Need Summer Fun Car

"Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job..." (idiotinthegarage) 06/08/2019 at 17:20 • Filed to: None

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Just looked at a 2007 Saturn Sky Redline. Anyone have experience with these? Looks like it sat around neglected for awhile, but everything else seems good. Haven’t driven it yet. Above is a s imilar picture of the car I looked at.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 17:30

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Toni_Cipriani does

https://kinja.com/toni-cipriani

AestheticsInMotion > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 17:33

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I’ve driven the Pontiac version. Cool looking car, but it was pretty boring driving-dynamics wise. Felt heavy, didn’t respond to inputs quickly, engine was nothing special.

Basically take a BMW z 3 (which I already think is a pretty boring driver’s car) and make it just a liiiiittle bit worse in ever way. The Pontiac sounded pretty good, although it looked like it had aftermarket pipes... 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 17:36

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Why not Miata?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 17:46

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One of the guys I autocross with has one. I don't know much about it other than the fact it makes glorious turbo noises.

E90M3 > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 17:50

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M5 at red line > Saturn red line

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 17:53

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But Miata

SmugAardvark > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 18:02

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They look a lot more fun than they actually are. They drive like a 4,000 pound car. Sluggish handling with way more body roll than I expected. Power delivery was adequate, but hardly inspiring. I believe it was Mallett that had an LS motor conversion kit. That and some upgraded brakes and suspension components could make it fun, but then you’re sinking some serious money into it.

The final straw for me was the ergonomics. If you’re too tall, you have to be reclined in a very specific position to see everything. If you’re too short, you can’t see anything. It honestly felt worse than my S2000, which historically is not the best car for tall people.

404 - User No Longer Available > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 06/08/2019 at 18:26

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Not exactly... mine’s a 2.4L, Redline/GXP is Turbo.

404 - User No Longer Available > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 18:26

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What do you want to know specifically?

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 18:27

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I’m going to come out and say it, the Red Line badge is the best badge ever put on a performance model.

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/08/2019 at 19:25

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If $ 10,000 USD is a fair price for 2007 redline, manual, 36k miles, no mods with minor wear and tear .

Also - w hat are the common big problems to look out for .

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 06/08/2019 at 19:28

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Looks.  But I’ve never driven one so, maybe I can get past that.  Perhaps I should cross shop.

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > AestheticsInMotion 06/08/2019 at 19:32

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This type of stuff is what I want to know. I’m coming off a v8 mustang. It was never sluggish, but did feel big.  We’ll see if a S ky Redline is something I could live with. I should do my due diligence and test a Miata though.

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > SmugAardvark 06/08/2019 at 19:37

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“Look m ore fun than they actually are” is what I was wondering. Was hoping not . I’ll have to make a final decision when I test drive it.

SmugAardvark > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 19:42

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Absolutely, try it out for yourself. It might be a great car for you and your wants/needs.

Nick Has an Exocet > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 20:19

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I would say you should drive one. The only caveat is that they fit inside some Michigan potholes. A Z4 3.0i of the same vintage (06 /07) will be a similar initial price to the Kappa car and probably handle those roads better than the Miata. You sold the car that I WOULD recommend in the Mustang ;)

404 - User No Longer Available > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 21:50

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I can’t tell for prices in the US ... but I wouldn’t let mine go for at least 10-11k Canadian. Mileage seems decent for that.

But items to look out for and ones I’ve encountere d :

Water pump. This thing is notorious on the Ecotecs, not just on Solstices and Skys. Replacing it requires a specific tool and even some dealerships don’t have it and have to get it.

There’s an older rear diff seal recall, but most cars should have it done already . Again it doesn’t just affect the Kappa cars, since the diff was lifted and modified from a CTS. Mine started leaking so I replaced the entire unit.

Weatherstrips, all of them are out of production. You might be lucky if you come across one or two on eBay, s o make sure you check the condition of those as you might not be able to find replacements at all .

Otherwise my car has been fairly trouble free, just the usual fluid changes to keep on the road.

SolsticeForum is a great resource if you want more info.

404 - User No Longer Available > AestheticsInMotion 06/08/2019 at 21:56

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I do have to agree that GM aimed the car closer to a tourer and more laid back than a Miata , the gear ratios show.

404 - User No Longer Available > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/08/2019 at 21:57

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Since this is a Redline, it has a factory sanctioned stage kit that bumps the horsepower from 270 to 295. It’s just a sensor and a tune, but will require 91 octane.

404 - User No Longer Available > PanchoVilleneuve ST 06/08/2019 at 21:58

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They actually re- used the moniker  on the Cruze, lol.

http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/chevrolet/cruze/2018-chevrolet-cruze/2018-chevrolet-cruze-lineup/2018-chevrolet-cruze-equipment-packages/2018-chevrolet-cruze-redline-edition/

404 - User No Longer Available > SmugAardvark 06/08/2019 at 21:59

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I’m 6 f t tall and I DD one, lol.

SmugAardvark > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/08/2019 at 22:10

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I’m 6'3" (apparently 3 inches really does make all the difference, zing!) , and I felt awkward in both the Solstice and the Sky. Like I couldn’t quite find a position where I was comfortable while still maintaining ideal visibility. The Solstice I drove belonged to a former co-worker, and his wife that was about 5'1" had a similar problem.

404 - User No Longer Available > SmugAardvark 06/08/2019 at 22:33

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I do know some taller owners resorted to shaving the seat bottom. However I found that adjusting the seat bottom forward and leaning the seat back down a bit I managed to get it working.

This video that AMG posted about adjusting seats actually helped me find the position, especially the point about the bent knee. I sit much more forward than people of my height these days as a result.

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/08/2019 at 23:16

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Thanks!

61hp > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/09/2019 at 01:58

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My dad has Redline with the factory tune as his daily/winter car. He’s been quite happy with and hasn’t had too many issues with it. As for comfort and fitting in, he’s 5’10 and fits fine and my mom is 5’4” and has no problems with it. My dad is more comfortable in it then he was in my old NB Miata.

When we visit, we tend to drive it and it is a fun car to drive, the power delivery is a nice mix of modern torque curve with just enough turbo lag. Handling is solid and predictable, though the ride is a bit rough and the clamshell hood and trunk rattle when you hit bumps/rough roads. Compared to my old NB , which was supercharged, the Redline is quite a bit faster, handling feels more stable, but it does feel heavy and that you are in a bit of a bathtub with the high greenhouse. Plus, p utting up and down the roof is a bit of a pain and you have to get out to do it and road trips require packing in multiple soft sided bags.

Overall, I really like the car and they have aged well when it comes to looks and  the interior is miles ahead of the Solstice.

SmugAardvark > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/09/2019 at 02:27

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That’s exactly what I had to do in my S2000. Slide the seat forward so I could lean it back slightly more. I couldn’t find that sweet spot in the Solstice, I felt like my knees were getting bunched up near the bottom of the dash. B ut I admittedly didn’t fuss with it for too long, as I was excited to drive it at the time.

Jordan > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/09/2019 at 08:36

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What’ s your budget? Its worth mentioning you can get Porsche 986 Boxsters really cheap now.

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > Jordan 06/09/2019 at 09:26

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$ 10-12 thousand. Instead of spending way too much money on something newer & faster than the Mustang I sold, COUGH COUGH, I thought I’d try to get something cheaper & smaller. Never considered a Porsche.

Hmmmm. I don’t hate this:

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > 61hp 06/09/2019 at 09:28

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I’m 6'1 and when I sat in it I could get the seat to a comfortable  position.  I'll test drive it next week.

404 - User No Longer Available > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/09/2019 at 09:47

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Be very careful with these. This is within range of the notorious IMS bearing.

Although for Porsches you do have way more resources to inspect the car, including checking if the car has been redlined before. Which my friend yelled at me when I accidentally redlined his Boxster when my foot got stuck, lol.

Jordan > Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... 06/09/2019 at 10:50

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They’re good cars. Just make sure it has had an aftermarket ceramic IMS bearing put in, or budget a few grand to get it done. 

Idiot In The Garage Needs A New CGI Job... > 404 - User No Longer Available 06/09/2019 at 11:01

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So.  Miatas huh?