- convertible 123,843
- 1,778 below average
- 10,500 good
- Spokane, WA
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,778 below average convertible 123,843 gasoline red manual
2009 saturn sky review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. A terrific little roadster. introductionthe saturn sky is a two-seat roadster designed to compete against the mazda mx-5 miata and other roadsters. Like the miata, the sky is relatively affordable when compared against the bmw z4, mercedes slk, porsche boxster, audi tt, and honda s2000. we think the sky is well worth a look for anyone who wants a fun, two-seat cruiser that can drop the top and let the sun shine in. And the opel gt in europe. But while the solstice is rounded and quietly muscular with relatively subtle surface decoration, the sky is lean, sharp, aggressive and extroverted. Given their mechanical similarity, the two cars look remarkably different with dramatically different styling. The base sky comes better equipped than the base-level solstice. the sky comes with a choice of engines. The base sky 27,595) has air conditioning, power windows and door locks, power mirrors, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver's seat, gm's driver information center, onstar, and a black cloth interior. The standard audio system is a six-speaker am/fm/cd/mp3 unit with xm satellite radio, speed-compensated volume, automatic tone control, theftlock and radio data system (rds). Inside, the red line features metallic sill plates, stainless steel pedal covers, specific gauges, and a digital boost gauge integrated into the driver information center. options include a six-cd changer 295), a 225-watt, seven-speaker monsoon sound system 395), a decklid spoiler 350), and 18-inch chrome wheels 545-$795). Leather seating is available as part of a premium trim package for the base model 795), or as a stand-alone 475) for the red line, and sunburst yellow paint costs extra 195). safety features that come standard on all models include front and side air bags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, onstar emergency communications, stabilitrak electronic stability control, and a tire-pressure monitor. walkaroundthe saturn sky looks more aggressive than the mechanically similar pontiac solstice. Horizontal creases extend from the top and bottom of those outlets into the doors, the top crease lining up neatly with the cut line for the engine hood opening. We think it is these lines, combined with the way that the sky's grille splits horizontally (rather than vertically, as on the solstice) that make the saturn look longer and flatter than the solstice, more complex against the pontiac's simple shape, more pressed-and-pleated rather than curvy and voluptuous. the sky's front lower fascia has unique styling elements, including functional brake cooling inlets and a mesh pattern in the lower grille that's said to improve air flow. Twin headrest nacelles just behind the cockpit (like the solstice's) lead to a short rear end with small, attractive corner-mounted taillamps. Given the restrictions imposed by sharing the gm kappa platform, we think it's a pretty successful design execution. the sky looks pretty cool with the top down, not so cool with the flying-buttress top up. Stowing the top requires popping the decklid with the key fob, which also unlocks the pins that hold down the two fabric extensions that attempt to smooth out the top's visual profile behind the rear window. This is in contrast to the simplicity of the miata's top. Like many traditional roadsters before it, the sky calls for some sympathy and understanding on the part of its owner. interiorthe interior of the sky is its achilles heel. While the dashboard and instrumentation are done well, the instruments themselves are set in hard-finished plastic with dramatic piano black shiny trim. The controls are all reachable and easy to use, but there is a lot of flash and reflection from the chrome rims on every knob and dial, and from shiny black trim. storage inside the cabin is limited. The glovebox is small, and there are no door pockets. The storage bin between the seats has an awkward push/twist lock instead of a simple pushbutton, and that bin doesn't hold much either. There are storage pockets on the back sides of the seat backs and storage nets on the rear wall, but the seatback latch is buried in the darkness and it's hard to use. Weird, but it works. The seatback rake adjuster is a wheel, not a lever, and it is in a very tight space between the side of the seat and the door, nearly impossible to use with the doors closed. cargo room in the sky is barely adequate for a single person's weekend getaway, let alone a couple's. There's only 5. 4 cubic feet of space under the decklid with the top up, only 2. 0 cubic feet with the top stowed, and the shape of the space is interrupted by a huge domed area in the center, so the space isn't conducive to anything but soft, pliable luggage that can be squished around to fit. driving impressionthe handling capability of the saturn sky is excellent. We've found the sky wonderful fun on country roads. Saturn says it will make 0. 9g cornering force on a skid pad, world-class for a car in this price class. The steering is accurate and nicely weighted. The 2. 4-liter ecotec is undersquare (a bigger stroke than bore), with a very high power peak. Nor are we particularly fond of the low, raucous exhaust note. The clutch actuation was fine, and the fat little sho.
10,500 Spokane, WASpokane, WA at autoshopper.com