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.

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.

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. 

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.