Episode 47

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Published on:

13th Apr 2023

2007-2010 Saturn Sky Redline – An Amazing Sports Car Bargain Hiding in Plain Sight

00:00 - OPEN - Saturn Sky is a Sports Car Bargain Hiding in Plain Sight

01:06 - Introduce Loren Campbell - Owner of a 2008 Saturn Sky Redline

  • Purchased car new from San Jose Dealer in 2007
  • Has all options except spoiler and automatic transmission
  • We discuss the merits of a manual transmission

05:35 - What Makes the Saturn Sky Redline Great?

  • The Saturn Sky and Sky Redline looks great
  • It came with a substantial amount of power from a 2.0-liter engine
  • First Direct Injected GM vehicle
  • Highest per-liter output of any previous GM car
  • Reasonably priced when new

08:50 - Performance and Upgrades

  • Stock it made 260-hp and 260-lb.ft. of torque
  • GM upgrade tune = 290-hp and 340-lb.ft. of torque
  • Later Loren added a larger turbo, high-flow cat and upgraded intercooler to his Redline. Estimated output: 350-hp
  • Stock driveline is able to handle up to at least 400-hp
  • Aisin 5-speed manual can handle the power increases too

11:00 - Why Would Listeners Want To Own One?

  • It's really fun to drive... both conservatively and aggressively
  • It's a comfortable car to drive
  • Can be a weekend car or a daily driver
  • Storage space is probably the biggest hold back
  • It's a convertible! Not a power top, but it's not an issue
  • It's also a great looking car
  • Looks good both top up and top down
  • It's a great performance value
  • Parts are still available even though its out of production

18:45 - More Saturn Sky and Saturn Sky Redline Details

  • Saturn Sky had a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that made 177-hp and 173-lb.ft. of torque
  • Performance was decent, but not as quick as the Redline
  • Redline models with more horsepower still got good fuel economy
  • Greater than 30-mpg on the freeway for the Redline
  • Loren's car sounds great with high-flow exhaust system

23:00 - Loren Hasn't Done Track Days or Racing, but has Considered It

  • RE71 Auto cross tires have made a huge handling difference
  • Adding a roll bar would ruin the look and function
  • Solstice GXP (similar to the Sky Redline) in a racing school Loren attended was quicker than Corvettes and a Factory 5 Racer
  • First Year of SCCA racing the Solstice GXP was dominant

25:00 - What are the long term issues listeners should know about?

  • Check the internet - good shopping guides available online
  • Early cars had leaky diff
  • Water pump failure is the big issue on these cars
  • Replacing the water pump and thermostat is a very labor intensive project (12-hours, maybe), but it's not particularly difficult... your mileage may vary. PS - Don't throw your tools!
  • Front end of the car is low, so expect the chin to be scraped
  • Some body parts are hard to find (the hood is one example)
  • Fenders (small plastic panel behind wheels) can be damaged without lift-pucks when you put the car on a lift
  • Norm Vandermee makes replacement body parts
  • https://www.normsfiberglass.com/sky.html

31:55 - Not Many 2010 Models Were Sold?

  • Only 45 were built/sold
  • Definitely more expensive due to their rarity
  • Check out the Lemay Marymount museum near Tacoma, WA to see a unique example of a one-off factory Saturn Sky Cutaway

35:55 - What Price Should One Expect to Pay For These Cars?

  • $5,000 to $8,000 - You can will find drivable cars with Patina
  • $8,000 to $12,000 - Solid "driver" examples in this range
  • $12,000 to $15,000 - This is the sweet spot for the best values (great looking examples, good performing, 2-3 owners, well-cared for, but still used on a regulary basis)
  • $15,000 to $20,000 - Examples in this range typically have one or two owners and very low miles.

49:50 - Quick Mention of Upcoming SOVREN Vintage Car Racing April 22nd and 23rd, 2023 at Pacific Raceway in Kent, WA

  • Loren will be racing his Austin Healy Bugeye Sprite racing in the H-production class
  • Ticket price allows you to watch the races one or both days
  • Stop by the paddock area to see the race cars up close and talk with the drivers
  • Be sure to check out the go-kart track right next store!

52:25 - CLOSE - Saturn Sky Redline

  • Our thanks to Loren for sharing his Saturn Sky Redline ownership experience
  • If you are looking for a great 2-seat convertible sports car with power, great looks and excellent handling, all at a great price, be sure to check out the Saturn Sky Redline
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About the Podcast

Better Than New
Find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you'll love
The average new car sales price in the US is nearly $50,000, and the average used vehicle sales price is close to $30,000... I think that's insane! Well if you're like me and you don’t want to pay these crazy inflated car prices, I believe you should still be able to drive something fun. That’s the idea behind Better Than New – a podcast to help you find a cool used car, truck or SUV at a price you’ll love.

I’m Gary Crenshaw, host of Better Than New and a long time automotive enthusiast, and I want to inspire car buyers on a budget to think differently about what they can actually afford to drive. My goal is to introduce listeners to the broad array of interesting, fun-to-drive, enthusiast-friendly used cars, trucks and SUVs available at prices just about anyone can afford… vehicles from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and beyond that offer buyers a wide range of interesting choices. Each week we’ll explore a specific vehicle or vehicle category, tell you what to look for and what to avoid, and give you practical tips to help you find your next cool used car, truck or SUV and keep it on the road for years to come.

With a little work, the joy of owning a cool used car at price you’ll love is within reach and this podcast is here to help you find it.

So hop in, buckle up and let's go for a drive!

About your host

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Gary Crenshaw

A lifelong lover of all things mechanical, Gary has spent the majority of his existence driving, dreaming about or wrenching on cars, motorcycles and even the occasional airplane.

It started with mini-bikes and go-karts as a kid, progressed to 2-stroke dirt bikes, followed by his first car… a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Then came the Yamaha era with several RD400s, RZ350s and a Canadian RD350LC (should have kept that!). A pilot’s license was next with some memorable hours flying a 1946 Aeronca Champ low and slow around the Pacific Northwest. While in college, his brother-in-law who sold high-end cars hired him to deliver BMW, Mercedes and Porsche vehicles to customers.

Those early experiences led to a lifetime of owning an eclectic mix of interesting used cars, including a ‘65 Mustang GT, a ’72 Datsun 510, a Porsche 914, a Celica Alltrac Turbo, a Mini Cooper S, a couple of Miata’s, two Audi S4 Avants, a Galant VR4, a Fiat 850 Spider, a 1983 Subaru 4x4 GL wagon and a first gen RX-7, along with dozens of daily driver cars and SUVs from Acura, Honda, Toyota and Mazda. And his favorite? Depends on when you ask, but that distinction likely goes to the Mazda RX-4 station wagon he learned to drive in. That fun-to-drive car combined Gary's passion for wagons, rotary engines and manual transmissions all in one.

So what about you? Which used car, truck or SUV would you love to own? Let’s find it together!