So, what do I need to know about Saturn Skys then?

Wife saw one in the wild on Monday and really liked the looks of it. Given that we do need a second vehicle with a slushbox (most likely as a replacement for the C4 that is turning itself into a perma-project), I'm not too opposed to the idea, especially if we can find a Redline with an autobox.

I know GRM liked them a lot, anything I need to know other than the usual GM fit and finish? What's the spares availability like?

Another option would be an early 2000s SLK which is most likely cheaper to buy, but given the badge on it, also a lot more expensive to fix.

What's wrong with a Miata? The newer ones with the 6-speed automatics aren't bad cars and the auto upshifts and downshifts quite decently using the paddles/shifter (even blips the throttle on the downshift, heh).

I would definitely lean towards the Sky Redline over anything Teutonic from that time period, especially since you already have one perma-project (its a C4, how hard can they be to fix? LOL) An SLK could be irritating to deal with, since it isn't a very high end car.

I'm not aware of any glaring issues for those cars, aside some the usual GM stuff. The engine is a good piece and some of the underpinnings are shared with other GM RWD cars. I'm sure others with more intimate knowledge of the platform will chime in here fairly soon.

The Sky is a Solstice that doesn't look like Bugs Bunny. Ecotec engines IIRC. Kappa platform. Basic mechanicals should be fairly common GM, I suspect exterior/interior parts might be more of a challenge to find.

Did they make a Sky coupe? Because that would look great.

Major parts interchange: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Kappa_platform

Keith Tanner wrote: The Sky is a Solstice that doesn't look like Bugs Bunny. Ecotec engines IIRC. Kappa platform. Basic mechanicals should be fairly common GM, I suspect exterior/interior parts might be more of a challenge to find. Did they make a Sky coupe? Because that would look great.

No coupe for the sky...just the Solstice. The Solstice GXP with blacked out grills looks less like Bugs.

Get the redline (turbo). They are very mod friendly if you decide to go down that road, but stock power levels (260hp/260TQ) are pretty good.

Cotton wrote: Get the redline (turbo). They are very mod friendly if you decide to go down that road, but stock power levels (260hp/260TQ) are pretty good.

With no other mods, a good tune puts the power past 300 to the wheels on a dyno in the Cobalt SS Turbo and HHR SS. However, the FWD cars clutch fails soon after. It can barely hold the stock power. Not sure how it works out with the RWD setup. Won't matter to you obviously, since you are looking for an auto, but I'm not sure what kind of effect that would have on the auto trans either.

Also check into an issue that guys have been having with the turbo motor creating some sort of "gunk". It has something to do with the direct injection and gums up the valves and cylinders. I don't know that much about it, but a friend of mine that used to own a Cobalt SS Turbo and works at a GM dealer mentioned it to me when I was kicking the tires on HHR SS's.

with direct injection the gas doesn't wash the intake valve as in port injection.

Just use Amsoil PI.

turboswede wrote: What's wrong with a Miata? The newer ones with the 6-speed automatics aren't bad cars and the auto upshifts and downshifts quite decently using the paddles/shifter (even blips the throttle on the downshift, heh).

You saw the part about "wife likes the looks of it", right ?

So your wife will be dealing with the upkeep of the pretty but flaky SLK? No? Then I think you should input on what you'll have to maintain ;)

Sky should be a good car, body and interior bits could get hard to find after awhile though. Add a good oil separator.

Just about zero trunk space, but otherwise I like them.

In reply to stuart in mn:

Is that only with the roof down or in general?

SLK's aren't that bad.....or at least the 05ish ones.

The major thing with the sky is you want one that hasn't been in a wreck. A coworker's was involved in a fender bender in the lot and totalled due to something bent on the main tub. By no means take this as a don't buy one, as I love these things.

I'm thinking strongly about a solstice ZOK for my next car.

My likes: - great suspension (double a-arm front and rear) - GM powertrain - good gas mileage - good aftermarket - factory lsd

My dislikes: - hardtop versions are $$$$$ - tiny trunk with top up, top down - fuhgeddaboudit - big step from 3rd to 4th on the manual cars - no easy solution for a track day legal roll bar

I don't see parts availability being and issue anytime in the near future. The engine and (for the most part) trans are in tons of other GM vehicles.

My folks have one with tons of supercharged track miles and dyno pulls. Other than a toasted clutch (stock N/A clutch is pretty weak) and a plugged aftermarket cat due to extra power, no issues.

I can tell you certain Ion Redline body parts are unobtainium already.....I highly doubt the Solstice/Sky are immune to that. Somehow GM closing the divisions let them get out of having that certain quantity of spares left over.

the one I drove felt gigantic as I was driving it. like, 4th gen F-body gigantic. i got used to it, but it was weird at first.

When I interned at GM I drove one of the engineering validation Solstices with an automatic and the transmission was just terrible. If the newer ones with a six speed auto are better, it might be worth it. (I haven't driven one with the newer auto.)

BoxheadTim wrote: In reply to stuart in mn: Is that only with the roof down or in general?

There is basically NO trunk with the roof down; it is already tiny with the top up.

I was talking about those with coworkers today. One who test drove one when new joked the trunk was large enough for a bottle or two. Provided they weren't big bottles.

Were the turbo versions sold with automatics?

Ian F wrote: I was talking about those with coworkers today. One who test drove one when new joked the trunk was large enough for a bottle or two. Provided they weren't big bottles. Were the turbo versions sold with automatics?

yes turbos were sold with autos....the majority probably. The vert trunk is not non existant with the top down, but you do need to get creative. There is space on both sides and the rear for duffle bags or whatever and the top lays on a shelf in the middle.

The coupe has a lot more strorage area. We have the coupe now and the headroom and strorage increase was very noticable.

JohnyHachi6 wrote: When I interned at GM I drove one of the engineering validation Solstices with an automatic and the transmission was just terrible. If the newer ones with a six speed auto are better, it might be worth it. (I haven't driven one with the newer auto.)

nothing at all wrong with the production auto. Shifts are quick and crisp and keeps it on boost. Generally the autos turn quicker times than the manuals.

Make sure you take a longish test drive. When they first came out I was interested so I test drove both the Sky and the Solstice. Ergonomics were terrible for me. I'm the typical short, fat (5'8" and 240) old man and I kept banging my elbows on the console and the door.

When I mentioned this on another forum there were others who had the same problem. Seems like you need to be 6'+ to fit properly.

Same here on the ergos, in order to get close enough to the pedals to work the clutch I had to move the seat far enough forward that I couldn't get two fists between my knees with one against the door and the other against the console. That meant I couldn't bend my leg enough to actually take my foot off the gas pedal and use the cruise control.

Maybe the auto is better, but I had cash in hand and wanted a manual and ended-up with a Cooper S.

I don't understand the Bugs Bunny thing.

Lugnut wrote: I don't understand the Bugs Bunny thing.