The 2009 Saturn Sky Redline is a small package with a big punch.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if a Cadillac XLR and a Chevrolet Corvette got married and had a car baby? No? Just me then… Well, if it happens then the result would be a 2009 Saturn Sky Redline. A two-seat, turbocharged, rear-wheel-drive roadster sure sounds like a fun package, but can Saturn really deliver in this area when they are known more for reliable and safe sedans? Yes they can.
This particular Saturn Sky Redline is clearly an exhibitionist.
A limited edition noted by the Ruby Red with Black Stripe paint scheme, the 2009 Saturn Sky Redline is a two-door, two-seat soft-top convertible that is a blast to drive. The curb weight for the car is 2,990 lbs which helps the 260-hp 2.0L turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine propel the Sky along quite quickly. 0 to 60 mph happens in just 5.5 seconds and the Saturn Sky can run the quarter-mile in under 14 seconds.
Though I would have preferred the 5-speed manual, my Sky was equipped with the optional 5-speed automatic and I was surprised at how well it managed to keep the excitement level up. Turn off the traction control, punch the throttle and the Saturn Sky is like a puppy…it just wants to make you happy and it won't get tired no matter how long you play with it.
The interior of the Saturn Sky is basic but useful which is all you need in a sporty roadster.
The 2009 Saturn Sky has an interior that is useful without throwing too much information and technology at you. This is a sports car that wants to be driven. You don't have to fuss around with a navigation system or other tech gadgets that only get in the way of what is important – driving the car, hard. This is not a large car, and if it were a few inches shorter on the inside I would not be able to sit comfortably, so if you are around 6'3" take note of this. I was comfortable driving this car on a daily basis for a week, but near the end of our time together my back did start to ache a bit. If you are shorter than I am, you should have no problems though.
With the top up, road noise is minimal and there is plenty of head room. Blind spots become quickly evident with the humongous rear pillars created by the top. The rear window is large enough to be useful and the side mirrors do their best to see over the high, creased rear fenders. To truly enjoy this car, however, you will drive it with the top down. Once you put the top away, realize that the trunk is now effectively useless. There is room for the top and nothing more. With the top up, you could fit two weekend bags in the trunk, but you are pushing it.
A 2009 Saturn Sky Redline Ruby Red Limited Edition starts around $33,730 (the regular Saturn Sky Redline starts around $31,000), but with the 5-speed automatic adding $995 and the upgraded stereo counting for another $690, you will soon be over the $35K mark. However, that is a small price to pay for the open-air thrill that this Saturn delivers. The Sky Redline is best suited to be a second option or a warm-weather weekend car, due to its small size and lack of storage. If you do use this car as a daily driver, it will be hard to stay off the gas and hit the estimated 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway, as I was only able to achieve 17.5 mpg.
As I said at the beginning, the 2009 Saturn Sky Redline is a blend of the style and performance of the Chevrolet Corvette and the Cadillac XLR. At a price under $40,000, that is a quite a deal.
For more information on 2009 Saturns, visit NADAguides.com, the leader in vehicle information since 1933.