As for the quality I’ve driven both a Miata and S2K and have been a passager in a sky. I’ll tell you that all three are a very good match up; however looking at just 1/4 mile times the ecotec will tear both the miata and s2k a new a*% hole.

I’m surprised no one mentioned the versatility of the ECOTEC engine. I’m sure someone here has seen the Red Bull Pontiac Solstice to run in Formula-D. That’s got the same basic engine setup as the GXP and Redline, and it puts out 550hp, and on E85 no less. The ECOTEC is dominating the 4 cylinder drag scene (that’s the only one I really follow) and it has been proven to beyond 1400HP. GM even has a build book that tells you how to get those kinds of numbers. I don’t see any such book from Honda or Mazda.

Anyway you slice it, 260/260 in the Sky Redline and Solstice GXP is impressive and it will sell cars, especially because the Honda S2000 is more expensive and only putting out 237/162 and I haven’t been able to find anything from the Miata that eclipses 200bhp.

A little interesting fact about the new line of Saturns is that they were originally field tested without badges. They all got close to 5/5 ratings. When people found out they were Saturns, the ratings immediately dropped to 2.5/5. The problem isn’t that the car isn’t up to par, it’s that people judge cars by their badge and not by a car’s merits. I’ve sat in it and it’s one of the nicest interiors I’ve been in. I think it’s comparable to the S2000. I’ve sat in one, and my knees kept hitting the dash, I’m 6’0″ and didn’t have that problem in the Sky at all. The materials and build quality in the Sky are well above any other model currently available from Saturn, so if you’ve never been in a Sky, then you can’t really comment on its interior.

Holy shit, that was long…. But yea, in closing, Sky Redline > Solstice GXP > S2000 > Miata.
Disclaimer: Most of what I just said was opinion, except for the sales of the Sky, pricing, engine potential and racing domination and what I was able to find on the S2k and Miata.

The engine and stoplight acceleration isn’t the highlight of an S2000. The handling is. Honda is facing some issues now with Westerners getting tired of their low horsepower engines but there has never been any question that the S2000, NSX and Integra R have all been excellent cars for compettition.

This is absolutely about preference. A friend graciously allowed me to drive his 2004 S2000 one evening. It was an incredibly focused and balanced car, however, I did understand very quickly that unless you drive it very aggressively, you won’t stay in the optimum powerband. This is fine for some people. I liked it. He apparently didn’t and was getting ready to trade it for another car.

The Sky and Sky Redline are simply a different expression of the roadster idea. I hope they do well in the market. They look beautiful up close!

Subjective, NO, How the hell do you know…

Read above.

Consider the mustard sliced…

“Wouldn’t even be close. S2k is on a different level.”

And the torqueless wonder S2000 vs the Sky Redline won’t even be close… S2K won’t even come close to cutting the mustard… time for it’s retirement and for Honda to bring out a new product that at least catches up to the competition. (same for Mazdaspeed Miata).

Amazing looks, power, affordability… won’t be anything to touch the Sky Redline for many years.

My local Pontiac dealership had one on the lot, at $29,000. They told me some dealerships are sold out into 2007 – but they could be wrong. It did take a lot of coaxing to let me take it on a test drive though.

I read somewhere, maybe Automobile or Road and Track, that Pontiac is going to increase production of the Solstice a small amount for 2007 to meet demand.

When the VUE/Honda first came out, C&D ran an article that said the engine was perfect, but it made one realize how inferior the rest of the car was. I don’t know whether or not Saturn sources a few engines from Honda anymore – don’t really care either honestly.

Personally, I like the Sky’s styling better than my Miata’s. However, I think the Miata is going to age more gracefully/tastefully, and after driving the Solstice, there’s no way I was going to buy something that shares components with it. I also think the Miata has gone backwards in terms of interior trim pieces. I went to a Miata gathering over the weekend and couldn’t help but notice my new Miata seemed to be a few steps behind the previous generations, in terms of interior quality (and the cupholders that dig in your knees?! Note to Mazda – Why do I need four cup holders in a 2 seater convertible? And why are they so ugly and ergonomically unfriendly?)

However, I think it still captures the essence (of course that’s subjective) the best of what an open top roadster should be. I don’t race, but it has enough power to inspire confidence, it’s light, and it’s fun to drive. We’ll see when winter rolls around how well it does in the snow.

Try 0-60 in 5.4, not 6.5 kid.

http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroadtests/7274/honda-s2000-page2.html

Nice try.

Solstice/Sky are build in America – Wilmington, DE – last time I check that wasn’t in Europe.

The transmission is an Aisin 5 speed, yes, the colorado uses it, but so do many other cars and trucks including the CTS and some Jeeps. It wasn’t “borrowed” from a truck.

Who cares about how the power is made (Turbo vs NA), the solstic GXP/sky redline have 260 HP and 260 ft-lbs of torque – they go 0-60 in 5.5. The S2000 has 240 HP and 146 ft-lbs of torque – its goes 0-60 in 6.4. The GMs are faster. 146 ft-lbs of torque? HA! that typical japanese crap is comical.

The S2000 is $33K MSRP
The GXP/redlines will probably be in the neighborhood of $25-27K

I need not go on.

What “looks better” and what “is more fun to drive” is a more a matter of opinion than fact. Stop hating on GM for just this once – they actually got it right – then Turbocharged it!

Mr. Peterson forgot to mantion that it will most probably be another peace of junk from GM and there is basically nothing to compare with MAZDA MIATA other than both are convertibles!

The S2k was built as a ground sports car, exclusive elements and a motor built for high revving satisfaction. It has one of the highest HP/liter and that is WITHOUT forced induction kid. The Sol/Sky is a parts car built to a pricepoint. Slapping a Turbo on it isn’t going to make it a credible S2000 killer. It’s not just about HP…

Besides, it isn’t even availible for sale yet so how the hell do you know how it’ll perform?

“GM dominates the under $70K sports car market – who’d have belived it possible a few years ago?”

The Vette has always been a credible performer and one that should be appreciated. But I’ll take a BoxsterS, Lotus Elise or M3 before I look at a Vette. I’d even put the S2000 on the list if I were shopping for a high performance roadster.

It’s spelled Z06. Combine the Corvette with the Kappas and there is no competition under $70K. GM rules! Unbelievable but true.

Exactly what I thought! Saturn has some terrible reliability issues… my neighbors have 3 of them that they bought new and they hate them cuz they break down really often lol.

Jon.

I actually traded my car in for a new Miata – despite it looking like a “girl” car…which didn’t come into question at all. Though I haven’t driven a Sky, the Solstice, S2000, and Miata are all very different vehicles IMO. I hated how I sat so low in the S2000, which I found the Solstice to be very much like.

The S2000 was fast but too insulated; the Solstice was slow – but easy to drive at its limits. The shifter in the Solstice felt like it came from a passenger car or a light truck.

On the other hand, I liked the Miatas openness of the cockpit and it’s nimble – very nimble. The shifter is smooth, the top is simple, and to myself, it’s what open air driving is about. I still have serious reservations about the interior quality though. They’re a bit above Pontiac’s, but far worse than Honda’s.

Anyways, I still believe the cars go after different niches. The S2000 was a blast on autocross but wasn’t overly fun to drive in everyday, the Solstice to me just felt cheap and unrefined), and the Miata felt great. I don’t miss the lack of power, since I don’t autocross anymore and rarely go above 80mph. I probably would have waited for the Sky had 1) it not been a first generation GM vehicle 2) not had a horrid previous experience with a GM vehicle and 3) if Saturn didn’t source Honda engines for their top of the line VUE vehicles.

Wouldn’t even be close. S2k is on a different level.

We’ll see how the redline does…