Flying High In The Sky

[Rob]

One of the most common questions I field about my 2008 Saturn Sky Red Line is “That’s a Saturn?” Well, my standard answer, along with others that own one is, “Yes, it’s a Saturn”. So how did this Midnight Blue with black leather interior drop top come home with me?

For those that do not know me, I have been following Saturn since GM announced the development of a small car to compete with the likes of Toyota and Honda back in the 80’s. I read everything I could find about the project and what Roger Smith’s vision was for this new brand and vehicle. After Saturn launched to the public in late 1990, I took every chance to read about the vehicles and the company. The mission statement and the business philosophy dealing with sales and service customers were what really sold me about Saturn. I took the plunge as an owner in late 1993 by trading in a GMC Jimmy ST 2 door for a 1994 SC1 and 1994 SW2. Two for the price of one, payment wise. I drove the SC1, my partner the SW2, a wagon. My new car was a manual trans, alloy wheels, cloth seats, spoiler and a whopping 85-hp engine. So thus began my Saturn experience and what a great beginning.

Fast forward through a few more Saturn vehicles and over 10 years of experience as an owner, sales and service employee at a Saturn retailer and most important, enthusiast. While looking through some materials at work, in service at Saturn at the time, Saturn released a sketch of a vehicle in red that looked hot; sharp lines, chrome accents, large wheels and a convertible. This also had the styling cues for the next generation of Saturn vehicles. I said to myself, they build it; I will buy it, only not in red. The time came and the first pre-production model was at the Chicago Auto Show and I had to see what it looked like in person. Coincidently, the Aura Concept was also at the show. Wow, two cars shown from Saturn at the same time. The Sky was a halo car for Saturn. The Solstice was the same for the Pontiac brand coming out one model year earlier. I took one look at the silver Sky on the show floor. I knew I wanted to buy one.

I left the retailer right before the first shipments came in but still kept in touch with the facility and acquired all of the sales materials I could when they were out. The end of the 2007 model year ordering schedule was in April and I had to decide what to do. Wait until 2008 or order one now. There were indications that some changes were in the works, one of those being some color changes, but nothing set in print or communications to the dealers. I contacted the finance manager and had him order a ’07 with an anticipated build date of late May, early June. During the wait period, information on the ’08 models became available, the changes were not significant, and I had to choose the model year I wanted. I decided on the ’08 since there were some mechanical changes. I could still get it in Midnight Blue with the options I wanted. They told me not to worry about the ’07 ordered. When it came in, they cleaned it up and placed it on the showroom floor. It sold days later. Whew! Built June 2007 and arriving early July, my baby was ready. I took delivery on Friday July 13. One glitch stopped me from taking it home that night. One underhood fuse junction block later and some miles put on by the technician to make sure all was good, I took delivery of my Sky Red Line. With 260-hp, a 5-speed manual transmission, black leather interior, 18” chrome wheels, XM with 6-disc radio, Monsoon sound system and rear spoiler, off I went from a Chicago southwest suburb into the city itself to bring my new car home.

So two years later and 7400 miles (and counting) I enjoy every minute I can behind the wheel. I have met some great fellow Kappa owners and toured the manufacturing plant. Maybe another vehicle by the name of Sky by Saturn will be available. If not, there is always a gently used one.