Solstice vs Cayman?

[limoncello]

I'd still like to see an MX-5 coupe. Nothing on the horizon at all, though.

Sports cars for today and the near (next 5 years) tomorrow?

How about a lightweight two seat convertible, weighs 2500 lbs. or LESS, front engine rear drive, good fit/finish, Miata handling, AND 35 mpg highway. Light, agile, efficient, high quality. Rear trunk big enough for a set of sticks.
In other words:
A Miata with Porsche/BMW build quality.
A Z3 with better handling, and lose a few pounds.
A modern, updated 944, lose a few.
A Solstice that a human can fit in, add handling, improve reliability.
A Triumph GT-6 that's reliable. (It was well under 2500 lbs. by the way, closer to 2000 and had 150 hp in non-US/emission screwed-up trim).
A 2002tii with two less seats, and a fastback shape.
An Alfa Romeo spyder/coupe built by the Japanese.

Maybe the Chinese will figure it out. (Here's your chance China! Help us out here!)

[Brucelee]

I had a z3 4 cylinder in stock once. The car was fun and got about 33 MPG at same speeds on the highway.

If that car was 300 lbs lighter, I think it would fit the bill.

I do still like the looks of the z3.

[Quickurt]

How about a 914 with a good, efficient 4 cyl. ?
I absolutely loved every 914 I had, except for that POC VW Type 4 engine and the POC VW brakes.
I've always wanted to build a street car, so here's the idea.
Do you know what a 908/3 was? It was a special Porsche for hill climbs and the Targa Florio.
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/pic.php?imagenum=19&carnum=815

Build this as a tubular space frame with a light fiberglass/foam composite body and use Fiat 124 Windshield/convertible frame and top. The Fiat windshield frame was polished aluminum and the two side frames simply went through the cowl and bolted to the side of the cowl at the door openings with a nice rubber seal at the frame/cowl interface. They took about fifteen minutes to remove, replace the glass and re-install. The tops were very simple, very light, very inexpensive and worked quite easily. Use a Honda, or take your pick, (VW TDI?) FWD drivetrain with instrument panel and ECU, mid engine with the standard cable shifting. Honda McPherson Strut suspension/brakes/wheels all around.
Target weight? 1300 to 1500 lb.
Take it to track days and remove the windshield and top.
1500 lb. with a 1.7 150 HP 4 cylinder/5 spd? Sounds close to 280 Hp with 2900 lb.? 50 MPG? Easily. My wife's Civic with 1.7/5spd gets 40 MPG for her commuting and it gives 38 MPG with me driving at 80 to 85 on a trip.

I think the Solstice looks cool. I have never seen one in real life but the photos look nice. It is not a Porsche of course and should not be compared to one but it still might be an ok car especially for a female. However, if you live somewhere that requires a front license plate then the look is ruined.

[Perfectlap]

parked next to one at Costco the other day. Looks nice and the layout seems like it would be fun to drive. Some have had success autocrossing these so I don't think its in the same boat as the Crossfire or SLK.I tip my hat off to any car company that comes up with a new design. The Saturn is cool too. too bad all these guys are going to be bankrupt pretty soon. Sad i grew up in Pontiacs...seems like another life ago.