2007 Saturn SKY Red Line Road Test

2007 Saturn SKY Red Line (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

Now, if you've read about the Solstice or the SKY in previous articles, you'll remember that the top requires more work than in a Mazda MX-5. To get some sunshine in the cockpit, here are the required steps: unlock the tonneau cover with the remote, open it, get in the car and unlatch the top, get back out and pull the top down, and slam the tonneau cover back in place with a good swing.

When putting the top back up, you've also got to close the cover's locks, and it requires that you walk around to the other side of the car. It's not hard, mind you, but it takes more time and effort than in the MX-5. Could this be a dealbreaker? I don't think so; I'm pretty sure buyers will endure this to benefit from the visual effect of a top that disappears completely. I just wish the tonneau cover didn't seem like it was exploding when you unlock it.

2007 Saturn SKY Red Line (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

What could be a dealbreaker, however, is the lack of storage space. The trunk isn't really one; you have to cram your belongings in the miniscule space that's left under the tonneau cover. I fit a backpack in there, and that's about it. Wanna go golfing? Forget it. Wanna treat your better half to a weekend getaway? Bring your toothbrushes only. Not much of the 153 litres of cargo capacity that Saturn claims is actually usable. Like I said, the SKY and Solstice are show cars that found their way into showrooms virtually intact.

The cockpit is tight, but an MX-5's interior isn't all that better. Your elbow will rub against the hard-plastic door panel, and you have the impression of sitting in a bathtub. However, the seats are very comfortable despite their limited adjustability, and some staffers feel that headroom is better in the SKY than its Mazda nemesis.

The dashboard and controls are pure GM; they look a little cheap, but work well nonetheless. Curiously, there are three cupholders for two passengers, although the one that pops out of the center tunnel feels like it was bought at Dollarama. There is no manual deactivation for the passenger-side airbag, but the seat effectively detected both my kids and their respective child seats, and automatically turned off the restraint system.

2007 Saturn SKY Red Line (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

The 2007 Saturn SKY Red Line has a base price of $37,980, and this test car also includes the automatic transmission ($1,250), the chrome alloy wheels ($950), the leather seats ($1,115) and the Sunburst Yellow paint job ($255), for a grand total of $41,550. That's rather steep, since the 2007 MX-5 GT, with a 6-speed automatic and new power-retractable hard top sells for $37,645. Also new, the 2007 Volkswagen Eos is stepping in the arena with a price similar to the SKY's, but with a power hardtop. The SKY Red line offers greater acceleration and speed than the MX-5 and Eos, however.

Saturn retailers should be glad that GM is finally giving them some ammo, and the drop-dead-beautiful SKY will generate some newfound traffic on their showroom floors. This roadster will sell on looks alone, and the turbo engine is a bonus. The SKY may have its flaws, big and small, but I've discovered a great effort by GM to develop an exciting car, and the Mazda MX-5 has some competition at last.

2007 Saturn SKY Red Line (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com)

The sky is blue again over Saturn stores.

What I like:
Drop-dead looks
Gobs of turbo torque
Pleasing automatic transmission

What I don't like:
Practicality = 0
Fussier top than on an MX-5
Noisy on the highway