CD Article: 2007 Saturn Sky

[Wolfe]

OK around 24 Its a bit more realistic. A Mazda MX 5 is 28 and we know aready its the better car. So I think selling these Skys cheap. Might bring more people into the saturn showrooms to look at saturn product who might not necessary think about a Saturn. Its a draw car really. Your not going to sell many of them anyways. Cause no one right now thinks of Saturn as sexy brand.


At the end of the day which would you rather have The MX5 or a Sky. If sky were a lot cheaper more people would pehaps buy a Sky if they are in the market for a 2 seater sports car.
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  Do you really think someone is going to walk into a Saturn dealership looking for a Sky then decide they like the look of the ION better?

And more people would buy a Sky if GM could make them any faster. They don't need to lower the price because they're already sold out at full price. What do you not understand about this?

[a4_tom]

GM launched Sky at the right time, when they need attention for Saturn brand. When ppl are drooling over a Sky in the showroom, the Aura family sedan is just on the horizon. The Aura will be a deal breaker for Saturn's future, as it desperately needs a competitive family car after all the POS Ion and S-Series.

[Wolfe]

Tom the Aura looks like a nice car from what I've seen of it so far but for most Aura shoppers the Sky sitting next to it in the showroom will just be a bit of eye candy. Yes, the Sky will help convey a better image for Saturn as a brand but the Aura will have to sell itself on its own merits. I agree that the Aura will likely be a dealbreaker for Saturn's future.

[The Mighty Duck]

They will be competing with cars like the S2000, Z4, Boxster  For a few thousand less.  Still might be tough.

Exactly.  I would take a gently used Boxster or S2000 over a brand new Sky Redline any day of the week...

[Wolfe]

Exactly.  I would take a gently used Boxster or S2000 over a brand new Sky Redline any day of the week...

... and twice on Sunday.

[mdxtasy]

The Kappa twins are good looking eye candy.  Sexy curves and nice sharp lines.  But they both look nasty with their tops up.  Topless is the only good look for these two girls.  But when their tops are down, there's no room in the booty for anything. 

Whatever the price is, I can find a comparably priced droptop that I'd prefer to have before these fresh face Kappa's. 

[safristi]

Not your KAPPA_TEA  ..........then tell us how U really feel....

[Mr Meow]

And more people would buy a Sky if GM could make them any faster. They don't need to lower the price because they're already sold out at full price. What do you not understand about this?

Ow I know that. These people are not really buying a 2 seater car, They are whats called lookey Loos. They are Just dreaming. 24 may bring them into the showroom and then they see the rebadge Astra...Bingo....Thats my theory  as crap as it is.  
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[Mr Meow]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=116370<--Video Review

edmunds says

Vehicle Tested:
2007 Saturn Sky 2dr Convertible (2.4L 4cyl 5M)
MSRP of Test Vehicle: $25,355 Price It!!

What Works:
World-class design for a bargain price, fittingly attractive interior.

What Needs Work:
Choppy transmission, imprecise fit and finish, poor roof retraction and fit, unrefined driving feel.

Bottom Line:
Stunning looks dulled by a rough and unrefined ride

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[Mitlov]

About the lack of trunk space...it's problematic if you expect your two-seat convertible to be practical.  But a LOT of people who buy two-seat convertibles use them for sunday drives and the like, and have a sedan/SUV/whatever for grocery runs.  It's not a deal-breaker issue for that sort of driver.  And let's face it...even the most practical rear-wheel-drive two-seat convertible is pretty darned impractical compared to just about any other type of car.

While the Miata is more refined due to its long history, a lot of people (including me) find it very unattractive to look at.  And frankly, looks matter a lot in this genre of car.  Also, I've read one or two shootouts that say that the Miata is more agile, but the Solstice/Sky feels more planted and stable.  There's advantages to each type of handling, and to a certain degree it comes down to personal preference.  I've met people who have test-driven the Miata and didn't like it because it felt too insubstantial.  The Miata isn't for everyone.

The Miata might always be better on the track...but how many roadster buyers take their cars to the track?  Five percent or less, I'd hazard to guess.  I suspect closer to one percent.

While I acknowledge that the Miata has several serious objective advantages over the Sky, the Sky just stirs me deep inside in a way that the Miata just doesn't.  I know I'm not the only one who feels that way about the Sky.  It's subjective attractions will keep it selling well for years to come, despite certain criticisms from track-day racers (and armchair-wannabe-track-day-racers).

Oh, one other thing that the Kappa twins can offer that Mazda doesn't: a 400hp LS2 V8 shoe-horned under the hood for an additional US$20,000.  Crazy, yes, but man would that be cool 

[Bullet Blue]

About the lack of trunk space...it's problematic if you expect your two-seat convertible to be practical.  But a LOT of people who buy two-seat convertibles use them for sunday drives and the like, and have a sedan/SUV/whatever for grocery runs.  It's not a deal-breaker issue for that sort of driver.  And let's face it...even the most practical rear-wheel-drive two-seat convertible is pretty darned impractical compared to just about any other type of car.

True, however when your compeition DOES have a usable trunk then it starts to become problematic.  People who buy this car might not have trunk space as their number one concern, but if they had to chose between two fairly equal cars and one has trunk space, the other one doesn't, then they would naturally (I assume) lean  more toward the one with more trunk space because it's more of a bonus, but not a necessity in a car like this.

It's sort of like if you have the choice between two equally delicious hamburgers, except one offers free fries if you buy it, and the other one doesn't. The choice would then be obvious.

[Wolfe]

About the lack of trunk space...it's problematic if you expect your two-seat convertible to be practical.  But a LOT of people who buy two-seat convertibles use them for sunday drives and the like, and have a sedan/SUV/whatever for grocery runs.  It's not a deal-breaker issue for that sort of driver.  And let's face it...even the most practical rear-wheel-drive two-seat convertible is pretty darned impractical compared to just about any other type of car.

If I were looking for a roadster I wouldn't be concerned about grocery runs either but I would want to be able to go away on a weekend trip and be able to pack something more than just a toothbrush. A useful trunk makes a big difference even in a willfully impractical car.

While I acknowledge that the Miata has several serious objective advantages over the Sky, the Sky just stirs me deep inside in a way that the Miata just doesn't. I know I'm not the only one who feels that way about the Sky. It's subjective attractions will keep it selling well for years to come, despite certain criticisms from track-day racers (and armchair-wannabe-track-day-racers).

I would buy a Miata no question but I'm glad the Solstice/Sky exist. Maybe if they depreciate steeply enough I might consider a Sky in a few years. I believe the 4 year lease residual value is about $12 000. I believe both the Solstice/Sky and the new Miata are selling fairly well at the moment which is good all around.

Oh, one other thing that the Kappa twins can offer that Mazda doesn't: a 400hp LS2 V8 shoe-horned under the hood for an additional US$20,000. Crazy, yes, but man would that be cool

Well that's not from the factory and people have were putting V8s in Miatas long before the Solstice concept car came out. 84im's Monster being a perfect example. What I find amazing about his car is that with the Mustang engine and transmission plus the T-bird differential it still weighs almost three hundred pounds less than a totally stock Solstice.

http://www.cartalkcanada.com/forum/index.php/topic,41110.0.html


The great thing about these impractical roadsters is that they are about fun and the best car is the one that you like the best so it's hard to go wrong choosing between them.

[Mitlov]

I believe both the Solstice/Sky and the new Miata are selling fairly well at the moment which is good all around.

Yeah, the demand is certainly large enough to support both.  I assume the Miata is selling well, because it always has.  As for the Kappa twins, here in the States there's about a year-long waiting list to buy either.  Dealers have even been selling Skys at a mark-up, though GM says that's not okay for Saturn and is punishing those dealers (source).  As for the Solstice, it's completely sold out despite dealer mark-ups of up to US$5000 

[AVToller]

Just goes to show that PT Barnum was right. 

[Mitlov]

Just goes to show that PT Barnum was right. 

So someone is a sucker if they listen to their subjective desires instead of pure utility in choosing a two-seat roadster?  Here's the trick: if we all listened to pure utility, RWD two-seat convertibles wouldn't exist.  We'd all be driving around in FWD hatchbacks and wagons.  Even the "holy grails" of two-seat roadsters--the Boxter and the Miata--don't offer a SINGLE advantage over a Corolla utility-wise.

[BJB]

I've only seen one of these on the road and it was gorgeous (it was driving right behind a brand new clean boxster) and I couldn't take my eye off of the Sky, it was beautiful.

Damn practicality, if you're buying this car and using it as your primary driver, well you're an idiot cuz it's a bad decision b/c of the complete lack of storage space, however, if you're buying this as a pure weekend fun driving car than I think it's a good choice.  The price is pretty cheap and it is much nicer looking to me then a miata (sorry to all of you on here who bow down to that car).  Another factor in its favour is that it will get you attention, if that is what you're after this car is a bargain.

[Wolfe]

So someone is a sucker if they listen to their subjective desires instead of pure utility in choosing a two-seat roadster?  Here's the trick: if we all listened to pure utility, RWD two-seat convertibles wouldn't exist.  We'd all be driving around in FWD hatchbacks and wagons.  Even the "holy grails" of two-seat roadsters--the Boxter and the Miata--don't offer a SINGLE advantage over a Corolla utility-wise.

Very true but to pay a $5000 premium just to get it first isn't worth it to me. That's $5000 in instant depreciation. I'd wait the 12-18 months till the initial frenzy is over and the supply catches up to demand and the early production problems are ironed out. That way I am more likely to get a better built car without having to pay a hefty premium. If the car is good I'll be just as happy with it later. I'm sure I could find many fun ways to spend that extra $5000 in the meantime.

[AVToller]

So someone is a sucker if they listen to their subjective desires instead of pure utility in choosing a two-seat roadster?  Here's the trick: if we all listened to pure utility, RWD two-seat convertibles wouldn't exist.  We'd all be driving around in FWD hatchbacks and wagons.  Even the "holy grails" of two-seat roadsters--the Boxter and the Miata--don't offer a SINGLE advantage over a Corolla utility-wise.

I had an MGA and a couple of Fiat Spyders - I know about roadsters!

Specifically, I was referring to the $5000 premium however, not JUST the poor design and execution.

[mdxtasy]

These cars are built and designed to be indulgence cars to satisfy the want in all of us.  However, a bit of utility never hurt anybody.  The complete lack of trunk space is pretty sad considering GM probably could have designed the top to fold in a more compact manner.  Design is subjective.  I like the Sky with the top down.  With it up, it's a POS.  Might as well drape a tarp over the interior.  Would look better.

[Snowman]

A)  You must be poor to think $30,000 is a lot of money for a car.

B)  Saturn is sold out of Sky's for the next year

C)  How the hell do you think they could afford to sell this thing @ 21k?

D)  Are you in 4th grade?

You should know, you sit beside him in class. Why are you still here?