2009 Saturn Sky

Saturn is one of the companies GM dropped recently before going bankrupt altogether. Hopefully someone will pick up the brand, and continue to build this particular one, if nothing else. The SKY is a gorgeous machine, roof up or down. It's basically American version of the Lotus Elise, but a little more powerful. For the purpose of performance, I'll be looking at the SKY Redline trim, for the reason that the standard SKY, not supercharged, does not perform well.

The engine powering the SKY is a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which manages to pump out 260 horsepower! For a car this small, you'd think that 260 horsepower is too much! But, don't be so sure. The Saturn SKY has some fierce competition. First is the Solstice, which shares the same platform with the SKY. Second, the BMW Z4, then the Mazda MX-5 MIata, and most fierce of them, the Honda S2000.

The styling is sublime. It looks like someone who knew what they were doing designed it. And to think that they started making the SKY three years ago, it's still virtually unchanged from when the SKY just hit the streets. And still, if you see one driving around, you will take a second glance. There are many much more expensive that I see on the streets all the time, but almost none of them make me turn my head. This one does, every single time; even if it's standing on a lot!

So, if you want to cruise around with everyone staring at you, and possibly even having accidents, get the SKY. It's a great looking car, and it handles well. However, you won't be enjoying a rush of acceleration because it's the one thing that the SKY lacks. The engine is the SKY's biggest downfall. You've got to have the performance tuned Redline to have any sort of fun. And then, once you're done, you have to sit down to drive the Mazda MX-5 to know what real fun is.

Simply put, I'd want to own one but just to have it sit in the parking lot for me to look at. It's a drop-dead gorgeous car. But I wouldn't own one if it means I'll have to drive it. And that's what I want from a car. I want to drive it. And if I can't have fun driving a convertible, which I should, what's the point of paying all that money for a car that can't perform? After all, when you sit in the car, you can't really see the beauty of the car's exterior.

So, is it a massive failure? Well, it's not a failure because the Redline does redeem the SKY a bit, but it is a disappointment. I always looked at the SKY and though that thing must have a million horsepower! Then I find out it's 260, if turbocharged, and the engine isn't very throttle friendly. So it does look great, it does handle like a small roadster should, but when it comes to performance, the uglier Miata does a better job at that.