The Saturn Sky

Swifty1638 · 03-30-2006

Well, we finally got our demo car today, and everyone there was excited. the choice of color for our location was yellow. They are only making the first batch in yellow or the silver and I think the blue, because the black and red and etc are already on other cars, and so they are doing it to show the new colors. Anyway, it rolled off the truck from our railyard, and into the service lane for it's PDI. I did the work on it.

First impressions of the car were decent. It looks pretty cool. I was concerned about the taillights, but I think their overall shape fit the rest of the car. The front of the vehicle looks really cool..crab-shell like in comparison. I was disappointed that HID's didn't come stock on this car either, as they seem to be making a large appearance on a lot of other sportier cars out there. Also, I wish they made 2 exhaust tips out the rear, instead of the one. It looks rather lop-sided, and I think that will end up being a customer complaint in the future. They integrated it on the passenger side, through the bumper, making it squarish, but it throws the rest of the rear of the car off.

under the hood there is the new ecotec 2.4l, supposingly pumping out a whooping 177hp. it reminded me of the corvette layout, in that the battery and BCM is stuffed into the fenders, making a quick battery swap..not so quick. it opens up in a similar fashion to, rear-ward facing. The doors must remain closed to open the hood, or you will actually scratch the paintjob upon opening it. moving back, the interior looks to be a lot better quality, and I am happy to see saturn stepping it up in all their models. the vue, looks refreshed, and the ion will also be updated. the aura (when it comes out) will hopefully follow the same fashion. Panels all fit correctly..and accomodations are all where you want them. I wish the shift knob was moved further back just a hair for better ergonomics, but i think overall, it's a good layout the way it is..no complaints here.

Moving further down the car, towards the back we get to the truck. The truck release is in the glovebox, and it opens in reverse too. the cloth top tucks away in the truck, and can be tricky to shut. Overall, the rear decklid is to be "swiftly shut" in order to seal correctly. Otherwise, it won't fully close. I don't know if it's still tight, and needs to be worn in, but over time, we will see. space in the trunk is rather typical for a roadster of this size, offering little accomodations for luggage. Then again, this car wasn't built for long hauls.

Under the car, you will find a larger exhaust then most of the previous cars. RWD, with a new tranny up front to the block. pretty clean, nicely fit. Frame looks rather beefy.

outside, there is 245/45/18 tires on all 4 corners. No spare tire is given, but there is an electric pump if the need for it arrises.

first drive impressions. The car seems to be pretty stable. wind noise is not bad at all, top up or down. The car rolls into the corner nicely, but it gives you a feeling of heaviness. It seems stable, and works well, but i might have expected a little more outta the car. Clutch engagment reminds me of the redlines..in that it's touchy. Somehow, this car feels a tad bit more sloppy though. The powerband..I was rather disappointed. It seems as if the saturn S-cars could beat it (reid you still stand a chance). you'd think 177 might mvoe the car well, but no. 1,2,3 gears..it felt really doggy. no poewr at all. I am disappointed to say the least. They are coming out with the redline version, though I wonder if it will be the 2.0l (ion redline) or slap the cherger on the 2.4l. Also the turbo car will be out in due time (pontiac is releasing their version first). I hope that over break-in period this car gets a little quicker, and more user-friendly. Ride quality is good, and headroom is just fine.

I think overall this car will be a hit to some, but just another car to others. Either way, the Saturn sky is here, and time will tell if it is approved by the public or not. I myself give it 1 thumb up..styling is there, but it lacks in performance.

-A. Swift

sorry, pics are on the phone, and i don't have a method to get them on the comp.

cudvig · 03-30-2006

I like the solstice? aren't they basically the same car?

Either way I saw the sky when I was test driving a ION redline and I liked the way it looked.

-Colin

Steeltwo · 03-30-2006

there is a black one here actually.

my friend(salesmen there) drove it. i havent' asked him how it went though.

the redline sky will have the dual exhaust and a turbo 2L pushing 260hp.

did your demo have those nice 18 inch choromies?

Swifty1638 · 03-30-2006

yes ,it did. As for the turbo..that is a version. the redline right now is sketched for the supercharger, to follow general GM format.

yes, it is the same as the solstic, but looks tons better. the redline ion is the same as the cobalt ss..etc etc. the suv's, cars..gm has made it all the same.

-A. Swift

Speedfreak · 03-30-2006

I saw a silver one two days ago on hwy 55. It was decent. Nice for a Saturn.

Steeltwo · 05-29-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swifty1638

yes ,it did. As for the turbo..that is a version. the redline right now is sketched for the supercharger, to follow general GM format.

looks like it got the turbo, i can't wait to see one.

x-pride · 03-30-2006

For such a small car it has one thing in common with dsm and that is weight. I saw the car at the dealership and it looked way better than the solstace. To bad they are rapping every one and their mother on the price. This car has a higher mark up than the PT when it first came out. Swify do you work a Saturn delearship? If so what do you think about the ION redline. I was thinking about picking up a used one for under 15000. Please be honest.

DSM1G · 03-30-2006

I dont know what you guys think but I Saturn really seems to be stepping it up compared to their older vehicles. I like those ION redlines. Not too bad.

joesushi · 03-30-2006

in 2005 I saw the sky for the first time
in 2006 I got to sit in one....and my raging love for the car pretty much died right there, the interrior just.....doesnt.........fell like a dsm

ok, so pontiac has one....looks queer, saturn has one....looks cool....what about chevy? its all on the same platform, chevy should make one.

Swifty1638 · 03-31-2006

chevy jsut might actually. There are rumors around the garage, but nothing finalized yet.

while I won't write up a full review on the ion redline x-pride, I do work at a dealership in BP. I deal with the redline from time to time. It's grown on me..not bad for a daily driver.

The tires on it..those dunlops..they suck ass. 1st, 2nd..no grip. the clutch..it burns up after a few passes at the track..it's still useable, but it's gotta cool down a bit. the power..pretty nice for what it is (gtp supercharger slapped onto the de-stroked ecotec). Shifting and engagment..I like. seats..good. interior quality..same as that of the regular ions..I hate the tach all the way to the right side, and that's a car i'd prolly put one in, if not just a shift light. I'd say do a small n2o spray setup, with a smaler pulley..you'd pick some nice ponies up. styling is pretty cool if you are into that. I don't know about that big ass wing on it though. the newer cars include an autometer boost gauge on the steering column with 3 -on-the-tree shift lights, which is a ncie added feature.

overall, it's not a bad car to get. wintertime, it is fussy..hard starts..sputters, etc. tires REALLY suck then. But, summer..dd, not bad. I could see myself possibly getting one.

mo, that silver one had the blue michigan plate on it? it was the regional manager who was driving it around to all the locations to show it off. This was a few days ago, before the locations finally started seeing our demo vehicles from the railyard.

I am not sure when saturn will send out the first shipment of cars, nor who or how many there will be. I know ya gotta be on the waiting list for it though.

-A. Swift

FattyBoomBatty · 03-31-2006

There's a red one at the saturn place right by 35W and 494 in bloomington or wherever that place is. (richfield?)

Swifty1638 · 03-31-2006

yea, everyone is getting different colors..

the power seems to be picking up a little on the car..It shifts a little less "Sticky" prolly wearing in. I hope it just unleashes a gob or two of power overnight, cause i think it should be more.

I didn't get to see too much of the car today..sales was taking pics with the car all day, and driving it around for their own pleasure..whatever.

-A. Swift

FattyBoomBatty · 03-31-2006

sounds like a pretty relaxed atmosphere around that place!! i know at morries mazda, they go burzurk if you take something out without permission or for no reason.

**LingLing** · 03-31-2006

Yeah, swift you're right about the sky. I took her out for a spin today and she's way underpowered. But the greatest thing about the car is how many looks it gets. It's great.

Swifty1638 · 03-31-2006

...in the butt! ha biotch! i got ya there jason..

yea, that's true..but give it some time to settle..it will become the next prowler. some will still look at it, some won't care.

-A. Swift

**LingLing** · 03-31-2006

It's sad BUTT (haha butt?) true. I think by 2011 nobody will care about the sky. It will become like the IRL. When Saturn first released it, it was the talk (well sort of at least), now it's just another car. However, I really did like it. I definately want to take her for another spin again.......in the butt....

Swifty1638 · 05-27-2006

Anyway, we finally delivered two skys today. a red one, and a silver one..both automatic. So, from our dealership, you'll see a silver auto, a red auto, a red manual (
regional manager's whip) a yellow manual demo (my fav one so far-hate yellow, but it looks great on this car) and today we got another black manual with tan interior..I gotta PDI it on tuesday. Anyway, someone feel free to stop in n test drive them. We are not too fussy about who drives them. Just be good on them. Fall time is sketched for the redline turbo version, but no one will see them till prolly january or february. mas quantities of the current version should be coming out to a local dealer near you soon, with many more deliveries scheduled. fall, they should all be met (kinda dumb, since winter would then be around the corner). Anyway, just updating everyone.

-A. Swift

**Goat Blower** · 05-28-2006

I sat in a Solstice at the auction. I was very impressed by the overall quality. I'd say it's about on par with the S2000 I'm driving, and that's a real improvement from ANY GM vehicle I've ever been in. I'm sure the buttons will start falling off and the windows won't work after about 30K miles in typical GM fashion.

As far as power, who cares, tuners will have this car modded before the prices settle back down to sticker.

Swifty1638 · 05-29-2006

yea, i forgot to add that part. They did end up with the 2.0l turbo. I'm rather excited about it.

-A. Swift