Pontiac S2k competition??
12-02-2002 | 05:12 AM
#21
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Parsippany
I know I'm getting off on a tangent here, but isn't the "real" problem the different philosophies of the two companies? I recall seeing a documentary years ago about the Japanese auto industry and the Japanese business ethic as a whole. The Japanese (at least back then) were willing to take major financial losses over the short term (two or three years) if they believed, as they did, that profitability would eventually come. This "focus on the end of the road" was something that couldn't take place in the American business model, with its desire for quick money and immediate gratification. But I digress.
In my opinion, the S2000 was more important to Honda in a historical sense, carrying on the tradition of the S500 and 600. They seemed to focus on the goal of imbuing the car with as many cutting edge technologies as possible, I'm sure there were some bean-counters at work but they apparently took a back-seat to the cars mission statement.
In my opinion, the S2000 was more important to Honda in a historical sense, carrying on the tradition of the S500 and 600. They seemed to focus on the goal of imbuing the car with as many cutting edge technologies as possible, I'm sure there were some bean-counters at work but they apparently took a back-seat to the cars mission statement.
12-02-2002 | 06:35 AM
#22
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Apex
This car is the reason I currently own an S2000. Last January, I was flipping through my local news paper and on the front of the auto section was a picture of the Solstice along with some other concept cars that were introduced at the Detroit Auto Show. This is the first car that I ever had to have.
I spent quite a bit of time researching on the Internet and pumping my father-in-law for info since he's a Buick/Pontiac dealer up in upstate NY. I even tried sending a couple of e-mails to Bob Lutz at GM.
The roadster that they rolled out at the Detroit Auto Show was a driveable car. They also rolled out a coupe that was just a shell. Here's some details from an article I dug up last January:
[QUOTE]
It's being built on the new Delta platform.
I spent quite a bit of time researching on the Internet and pumping my father-in-law for info since he's a Buick/Pontiac dealer up in upstate NY. I even tried sending a couple of e-mails to Bob Lutz at GM.
The roadster that they rolled out at the Detroit Auto Show was a driveable car. They also rolled out a coupe that was just a shell. Here's some details from an article I dug up last January:
[QUOTE]
It's being built on the new Delta platform.
12-02-2002 | 03:53 PM
#26
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Glendale/Burbank/LA
Cape Cod is my hero for owning an S2000 and a Fiero, side by side. 
I loved the Fiero (had two of them) -- it was simple, somewhat purposeful, and yes it was definitely a mix of various other-model-parts in a big way, but it definitely had its character that made owning it so much fun.
But I do seem to remember that the quality of the low-miles Fieros I owned going down the gutter in the year or so that I owned each one. However, kinda like with the S2000 and its faults here and there, I didn't mind so much cause the end result was a car that I liked and enjoyed. Besides, the '85 Fiero 2M6 is a low-slung car w/ a V6 for $2000, and reminds some people of an 80's Lamborghini or Lotus -- a great deal for me at the time.
I loved the Fiero (had two of them) -- it was simple, somewhat purposeful, and yes it was definitely a mix of various other-model-parts in a big way, but it definitely had its character that made owning it so much fun. But I do seem to remember that the quality of the low-miles Fieros I owned going down the gutter in the year or so that I owned each one. However, kinda like with the S2000 and its faults here and there, I didn't mind so much cause the end result was a car that I liked and enjoyed. Besides, the '85 Fiero 2M6 is a low-slung car w/ a V6 for $2000, and reminds some people of an 80's Lamborghini or Lotus -- a great deal for me at the time.
12-02-2002 | 04:20 PM
#27
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 17
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From: Santa Rosa
I own a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP and like it for what it is and what it cost (alot less than my S2000). I'm looking forward to the new GTO. I don't see the need to promote one car, like my S2000, by putting down another. My view is that almost ANY car made today by a major manufacturer is very reliable compared to a decade or so ago (although I had a love/hate relationship with my Audi 100, tranny, tranny, tranny in 200k).
12-02-2002 | 04:45 PM
#28
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: KC
If you polish a turd, it might be a shiny turd, but it's still a turd!
My .02 is that most anything current from GM America is, as others have stated, a giant pos. But then, it costs less at the outset than the imports, and that's why people buy them. GM Europe, a different story. Agree the Vauxhalls are very, very cool.
I applaud Lutz for the Solstice, but still think it will be a compromise. If there is just one thing I could change about GM cars, it is the hideous, and I mean HIDEOUS interiors. My dad went from two Legends to an Aurora (props to GM for this once-cool car that nevertheless also spent lots of time with dealer mechanix -- today, it looks like all the other GM drivel, though), then a Yukon (vomit) and then back to Acura for an MDX.
It still boggles my mind when riding in a GM car how they can make something so ugly. Plastic palaces devoid of any semblance of class or style; that's what I hate about them. Body cladding, anyone? Okay, sorry, I'll shut up now. I do have an old Buick wagon...for my book tour. It runs like a champ. Too bad they don't build them like that anymore.
Steve
My .02 is that most anything current from GM America is, as others have stated, a giant pos. But then, it costs less at the outset than the imports, and that's why people buy them. GM Europe, a different story. Agree the Vauxhalls are very, very cool.
I applaud Lutz for the Solstice, but still think it will be a compromise. If there is just one thing I could change about GM cars, it is the hideous, and I mean HIDEOUS interiors. My dad went from two Legends to an Aurora (props to GM for this once-cool car that nevertheless also spent lots of time with dealer mechanix -- today, it looks like all the other GM drivel, though), then a Yukon (vomit) and then back to Acura for an MDX.
It still boggles my mind when riding in a GM car how they can make something so ugly. Plastic palaces devoid of any semblance of class or style; that's what I hate about them. Body cladding, anyone? Okay, sorry, I'll shut up now. I do have an old Buick wagon...for my book tour. It runs like a champ. Too bad they don't build them like that anymore.
Steve
12-02-2002 | 04:51 PM
#29
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 11,207
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From: seattle
Moof! (inside Apple thang...)
Car and Driver TV had the Solstice as a feature. Looked very nice. I doubt it will give the driver the tactile pleasure that an s2000 will but for 20k, it should appeal to many.
Car and Driver TV had the Solstice as a feature. Looked very nice. I doubt it will give the driver the tactile pleasure that an s2000 will but for 20k, it should appeal to many.
