Full Test: 2007 Saturn Sky Beauty at a Price

[91 s-10baja]

Full Test: 2007 Saturn Sky


Beauty at a Price


By Mike Hudson Email | Blog
Date posted: 08-02-2006

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.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=116370


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While zippy and relatively fun when headed in a straight line at speed, the jostling and hostility of the 2007 Saturn Sky in city or performance conditions can take its toll in the long haul. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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Powered by a 177-horsepower inline-4, the Saturn Sky has a decent amount of power hampered by a dismal transmission. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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Decorative hood vents give the Sky a sporty appearance the car can't quite back up. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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Eye in the Sky: Beautifully shaped headlamps give an aggressive sneer to the Saturn Sky roadster. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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The interior of the 2007 Saturn Sky speaks a language similar to the exterior — graceful lines, chrome accents and slick, pleasing design. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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One of the weak points of the Sky is the roof, which is neither easy to operate, well made nor capable of keeping water out of the car. Keep it down whenever you can. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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Rain, rain go away. No guarantees with this roof, as our tester's roof leaked in the car wash. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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The chrome accents around the gauge cluster are part of an overall sporty scheme dreamt up in Detroit for the Sky. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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The 2007 Saturn Sky is powered by a 2.4-liter 177-horsepower DOHC 4-cylinder with variable-valve timing. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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Behold. The best reason to buy the Saturn Sky is in front of you. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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Two-tone upholstery with optional leather inserts and standard leather seats make the interior of the Sky a pleasant place to look at. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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The 2007 Saturn Sky is one of the best-looking cars to come from GM in recent memory and is a branding revolution for this particular marque. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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The Saturn Sky arguably does a better job of melding the front and rear design than the Pontiac Solstice, but both are beautiful from any angle. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

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Green Sky at night. (Photo by Scott Jacobs)

Stereo Evaluation



Score: 8.0
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=100833

[56 Starchief]

typical yuppie edmunds banter.

like it or not, this thing WILL sell-and the Red Line will address most of these issues.

The leak issue is reminiscent of the Lienert review...where they said there were no drip rails on the hardtop CONVERTIBLE roof! HAHAHAHAHAHAH DUH!

Anyway I would be led to believe they did not latch this right. Edmunds consistently proves they know nil about cars since ALL their figures come out behind the rags in every classification...

[asim]

I agree with the poor fit and finish. I have been in one at the dealer and was VERY disappointed by the quality.

[logansowner]

Great idea ape raped by bean counters, as usual.

[rueben44]

I sat in one to and I did not see an issue with fit and finish.

[Ultimate1]

It all sounded like legitimate gripes to me.

The solstice and Sky are gonna be successes because they are so gorgeous and so cheap.

[djo165]

I sat in one, and my biggest complaint with it would be the lack of storage space. It's beyond stupid to make a car that small without putting storage pockets on the doors.

[logansowner]

Originally Posted by Ultimate1

It all sounded like legitimate gripes to me.

The solstice and Sky are gonna be successes because they are so gorgeous and so cheap.

Couldn't agree more. But those who justify not having rain grooves on the hardtop, you're saying that having water pour into the car is a reasonable expectation? I bet SLK drivers don't have to deal with that. I'm sorry, but using the roof type to justify water leaks sounds pretty pathetic to me. As I said before, gorgeous car partially ruined by bean counters.

[Ultimate1]

Originally Posted by logansowner

Couldn't agree more. But those who justify not having rain grooves on the hardtop, you're saying that having water pour into the car is a reasonable expectation? I bet SLK drivers don't have to deal with that. I'm sorry, but using the roof type to justify water leaks sounds pretty pathetic to me. As I said before, gorgeous car partially ruined by bean counters.

I agree, at first i thought maybe a convertible hardtop's design didnt allow that but then i saw other manufacturers convertible hard tops with them. This is definitely a GM goof up.

[Hoosier Red]

Originally Posted by logansowner

Couldn't agree more. But those who justify not having rain grooves on the hardtop, you're saying that having water pour into the car is a reasonable expectation? I bet SLK drivers don't have to deal with that. I'm sorry, but using the roof type to justify water leaks sounds pretty pathetic to me. As I said before, gorgeous car partially ruined by bean counters.

If you have the money, perhaps you should buy the SLK. I can't believe the bean counters didn't let them drop an LS2 in that kappa!

[Bvonscott]

Of the dozen SKY's weve sold only 1 had roof problems... and it was a rear side seal problem... nothing to do with water being able to seep in to the passenger compartment. The car has phenominal build quality, and any nay-sayers need a reality check.

[A Bum In A Bus]

Edmunds was looking for something to complain about. I have looked at, drove and gone over the Sky with a fine tooth comb, the fit and finish is wonderful for this car. I also have raised and lowered the top and it's no trouble, takes a little time, but no trouble. I have owned convertibles through the years, but this car has a very personal feeling when you drive it, kind of like it's a part of you, partly because it's small, but there is a special feeling. I'm giving it two thumbs and two toes up.

[eaton53]

My Miata leaks in the car wash through the side seals. Pathetic!!!...
And we have yet another moron that can't figure out how to use the space behind the top.

[bobojay]

I've looked at 2 of these and was very impressed by the fit & finish on both. That's one of my nit picks on a car when I look at it. I spent 6 years fitting front fenders on Chevelles, Buick Skylarks, Monte Carlos & Novas in the late 70's at my plant. Yeah I know they weren't very good sometimes. We weren't given time or the resources to do any better.
Anyone that buys a small sporty convertible like one of these, and wants more luggage space after the sale sure didn't think the purchase through much.

[logansowner]

Originally Posted by Hoosier Red

If you have the money, perhaps you should buy the SLK. I can't believe the bean counters didn't let them drop an LS2 in that kappa!

You completely missed the point. I'm not comparing the SLK and Sky, at least not in any context other than roof type. I'd be willing to bet that other hardtop verts DO NOT leak water. And if they do their owners aren't going to be satisfied when someone tells them that a roof seal isn't possible with that type of roof. BULL.

I don't care what the price, this is not 1910, our cars today have a roof for a reason, and that is that when it is up, the elements are OUT. No matter how cheap the price, you cannot convince me that I should be happy with a car that leaks in the car wash. I had a car once that leaked, it was a 1994 Sunbird. You know where that car is now? In a 3x3 block of squished metal in a junkyard.