Found these over on the Audi World forums.

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Interesting that GM went with the "clamshell" hood a la the '84-'96 Corvette. I read that one of the reasons that they dropped that hood with the '97 Corvette was the cost of accident repair, i.e., a conventional hood and fender arrangement was much cheaper to replace.

I do like the idea of full access to the engine compartment, though.

The production models never look as good as the prototypes.

Looks like a fat Miata with a hunchback.

They'll still sell a ton of em.

But does it perform? Has anybody tested this thing yet (skidpad, slalom, 0-60, etc.). Nice body but the ride height looks 3 inches too high.

-Ben M.

I agree it needs to be lowered and the body could be sectioned. The door sills are too high. I hate that about most new cars. They are just too damn tall. I guess it must be for side impact protection but I like being able to rest my arm on the window sill and not have it be at the level of my neck.

-Tony

I hear ya, Tony. I have a friend who has a Plymouth Prowler and, although that car turns more heads than any I have ever been fortunate to ride in, you feel like you're sitting on the floor in a chair that has no legs.

QUOTE (zymurgist @ Aug 16 2005, 02:09 PM)

Interesting that GM went with the "clamshell" hood a la the '84-'96 Corvette. I read that one of the reasons that they dropped that hood with the '97 Corvette was the cost of accident repair, i.e., a conventional hood and fender arrangement was much cheaper to replace. I do like the idea of full access to the engine compartment, though.

I hear the new Mini is losing the clamsshell hood due to high production cost.

I like that dealer added Environmental Protection Package for $595! Those SOB'ing dealers. If you need that crap let Pontiac put it on the car.

The Nissan dealer tried to stick me with a $390 admin processing fee, after I had done all of the haggling by e-mail and telephone. They were careful to never mention it in their price quotes, until I had the sales papers in front of me for signature.

So are these plastic like vette's and saturns?

Ferg

I passed 10 of them in driving in a group last week. Unfortunately I did not have my camera.

They look pretty good!

Must have been some type of promotion.

Eddie

Think I see the Fiero again. They'll sell all they can make at the start, dealers will gouge, but after about 3 years of improvement it it will die.... just about the time they get it right. Detroit doesn't think in the terms (small numbers) 2 seaters sell.

Option the car right.. ABS, LSD, 18" wheels and have a load of laughs for $20K list. A/C and Radio are options Club Racer?

I notice the dealer tag says Brown Wood. That must be the dealership in San Francisco?? Or is it Corona?















I kill myse'f.

$20K? Looked more like $26K to me on the sticker.

I have to wonder why GM built the Solstice rather than importing the Opel Speedster. Surely there's a market for affordable mid-engine cars... granted, it's not a big market... but the Toyota MR2 Spyder has left the building, and the cheapest new mid-engine car available now appears to be the Lotus Elise.

just read the reason for the change in the miata this am. it's due to PEDESTRIAN cash standards!! the front end was changed and the door heigth was raised to keep the belt line the same. saturn is poised to do a roadster as well. i'm sure your local pontiac dealer will take your deposit now.

I got your pedestrian crash standards right here...

QUOTE (zymurgist @ Aug 16 2005, 04:39 PM)

I got your pedestrian crash standards right here...

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEET.

I'll take one of each.

stolen from vwvortex, solstice and miata size comparison...

QUOTE (Ferg @ Aug 16 2005, 03:11 PM)

solstice and miata size comparison...

Wow. It is a lot smaller than I thought it was.

When you see them side by side it looks like somebody took a Miata and blew real hard in the tail pipe!