation, whereas the Solstice is in its first year. Typically, first-year cars have more bugs/issues (just ask 02/03 MCS owners), but having a first year car means more exclusivity (at least initially) due to the styling. However, as the next-gen MINI doesn't look all that different from the current one, I was very happy to place an order for a JCW'd 06 MCS -- I think the current MCS will maintain its styling for a lot longer than some other cars out there...

Just my 2 cents...

they do look nice, but i'd get a 06' S2000 instead.

Another vote for the new Miata. Great Jamie Kitman article about the Solstice in the February issue of Car, by the way.

Ive looked at the SOlstice and sat in on their forum, seems back in oct to dec lots of lil quality control issues ,, check it out for your self, youd think with GM / Pontiac hurting - that when u have a hot in demand car youd get it right going out the door - doesnt seem to be the case and for a 2 seater that small pretty weak on MPG and performance looks like a case of style over substance,,,,,

Totaly agree. Spend the extra $5,000 and get the most fun roadster on the market! The S2000 is actually a quality car, I've been in a Solstice and they just feel cheap. The interior is mostly cheap plastic, there's rough edges, stuff doesn't line up quite right etc.

BIG vote for an S2000 here.

The MC Convertible is the way to go. IMO the problem with the Solstice (and the Miyata) is that you want to be able to take a "fun car" on weekend road trip getaways. Neither the solstice nor the miyata have enough room in the trunk for more than a change of underwear! Forget about getting a bagette, a bottle of wine, and a hunk of cheese in there!

Anyway, that was my main reason for getting the MCC... Enough trunk space for anything you might want to bring with you on a weekend trip.