Saturn Sky Redline $13k 27k miles 5sp

[ballmode]

Good deal?

http://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/4510371625.html

I have never been a fan of the car itself, but the engine is what I'd buy this for. With these cars hard to find and you are a tune away from 300hp/300tq at 2900lbs this thing rules its class in autocross.

Anybody with experience with the car or the engine (also found in Colbalt SS turbos)?

 

[Jimzz]

Sounds good but never owned one. All the reviews I have read and forums from other owners has always been good.

 

[Topweasel]

Good deal?

http://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/4510371625.html

I have never been a fan of the car itself, but the engine is what I'd buy this for. With these cars hard to find and you are a tune away from 300hp/300tq at 2900lbs this thing rules its class in autocross.

Anybody with experience with the car or the engine (also found in Colbalt SS turbos)?

Wouldn't link the actual offering on a forum. I remember semi recently within an hour on asking about a car someone buying the car right out from under them. Kind of a speeding up the you snooze you lose saying.

 

[T2urtle]

looks cool. I dont have a problem at that price.

I never been in one, i've only been in a chysler crossfire SRT6. If this is anything close, you will enjoy it very much.

 

[Danimal1209]

Its a good engine. Ever own a turbo before? They're soooo much fun.

 

[phucheneh]

The price sounds good until you realize that you're buying an 8 year old car. I wouldn't pay any more for that than I would for one with three times the mileage.

 

[shabby]

Good deal?

http://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/4510371625.html

I have never been a fan of the car itself, but the engine is what I'd buy this for. With these cars hard to find and you are a tune away from 300hp/300tq at 2900lbs this thing rules its class in autocross.

Anybody with experience with the car or the engine (also found in Colbalt SS turbos)?

Gm provides a 290hp/340trq upgrade package if you want to keep your warranty, you can squeeze out even more if you have e85 stations around you.
Add 295 hoosiers on the stock rims and no one will touch you in stock class, no one.

 

[sontakke]

To contrast this with another two seater convertible:-

1999 Porsche Boxster
77K Miles
5 speed
2.5 6cyl ~ 200hp
Just purchased for $12K

I am really wondering if I had that kind of money to spend on a roadster, would I go for Saturn or Porsche?

How is the owner support group for the Sky?

 

[Zivic]

Good deal?

http://bloomington.craigslist.org/cto/4510371625.html

I have never been a fan of the car itself, but the engine is what I'd buy this for. With these cars hard to find and you are a tune away from 300hp/300tq at 2900lbs this thing rules its class in autocross.

Anybody with experience with the car or the engine (also found in Colbalt SS turbos)?

I feel the same way. the motor is the only appeal. I sat in a solstice and was completely turned off, not sure if they are the same, but I would think they are darn close.

That seems like a nice car, with low mileage. that said personally, I'd opt for an S2000 for that money

 

[TheAdvocate]

Guy I work with has one of these and loves it. He is 59 though, and probably doesnt ever take it over 65 mph.

 

[QueBert]

I bought one last year, stupid fun to dive. It has some issues, a few that can be fixed by a mechanic. And a few that I expected with it being an inexpensive performance car. IMHO with the top down it's one of the cleanest looking sub $150k cars. Not that it matters, but I get complimented almost every day on mine. People just seem attracted to it and want to talk with me about it. Also doesn't matter ultimately but I love that I don't see them everywhere, pretty much every other sports car that was in my budget I see constantly all over the place. I see maybe 2 Sky's a week. That's a plus to me.

It + the $400 Trifecta tune = bad ass. It's good stock, but the Trifecta tune makes it a whole new beast. And all you have to do is hook a PC to the ODB port and flash it. Behind the Ford GT this is probably my 2nd choice, I love how it looks. I couldn't afford a GT in a million years so I settled on a Redline.


If you Google reviews a lot of peoples gripes are pretty dumb. Yes you have to get out out the car, and it takes a whopping 10 seconds to get the top down or up. Trunk space really really sucks, but it's a blast to drive. I paid $15k for a low millage one in pretty much mint condition. And after a $400 Trifecta tune I hit sub 5 second 0-60. The ESC works good and makes me appear a much better driver than I really am. GM's traction control is pretty damn nice imho.

Only issue I've had with mine is the TPS in the tires, I had them rotated and I can't set the sensors to show the proper tires. Apparently some '08 models you have to take them to a dealer to have the computer reset. More of an annoying thing than anything, but it's something I can't fix myself.


OH, the cup holder on the passenger side SUCKS, worst cup holder I've ever seem, a nit picky thing but wow it's bad lol.

To contrast this with another two seater convertible:-

1999 Porsche Boxster
77K Miles
5 speed
2.5 6cyl ~ 200hp
Just purchased for $12K

I am really wondering if I had that kind of money to spend on a roadster, would I go for Saturn or Porsche?

How is the owner support group for the Sky?

I'm on a few different Sky/solstice forums, mostly anything I post I have a reply within a few hours. I'm not going to say they're anywhere close to as active as a place like here, but the people are nice and super helpful. And they stay pretty active.

 

[sontakke]

Does tune bump up the wastegate limit and change the timing/fuel map only? Does it still run on 91 pump gas? I drove that Boxster. It was a fun car to drive. The Sky Redline must be even more fun! Sub five seconds means it must be really flying!!

Why are people talking about warranty? The manufacturer does not even exist any more!

 

[QueBert]

Does tune bump up the wastegate limit and change the timing/fuel map only? Does it still run on 91 pump gas? I drove that Boxster. It was a fun car to drive. The Sky Redline must be even more fun! Sub five seconds means it must be really flying!!

Why are people talking about warranty? The manufacturer does not even exist any more!

Not sure what the tune changes exactly, I know without it it runs fine on 87 and after I have to use 91. I can disable it by pressing the cruise control button. For $400 it makes a very noticeable difference in 60-120 also.

Erm, I mean I heard that any ways, I don't personally know anything about going 120...

*whistle*

I see people suggesting OP look at the s2000, I've driven one and imho it's just not as fun, or as fast. If it was more fun to me I'd downplay the slower factor, the FRS is a blast to drive but it's pretty slow. I don't know exactly what it is, but while I don't hate the s2000 I'm not really a huge fan of it.

 

[LTC8K6]

The ignition switch will shut the engine off on the highway and you'll die.

 

[QueBert]

The ignition switch will shut the engine off on the highway and you'll die.

Thanks, this reminded me GM sent me a recall notice a month ago about this. Thankfully even with Saturn dead GM still has to fix recall shit.

 

[sontakke]

Anybody wants to know the list of things that go wrong for the Porsche? There is no way, Saturn would have more problems than that of a Boxster

 

[dbk]

Just get a miata..save some cash

 

[ballmode]

Not sure what the tune changes exactly, I know without it it runs fine on 87 and after I have to use 91. I can disable it by pressing the cruise control button. For $400 it makes a very noticeable difference in 60-120 also.

Erm, I mean I heard that any ways, I don't personally know anything about going 120...

*whistle*

I see people suggesting OP look at the s2000, I've driven one and imho it's just not as fun, or as fast. If it was more fun to me I'd downplay the slower factor, the FRS is a blast to drive but it's pretty slow. I don't know exactly what it is, but while I don't hate the s2000 I'm not really a huge fan of it.

I'm a huge fan of the S2000 but I can't justify a toy car costing that much for that performance/fun factor. I would prefer an AP2 at this point as the 9000 rpm redline is just a novelty and I would prefer the extra midrange from the 2.2 F22 8000rpm motor. Plus a more forgiving suspension with the wider wheels and tweaked interior.

HOWEVER, the insurance costs and the way they have appreciated in value have me looking at alternatives.

You got high mileage boxsters which is a better car all the way around if you can find one at the right price.

Miatas with better steering feel but not great for keeping up with traffic.

Z4's MEH

Solstice/Sky turbos - Rare and I'd love the car if it had a decent trunk size for a weekend trip. However at this price I would look past it.

BRZ/FRS - too close to new car price/sports car toy price (Z06/M3/Cayman/370Z/Stangs)

 

[manimal]

Ah Ballmode's quixotic quest for a roadster continues!

Sorry havent been around more chris, been a rough year. Next time your in indy and want to go look at cars I can go with ya man!

I do like those cars and they handle well enough and make good power to weight. Definitely faster than a civic

Fit and finish are mediocre and the interior just feels dated and somewhat lifeless compared to a z3 or even the Boxsters spartan yet effective cabin. Engine is top notch and makes good power and much less buzzy than a s2000 since you dont have to wind it out to merge.

Now keep in mind a ls1 drops into the factory motor and trans mounts for some reason /whistle

If your in town in the next two weeks my ls1 s14 should be done. Text me when your around man!


sorry I havent been around ATG for a while after closing my shop I had to take a break from cars for a while.

 

[ballmode]

Ah Ballmode's quixotic quest for a roadster continues!

Sorry havent been around more chris, been a rough year. Next time your in indy and want to go look at cars I can go with ya man!

I do like those cars and they handle well enough and make good power to weight. Definitely faster than a civic

Fit and finish are mediocre and the interior just feels dated and somewhat lifeless compared to a z3 or even the Boxsters spartan yet effective cabin. Engine is top notch and makes good power and much less buzzy than a s2000 since you dont have to wind it out to merge.

Now keep in mind a ls1 drops into the factory motor and trans mounts for some reason /whistle

If your in town in the next two weeks my ls1 s14 should be done. Text me when your around man!


sorry I havent been around ATG for a while after closing my shop I had to take a break from cars for a while.

!!!!!!!!!!!! Uh Yes I should come up again.

Have you seen this video? Motor Trend is modding to the gills an old S13. They put some high dollar stuff in it and I can't wait to see the finished product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47w6fxZsjyU

this is part 3 but if you like it watch part 1/2 as well

The weather turned nicer and I want the sporty convertible again. I came close to getting a new 2015 WRX but I'm waiting to see what tunes come out for the car first.

I went to the ducati/triumph dealership and checked out the Thruxtons too... I can't decide haha

 

[manimal]

!!!!!!!!!!!! Uh Yes I should come up again.

Have you seen this video? Motor Trend is modding to the gills an old S13. They put some high dollar stuff in it and I can't wait to see the finished product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47w6fxZsjyU

this is part 3 but if you like it watch part 1/2 as well

The weather turned nicer and I want the sporty convertible again. I came close to getting a new 2015 WRX but I'm waiting to see what tunes come out for the car first.

I went to the ducati/triumph dealership and checked out the Thruxtons too... I can't decide haha

if you want a bike there is a water buffalo for sale in downstate indiana for 2500. Has some Cafe racer parts but the sound of that two stroke will make your day/year. A Triumph would be bad ass but so many deals on bikes right now used you should be able to find something crazy fun cheap.

Hell there is a ls1 swapped fd for 15k in chicago right now

Get yourself a cheap miata and a cheap bike. Win/win

 

[sontakke]

May be I am very jaded after my family purchased the said Boxster but I feel this Sky Redline seems to be a screaming deal at the asking price compared to the Boxster. I am actually surprised that it is still in CL. What are the non obvious disadvantages of the Sky vs Boxster at the same price point?

 

[Vetterin]

Guy I work with has one of these and loves it. He is 59 though, and probably doesnt ever take it over 65 mph.

What the hell does that mean??? I'm 65 and have taken my vette to 152 (but I was only 62 at the time). Anyway....OP, I test drove the Redline when it first came out in 06 and really liked it. Remember, it was a $30K car and in stock form still did 0-60 in 5.2 sec. I think $13K is a great price.

 

[tweakmonkey]

The Boxster is great on paper, but look into IMS bearing failures, Intermix failures, and check the maintenance cost on standard items that do indeed fail... clutches, brakes, random sensors (MAF, O2), convertible tops, alternators and I'm talking about the cost with labor which will be higher than mom n pop shops if you want someone with experience on those cars.

 

[ballmode]

This is the one reason why I don't want to get it... but the price.... THE PRICE!!!!