What does Oppo think of the Polaris Slingshot?

"Van Man, rocks the Man Van" (jacoboconnell)
08/17/2015 at 17:37 • Filed to: Polaris, Slingshot

Ever since seeing one and sitting in one at a car show a few months ago, my uncle has been seriously considering a Polaris Slingshot. However, he went to his local Polaris dealer to test drive one, but they didn't have any available. So, to anyone who has driven or owns one: what do you think of it? Is it fast? How does it drive? Is it worth $20,000?

DISCUSSION (29)

pjhusa > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 17:40

Too toy

Not enough DD

GeorgeyBoy > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 17:42

My cousin gets to be around them as he works at a Polaris dealer. He told me they never hook up (expected). Apparently there are already turbo kits for them, he insists it would be a waste of money. If you want me to ask him anything in particular let me know.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > pjhusa
08/17/2015 at 17:59

The person I'm talking about daily drives a loaded F-150 and also owns two Corvettes, a Mustang, an SVT Lightning, a few boats, and lots of motorcycles. He likes toys.

Kailand09 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 17:59

I think the looks are cool, the concept is great, maybe needs a bit more power I hear?

I think they are overpriced for what they are, but otherwise I kinda think they are cool.

JR1 > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 18:04

I imagine it will be as fun as a Morgan 3 Wheeler but you can buy it in America.

TheOnelectronic > Kailand09
08/17/2015 at 18:07

Overpriced? 20k for something that’s hundreds of pounds lighter than a Miata and can pull 1.5G on a skidpad? You have some high standards.

Kailand09 > TheOnelectronic
08/17/2015 at 18:09

Guess I didn’t realize the skidpad spec. But really, you’re a wheel down in complexity from a miata (aka no suspension and wheel/tire bits, or brakes). This thing seems to have a pretty minimalist interior. And all that weight savings means less shit / material.

So why would it be more expensive?

TheOnelectronic > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 18:25

My mom got one, though I’ve driven it way more than she has.

It’s fun, ludicrously so. It’s all intake rasp and gear noise, and the shifter is surprisingly crisp. It handles like it’s on rails, and it’s damn fast (although it quickly runs out of steam at higher speeds; I blame the massively wide front end)

Most people look at it as it’s defined; a three-wheeled motorcycle. It’s not. It’s not even remotely motorcycleish. When you’re driving it, it feels just like the lightest, most open car you’ve been in. It’s more an Atom or X-bow for a third the price (and, granted, not as good.)

It’s the kind of thing you always find excuses to go drive, because even cruising around at 30mph is fun.

As for how it is as a vehicle, It’s mixed. The interior is completely weatherproof, and as a result the steering wheel is not the greatest. The Shifter, while crisp and solid, is shaped oddly and made of a somewhat hard rubber. Not exactly leather and aluminum. The seats are wonderfully comfortable and supportive, though. I’ve driven the thing for 5 hours in one sitting, and never once got squirmy.

The radio, if equipped, is utterly terrible. Both because it’s crammed into a tiny box in the footwells, and because an open vehicle at 60mph is not a good environment for audio fidelity. I just put in noise-isolating ear phones and used the radio controls over bluetooth to control my phone.

The little half-windshield does a decent enough job of keeping the wind blast off of you, but we put a Madstad adjustable screen on ours and it made a night and day difference. Interstate travel in it went from a chore to pleasant.

The headlights are excellent. You get four fairly powerful Hella HID bulbs, two on the outside, two in the center. All four are always on. The gauges came from their Victory motorcycle line, and are easy to read and pretty at night.

While it has no climate control of any sort, it’s drivable down to about 50 degrees if you’re wearing a long sleeve shirt. This is because a LOT of heat comes through the firewall from the engine bay. Keep that engine working and it’ll keep you nice and toasty.

Rain is... not fun. I only got caught in the rain once, on the interstate, and after a few 85mph drops hit my forehead I quickly pulled over and donned my helmet (more on those later). After that it was fine. With the Madstad nothing below your head really gets wet at all.

If you’re in a state that requires helmets for it (some don’t require helmets for anything, others have made specific exceptions) it can be much less fun. You lose a lot of that “open” feeling, and the lack of airflow means you’ll roast. Additionally, the turbulence off the windscreen is unpleasant. I would recommend just going with no windscreen if that’s the case.

While I won’t go more than 100 feet on a motorcycle without my helmet, I don’t wear it in the slingshot. With a roll bar and seatbelts, the odds of your head hitting the ground are extremely remote. You could still smack into the steering wheel in a crash, but to be completley honest, that’s going to be the least of your concerns. The whole reason the slingshot is missing a wheel is so they wouldn’t have to incorporate any safety standards into it. No airbags, no crumple zones, nothing.

On the topic of safety, anyone who was alive during the 70’s and 80’s is going to mention rollovers. It is basically impossible to roll the thing over. For one, it’s 6” wider in the front than a Corvette, and for another, the stability control will intervene before you can get a front wheel off the ground.

One last thing that’s worth mentioning is that you will get SO MUCH attention in one. Everyone wants to know what it is, what it cost, how fast it goes, etc...

Basically, it’s an incredibly fun toy, either for cruising through town or blasting through the twisties. If you have any specific questions, I’ll try my best to answer them.

TheOnelectronic > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 18:26

Also, I asked literally the same question a while ago. The responses there might help you. http://oppositelock.kinja.com/how-does-oppo-…

Here’s some more of my thoughts on it: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/polaris-slings…

TheOnelectronic > Kailand09
08/17/2015 at 18:29

It’s... not? Last I checked, the Miata starts at like $26k. This starts at $19k and some change.

As for cost, I’m fairly sure Polaris is selling them at a loss to get their name out there. Keep in mind they aren’t a major automotive manufacturer, they aren’t mass producing these things in the hundreds of thousands. If you compare it to its closest competitors, the Atom, X-bow, and to a lesser extent, the Morgan, it’s an absolute bargain.

pjhusa > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 18:29

He should get a BMW... Just my two cents

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > TheOnelectronic
08/17/2015 at 18:47

That was unbelievably comprehensive. You’re right; it’s not a motorcycle at all. The Can-am Spyder is more of a three wheel motorcycle while the Slingshot is more of a three wheel car. I had the opportunity to sit in one at a car show, and even at my height (6’7”), I fit. The shifter is a bit weird and the seats get unbearably hot in the sun but it’s surprisingly comfortable. My uncle doesn’t plan on getting the higher trim with the radio. A few questions, would you say the windshield is a must-have option? Also, would it be possible to track/autocross it?

I actually saw your review a few months ago and sent him the link.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > pjhusa
08/17/2015 at 18:48

He doesn't like foreign cars.

TheOnelectronic > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 18:51

If you’re going to be wearing a helmet or goggles to keep the wind out of your eyes, you can live without a windshield I would assume. I haven’t actually driven it with -no- windshield.

That said, if he gets it without the windshield and decided he doesn’t like it, the Madstad screen fits the same if you’ve got the factory one or not.

I imagine it would be a lot of fun to track/AutoX, but I don’t know how well it would do. There are some definite issues with the brakes, especially when they get hot (like going fast down a mountain pass) and the slow steering ratio would require a lot of hand work. The brakes can be fixed with some different pads and a bracket to keep parts from flexing, so I’ve been told, and once you’re used to it the steering isn’t much bother.

pjhusa > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 19:22

Why?

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > TheOnelectronic
08/17/2015 at 19:26

I just looked up my state laws; a three wheeled vehicle with a glazing around the occupants, bucket seats, and seat belts doesn't require a helmet. That said, I imagine the windshield will be a good option to have and I will recommend it to him. I'll make sure to show him what you've said about it.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > pjhusa
08/17/2015 at 19:27

I dunno.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 19:27

It’s hideous.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
08/17/2015 at 19:28

Kinja'd!!!

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 19:31

Hey, you asked. The truth hurts.

pjhusa > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 19:33

But foreign cars are cool

and awesome

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > pjhusa
08/17/2015 at 20:20

I like them. I can't speak for my uncle.

TheOnelectronic > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 21:04

I’m not sure if I’d recommend the factory windshield, just to be clear. The biggest difference is the Madstad has a gap at the bottom. While at first glance this seems like a bad idea, what happens is instead of just bludgeoning through the wind like the stock windshield, it works more like a wing, directing the air up and over you instead of just trying to block it. This prevents there from being a vacuum behind the windshield pulling the air back down and creating turbulence. As a result you can have a lower windshield that directs the air higher above you.

ly2v8-Brian > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/17/2015 at 22:25

I like it. It's neat.

Chasaboo > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/18/2015 at 00:32

I think it’s a great idea I’m just not that fond of the execution.

Khalbali > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/18/2015 at 01:19

As cool as they are I don't see why you wouldn't get a lightly used Miata instead and have a roof and stuff.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/18/2015 at 04:49

if only it was available here in oz.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Khalbali
08/18/2015 at 08:15

A few reasons:

1) the Slingshot has more interior space (this is important because my uncle is a big guy)

2) the Slingshot is lighter but has more power

3) the Slingshot is just as practical as Miata (which means it's not very practical)

Khalbali > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/18/2015 at 10:22

I could see the first two, but would have to argue it’s far less practical, you at least get a (tiny) trunk and roof in a Miata making it driveable year-round, it’s my only car and I do just fine.