General Motors can take pride in what it's accomplished. The Solstice is a real sports car and not the topless poseur enthusiasts feared. It'll sell on looks and value alone. But if the Solstice is a solid runner, the MX-5 is a fleet-footed sprinter, delivering a more athletic, lithe drive in most every respect.
The MX-5's engine is smoother and happier to rev than the Solstice's. The MX-5 has a more communicative chassis, and it feels every one of those 400 pounds lighter and more responsive than the Pontiac. This Grand Touring model, as equipped with the optional Sport Suspension package (revised anti-roll bars, Bilstein shocks, limited-slip diff), won every performance contest, although the margins were small. The Solstice's top design is fussier than it needs to be; the MX-5's couldn't be simpler. The Mazda's interior is of higher quality and beautifully packaged. While the Solstice's cabin is comfy and racy looking, it suffers from a dearth of storage, a few ergonomic hiccups, and cheapoplasticity.
All things considered, Mazda is still the established master of the compact, affordable roadster game.
2006 Mazda MX-5
2006 Pontiac Solstice
2006 Mazda MX-5
2006 Pontiac Solstice
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