MotorWeek | Retro Review: '06 Miata vs Solstice

Hard to believe this was 10 years ago! Little did we know, in less than 5 years Pontiac would be no more.

[NailStrafer]

Test drove both of these back to back in 2007. The Solstice does look cooler, and I think it was a good try by GM at a roadster, but I was blown away by how much more refined the Miata felt. It felt a lot more athletic (especially in turns), the interior was a lot nicer, the top was simpler to operate, it had a bigger trunk, and on top of that the top didn't take up any trunk space when it was down. Because of these things, I knew that the Miata would be the car I'd prefer to own for many years, VS the Solstice.


I ended up buying a Pontiac G8 GT instead of either (really love the G8 by the way)...although a couple years later I did get a 2001 Miata used. Still have both cars, and no desire to trade them in. I love both of them.

[tytotheler]

This was when Pontiac was really trying. Between the GTO, Solstice, and G8, along with what could have been better but still pretty good G6 and G5 they were producing some really decent vehicles but the writing was already in the sand.

[aidanmondo]

I have a solstice and it was the best thing ever! We got one of the first ones off of the line up and we love that car. Super fun to take on the back roads and that thing is glued to the road. No problem flying around bends in 2 or 3 gear.

[georgewkush]

honestly even though the solstice is 10 years old it still looks modern

[andusensei]

I personally own an NC2 Miata. I've driven alongside some Solstices at our local track and they're both lovely cars. Shame there's not more fun roadsters nowadays.

[mikeakaspike]

I still love my solstice. I started with an N/A and then got the GXP and tuned it. I think that whenever roadsters are discussed this gem is overlooked. It's totally under rated.

[s.leochapman]

This generation of Miata is the only one I found really lovely-looking... but the Solstice is absolutely gorgeous! Has barely aged at all as well, from the exterior of course.

[kirbyswarp]

I can't believe it's been ten years. These are still brand new cars to me haha

[Hudsonadvanced]

GM should've killed Buick not Pontiac :(

[jriley]

Damn, 2006 is considered retro? I feel old :(

[cflo]

GM should've kept the Pontiac brand.

[edwardjones]

Very nice review but would have loved to see lap times! Then run the MazdaSpeed Turbo MX-5 vs the Solstice GPX !

[nousername]

ABS was still optional back then? Wow.

[johnsullivan]

i think this is the main thing most car buyers forget. it doesn't matter if your car has x amount of more horsepower. if the car isnt geared for acceleration then your car can still be much slower than others with less hp but shorter gears. light weight and shorter gears can mean a car that feels MUCH faster

[anibalbabilonia]

The solstice still like it could come out today as a new car and still looks good doing so.

[siamiam]

having driven both of these cars back to back you can really feel the weight difference

[TheAdventureAuto]

The Miata has knocked out so many challengers over the years. The others are all more powerful but somehow the Miata prevails...hmmm. The answer is always Miata.

[TheChenny]

I agree. The Pontiac is a try hard great looking Roadster. The MX-5 is an all out pure sports car.

[davemardon]

As a owner of a 01 MR2 would buy both of these to add to my collection.

[melokulekumalo]

I chose to buy my wife a 2008 Saturn Sky Redline in 2022! She loved it so much she requested I buy one for stay out of hers! LOL I bought a 2007 base model for myself. What an exciting car to drive. It's still a head turner even in 2022!!