New Saturns

Have you guys seen the new Saturn line up and concept(s) at
www.saturnfans.com ?
What do you think? I love the SKY, Aura and PreVUE. We'll all miss polymer
panels, but the new designs are sure exciting!

 

<<What do you think?>>

I saw a SKY in person the other day. Very nice looking, but I'm not
sure it is worth the extra $ over the coupe or sedan.

John Cowart

 

Sky - Good car but not very practical, good that GM is smart enough to
limit production. Does outclass all other 4cyl 2 seaters in more ways
than one. One would be silly to buy any other car in that class...except
a Solstice of course.

Aura - No idea, kinda stepping out of Saturns domain but gives saturn
loyalist something to move upto.

PreVUE - Ohhh gesh.. They rendered the Vue very impractical... It will
have a very very small market if it doesnt get 40+mpg or better.

 

<<Does outclass all other 4cyl 2 seaters>>

The specs on the Sky seem to closely parallel the Miata, which is less
expensive.

John Cowart

 

<The specs on the Sky seem to closely parallel the Miata, which is less
expensive>

not sure what specs you read, but beyond the bilstien shocks which are
available only on the M5 MazdaSpeed package which starts at a price above
the SKY, there are little similarities. Yep, they are both great sport
convertables.

The SKY is wider and a few inches longer, has a hydroformed frame (which is
similar to a miniature version of the 'vette), has a tighter suspension than
the Solstice, hyfroformed (not stamped) body panels, encased drive shaft,
and much more.

Not to say that the M5 isnt a nice car, is it, but it is no SKY, nor is the
SKY an M5, Crossfire or Z4. It's Saturn's best to date IMHO.
marx404

 

Heres the jist of it.

MX-5, Timing Belt + X in its name for "experimental".

Sky, Timing Chain + more torque + a Ecotec.

Nuf said.

 

<<not sure what specs you read>>

Only in an overall sense - similar layout and dimensions, same power
rating on the engine. I would expect the overall performance to be
similar. The hyfroformed body panels and encased drive shaft probably
won't make it go faster...

John Cowart

 

He was reading the specs that matter:
Torque @ RPM 140@5000
vs
Torque @ RPM 162@4800

Most of us actually drive with torque, not HP, so no not the same specs.
Also if you worked on either first hand I doubt you would ever touch a
Mazda willingly and would never call them similar ever again. The Kappa
cars are a very thoughtfully layed out. Mazda IMHO doesn't build cars
for easy servicing. (They only have to last 3 years service free in
Japan before most people can't afford to re-license them anymore.) Also
Mazda's in the past have been very squirely with their handling.

 

<<He was reading the specs that matter:>>
<<Torque @ RPM 140@5000>>
<<vs>>
<<Torque @ RPM 162@4800>>

Until you look at the weights - the Sky is 2,860 lbs while the Miata is
only 2,473 lbs

Miata 2,473 / 140 = 17.66
Sky 2,860 / 162 = 17.65

Since the torque available to move each pound of each car is about the
same, acceleration should be the same. Since the Miata has the same
power with less weight, it's top end speed should be higher.

John Cowart