EuroBrahs, answer me this.

"TSLA" (TeslaMotors)
10/11/2013 at 00:33 • Filed to: Oppositelock, Vauxhall, Opel, Pontiac, Saturn

Here in the great and free America we were given the Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Sky.
They were absolute shit and boasted embarrassing 0-60 times.

Yet the Euro versions (Opel Speedster and Vauxhall VX220) were developed by Lotus, Elise chassis, Getrag manual trans, engine in the back, Tesla Roadster uses this chassis, 2,000lbs-1,900lbs, and was basically a more durable version of the Lotus Elise.

It seems like a great contender to the infamous Miata...

Is it greatly appreciated over there?/ how is it?

Edit: Disregard me comparing it to the Solstice and Sky... mixed up the Opel GT with the Speedster...
still want to know what the Vauxhall Vx220 and Opel Speedster are like over there though...
and why we didn't get one...

DISCUSSION (29)

Cherry_man1 > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 00:38

This is a good Question.....

Milky > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 00:43

I feel like this is misleading, It's not like we got a car and they got a better car at the same time. They downgraded and got the same car we did.

Kinja'd!!!

TSLA > Cherry_man1
10/11/2013 at 00:44

yhea. Its crazy how different the American versions are, yet I hear nothing about these overseas versions which look amazing on paper.

phenotyp > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 00:44

I want an Opel Speedster more than any other car. Still.

BeaterGT > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 00:47

Solstice GXP seems like a cool car to me. Especially the coupe. Turbo 4 Cyl, row your own gears, and RWD

TSLA > Milky
10/11/2013 at 00:50

I thought that was a limited thing for South Korea? I don't think anyone else got that.

TSLA > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 01:01

Kinja'd!!!

Maybe I should have uploaded this a couple hours later...

Milky > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 01:05

Not according to Wiki .... "The car replaced the Opel Speedster in the European lineup"

It also says it was called Daewoo G2X in South Korea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_GT

m2m, apex detective > Milky
10/11/2013 at 01:08

What you have there is the Opel GT, though, which has an Ecotec 2.0T, 264 PS and was built on the very same Kappa platform in Wilmington, Delaware. The Speedster was built way earlier (2000-'05).

The Speedster was initially sold with a 147 PS 2.2l NA engine, from 2003 on with the 2.0T in 200 PS form that was also used in some OPC models later.

Kinja'd!!!

There is about half a ton between these two cars (870–930 kg for the Speedster vs 1406–1476 kg for the GT Roadster) and almost as big a difference in the perceived purpose.

TL;DR: 200 PS, 250 Nm + < 1,000 kg = fun (also the kind of ratio Toyota should look at more)

m2m, apex detective > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 01:11

I think the Speedsters that are still on the road are mainly run by either collectors or enthusiasts. It's about as comfortable as a clog and rather tiny, too. They still turn my head, though, which is something most Ferraris do not.

m2m, apex detective > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 01:13

According to Wikipedia, the Speedster's engine found further use in the Lotus Europa later ... so if you fancy that one, you might get a piece of it after all.

Milky > m2m, apex detective
10/11/2013 at 01:15

Not to sound rude ..... but these things you say .... I know them.

My point is that this isn't a case of mk2 focus for europe and mk2 focus for America. Where here in the states we got a shitty car while they were selling a better car over seas.

I guess my point is don't be mad they rebadged the Saturn Sky for everyone. Be mad GM didn't rebadge VX and give it to us.

And hell, Europeans have more a right to be pissed here. They got a slower/heavier car just because GM found a business case for a small sports car in the U.S.

All Motor Is Best Motor > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 01:15

I have test driven both the Saturn Sky Turbo and the Pontiac Solstice GXP. Both performed great. They were fast, very sporty handling, with a fantastic ride. I was extremely impressed with the performance. Slow they were not. The cars with the base engines however, were. The interior on the Solstice was cheap crap. The Sky had a much better and nicer looking interior with slightly better materials, but it was still cheap. The problem with the cars is that they were overpriced (the Sky) and cheap shit in the interior (Solstice). Plus, they were pretty tight inside and very impractical (RWD, terrible luggage space, 2 door 2 seater).

Most people shopping in the price range of 25-30,000 aren't looking for 2 seater weekend sports car, they are looking for a practical daily driver. Other problems included that the Solstice's top wasn't well insulated, lowering and raising the tops on both cars wasn't exactly a quick affair, and they didn't come with heated seats (which means having to worry about voiding the warranty with aftermarket's) so the car's poor viability as a winter car was further reduced. Regardless, both were great performing cars and it's amazing GM ever made them in the first place.

TSLA > Milky
10/11/2013 at 01:18

Ah, right. I forgot about the Opel GT... my bad. compared the wrong cars... lol but my original question still stands.

911e46z06 > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 01:19

The VX220/Speedster is one of the two cars I seriously, legitimately, no shit plan on importing when it turns 25 (the other being a Delta Integrale). I don't care about performance, I'm super in love with the looks of this car.

Good question btw. I've always been in love with this thing from afar, but I have no idea about its actual reputation.

PatBateman > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 01:24

Saturn Sky Redline: 0-60 in 5.1.

Subaru BRZ: 0-60 in 6.1.

I wouldn't call a tick over 5 flat "embarrassing".

m2m, apex detective > Milky
10/11/2013 at 01:25

Yeah ... mea culpa. I only meant to point out the difference between the two cars initially, apparently I ended up running away a bit. It probably just sat there waiting for a vaguely related question to be thrown at. ;)

The Speedster would have had the same trouble as Elise/Exige in the U.S.; harsh regulations for emissions and safety would turn this into a problem child in no time, I think.

TSLA > 911e46z06
10/11/2013 at 01:28

I can't wait that long. 15 years for Canada and sneak it in. Should be worth it. lol

TSLA > PatBateman
10/11/2013 at 01:40

Why did you compare it to a car thats main complaint was that it wasn't fast enough?
The Vauxhall VX220 does 0-60 in 4.2 and proceeded the American Sky Redline(5.2)/GXP(5.5)

911e46z06 > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 01:51

Dude, I've been looking at Integrales on European classified sites. I'm totally not going to sneak one in while the government is shut down, but the temptation is strong.

saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 01:54

Fair enough, but I'd have to say that 5.1 seconds is really not too shabby. It's not a terrible comparison because they're in the same segment, and for the purpose of furthering his argument, the BRZ gets to 60 20% sooner. Comparing a Veyron's 2.4 second to a BRZ isn't silly in my opinion because it shows how monstrously quick that car is. Well, it's a little silly.

TSLA > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 02:55

Google says its 9am in Monaco now. Get in here Euro friends!

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 05:24

It would also be a far worse DD, regardless of how awesome it is.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > m2m, apex detective
10/11/2013 at 05:25

Up to the introduction of the turbo version, Opel had sold 20ish Speedsters.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 09:55

The Solstace GXP and Saturn Sky Redline are both super fun cars....

tommobot1 > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 16:09

Great little cars, very similar to Elise, but cheaper but obviously without a Lotus badge.

Drive just like an Elise though and just as spartan inside.

Roughly 4 engine variations knocking about at the mo, 2.2 N/A - 150bhp, 2.0Turbo - circa 200bhp, 2.2 Supercharged (250bhp) 2.2 (ITB - 180-250bhp)

Not very appreciated as such over here as well, the Vauxhall badge isn't exactly 'cool' but the earliest ones are 13 years old now, so they are getting on, but the design still looks fresh as anything imo!

tommobot1 > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 16:09

Great little cars, very similar to Elise, but cheaper but obviously without a Lotus badge.

Drive just like an Elise though and just as spartan inside.

Roughly 4 engine variations knocking about at the mo, 2.2 N/A - 150bhp, 2.0Turbo - circa 200bhp, 2.2 Supercharged (250bhp) 2.2 (ITB - 180-250bhp)

tommobot1 > TSLA
10/11/2013 at 16:09

oops, double

TSLA > tommobot1
10/11/2013 at 19:21

Love it. Makes me want one even more. Also never knew that about the Vauxhall badge.