The Auto Show Part I

This year the auto show had several "new" models and cars that I wanted to see. This installment will deal primarily with the convertibles and roadsters that were at the show. I recently acquired a 1991 Miata and am looking forward to "top-down" driving ... so I wanted to make sure I checked out the new offerings.

At long last I was able to get a close look at Pontiac's new Solstice, a 2-seater roadster that comes out for sale within a few months. It looks pretty good in person and in the photo below:



The base price is just under $20k and the floor model was "around $25k" according to a Pontiac "product specialist." Normally, I'd think it would do fairly well against the esteemed Miata (I own a '91 Miata that I just bought last fall.)

I predict the "out-the-door" price will be higher. One salesman told me each dealer is only going to get 5-6 cars and "most are pre-sold." That translates to a sellers market. Generally, in those situations dealers either put on a bunch of tacky and expensive "options" (wheels, pinstripes, paint protection products, etc) or more brazen dealers will post the "additional dealer markup."

The Solstice is the first of at least 2 such cars from GM -- Saturn is s'posed to get a similar car and Buick is rumored to have an upscale version.

Buick did have a concept car called the Velite on a platform. It looked a little too Buick-y with a pronounced grill and a massive rear end (but I liked the Auburn-like "boat-tail" curve on the back decklid). Photos of the Velite are here:

I also saw the Maserati marque has reappeared in the States (locally, Morries is going to sell 'em). Maserati had four models on the floor: Coupe, GranSport, Quattroporte and Spyder. The Spyder is really a pretty car:



But in all honesty, I thought all four looked stunning. If I had the money, I'd have a hard time deciding 'tween them. It's a good thing I don't have the money so I can avoid that dilemma! (the Spyder lists out in the high $80k)

Finally, I had a chance to sit in the Mini Convertible. It would be a tight fit for Alec in the back seat and there's hardly any room for the golf clubs. But it seems like a fun car and I have to admit I'm totally in awe of their marketing efforts. The car looks like this:



About the marketing efforts: Mini has a fairly extensive booklet on "top-down driving" plus a "contract" that the new owner must sign that pledges that the car will be "top down" when driven unless some very specifiic criteria are met (e.g. a blizzard; temps below 0 degrees, etc)

The floor model had a little plastic cover over the buttons that operate the top. the message on the cover reads:



"Stop. Ask yourself. Is it really necessary to close the top? Be Honest."

Gotta love it!

All these cars just made me pine even more for warm weather!