Decided to finally drag the Sky out of the garage...

"Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)" (roadsterzach)
09/11/2014 at 16:40 • Filed to: None

(Sorry for the crappy iPhone photo shot) I figured it was about time to drive the Sky again. I've been daily driving the Mustang for the last three weeks and haven't touched my poor Saturn. It's pretty bad when you have to dust your car off and really let it warm up before you drive it. Feels good to have the top down again, time to go for a cruise!

DISCUSSION (19)

JGrabowMSt > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
09/11/2014 at 16:43

Could you tell me more about the Sky? My girlfriend likes them, and it might even be the perfect car to teach her how to drive manual in.

and 100 more > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
09/11/2014 at 16:45

This whole post: #FirstWorldProblems

/envy

ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier > JGrabowMSt
09/11/2014 at 16:45

TURBO!!!

Alex B > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
09/11/2014 at 16:47

You have a Sky?

Jonathan Harper > JGrabowMSt
09/11/2014 at 16:51

They break. A lot.

JGrabowMSt > Jonathan Harper
09/11/2014 at 17:01

It is a Saturn, so that's partially to be expected.

Sorry About That Unexpected Recall Notice.

Jonathan Harper > JGrabowMSt
09/11/2014 at 17:03

When Monticello Motor Club opened they had a fleet of Solsti and Sky coupes that they planned to use as their driving school fleet. Within 1 year they were all broken beyond repair, not worth fixing, and not good track cars to boot.

JGrabowMSt > Jonathan Harper
09/11/2014 at 17:07

The track car bit I could totally understand. I'd be afraid to track a Saturn anywhere other than LeMons.

I guess my girlfriend will have to find something else that she likes, because with the SL600, I'll be up to my neck in general upkeep as far as cars are concerned.

Two Drink Minimum > JGrabowMSt
09/11/2014 at 17:21

I guess my girlfriend will have to find something else that she likes, because with the SL600, I'll be up to my neck in general upkeep as far as cars are concerned.

Hmm. A reliable, two-seat roadster. There must be an answer to this question, I'm sure of it. :)

Kinja'd!!!

JGrabowMSt > Two Drink Minimum
09/11/2014 at 17:32

But she doesn't want a Miata. She does very much like how the Sky looks, and come hell or high water, she will learn manual (she does want to), and the Sky seemed like a good car. Maybe I just need to do a swap with a more reliable, or cheaper 4 banger?

Also, the Miata doesn't spoil me rotten like my SL. Heated Seats? Bose sound system? 6 CD Changer factory from 1997? Fully automatic, not leaky soft top? V12? Timeless looks?

RazoE > JGrabowMSt
09/11/2014 at 18:00

greatest thing I've read all day.

Nibbles > JGrabowMSt
09/11/2014 at 18:12

My wife wanted a Sky quite badly too, and was willing to learn stick on one

Ended up getting her a beat up old truck

She (and I) couldn't be happier

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > and 100 more
09/11/2014 at 18:24

That wasn't the point of this post but oh well. I just thought it was funny that my neighbor pointed out I had to dust my car before using it and felt like sharing. Is it as bad if the Mustang a co-venture between my girlfriend and I?

Would you be more envious though if I mentioned my 450hp Supra in storage as well?

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > Alex B
09/11/2014 at 18:26

Yes! I love it to death! It's the reason I joined Oppo; so that I can share the Sky love. It's a wonderful car.

I have the Sky, a Supra, and a Mustang (co-owned with the girlfriend). To round out our vehicles, she also has a hand-me-down Ranger. We enjoy cars and car culture. :)

Z (ND + Cancer Fighter) > JGrabowMSt
09/11/2014 at 18:34

I taught my girlfriend to drive stick in my Sky. The car had 65k on the original clutch, we spent a couple hours in a parking lot and I made her put 500 miles driving it the next week until she had it down. The Sky now has 74k on the original clutch, has been used to teach four other people stick and shows no signs of stopping.

I have no idea where the unreliable car reputation comes from for the Sky (maybe the Solstice why did have wiring issues and far more questionable build quality because of the parts quality involved?) but my Sky has been dead reliable since I bought it. My Dad had one before me that he owned for a few years to autocross with and was dead reliable. He traded it in though for a ZR1, but he loved the Sky. A family friend owns a non-turbo Sky since new back in '06 and has put over 100k on it and hasn't had an issue.

The Sky is a great car in my opinion. It's looks are far superior to most other cars on the road. It turns heads everywhere. The turbos are stupidly quick. It's very easy to break the rear loose to have fun, and incredibly easy to drive around without issue just going about the day.

The ride is a bit rough, but there's not a lot of suspension travel. There is some wind noise above 70 mph with the top up, but not as much as my Focus had. With the top down there is not as much noise as you'd expect either.

The transmission and engine are bulletproof. From talking with other Kappa owners, the drivetrain will never give you an issue unless you neglect basic maintenance. Oil changes before 8k miles is necessary on the turbos for longevity. Nothing too excessive though. My Focus was worse.

Also, the Miata fanboys will hate this, but my car is incredibly quicker in stock configuration around the local autocross circuit than most of their heavily modified autocross-only Miatas are.

It's a wonderful car. What questions do you have about it?

and 100 more > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
09/11/2014 at 18:50

I didn't assume you were trying to rub it in anyone's face. I just have my envious face within rubbing distance. It's a symptom of driving nothing but beaters. Its not you, its very much me.

As to the Supra, I hate you so much right now. :)

JGrabowMSt > Z (ND + Cancer Fighter)
09/11/2014 at 19:00

Wow, you just about nailed most of it. The reliability factor was a big one, Im used to cars that have to live up to pretty bad reputations like the Neon.

My big questions would be about insurance troubles, if companies try to jack them up or not.

General reliability and gas mileage are my other concerns. The car wouldnt be a DD unless thats what she wants. Im not in a place to buy now, but an idea of their real value would be good. I know plenty of cars that are usually for sale very high, or higher than the actual value.

I dont know what my budget would be, but I will definitely look at some point in the future. Any rust issues, or build quality problems that show up over time? I dont mind basic things that are simple to take care of, but I do mind major things. Head gasket problems, piston slap, frame rust, etc Id rather avoid.

The biggest issue my magnum has is the fuel pump and weak valve springs that prevent boost on older motors. Otherwise the cars are rust free and as well kept as the owner keeps them. Id like to see similar reliability for whatever the girlfriend gets when the time comes.

Two Drink Minimum > JGrabowMSt
09/12/2014 at 07:38

Well, I was (kind of) kidding about the Miata. But kudos to your wife for wanting to learn manual. My wife and I are both manual drivers, and it's allowed us to raise our kids the same (which is to say, the right) way. Once the boys turned 16, we purged automatic transmissions from the house.

JGrabowMSt > Two Drink Minimum
09/12/2014 at 08:48

I very much prefer driving manual, without a doubt. The unfortunate bit is that some cars never had manuals.

But my girlfriend is only used to driving an older Accent Coupe or Tiburon. Shes never driven anything bigger. The Sky has the sporty looks, and a non turbo would be similar predictable power that shes used to. It wouldnt be like putting her in my SL which is bigger, heavier, and way more powerful, and thats a good thing.

I wish my girlfriend already drove manual, but no one in her house does. They arent really interested in cars. Thats okay, but they are missing out.