2006 240Z >>?????

[Carl Beck]

Finally - the Solstice!

Several years ago we discussed the proposed Pontiac Solstice on the e-mail based Classic Z Car list... Well finally it's here, released, in the metal.

Some said at the time that Pontiac would not be able to provide a 2800 lb roadster, with the spec,'s forecast at the time, for anything near the proposed $19,995.00 MSRP. - WRONG....

roadster at $19,995.00 (before incentives)

Curb Weight 2860 lbs

2.4L I-4, 177 HP/ 166 lb/ft torque (16lbs per HP vs the 240Z at 18.8)

5spd.

95.1" wheel base

157.2 Overall length

60.7" front track

61.4" rear track

4 wheel disc brakes

rack & pinion steering

4 wheel independent suspension

245/45/R18 tires

18" five spoke aluminum wheels

3 year / 36,000 mile warranty

6 year / 100,000 corrosion protection (warranty)

AM/FM/CD Stereo, signal seek & digital clock

rear window defogger

loaded with A/C, power windows, cruise control, limited slip etc $21,545.00 (before incentives)

maybe coming soon... a 2.4L supercharged model at 235HP...(12 lbs per HP)

<a href=http://www.pontiac.com/solstice/index.jsp TARGET=NEW>http://www.pontiac.com/solstice/index.jsp</a>

If only Nissan had given us this car with an in-line six.....

FWIW,

Carl B.

Carl Beck

Clearwater, FL USA

http://ZHome.com

[240ZX]

The Solstice is probably a nice car, but to me it looks like a Honda S2000 crossed with a Mazda Miata. Different strokes for different folks, I guess! I always thought that if Nissan had come out with a new Z that was very identifiable with the early Zs, but with modern engineering and plenty-O-horsepower, they would have really hit the nail on the head! But what did we get.....a great car that looks like a TOAD! :stupid: But thats just my view!

[sblake01]

I don't see them having much trouble selling those! 177 hp with the modern rating vs 151 with the 1970 type of rating, 20-28 mpg. The base model would have no trouble smoking a stock 240 (sorry, but true). Under 22k with all the goodies, a 235 hp option? But I'll still stick to my old Datsuns. But, wait, my wife's Infiniti is getting up there in age.......... :devious:

[zman525]

nice lookin car, hell id buy it if i had the cash. I think nissan should come out with a newer 280 or 240z instead of these new z's no offense to anyone here but i too agree they look like a toad =P Quick question though, if they did come out with a new version of the 240, 260, or 280 would the older ones value go down? I heard rumors when they came out with the new mustangs that the older ones lost their value due to the demand in the newer ones

[sblake01]

I don't know about that rumour. The new Mustang (or Z for that matter) is not aimed at the same market that would buy collector type cars. No, I doubt that a 1966 GT Fastback with a K motor would cost any less to buy than it did before the debut of the new Mustang.

[zman525]

kool thanks ... in that case i hope they make a million new Z's

[zguitar71]

It is too heavy, I would buy a Mazda Miata (2006). I really do not see any similarities to a Z at all.

[CoastGuardZ]

What I see here is a GM turd that weighs 500 lbs more than a 240. It's a roadster, not a GT. It has nearly 40 years of technological advances on it's side, and will never have the class that a 240 has. But, kudos to GM for giving it a shot. My prediction... it will sell a good amount of units for the first two years then dwindle off for a couple more until they discontinue it. In all actuallity it doesn't look that bad, oh and FWIW... my 240, which is running a little rich, averages 25mpg city/hwy, and it's a classic.

Nate the pessimist

[CoastGuardZ]

roadster at $20,995.00 (doesn't need gimmicks to sell)

Curb Weight 2441 lbs

2.0L I-4, 170 HP/ 140 lb/ft torque (14.35lbs per HP vs the Solstice at 16lbs per HP vs the 240Z at 18.8) 5spd.

91.7" wheel base

157.3 Overall length

58.7" front track

58.9" rear track

4 wheel disc brakes

rack & pinion steering

4 wheel independent suspension

205 50/16 tires (less rolling resistance)

16" five spoke aluminum wheels

4 year / 50,000 mile warranty

AM/FM/CD Stereo, signal seek & digital clock

rear window defogger

already comes with pwr windows

A/C will cost you $1000 and adds 33 lbs.

weight dist: 52/48

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=upcomingMX5Miata

I'd love to see these two go at it. They both post some impressive stats. It would take one of them to come in a fastback for me to even consider one, Hey Nissan --- can you hear me??? And a straight 6 too!!! But even then, only as an addition not as a replacement for my Z!

Nate

[chickenwafer]

Since Bob Lutz's take-over of GM the quality of their cars has gone up quite a bit. The Pontiac Solstice was sent back to the production plant a whopping total of 5 times to get the fit and finish right on the car and to get the qualitly to a a place where GM was happy with it. I think the Solstice is a nice car, and it has all the ingredients to be a success, minus that Pontiac badge. A lightweight chassis with a responsive engine, quick gearbox, rear-wheel drive, and good looks. Plus, the engine is the Ecotec so there are already parts on the aftermarket for it, plus you know the aftermarket is going to heaivly supply it. But 18 inch wheels standard? That's crazy. Next think you know spinners are going to be optional. What is the world coming to?

But I'm getting ahead of myself. I remember the Solstice concept, when it debuted, Dodge also showed off the "Razor" concept. It was another lightweight GT with the 2.4L turbocharged 4-cyl from the SRT-4 making north of 230-bhp and 250 ft/lbs of torque. I think it weighted something like 2100 lbs. No word yet if that concept is fairing to well......

But as far as calling the Solstice a Z, get real. The thing is a far cry from any Zed. It doesn't have the classic body lines and a long bonnet, which the Z exuedes. But fully loaded with all the goodies for under $22K is sure to intice some 50-somethings dealing with a mid-life crisis and a growing bald spot. My dad is currently going through a 7/10ths life crisis (I don't think he had a mid-life crisis, so I say he has a 70% life crisis just to eat at him) and he is considering a 2-seater sports car, the new 350Z and Mazda Miata inparticular. Maybe he can hang onto a couple grand and get a Solstice. Better yet, I should talk him into a used 240!

Dave

[chickenwafer]

I agree, Nate. Nissan needs to seriously wake up. They're letting the inexpensive, rear-wheel drive market pass them up. The 350Z is hardly a contender when it costs $6k extra. Plus, it's HEAVY. Nissan needs to get back to it's roots and make a small, compact rear-drive chassis with a longitudinally-mounted big-bore 4 cylinder or a high-revving small-displacement in-line 6. Nissan can contend, if they would.

BTW: Do they still make the RB25 or RB20 in Japan, or is the entire RB series discountied? Because if they do, that would be a perfect engine choice, and allow for a turbo model down the road.

Dave

[jmortensen]

What is the deal with "rolling resistance" being a selling point for narrow wheels??? Seen it on a few posts here lately. I understand not wanting unsprung weight and rotating weight, which is why I wouldn't put 18's on a Z (or a Solstice for that matter). But the difference in rolling resistance between a 245 and a 205 is more than made up for by the increased handling with the 245, by a HUGE margin IME. I speak from very repeated direct experience (drove to the autox on a 195, swapped my 250s on, did the autox, then put the 195s back on and drove home for years and had a set of R compound 205s that I competed on for 2 years that I could compare too as well). I suppose maybe if you were trying for a Bonneville record you might opt for a narrower rim, but then you'd want to go with maybe a 3 or a 4" wide rim, 7 would be overkill in that instance.

They better put some big brakes on that Pontiac otherwise people are going to burn them off trying to slow the car down in canyons and on the track. I can only guess that the 18" wheel/tire combo is going to weigh somewhere in the 50-60 lb range, and it has a larger lever arm to work from than a 15 or 16" wheel. Takes some big brakes to slow all of that spinning mass down, more so to do it repeatedly...