U.S. to get new VX!

[Triathlete]

:rolly2: Okay so its not "OUR" beloved VX, but Vauxall is releasing a car in the U.S. They are going to be rebadged as a Saturn...the Soltice. It is a vehicle that was "rejected" then sold to Saturn for rebadging. Just saw this onTop Gear...I love this show. They get to abuse some really nice cars :bwgy:

[Joe_Black]

Well, sort of. The "Top Gear" story is from the UK perspective, as the Saturn Curve will be the economy version of the Pontiac Solstice which is already getting panned by reviewers. Not a good thing as typically the Saturn versions have poorer performance than their GM corporate brethren. Both of these cars are based on the new common-platform chassis debuted as "Kappa" several years ago.
http://www.solsticeforum.com/photopost/data/3013/158SummitWhite-med.jpg

But as we usually do we're being screwed in the cool-car department, showing that the US will consistently have the crappiest cars of the free world. Case in point: The Vauxhall Lightning.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/03images/vxlightning.jpg
Whereas the Pontiac Solstice gets another Ecotech mill tuned to about 170HP (at the crank, no less) the Lightning, since it's strictly a European model, will have power more suited to the worldly driver courtesy of a supercharged and massaged version of the Ecotech generating a spirited 240HP.

No wonder GM is losing so much money on it's North American operations.

[Triathlete]

They gave the VX220 a great review and on the track it was on par with the Porshe's and looks pretty cool too.

[transio]

The VX220...
http://www.tyresmoke.net/albums/albus87/DSC00417_1.sized.jpg

is closer to:

an Opel Speedster...
http://www.fantasycars.com/derek/cars/images/opel/opelspeedster_1.jpg

or a Lotus Elise...
http://www.auto-sfondi-desktop.com/Wallpapers_Lotus_/Lotus-Elise-II/Lotus-Elise-II-02/Lotus-Elise-II-02_640.jpg

or the new Proton...
http://forum.autohoje.com//uploaded/zizo/200492172514_lotus.JPG

or even a Saturn Sky...
http://forums.autoweek.com/servlet/JiveServlet/download/31-11857-223601-2029/Saturn%20Sky.jpg

than a Pontiac Solstice...
http://www.gmcanada.com/images/vehicles/2005/pontiac/solstice/pont_sols_over_main.jpg

(they're all based upon the same Lotus tub, by the way)

The Solstice and Sky are the only two of the bunch that are FR, though... the rest are MR.

[VehiGAZ]

Car & Driver (the only car publication I bother with anymore) didn't pan the Solstice. Quite to the contrary, they compared it to the new Miata and (informally and subjectively) liked it better. It wasn't a full road test, though.

[PeteVX]

I actually saw one of those Vauxhall VX's when i was back home in the UK last Christmas, it was a real head turner.

[transio]

The Pontiac Solstice (3000 lbs) doesn't come close to the Miata (2400 lbs) in terms of performance. The Miata is, and has been, the roadster of choice for sports car lovers since it was created. As for looks and "cuteness" I think the Solstice wins hands down. Expect to see girly girls gravitate towards it.

[Triathlete]

And Girly Men too! ;eeky; ;Dy; :laughy:

[skunkworks]

Being a 2 seater freak(backseat came out of VX half hour after purchase), and also a drop top fan, I jumped at the chance to sit in a Solstice a couple of months ago. Unfortunetly, being 6'5", it was like the Miata, MR2, and Honda 2000, my shins were jammed into the bottom of the dash.

albert
________
vaporizer affiliate (http://vaporizeraffiliateprogram.com)

[Triathlete]

Funny, thats what they complained about on Top Gear about the VX220. They said if you were taller than "6 inches" in was tough to get into!

[WyrreJ]

Look at the hood insert on the vx220, I want something like that for my vx.

[transio]

That's an air extraction hood. I think one of the CF people makes one.

[Chopper]

Don't hate the Solistice... really like the idea........but can't imagine it'll replace the Honda for pure driving joy. I'm 6'3" and have no real space issues in the S2000. A finer car cannot be bought for 30k! My honest, informed opinion.( had a good f'in time in a Mazda 6 Saturday(for a front driver) tho)

[transio]

Hey, chop, I had an S2000 too. :) Also, speaking of the Solstice and VX, I just bought their British counterpart - the Lotus Elise... she should be arriving in a couple weeks! (notice it matches my Proton!!!!) :D

http://www.stevenmoseley.com/elise/2005-04-21_07.jpg
http://www.stevenmoseley.com/elise/2005-04-21_08.jpg
http://www.stevenmoseley.com/elise/2005-04-21_11.jpg
http://www.stevenmoseley.com/elise/2005-04-21_12.jpg

[Joe_Black]

Hey, chop, I had an S2000 too. :) Also, speaking of the Solstice and VX, I just bought their British counterpart - the Lotus Elise... she should be arriving in a couple weeks! (notice it matches my Proton!!!!) :D
Steve, what happened to the Formula Five? :confused:

[kpaske]

The Lotus Elise is the coolest sports car I've ever seen, and can you believe they go for under $50k?! I saw one of those babies at a car show about a year ago and just loved it. I'm not sure I'll ever throw that type of money at a vehicle again, but if I had it to burn, that one would definitely be in my top 3. I personally like the grey one the best though. ;Db;

[transio]

Steve, what happened to the Formula Five? :confused:
Factory Five? ;) I changed my mind. :D Really, I love the cobra, but since I live in a condo and don't have a garage, it doesn't make sense for me at all.

[transio]

can you believe they go for under $50k?!If you do your homework, under 40k! ;)

[LittleBeast]

If you do your homework, under 40k! ;)

I will have the homework in on monday, wait what was the assignment? Seriously, how in the world did you pull that off? I am sure I am not the only one worndering how you pulled this one. And where you pulled this one out of.
In Christ,
Ryan

[transio]

Ryan,

I've been watching the Elise market for 2 years. Right now, as the 2006's are coming in, winter is approaching, and there are lots fo '05s on lots, the market is FLOODED with used and new '05 model Elises. Add to that the introduction of the Exige to the US market for 06 and you have a MAJOR dip in demand. Granted, this is a temporary thing, and should right itself in a few months once the 05's are all gone from the dealer's lots, but right now is the perfect time to get yourself an Elise. Check eBay, you can get a brand new demo car never titled with 5k miles and full warranty for 10 or 15k under sticker. Used cars, you can get an even better deal!!!

Case in point: here's a fully loaded Elise with a sticker price somewhere around $52k, about 3000 miles on it, on eBay for $39k ($13k under sticker!):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-Elise-Roadster-2005-LOTUS-ELISE-1-OWNER-ONLY-3K-YELLOW-TOURING-MINT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ116481QQitemZ45842 23544QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

:D