New Saturn Sky. Any thoughts??

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drewski59

New member
I'm really excited about this model. It's supposed to be based on the next gen Opel Speedster, which is a sweet-handling little Euro car. And the MSRP will start around $20k.

Gorgeous styling+Ecotec four banger+World-class handling+Low price tag=the first Saturn I've ever really wanted! :grinno:



Here's a pic:
 

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Yep. I like it even better than the Soltice (just subjective opinion on styling), it's a shame they'll both be limited production. They're thinking of adding a more powerful electronically controlled turbo to it in 07 ot 08 too, I think. That would really rock.
 
I have a buddy who's in line for one of the 1st 1000 solstices, but I do like the lines of the Sky a little better. Lotta hype on the car, my buddy hasn't even sat in the car and he's ready to buy.
 
At least they didn't put the speedo gauge cluster in the center of the car. It needs at least 200 hp and a roof before I'd even consider it.



What's wrong with the GM engine builders?-- 2.4L 16v and only 170hp/162 lb-ft torque



My '97 Prelude has a 2.2L 16v four and has 195hp/156 lb-ft torque.
 
Horsepower is fun, but torque wins races. I think they should put the supercharged Redline motor in it. I'd own one depending on visibility, and legroom.



Check out the mullet on that guy backing it out of the trailer (the link that splattj posted)!! WHOA! Welcome to the 80's.
 
chml17l said:
What's wrong with the GM engine builders?-- 2.4L 16v and only 170hp/162 lb-ft torque



My '97 Prelude has a 2.2L 16v four and has 195hp/156 lb-ft torque.
Click to expand...



The Ecotec is a much better engine than the old-tech GM four cylinders. From an engineering standpoint, it has the potential for much more power(Cobalt SS, and even more), and it's stone reliable and pretty efficient to boot.



A few tweaks by a DIY car guy could have it running 200hp easy! :woot:
 
I saw the Sky in-person at the GM AutoShow in Motion a few weeks ago at the Hollywood Racepark. Looks as good as the pics. Interior looks markedly better- very upscale, especially for a saturn. I like it better than the Solstice as well, but will reserve final judgement til I've seen BOTH in person. Actually, I think the Solstice is supposed to sticker around $20, but the saturn will reportedly be better equipped & sticker around $25k. Can't wait to sit in one. I want something a little roomier than a Miata, but a little smaller than my Mustang GT convertible. Regardless, the Sky/Solstice should be a big hit.
 
drewski59 said:
The Ecotec is a much better engine than the old-tech GM four cylinders. From an engineering standpoint, it has the potential for much more power(Cobalt SS, and even more), and it's stone reliable and pretty efficient to boot.



A few tweaks by a DIY car guy could have it running 200hp easy! :woot:
Click to expand...



I have an 8 year old car that has a better engine and it doesn't need any tweaks to beat a new Saturn. :grinno:



If GM wants any enthusiasts to seriously conisder the Sky/Solstice, they need to "pony up" in the engine department, too.
 
I'm pretty sure the power/weight ratio will be similar to a Miata, and they are pretty fun to drive! I hope they come out with a supercharged performance-oriented version, though!
 
chml17l said:
My '97 Prelude has a 2.2L 16v four and has 195hp/156 lb-ft torque.
Click to expand...



The V-tec creates inflated HP numbers, but torque is what gives that wonderful kick in the butt feeling.



Depending on the weight that could be pretty fun little car for the price and it does look good IMO. Hopefully they'll come out with an SC/TC version.
 
chml17l said:
I have an 8 year old car that has a better engine and it doesn't need any tweaks to beat a new Saturn. :grinno:



If GM wants any enthusiasts to seriously conisder the Sky/Solstice, they need to "pony up" in the engine department, too.
Click to expand...



I have a 15 year old car that has a better engine. What's your point??



Peak power doesn't = acceleration, only acceleration at that peak. In going to 60mph, how much time does the engine spend exactly at that peak? The Ecotech has a nice broad torque curve, has good power, and gets good economy. Plus it's a very robust engine. What's wrong with that?
 
It is just my personal preference to want a two-seat vehicle of the Sky's size to be more like my old '93 MR2 turbo. It had 200 hp and a 0-60 time of ~ 6.5 seconds. What's wrong with a little more power/performance from a decent starting package? I am merely going by the posted GM engine specs and I'm not trying to get into a debate over horsepower vs. torque, etc. :wavey



It seem's that some of you may have already made up your mind that GM's Sky/Solstice is already the next best thing since sliced bread. All further engine discussions aside, I am reserving my judgement on it until I read some comparisons tests and that is all. Supposedly, the Sky/Solstice is about 400 lbs heavier than the Miata and that's where a little added hp could help. I'm hoping that GM doesn't just try to build another Miata clone. I actually hope they make it better. I like small fast and light. I don't particularly care for all the convertible trappings, but it seems no one wants to build an afforable sports car today that doesn't have one.
 
chml17l said:
Supposedly, the Sky/Solstice is about 400 lbs heavier than the Miata and that's where a little added hp could help.
Click to expand...

And that is where it's lack of power might hurt. The new 3rd Generation Miata is hitting showrooms in the next few days, and it has the same 170HP as the new Solstice/Sky, but with the lower weight and smaller wheels, it should still out run it. Still, having seen the Sky at the LA Autoshow I couldn't believe how beautiful it looked, and I have never been a Saturn fan in the least. I am, however, a Miata owner. At this pricepoint the Miata has never had any serious competition since the S2000 and Z3/Z4 cost several thousand dollars more. With the intro of the Solstice/Sky, that changes. I'm looking forward to the first side by side comparisons of the three.
 
I'm more interested in the interior accomodations... I almost bought an '01 Miata LS. It was a blast to drive, but the interior was just a little too cramped for me. I didn't like staring straight into the windshield header, & the rearview mirror also fell directly in my line of sight. Would have liked a little more room in the footwell also- could barely get my shoe between the clutch pedal & the kick panel. But I WANTED all the "convertible trappings". Nothing like a drop-top for driving the California coastline. So, I ended up buying an '01 Mustang GT convertible. Prices were virtually identical, & the 'stang has the ability to carry extra passengers (albeit not very far) or some extra luggage for a weekend trip. Insurance was a bit higher, but no biggie. Would like something in between... the Miata was a little too small, but the Mustang's a little too big, sluggish, & heavy. Would be nice if the Sky/Solstice filled that void for me, though the NC Miata is rumored to be a little roomier as well. As long as the power's adequate, I'd be happy... I could care less about stoplight drag racing... I've long since outgrown that. I drive for enjoyment, not to try & feel better than someone else. It's just a weekend cruiser/toy for me anyway. The interior looked VERY nicely finished on the Sky I saw at the AutoShow. Wish I could've sat in it. But... won't be an issue for a few years yet, til there's some used Miata NC's on the market to compare with the Sky/Solstice.
 
chml17l said:
It seem's that some of you may have already made up your mind that GM's Sky/Solstice is already the next best thing since sliced bread. All further engine discussions aside, I am reserving my judgement on it until I read some comparisons tests and that is all. Supposedly, the Sky/Solstice is about 400 lbs heavier than the Miata and that's where a little added hp could help. I'm hoping that GM doesn't just try to build another Miata clone. I actually hope they make it better. I like small fast and light. I don't particularly care for all the convertible trappings, but it seems no one wants to build an afforable sports car today that doesn't have one.
Click to expand...



Maybe it's just the way you are wording your points. You say no enthusiast would want it, so what's that say about the folks that are excited about it here? Then you say there are faster cars... no kidding...



However, if you want to talk performance and acceleration, why on earth would you talk about the Miata? I think it's safe to say people shopping those have "fun-to-drive" on their mind, not raw power. You aren't reserving your judgement, you made it in your first post. I suspect the car will be reasonably quick. Probably not 6.5s 0-60 quick, but quick enough to be enjoyable.



And out of curiosity, why would you say "I'm hoping that GM doesn't just try to build another Miata clone."? What car has GM made in the past that seemed like a Miata clone? :wavey
 
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