Found this posted under http://www.engineeredinsanity.com/?p=65

Is the Pontiac Solstice the next Fiero?
Posted by Tom Published in cars

The Pontiac Solstice shares these features with the Fiero:
2 Seats
Spaceframe
Built by Pontiac
Low end motor and Mid-range motor (for their time)
Rear wheel drive

and doesn’t share these:
Convertible
Flush headlights
Front engine
Turbocharged

Looking at this list shows that they don’t have a whole lot in common. Why would I compare an 80s sports car to a 00s car?
I felt like it.




The solstice is already comparable to the Fiero in the fact that they both have had Corvette motors dropped in from aftermarket tuners. It appears that people are starting to make rebodies for the Solstice. The example above is supposed to be an F430 but didn’t really turn out as nice as an F430 would look on a Fiero. The Fiero has a much better shape for exotic rebodies. The Solstice could be rebodied into a Porsche and still keep similiar lines. The Fiero’s spaceframe allows it to have a complete rebody that looks nothing like a Fiero. We’ll have to give the Solstice a few years to see what the kit car companies come out with for its spaceframe. I’m not sure if it is as easy to remove the body on the Solstice as it is the Fiero.

Let’s take a look at the powerplants. The Fiero had a fairly weak 4 cylinder and a low-revving high torque V6. The V6 model ran the quarter mile in around mid 15 seconds with a manual transmission and a good driver. The Solstice has an ok 4 cylinder and a nice 4 cylinder turbo in the GXP. The non-turbo solstice is a little bit slower than the 5-speed Fiero, but has a peakier motor so it might be more fun in the twisties. The turbo Solstice runs a low 14, but that is below aveage for modern sports cars. The Fiero wasn’t below avearge, it was right with everything else in the pack. I would say that the Fiero wins the powerplant challenge if we adjust the specifications so that they are compared to similiar cars in their era. Of course the Solstice GXP is faster, but it is 20 years newer than the Fiero.

Handling is also comparable. This time we can do a straight up comparison of a Solstice and a restored Fiero. With similiar wheels,tires, and shocks the 1988 Fiero with a driver that knows how to push a midengine car around a track should have the upper hand. Both cars have above average handling. The Fiero is the winner because of its midengine design, but I think the average person would be able to push the Solstice harder because of the more lenient front engine layout. The Solstice will give you a little bit more notice that the rear end is going to come around than the Fiero, and that might help people stay under the car’s limit.

Styling and Interior. The Solstice has a much nicer interior. GM is really starting to listen to complaints and they are putting decent interiors in cars. Exterior styling would have to be a tie. The Fiero GT is still a really good looking car, but the original notchbacks with bumperpads are starting to show their age. I doubt that the Solstice is going to still turn as many heads as a Fiero in 20 years, but we’ll have to wait and see.

In conclusion, I would have to say that the Solstice is the new Fiero. The stats don’t show it, but they seem similiar after spending some time looking at both of them. I would personally choose the Fiero because I’m a little bit taller than average and I fit in it better.

So True....No I dont want to sell my car

quote Originally posted by CoolBlue87GT: Found this posted under http://www.engineeredinsanity.com/?p=65 Is the Pontiac Solstice the next Fiero? The Solstice could be rebodied into a Porsche and still keep similiar lines. The Fiero’s spaceframe allows it to have a complete rebody that looks nothing like a Fiero. We’ll have to give the Solstice a few years to see what the kit car companies come out with for its spaceframe. I’m not sure if it is as easy to remove the body on the Solstice as it is the Fiero.

IMO, just like the Fiero, so too the down fall of the Solstice, rebody companies lacking creativity and imagination; rebadging it and trying to pass it off as a Porsche. Besides, the Sky looks way better....as-is.

Nothing can replace the Fieros I have owned...but I just bought a new Solstice to see how close they come! Did they mention in the article that another similiarity is that they can both go to Archie??



I pick it up next week...

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i think here in a few years im going to pick up a used sky redline. should be fun.

I think this would be a resonable thing to say. When the Fiero came out I saw them everywhere. Since the Solstice and Sky have come out I have only seen a few. That would be a big difference between the two.

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Rodney Dickman

Fiero Parts And Acc's Web Page:
www.rodneydickman.com
Rodney Dickman's Fiero accessories
7604 Treeview Drive
Caledonia, WI 53108
Phone/Fax (262) 835-9575

quote Originally posted by Rodney: I think this would be a resonable thing to say. When the Fiero came out I saw them everywhere. Since the Solstice and Sky have come out I have only seen a few. That would be a big difference between the two.

Keep the supply low and the demand high, just like the rest of the toy manufacturers. I was excited about the Solstice when it came out I wanted to get one but the price will keep me out of a new one. Like X I will probably look at one in a few years but not new.

quote Originally posted by Jake_Dragon: Like X I will probably look at one in a few years but not new.

yeah, the way new cars devalue, you have to be nuts to buy a new car these days. My buddy bought an 05 Altima SE-R when they first came out and it was like $31k. 10 months later he decided he didnt like the $600/mo payment, and he tried to sell it. He tried to get $26k. Finally 2 months later he took it to Carmax and got $21k for it. The car only had 9k miles on it. It literally devalued 2x faster than he was paying it off. And now you can get them all day long for $17-19k. 2008 Sky Redlines are like $33k. I bet in 2010 you can get one with less than 20k miles for $22k. Ill just keep my fieros for now

Damn, was hoping it would be a little more "spirited" than the Fiero... I have one rented in FL for next week. Either way, it'll be my first convertible drive, so I can't wait! Just hope it's still 70+ down there. Or my plane doesn't get snowed in.

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Bob Williams
Working on the next 3800 swap, it works now!!!

I really love the Solstice, but have found myself unable to close the deal on one. At least to this point. With a "rumored" targa coupe on the horizon, I may finally have to buy one. The convertible is certainly cool, but ragtops spend a lot of time in the "up" position in Buffalo. A targa roof panel on a coupe would be more practical for longer periods of the year for me. I've driven the 2.4L (177 HP) Solstice. It is a fun ride. Felt similar to my V6 Fiero in acceleration. It's more powerful of course, but has a few hundred more pounds to haul too. My biggest dilema is where to put two summer cars (and how to keep 3 cars on the road, a Solstice, my Fiero, and a car to drive winters)!

There are certainly similarities to the Fiero, but it's not really a new Fiero either. There are enough differences that it is really it's own car. It would be nice if GM would engineer a saddle style gas tank to free up trunk space, but they have deemed the expense not worth it to this point.

[This message has been edited by Fformula88 (edited 12-30-2007).]

I like the car but I`ve never wanted to own a rag top.
They have always looked unfinished to me.
I can almost hear them saying...Oh crap,we forgot to put a roof on it.
Then someone else saying...Hey,look...Theres a tarp over here.
We can use that!

The Solstice is nice, and Pontiac's idea of keeping it low production instead of selling over 100,000 of them the first year will help it to last a few years. But my two biggest complaints are the lack of decent trunk space with the top down and the lack of rollover protection. A targa might fix both of those complaints, I'll keep my eyes open for that.

quote Originally posted by madcurl: IMO, just like the Fiero, so too the down fall of the Solstice, rebody companies lacking creativity and imagination; rebadging it and trying to pass it off as a Porsche. Besides, the Sky looks way better....as-is.

You don't like the Mallett Bull Dog widebody?

i thought the solstice would grow on me, but it hasn't. the whole front end is just ugly to me. i really like the sky though. deffinately the better looking style to me. that's typical of GM though. pontiac always had better styling than chevy. seems like pontiac always had styling beyond the current cars on the market. looks like they still do to me.

quote Originally posted by CoolBlue87GT: Handling is also comparable.

Everything I've read suggests the Solstice is a superb handling car and I would think would be far superior to a stock 88 Fiero.
With the Solstice engine as far back as it is, as far as weight balance goes, the advantage goes to the Solstice. It's effectively "front/mid - engined" with with nearly 50/50 weight balance. Add the GXP's Bilstein suspension, and considering the modern size and type of tires and I don't see a stock Fiero matching it.

It might not take too much to mod a Fiero handle as well. Wheel and tires would do a tremendous amount, but if we're talking stock, as-delivered, cars, I'd have to go with the Solstice.

I have an '08 Solstice GXP. I'll tell you from experience that the ladies love the Solstice but don't even look at you in the Fiero. Not as fast as my Fiero V8 but it's a hoot to drive and I use it every day, yes even in the snow.

quote Originally posted by typhoon: I have an '08 Solstice GXP. I'll tell you from experience that the ladies love the Solstice but don't even look at you in the Fiero.

That's why you should never drive a stock Fiero.

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"Anyone can make a copy of something, it may look good, but never is the real car. Make something from your imagination, something unique, something nobody has, anything is possible and, ideas can become a reality; Archie and the Crew can make your Dreams into a reality."

quote Originally posted by typhoon: I'll tell you from experience that the ladies love the Solstice but don't even look at you in the Fiero.

I'm not interested in any lady that is concerned with what kind of car I'm driving. Now I'm not saying she's a gold-digger...

NO !

quote Originally posted by typhoon: I have an '08 Solstice GXP. I'll tell you from experience that the ladies love the Solstice but don't even look at you in the Fiero. Not as fast as my Fiero V8 but it's a hoot to drive and I use it every day, yes even in the snow.

quote Originally posted by madcurl: That's why you should never drive a stock Fiero.

Agree with Curly...

quote Originally posted by jscott1: I'm not interested in any lady that is concerned with what kind of car I'm driving. Now I'm not saying she's a gold-digger...

Hmmm. I think it would feel more like walking into a room with big breasts... I bet your interested and she's not saying he's a boob-digger... !

[This message has been edited by FierociousGT (edited 12-31-2007).]

i test drove both a stick Solstice GXP (mostly because there wern't any Skies on the lot yet) and then a base model Sky(stick) and a Redline(auto..no stick redlines left )

well i'd have to say the automatic redline was really not fun at all to drive (i babied it because it had 3 miles on it and still had the plastic over the seats and whatnot) where as the 2.4L base model was just a wee bit to slow for me (i really banged through those gears on the on ramp)

the Solstice GXP really got me though. i passed a truck on a normal road from 25mph in 3rd gear and once that turbo kicked in, woah nelly.

the only thing i didn't like about the cars were how heavy they felt while babying the motors. and the interior wasn't as comfortable as i would have liked for that style of car (i swear the Fiero has the best 2 seat interior i've ever sat in...not by looks i guess but by how much room you have!)

my plans are to attempt to get a Sky Redline though, if i can afford it of course, in June.

Here are some pics of a hard top offered for the Sol. Personally, I don't see the point on a vert, unless you are racing..

[This message has been edited by Falcon Fiero (edited 12-31-2007).]

I'll take a Fiero any day over a Solstice. Nuff said,

Gimme a yellow Saturn Sky over a Solstice any day...

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Patrick W. Heinske -- LZeitgeist@aol.com
1988 Red Fiero Formula Convertible
*Desktop Photo Here* (click either link for pics)

quote Originally posted by FierociousGT: You don't like the Mallett Bull Dog widebody?

Yes. I like the Mallett's widebody Solstice, because they're expanding the Solstice's idea, but keeping with the over-all theme (non kit-karish nor making it into Porsche knock-off). However, I still think the Sky being a widebody is off to a better start based upon the looks of a stock Sky. Would I buy one? Perhaps a Sky (if they increased the trunk and interior space), but the reality is...too little trunk space, too little interior, and too costly to get it where I'd want the car to become; Mallett's or otherwise. I'd rather go with a Prowler and slap-in a LS engine or Viper motor.

Yes, it is. And I'd love to get a Solstice GXP, but given that the lack of room is one of the reasons I'd be considering giving up my Fiero, its more likely I'll get a Cobalt SS. Unless, of course, that hard top coupe with more room in the back comes out. In the GXP model.

[This message has been edited by Fastback 86 (edited 12-31-2007).]

I'm curious why people are doing so many mods to the Solstice, does the car really lend itself at all to these body kits and engine mods? Or is everyone doing it because that's what you do with Fieros?

quote Originally posted by Xanth: I'm curious why people are doing so many mods to the Solstice, does the car really lend itself at all to these body kits and engine mods? Or is everyone doing it because that's what you do with Fieros?

Cause they can. Most (if not all) hot blooded American doesn't wants to drive the same car as job-blow next door; either it be young or mid-aged. Some wait-it-out until they're able to afford it. The only people who don't want to modify they're cars are truely enthusiest or the elderly; that's a group I'd like to avoid.

ill take the euro Opel gt over all this front engined junk

quote Originally posted by HI-TECH: ill take the euro Opel gt over all this front engined junk

the new Open GT is just a Re-badged Saturn Sky

quote Originally posted by KaijuSenso: the new Open GT is just a Re-badged Saturn Sky

with the engine in the back....

I'm fairly certain the mid-engine Opel Speedster chassis was discontinued and the new Opel GT is exactly the same as the Sky with Opel badges...

I like the look of the sky alot better. the sky is the new fiero

quote Originally posted by KaijuSenso: I'm fairly certain the mid-engine Opel Speedster chassis was discontinued and the new Opel GT is exactly the same as the Sky with Opel badges...

You are correct ! Check this link out from my other group. http://www.opelgt.com/forum...palm-springs-ca.html

BTW here is my '72 http://www.opelgt.com/photo...92/ppuser/16274/sl/w

quote Originally posted by madcurl: The only people who don't want to modify they're cars are truely enthusiest or the elderly; that's a group I'd like to avoid.

I have a 75 year old friend who is always making changes to his fiero.

I am curious, how do you plan on avoiding becoming part of the elderly group?

quote Originally posted by White Spyder: You are correct ! Check this link out from my other group. http://www.opelgt.com/forum...palm-springs-ca.html BTW here is my '72 http://www.opelgt.com/photo...92/ppuser/16274/sl/w

I've seen your '72 at the Scare Crow shows before. The Skulls in the paint are a nice touch.
I'm in Madison.

The engine is in the wrong place...
Seriously. If the engine were in the back, there would be a decent sized trunk in the front. The trunk in the back is pretty much useless. (at least from what I've seen at the stealerships. Maybe someone can tetris the Solstice right (Yes, tetris is a verb that I use on my Fiero a lot )

Personally I like the styling on the Saturn Sky/Opel GT better. When I sat in either the Solstice, or the Sky, I noticed it's hard to see out of. (at least with the top up.)

Didn't drive either though. They were both base engines Automatics.. The salesperson agreed with me that it would turn me off the car.

I like the car, drives great, looks great, but......... Why would they put a smaller trunk than the Fiero... No spare ( not that I ever used the one in my fiero's) and no trunk .... why... for a fold up panel roof..... They should have used a more compact top and gave the public a trunk... all the others managed to do it...

Just my thoughts

Vince

[This message has been edited by Snapperhead (edited 01-02-2008).]

The Solstice is a pretty neat car. I have a LS1 in mine.

I also have an identical LS1 in a Fiero & right off I gotta tell you the LS1 Fiero is faster.





I feel that the Solstice/Sky is the next Fiero.

The Solstice is unique for some of the same reasons as the Fiero is unique.

All of the other cars that the Solstice competes with in the market are all unitized chassis. This means that the body panels are part of the chassis structure & that they are load bearing parts of the structure. The Solstice/Sky are like the Fiero because they have an independant chassis & the body panels are non structural. Like the Fiero, all the body panels on the Sol can be removed leaving behind a chassis that is just as strong as before you took the panels off. (note that the Solstice door panels cannot be removed without damaging them but they CAN be removed)

Everyone knows that, since the Fiero introduction, it has been the donor car of choice for a lot of the kit car industry. But now that the Fieros are going on 25 years old a lot of the kit car industry has been slowing down because a lot of people just don't want to build a new rebody on a 20+ year old chassis. Over the next 5 to 10 years, you'll see the Solstice chassis becoming the chassis of choice for different rebodies. Some people don't like replicas & they think that a all kit cars are replicas but they're not. The kit car industry consists of a lot of uniquely styled cars &, while some replica bodies may be fitted to Solstices in the future, many of the Solstice rebodies of the future will also be uniquely styled cars. So think of it like this, All replicas are kit cars but not all kit cars are replicas.

Some people complain about lack of trunk space. In the future rebodies you'll see for the Solstice, you'll see many that have more rear overhang & if designed properly, they can also accommodate a larger trunk.

The interior of the Solstice/Sky is a lot tighter than the Fiero & has a few dumb design features. For example, the Sol has a nice map pocket on the back of the passenger seat but you can't tilt the right side seat forward to get to the map pocket while you are sitting in the drivers seat. The cup holders are stupid & suck. The interior panels are cheap plastic which scratches REAL easily. The power window switches are located too far back & are not at your fingertips. The gages are hard to read. Even with the top up, the plastic lenzes on the gages catch light from outside &, many times, the speedo & tach are impossible to read when the light hits them wrong. The gages are set quite deep into the dash & yet, I've had many times where I got reflection off of the tach to the point where I couldn't read the tach during spirited driving.

I like the Solstice & I do think that if I couldn't have a Fiero, the Solstice would be the best 2nd choice.

It's the most unique car being built right now & I do believe that it's as cloe to the "next Fiero" that we'll ever see.

Archie

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Sig by Custom2M4

[This message has been edited by Archie (edited 01-02-2008).]