What to Expect from a Base 08

[sooner]

Well, thanks the the generous rebates from GM, it looks like I may be able to move from looking at used Skys and on to a new one. I have looked over the forums for both Saturn and Pontiac. When I look at the general discussions, I see a lot of issues--some minor, others not. I know there were a lot of fit and finish problems with the tops and the infamous differential recall. With a late 08 base model Sky with automatic and LSD, how much of this stuff has been worked out? This won't be my daily driver but the closest Saturn dealer is 25 miles away. Still, one of the big reasons I would prefer a Sky over a Pontiac is the Saturn service reputation. I have a Vibe now and Pontiac service has been very spotty but the reliability of the Vibe has kept it from being a big problem.

The Sky forum is a wealth of information for a newbee but it can also give one a skewed view of reliablity issues if you spend much time in the mechanical issues area (maybe I spent too much time there). If you went just to that section, you would think these cars were nothing but trouble but I see other threads that indicate they have had little or nothing go wrong. The one common thread in all these forums is a sense that people REALLY love their Skys and wouldn't think of getting rid of them except to trade for another one.

Well, sorry to ramble on so much but I would appreciate any comments you may have. You were very helpful with your comments when I was looking at an early 07 previously. Thank you in advance.

[GoThunda]

Well, sorry to ramble on so much but I would appreciate any comments you may have. You were very helpful with your comments when I was looking at an early 07 previously. Thank you in advance.[/quote] We have a 07 late production Sky, base line. Since the car has a 36,000 bumper to bumper warranty. Your going to hear about the minor to major problems. Since this is the first year the car was built. Ever since we bought our Sky our lives have changed. Getting used to the ATTENTION factor. Still to this day. We combined our love with our favorite hockey team Stockton Thunder [Car has the team colors] and our car club., WCKCC [WEST COAST KAPPA CAR CLUB].We've met a lot of nice people through this car. The only way we'd sell the car would be trading it in for a newer model Sky. I have no plans ever to sell for a different kinda car. We've just have had to much fun with this one. ED

[RMFNSKY]

What to Expect from a Base 08

[thejewcanoe]

i love my 08 Redline and have had no problems to date. but can i say just one thing
no matter what you do you WILL get paint chips there is no way around it unless you get a clear bra. i ordered my clear bra and it's currently being shipped and yesterday i found paint chips on the top side of the left rear quarter panel above the gas cap. i'm getting her in the bodyshop already and i have only had the car since april it's not a car you can drive everyday and expect it not to get hurt.

[Howard Golding]

Dear jewcanoe, I too have a Sky redline 08 in black. Some car. A mini corvette and even sharper. Any chips would drive me crazy. I do not plan to let the car see to much of winter. (Michigan) Where did you order the clear bra from? How much? Will it look good on the car? Could you send me the address and price where you are getting it from. Is it made for the Sky? Do you drive it to shul on shabas?
Howard

[sooner]

Originally Posted by thejewcanoe

i love my 08 Redline and have had no problems to date. but can i say just one thing
no matter what you do you WILL get paint chips there is no way around it unless you get a clear bra. i ordered my clear bra and it's currently being shipped and yesterday i found paint chips on the top side of the left rear quarter panel above the gas cap. i'm getting her in the bodyshop already and i have only had the car since april it's not a car you can drive everyday and expect it not to get hurt.

I've seen the same paint chipping issue discussed in the Solstice forum. What's the best clear bra product to use? Any idea how much it would be to install? I'm not even going to try to do something like that. I am goingto buyig in the next two days and will have drive it over I-80 in the SF Bay area. Now way to keep from chipping on that stretch.

I have noticed a LOT of comments related to poor alignment of the top. Is that still a big issue? Is there a technique for putting it up or stowing it away that can reduce the problem? Just wondering.

They just sold the Sky with leather I was going to get. They have one with cloth interior. Has anyone had good or bad experience with the cloth in terms of its wear? It seems to be a pretty good quality fabric. Kinda wanted one with leather but the herd is thiniing quickly with this promotion and I can't afford a Redline so...

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by sooner

I've seen the same paint chipping issue discussed in the Solstice forum. What's the best clear bra product to use? I bought 3M product Any idea how much it would be to install? The material to cover 1/3 of the hood, mirrors, front bumper and all 3 lights cost me installed $700 if I recall correctly.I'm not even going to try to do something like that. I am going to buying in the next two days and will have drive it over I-80 in the SF Bay area. Now way to keep from chipping on that stretch.

I have noticed a LOT of comments related to poor alignment of the top. Is that still a big issue? Is there a technique for putting it up or stowing it away that can reduce the problem? Just wondering.

They just sold the Sky with leather I was going to get. They have one with cloth interior. Has anyone had good or bad experience with the cloth in terms of its wear? It seems to be a pretty good quality fabric. Kinda wanted one with leather but the herd is thinning quickly with this promotion and I can't afford a Red line so...

Different people (installers) charge different prices, shop around. I asked my dealers body shop who referred me to a person who referred me to a professional installer of the 3M product. My only regret is that I did not do the rear rocker panel, (thats the area in front of the rear wheels. That area on my sky is pitted pretty good, unfortunately.. Here is 3M site info on the products. For the Consumer... We also have a supporting vendor here that sells their version which people have reported is high quality stuff also, kappa sphere see the last 5 pictures toward the bottom here, eeer ship the very last one, donno if they have the pieces for the mirrors.. Accessories

PS: Yea many people are taking advantage of the creative financing, appears to be working, the 08's are moving off the lots for sure. Finally, originally we wanted the fabric seat, but when our oppurtunity for our Sky developed, we inherited an order with leather, so we took it. However, those with fabric have reported they are very good also. BUT I would say, over 90% are leather seats...

[thejewcanoe]

this is where i have ordered mine from.... Accessories
i haven't received it in the mail yet so i can't comment on how good the material is (but something is better than nothing) and it is clear so you can still see your paint....

but i also noticed on the saturn website the dealerships now offer stone impingment for just the sides of the car to prevent paint chips not dings. Saturn | 2008 SKY Convertible - Sports Car Accessories | Luxury
it's on the bottom of the accessory list and is only $90 i may have it installed when i send it into the body shop because the dealer shipped my car to me with a ding in rear quarter panel that is popping outward and tried to blame me for it..... after I told them i was going to call corporate about the issue they agreed to finally cover it under warranty and fix it.


i have leather in my redline of course and the only thing i wish is that the leather was perforated to allow it to breathe during top back adventures. here in tennessee the summer heat is at 95% humidity so i reserve top back ventures to the evening hours. maybe GM could design the seat with a fan in it like they are in the Cadillac's and upcoming Chevrolet Traverse.

i only have one paint chip on my quarter panel and............ MidniteBlues i am having the same regrets, i should have put it on the car soon after i got it home off the lot.

[sooner]

Originally Posted by thejewcanoe

this is where i have ordered mine from.... Accessories
i haven't received it in the mail yet so i can't comment on how good the material is (but something is better than nothing) and it is clear so you can still see your paint....

but i also noticed on the saturn website the dealerships now offer stone impingment for just the sides of the car to prevent paint chips not dings. Saturn | 2008 SKY Convertible - Sports Car Accessories | Luxury
it's on the bottom of the accessory list and is only $90 i may have it installed when i send it into the body shop because the dealer shipped my car to me with a ding in rear quarter panel that is popping outward and tried to blame me for it..... after I told them i was going to call corporate about the issue they agreed to finally cover it under warranty and fix it.


i have leather in my redline of course and the only thing i wish is that the leather was perforated to allow it to breathe during top back adventures. here in tennessee the summer heat is at 95% humidity so i reserve top back ventures to the evening hours. maybe GM could design the seat with a fan in it like they are in the Cadillac's and upcoming Chevrolet Traverse.

i only have one paint chip on my quarter panel and............ MidniteBlues i am having the same regrets, i should have put it on the car soon after i got it home off the lot.

Do the splash guards/mud flaps help on the chips?

[SkyBaby]

As with any car.. new or not , there will be issues.... When there are major issues.. or what is perceived as major, of course the owner is upset... myself included....but , This is the most awesome car and I dont want to be without one!!! SkyBaby

[08BlueSky]

Originally Posted by sooner

Do the splash guards/mud flaps help on the chips?

My wife refers to them as "Dust Guards" for we've yet to test them in the rain Surely one of these days we'll know

[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[thejewcanoe]

my buddy got some mudflaps for his redline installed the day he bought his.
they seem to have worked a little bit, but only just moving the stone hit area back a few inches. these mudflaps still look great on the car i will be purchasing a set next time i go in.
they will atleast keep what little mud i do hit down. and they are tiny as compared to tire tread perhaps this is why it doesn't stop all the rocks from coming up