Battle of the Rollers: 2007 Saturn Sky vs 1970 Jensen Interceptor

Picture this; you are stuck at home under stay-at-home orders and you need something to occupy your time since your internet connection is dead.  What you need is an engine and a vehicle that needs an engine.  Then you just need a few wrenches, some zip ties, a welder, and some fresh 5w30 oil.  The only question is -- which do you get, do you get a 2007 Saturn Sky setup for LS1 swap offered for $2500 or do you get an powertrain-less 1970 Jensen Interceptor offered for $3995, both are offered on Los Angeles craigslist.

Ready for LeMons: 1994 Saturn SL2 Race Car

It might not say in his official autobiography, but I'm pretty sure that Sebastian Vettel started his racing career in a Saturn SL2 with an automatic transmission -- and now he races a Fiat in F1, so that could be you for a small hunk of cash.  Find this 1994 Saturn SL2 Race Car offered for $1250 in South Jersey, NJ via craigslist. Tip from Jeff S.

Astranautical: 2008 Saturn Astra XR

For years, the only way to drive a European built econobox with a manual gearbox (other than something from VW) was to hop on jet for the continent and head to the nearest rent-a-box...BUT starting in the 2008 model year, GM imported the Opel Astra into the USA and badged it as a Saturn, which was great until they threw the Saturn brand into the GM dumpster liked a used Cobalt ignition cylinder.  Another brand bites the dust, but a shooting star always burns the brightest right before it bursts into combusted space dust.  Find this 2008 Saturn Astra XR offered for $4,200 near Boston, MA. Tip from Jeff L.

Not A Miata: 2007 Saturn Sky Redline

In the late 2000's the Saturn Sky and cousin Pontiac Solstice tried to knock the Mazda Miata off as the king of the two seat convertible hill.  Both GM cars and brands met the same inglorious fate as the Mercury Capri that came and tried years before.  The base Sky had somewhat tepid performance from its 177 hp 2.4 4 cylinder, but the Redline option included a all new 260 hp 2.0 direct injected 4 cylinder turbo which turned it into a serious performer.  The Redline package also included 18" wheels, LSD, and interior upgrades that certainly backed up the car's swoopy looks.  The Sky sold 34,415 from 2007-2010 (only 8 units were moved in 2010).  Find this 2007 Saturn Sky Redline for sale in Fairfield, CT for $4,900 via craigslist.

Going Postal: 2000 Saturn SWP RHD

When someone mentions driving an ex-Postal vehicle, most of us immediately picture one of those boxy Grumman LLVs, but many other vehicles have been conscripted for use in snow, heat, and the gloom of night.  Find this 2000 Saturn SWP RHD offered for $3,000 in Centuria, WI via craigslist.  Tip from MB.

Rubbermaid: 1999 Saturn SW2 Wagon

The Saturn S-Series (SW/SC/SL) was released into the wild in 1991 as the first vehicle to be launched by GM's Saturn Corp subsidiary.  Saturn was marketed as "a different kind of car company" and its cars were designed mostly in house with little support from the rest of the GM family.  Therefore, the S-series wasn't just another rebadged Chevy (think Buick, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Cadillac...), and instead used a steel spaceframe with plastic body panels on what was called the GM Z-platform.  Find this 1999 Saturn SW2 Wagon here on craigslist offered for $1,500 in Cos Cob, CT. Tip from Cory.

Kappa: 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line Turbo

GM's Kappa platform was launched in 2006 with the Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Sky followed a year later.  Unfortunately the 2008 recession/carpocalpyse killed the Skystice before it was more than a few years old....but in those few years GM managed to sell 100,124 examples (34,400 Sky, 65,724 Solstic) and they make great used drivers today.  Find this 2007 Saturn Sky Red Line here on eBay offered for $11,995 buy-it-now located in Chatsworth, CA.

Look To The Sky On The Solstice: 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice & Saturn Sky Market Update

The people wanted it.  The press wanted it.  The engineers wanted to make it.  And in 2006, General Motors finally delivered the American-built Mazda MX-5 competitor that was so missing from its domestic line up.  The Skystice (Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky) was instantly loved by the people (7,000 orders in first 10 days), the press, and everyone who longed for an inexpensive US built open air roadster.  It was extremely successful in SCCA club racing, where it swept the podium in Touring 2 class in 2007, 2008, & 2009.  Unfortunately, the choirs of angels singing halleluiah were rudely interrupted by the automotive market crisis of 2008, and in 2010 GM closed the doors on the Wilmington, Delware assembly plant.  The sun had set on cheap American roadster, but prices for a used example of the Skystice couldn't be better today. 

5k: SEMA Show Car: 2004 Saturn Ion Redline Rally Car

The Saturn Ion Redline is the sister car to the factory hot rod Chevrolet Cobalt SS and was first launched in 2004.  The Saturn brand was unceremoniously sacked as result of the 2008 global automobile market crash and the only two casualties that anyone should care about from the different kind of car company was the Sky Redline and the Ion Redline. Find this 2004 Saturn Ion Redline SEMA Show & Rally Car for sale in Lakeland, FL currently bidding for $3,800 no-reserve with 1 day to go.

15k: Planet Bound: 2009 Saturn Sky Redline

The GM Kappa platform was introduced in 2006 to much pomp and circumstance.  Hallelujah, the chorus sang, General Motors finally listened to us car guys and introduced a lightweight, subcompact, rear drive chassis to compete with Mazda's MX-5, Honda's S2000, and the like.  Unfortunately, GM canceled the entire line after 3 years of production when the 2008 carpocalypse halved the sales of most major major auto manufacturers and GM's Pontiac and Saturn were banished to the great crusher in the sky.  This writer has always appreciated the aesthetics of the Sky over the Solstice (something about the Solstice's nasty mesh grill is off-putting, did they get it from a screen door recycler?) and when it comes to Saturn, they should only be bought in one way...Redline.  Find this 2009 Saturn Sky Redline for sale in New Hampshire for $17,000 or trade for STI via NASIOC forums.