I've seen this mentioned briefly in other threads, but is there any official word on this? I checked all the news sources I could find, and I don't see this issue addressed. :confused:

I know plastic windows can be a big turn-off for some, since they have no defroster and can "cloud" over time. :( Most new 'verts these days have glass, so I sure hope the Solstice has it as well.

I wouldn't be surprised if it were plastic. After all, they are trying to keep the costs in line. They might make a hardtop convertible which would have glass, for those who are willing to pay more.

I'm about 100% certain that the rear window material is....still undecided. I get a strong impression that the convertible top isn't finished yet. All those new production photos released recently, yet not one show how the top functions. In fact, I've only seen ONE pic of the solstice top at all, and that was on a clay model. They're probably still working out the packaging issues. We'll have to wait a bit, I think. Here's hoping for glass. :)

-Stephen M

It will HAVE to be glass. The Miata, Z4, Porsche Boxter, all have gone to glass, All have rear window defoggers, a plus with the glass window...if they go with plastic, it will be one of their biggest turn offs...the new Miata is earmarked to have a folding hardtop, if this is the case, the Solstice will be outdated right after it comes out....
Let's see if GM can overcome "cheapness", and do a real job on the top, even perhaps a nice interior liner to reduce noise..it would definitely be to their advantage, and it isn't that expensive to do....we'll see..

It will HAVE to be glass. The Miata, Z4, Porsche Boxter, all have gone to glass, All have rear window defoggers, a plus with the glass window...

The Sunfire convertible had a glass rear window. I don't see why they would change to plastic at this point.

Honda made the mistake of using plastic on the early S2000's (00-01) The early owners complained bitterly about them. Honda switched to glass on the 02 models and owners seem to really appreciate the change.

Remember that the Solstice is supposed to be inexpensive. Glass costs more than plastic, especially if you add a defogger. It's also heavier.

A roadster is supposed to be driven top down. Within reason, I don't care what the top looks like, or what features it has; it'll be hidden away most of the time. The only requirement for a top is that it is waterproof (and some roadster afficionadoes don't necessarily even believe that).

I personally would prefer a glass window, but if that comes at the expense of the roadster experience, then I don't want it. If they add all sorts of bells and whistles, they'll be adding cost and weight. One little thing like a rear window isn't a big deal, but it's a drop in the philosophical bucket that could overflow and ruin a good thing.

I've had a 90 Miata for 10 years. It still has the original top with a plastic rear window. Although it's gotten cloudy the last couple years, with simple care a plastic window is just fine.

Here's a wild thought. I don't know what it's called - a tonneau cover? - but instead of a top, just have a flat bit of canvas slide out, door height, and attach to the dash, with a poncho hood for the driver and passenger. You wouldn't have to worry about a rear window!

Hmmm... On second thought, I don't think so.

Miatasportscar, where did you hear thet the NC would have a folding hardtop? There hasn't been any mention of this on the Miatanet? Bwob, (designer of the NA Miata) says the NC will be lighter than the current NB, maybe it'll even go back to plastic?....you know, back to the future?! :D

Look for the new Miata to have a complete new body, POSSIBLY a folding hardtop, this is info I got from GOOD source. The car is completely under tight scrutinity, as no spy pics are on the net, and they are VERY keen on keeping it "hush" until the motot show in Japan. Look for a possible coupe version (which is now being sold in Japan in very limited numbers). The new Miata will definitely have a different top.
As for plastic windows, they are as far out as you'll get, NO ONE WANTS them, too much work to keep "scratch free", and they turn yellow with age....nah, I'll take only glass....or forget it. In upstate New York, we drive Miayas until Dec, and as cold as it gets, the top quite naturally remains UP!! Let's hope for glass, and a degogger...we New Yorkers will not accept anything inferior...
Check out the Miata Coupe, perhaps Solstice will bring on BOTH the drophead and coupe...the racing guys will love a coupe version for safety and stiffness. Many Miatas are raced in their own class, you will see the Solstice being raced as well, count on it. They should make all these little roadsters with a full roll bar right from the factory, but that's another story...

I'm about 100% certain that the rear window material is....still undecided. I get a strong impression that the convertible top isn't finished yet. All those new production photos released recently, yet not one show how the top functions. In fact, I've only seen ONE pic of the solstice top at all, and that was on a clay model. They're probably still working out the packaging issues. We'll have to wait a bit, I think. Here's hoping for glass. :)

-Stephen M
I'd have to agree. It seems there is still some work being done on the convertible top.

Personally, I think they really need to go with glass. Yes, it's more expensive, heavier, and more difficult to engineer around than plastic. However, as others have pointed out, numerous convertibles including one of the Solstice's main competitors, the Miata, have switched to glass from plastic. I do think plastic is a turnoff these days.

I don't see how just a piece of rear window glass alone could push the Solstice over the target price point, though. Several European cars (from Peugeot, Renault, and even Ford IIRC) have folding hardtops even at fairly low prices.