Why is GM continuously screwing up...Solstice
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: harrisburg, pa
Why is GM continuously screwing up...Solstice GM has moments of brilliance...LS7 Z06...then tons of blunders that financially kick them in the nuts...is their marketing that bad?
The Solstice should have the LS2 as an engine option...blow the competition away...not bring it out as a pooch and then give it a new turbo engine...that is still a pooch. People would check the $5000 option box of a $20k car to have the LS2 inside. Not let the aftermarket do it. My coworkers are all buying Miatas and that is the better choice but it shouldnt even be close. GM wants to be mediocre.
That new Tahoe is bland and still a pooch. No reason the Hemi motor is top dog over GM trucks/SUVs...a 350-400hp LS2 should be an option....just like the Duramax in the Suburban/Avalanche. Most people here have long switched over to Titans which is a much better pickup. An SS Avalanche with a 350hp 6.0L should have been out years ago. And now the trailblazer SS comes out and its competition has 425hp...loses in every performance catagory to the JEEP SRT8. 395hp is playing catchup...making us soup them up the right way.
Its bad enough their designs are bland (chevy cars) but when you have all that HP in your arsenal and dont use it...they deserve to be in financial trouble. A new Camaro is an disaster waiting to happen.
What do you guys really think is the problem?
The Solstice should have the LS2 as an engine option...blow the competition away...not bring it out as a pooch and then give it a new turbo engine...that is still a pooch. People would check the $5000 option box of a $20k car to have the LS2 inside. Not let the aftermarket do it. My coworkers are all buying Miatas and that is the better choice but it shouldnt even be close. GM wants to be mediocre.
That new Tahoe is bland and still a pooch. No reason the Hemi motor is top dog over GM trucks/SUVs...a 350-400hp LS2 should be an option....just like the Duramax in the Suburban/Avalanche. Most people here have long switched over to Titans which is a much better pickup. An SS Avalanche with a 350hp 6.0L should have been out years ago. And now the trailblazer SS comes out and its competition has 425hp...loses in every performance catagory to the JEEP SRT8. 395hp is playing catchup...making us soup them up the right way.
Its bad enough their designs are bland (chevy cars) but when you have all that HP in your arsenal and dont use it...they deserve to be in financial trouble. A new Camaro is an disaster waiting to happen.
What do you guys really think is the problem?
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From: San Diego
Actually, that grassroots motorsports mag took 3 cars out to a road race track and did a time comparison. A stock Solstice, a new Miata, and a 99 race prepped modded Miata. The Solstice (not even a turbo one) blew the doors off of the new Miata and was almost running the same track times as the older model that was actually a fast track car. I don't know what your beef is or were you get the idea the new miata is a better car. Sure, it'd be cool with a V8, but I'm sure its a fun car as it is.
Last i heard the miata isn't the world's top-selling entry-level two-seat roadster, the solstice is according to the Automotive News today. You have to remember the people who buy that type of car, they aren't looking for a corvette.
Last edited by BanditTA; Feb 6, 2006 at 01:02 PM.
I know it's hard to believe, but I doubt GM is looking to get the quickest 1/4 mile times out of every vehicle in their lineup. It would be nice if a Solstice with an LS2 was an option, but that's not what that cars target market is looking for. It's supposed to be a cheap, fun, roadster; not a monster on the dragstrip. If you could buy a 400hp Solstice for 25K, how could GM possible justify charging double that for a slower Vette? I know the gearheads want the most possible power in every vehicle, unfortunately the majority of buyers aren't looking for the same thing.
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TECH Fanatic
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From: harrisburg, pa
I like the Solstice...but like all the magazines say...hp/TQ would make it blow away the competition. If their target audience doesnt want it..fine...but make it an option for a NEW audience. That Mallett Solstice is BAD ***.
The Sostice isnt top selling anything...they didnt plan on making many..13k/yr?..and they cant even make them.. GM could sell 50k but they dont want to.
The Sostice isnt top selling anything...they didnt plan on making many..13k/yr?..and they cant even make them.. GM could sell 50k but they dont want to.
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If the Solstice came out with an LS2 as an option, there is no way in Hell it would be less than the Corvette....and likely detuned....
EDIT - Oh, and also the fact that it is the most hideous thing since the Aztek doesn't help either....
EDIT - Oh, and also the fact that it is the most hideous thing since the Aztek doesn't help either....
I like the Sky better than a Soltice. Has anyone seen a license plate on the front of one yet? I bet that has to look worse than our cars. I do like the fact that they are light and almost 50/50 weight distribution. That would make a fun daily driver.
On The Tree
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From: Here and there
GM understands that the demographic that buys a Solstice is not interested in tire roasting insane power. Those people are looking for a peppy little car that is fun to drive. People aren't going to drag race these things.
As far as the Tahoe is concerned, there is a reason Chevrolet sells so many of these damn things and it's because they are extremely refined vehicles. They sell themselves - go drive a Tahoe and then go drive an Expedition and I guarantee you will pick the Tahoe. The previous Tahoe model was a damn good truck, I can't imagine how nice this version will be. They also have plenty of power for what they are - again people who buy these don't care that their Tahoe doesn't run 13s stock, they aren't racing them, they are looking for decent acceleration/passing power, comfort, and reliability.
The SS Silverado is a nice truck. I was a little disappointed that it didn't have more power, but look how many more GM sells than Ford did with the Lightning. It is a much more practical vehicle.
As far as the Tahoe is concerned, there is a reason Chevrolet sells so many of these damn things and it's because they are extremely refined vehicles. They sell themselves - go drive a Tahoe and then go drive an Expedition and I guarantee you will pick the Tahoe. The previous Tahoe model was a damn good truck, I can't imagine how nice this version will be. They also have plenty of power for what they are - again people who buy these don't care that their Tahoe doesn't run 13s stock, they aren't racing them, they are looking for decent acceleration/passing power, comfort, and reliability.
The SS Silverado is a nice truck. I was a little disappointed that it didn't have more power, but look how many more GM sells than Ford did with the Lightning. It is a much more practical vehicle.
TECH Apprentice
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GM has already announced the turbocharged 260 hp solstice GXP. Should cost about 4 grand more than the stock 177hp version..(plus the cost of various standard items versus the optional items...)
I don't see the need for the LS2 version. I think the turbocharged version makes more sense...(Y have two ls2 convertible two seaters)
I believe this is a smarter way for GM to go.
The price performance ratio for small 2 seat sportsters such as the Solstice and Solstice GXP adds to the customer mix rather than having an ls2 solstice competing with the Corvette convertible...
Remember these are both 2 seaters..
Next bring in the 2 + 2 camaro and GTO powered by the LS2 makes an additional customer list...
Then add in the CTS V four door luxury sports sedan..
and you're getting an additional market segment...
What GM really needs is a four door rwd automatic low 30 sedan powered by ls2. Ie..Future Impala possibly?
I don't see the need for the LS2 version. I think the turbocharged version makes more sense...(Y have two ls2 convertible two seaters)
I believe this is a smarter way for GM to go.
The price performance ratio for small 2 seat sportsters such as the Solstice and Solstice GXP adds to the customer mix rather than having an ls2 solstice competing with the Corvette convertible...
Remember these are both 2 seaters..
Next bring in the 2 + 2 camaro and GTO powered by the LS2 makes an additional customer list...
Then add in the CTS V four door luxury sports sedan..
and you're getting an additional market segment...
What GM really needs is a four door rwd automatic low 30 sedan powered by ls2. Ie..Future Impala possibly?
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: San Diego, CA
I agree that sticking with an I-4, whether super or turbo charged, is the smart idea, but I'm one of those guys that'd still love to see a 9,000 rpm 602ci under the hood....maybe even a supercharger sticking up thru the hood...
Originally Posted by BanditTA
Last i heard the miata isn't the world's top-selling entry-level two-seat roadster, the solstice is according to the Automotive News today. You have to remember the people who buy that type of car, they aren't looking for a corvette.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: harrisburg, pa
Originally Posted by MaximusPrime
GM understands that the demographic that buys a Solstice is not interested in tire roasting insane power. Those people are looking for a peppy little car that is fun to drive. People aren't going to drag race these things.
As far as the Tahoe is concerned, there is a reason Chevrolet sells so many of these damn things and it's because they are extremely refined vehicles. They sell themselves - go drive a Tahoe and then go drive an Expedition and I guarantee you will pick the Tahoe. The previous Tahoe model was a damn good truck, I can't imagine how nice this version will be. They also have plenty of power for what they are - again people who buy these don't care that their Tahoe doesn't run 13s stock, they aren't racing them, they are looking for decent acceleration/passing power, comfort, and reliability.
The SS Silverado is a nice truck. I was a little disappointed that it didn't have more power, but look how many more GM sells than Ford did with the Lightning. It is a much more practical vehicle.
As far as the Tahoe is concerned, there is a reason Chevrolet sells so many of these damn things and it's because they are extremely refined vehicles. They sell themselves - go drive a Tahoe and then go drive an Expedition and I guarantee you will pick the Tahoe. The previous Tahoe model was a damn good truck, I can't imagine how nice this version will be. They also have plenty of power for what they are - again people who buy these don't care that their Tahoe doesn't run 13s stock, they aren't racing them, they are looking for decent acceleration/passing power, comfort, and reliability.
The SS Silverado is a nice truck. I was a little disappointed that it didn't have more power, but look how many more GM sells than Ford did with the Lightning. It is a much more practical vehicle.
I dont understand the Tahoe thing but I agree they sell a ton. The 295hp 5.3L is BARELY adequate in that heavy vehicle. If you have one, get some 4:10s, air intake and cat back...and you have a completely different vehicle. Forget about the 4.8L. Just make the 6.0L an option and brag that you have the most available HP. And Tahoes dont sell on looks...they sell on discounts.
Originally Posted by JBsZ06
GM has already announced the turbocharged 260 hp solstice GXP. Should cost about 4 grand more than the stock 177hp version..(plus the cost of various standard items versus the optional items...)
On The Tree
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The turbo version of the solstice will have a ton of potential. Anyone who goes to the track knows the performance potential of the SRT-4. The solstice will be just as capable if not faster due to its rear drive setup.
Gm would not be able to offer the ls2 as a 5k option. There is a lot more to making an ls2 soltice than just throwing the motor in.
Gm would not be able to offer the ls2 as a 5k option. There is a lot more to making an ls2 soltice than just throwing the motor in.