04-30-2013, 12:54 AM
After accepting a job in Roanoke, my wife and I will be moving back to our hometown in June. :thumbup: That said, after 7 long, arduous years pursuing my undergrad degree, I'll finally be getting it - so I decided to treat myself. (We also needed a second car since I'll be in Roanoke for a few weeks while she finishes teaching her 3rd graders.) I had considered a 2000-2004 Corvette, but came to the conclusion that wasn't the right choice as my first RWD vehicle. Tires and gas would be super expensive and I was afraid it would be too much power to have as a DD (and my first RWD). So, I settled on GM's now-extinct Kappa platform.
The Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, and Opel GT were built on the platform in Wilmington, DE until 2009 when GM pulled the plug. I wanted a Solstice Coupe, but with only 1266 produced (just under 300 being the GXP trim with a manual), the prices are outrageous. Black on black with 41k miles in Michigan for $25k? Nope. The more I read and the more I searched, the more I liked the Sky. I finally found one in the color scheme I wanted: Forest Green with a tan top. I'm sure it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I like that it is unique without attracting as much attention as, say, the bright yellow or red. Two tone interior matches the top and it is near-perfect condition. Car spent its whole life in Maryland averaging 9500 miles a year. There is a little rust from ocean salt, but it's in good condition for a 2008 IMO. The biggest disappointment was a hole my wife found in the passenger-side fiberglass fender where someone decided they could use a four-post lift however they wanted.
Panel is busted clean through, but it's on the underside and is simply cosmetic. I'm planning to get around to it this summer - either a replacement or a patch, depending on the cost.
It is the Redline trim level, so performance wise I'm really happy - same 2.0 LNF that's in the HHR SS - the same engine I worked on during my stint in Powertrain with GM in Pontiac, MI as an engineer in the dynamometer and teardown labs. In addition, it has factory Bilstein's on all four corners, an LSD, and (of course) a 5 speed. Nice to finally have a proper suspension setup. Right now the only issue I'm having is the DI system ticking under throttle. I checked the plugs and they look good for their age, so I seafoamed the IM - it helped with a less frequent ticking at idle, but under throttle the injectors click like mad. :x Need to read into the issue a little more. Most likely, the previous owner babied the engine and/or didn't use premium gas, and carbon has coated the valves/injectors. :dunno:
A couple pics (need to whip out the DSLR after exams):
![[Image: IMG_20130426_191819.jpg]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tjZfPgSj4sI/UX9MpEjgKPI/AAAAAAAADvI/Cds4PCDXGEk/w863-h647/IMG_20130426_191819.jpg)
![[Image: IMG_20130427_134702.jpg]](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SkGMtc8FDJ4/UX9MpPNFWkI/AAAAAAAADvM/D90FKvsssKM/w863-h647/IMG_20130427_134702.jpg)
![[Image: IMG_20130427_134656.jpg]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--mMyaL_Rkns/UX9MpLGw5SI/AAAAAAAADvI/6L5-yU0Votc/w863-h647/IMG_20130427_134656.jpg)
The Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, and Opel GT were built on the platform in Wilmington, DE until 2009 when GM pulled the plug. I wanted a Solstice Coupe, but with only 1266 produced (just under 300 being the GXP trim with a manual), the prices are outrageous. Black on black with 41k miles in Michigan for $25k? Nope. The more I read and the more I searched, the more I liked the Sky. I finally found one in the color scheme I wanted: Forest Green with a tan top. I'm sure it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I like that it is unique without attracting as much attention as, say, the bright yellow or red. Two tone interior matches the top and it is near-perfect condition. Car spent its whole life in Maryland averaging 9500 miles a year. There is a little rust from ocean salt, but it's in good condition for a 2008 IMO. The biggest disappointment was a hole my wife found in the passenger-side fiberglass fender where someone decided they could use a four-post lift however they wanted.
Panel is busted clean through, but it's on the underside and is simply cosmetic. I'm planning to get around to it this summer - either a replacement or a patch, depending on the cost. It is the Redline trim level, so performance wise I'm really happy - same 2.0 LNF that's in the HHR SS - the same engine I worked on during my stint in Powertrain with GM in Pontiac, MI as an engineer in the dynamometer and teardown labs. In addition, it has factory Bilstein's on all four corners, an LSD, and (of course) a 5 speed. Nice to finally have a proper suspension setup. Right now the only issue I'm having is the DI system ticking under throttle. I checked the plugs and they look good for their age, so I seafoamed the IM - it helped with a less frequent ticking at idle, but under throttle the injectors click like mad. :x Need to read into the issue a little more. Most likely, the previous owner babied the engine and/or didn't use premium gas, and carbon has coated the valves/injectors. :dunno:
A couple pics (need to whip out the DSLR after exams):
2008 Chevy HHR SS
LNF - 2.0L turbo | LSD | 5-speed manual
GMPP Turbo Upgrade Kit (290 HP / 315 TQ) | ZZP 1.25" rear sway bar | Front Brembos (12.4")
2008 Saturn Sky Red Line
LNF - 2.0L turbo | LSD | 5-speed manual
Z0K Rear Sway Bar | Trifecta Tune (315 HP / 330 TQ) | Front Chassis, Backbone, & ProBeam Braces | T-bolt Hose Clamps
LNF - 2.0L turbo | LSD | 5-speed manual
GMPP Turbo Upgrade Kit (290 HP / 315 TQ) | ZZP 1.25" rear sway bar | Front Brembos (12.4")
2008 Saturn Sky Red Line
LNF - 2.0L turbo | LSD | 5-speed manual
Z0K Rear Sway Bar | Trifecta Tune (315 HP / 330 TQ) | Front Chassis, Backbone, & ProBeam Braces | T-bolt Hose Clamps
