For 16 years, Mazda's MX-5 Miata has been the world's top-selling entry-level two-seat roadster. With more than 700,000 built, the Miata has knocked off British Leyland's venerable MGB, produced from 1962 to 1980, as the most popular roadster ever.
But the Pontiac Solstice is off to a strong start, and is far outpacing the newly redesigned Miata.
In January - the first month of full availability for the Solstice - the sleek Pontiac roadster nearly doubled the Miata in sales, 1,990 to 1,067. It was the same story in December, when the Solstice clobbered the Miata, 2,746 to 1,007.
To be sure, Miata sales in January were 106.8 percent ahead of the same month last year, when the previous model was on its last legs. But the new Miata isn't doing well in one critical area: consumers' willingness to pay more than sticker. Based on completed eBay auction sales, the highest price a 2006 Miata sold for was $21,900, but a Solstice brought $26,100. Including freight, the base Miata MX-5 stickers for $20,995, and the Solstice stickers for $20,490.
Pontiac officials are thrilled and a little surprised by the early results. Said Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson: "The Miata is an extremely strong competitor, and we thought it was going to be a really good horse race."
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060206/SUB/60203090/1011/AMERICAS&refsect=AMERICAS
Thats great GM got into this compact roadster market since the miata was pretty much the only offering in that segment. I believe the reason for all the hype and sales of the solstice is due to the fact that everyone who wants a car like that has only had the chance to get a miata, and being the new commer, the solstice gives car buyers another option so they aren't just another miata owner. In all i believe that the miata is a better car in many catagories, the solstice does have its strong points as well, but not enough in my opinion to keep these strong sales up. once the hype fades, people will start buying more miatas again.
^ ^ i agree the novelty will ware off, but as long as the price is lower you will see solstices selling. The miata as always been a slow and steady seller.
www.drluc.ca
Luc Sipkema wrote:^ ^ i agree the novelty will ware off, but as long as the price is lower you will see solstices selling. The miata as always been a slow and steady seller.
I think Its just a start with the relase of the GXP I think its gooing to set car in stone. All there needs to be is a spark and the car will blow up.
"
boobs now with Riboflabin"
i think sales will slow a little after the first year or so but i don't think the solstice is taking people from the miata but simply giving people who want a roadster, but didn't want the "gay" persona alot of people give to the miata.
its the novelty effect, perhaps some people prefer the different styling, but the miata is still the slightly better car. As long as Miata's are ahead of its sales of last year, i dont think mazda is gonna worry. I think the release of the solstice helps out both parties, bringing roadsters into the light more
There's a local Pontiac dealer adding $5,000 markups to the Solstices they get in even the base models that start out at 19,995 but the local Mazda dealership is selling Miata's at sticker. Here's to Solstice kicking some Miata butt
I hope the Sky does just as good, or even better..
Red 2005 Saturn Ion-3 Coupe
Burgundy 2006 Saturn Ion - My winter beater
There haven't been to many designs by saturn that I like, bu the sky looks so much better then the solstice. Is the starting price of the sky going to be the same as the solstice?
New sig in the works
I agree totally, the Sky looks much better than the Solstice.
I agree.. The sky looks way better than the solstice imho..
Red 2005 Saturn Ion-3 Coupe
Burgundy 2006 Saturn Ion - My winter beater
That's great news!
But Id still get a Miata over a Solstice!
I love the Sky and the Sol. I think my Sol has a Classic car look to it. I think the Sky has a Futuristic look to it. I think the main reason I didnt wait for the Sky was the fact that I was ready to push my cavy off a cliff. I was sick of it and needed something fresh and new NOW! Not next year.
I know (based on post in Solsticeforum) that some people were looking at the Miata and then found out about the Solstice and purchased it instead. That would be a lost Sale for Mazda I guess.
But my purchase really cant be considerd a lost sale for them because I never wanted that damn car. I never have been a big fan of them.
If anything I would be in an S2000 or a Z4 before a Miata. But they were out of my price range.
I am all that is man
This is great news. BTW I think I saw a total of 5 solstices on the streets today and I only drove around for about 2 hours.
its about damn time GM does something right.
GO PATS!!!
Some locally are marked up to 30K. Not sure what they added, but it sure wasn't worth 10K
20K is base.......very base......no floor mats, AC, ect
26K is loaded MSRP
30K is marked up for those who did not order one.
I am all that is man
Miatas are a better car....but because of an all-new car introduced, plus factor in your also going to pay a premium just for the "brand" name, The Miata is now just as bloated in price as an S2000 or Z4. They are rediculously over priced.
Where as the Solstice is also all-new, also being price gouged to all hell. But still with all that gouging, it's STILL cheaper than a miata. And not a bad car to boot, therefore you don't feel so bad that you took the lesser car. I'd rather pay a markup on a solstice then get totally and un mecifully raped by Mazda for a car that is only marginally better than it's new copmetition.
"Formerly known as Jammit - JBO member since 1998" JBOM | CSS.net
hopfully the solstice is a tiny bit roomier then the old miatia's...i stoped at looked at a 04-05 mazdaspeed miatia and i think i would ahad to hand my legs over the windsheild
'nuff said.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
I say this everytime the Solstice is brought up. I want the Solstice GXP in a hard top NOW!!!
I hate Verts and I need the seat to be able to go back another inch so I can fit in the car comfortably. I am pretty sure a hardtop will alow me to slide the seat back just that little bit more.
