If you want the biggest bang for the buck in our showroom right now, it’s this 2009 Saturn Sky Redline roadster. Its spec sheet reads like a sports car that should cost three times as much, it offers bulletproof reliability that can be serviced at any GM dealer, it gets great fuel economy, and it’s incredibly user-friendly. The styling looks like a 7/8-scale Corvette and the size is just right for slicing through traffic or through a parking lot. If you want one car that does everything well, all at a price that’s shockingly affordable, you’d be making a mistake to dismiss this nasty black roadster.

The creases and angles on the Sky make it arguably more attractive than the softer-looking but mechanically identical Pontiac Solstice, and in black this is one mean-looking little car. The Redline edition added a more aggressive front fascia with larger air inlets to feed the standard turbo’s intercooler, so it’s plenty mean. Composite bodywork will never rust or dent, and the fit and finish of these cars was among the best of all GM products, on par with the Corvette. With just over 14,000 original miles, this one is obviously in first-rate condition and has never seen anything more villainous than a spring shower, although we doubt if Mother Nature ever actually got it wet. It’s like new inside and out. The black paint has a fantastic finish and there are almost no signs of use even in the usual high-wear areas like the chin and behind the tires on the rockers. It has been carefully maintained by a lifelong car enthusiast and only used on sunny days. If you are looking for one of these, this is the one to own.

The black and red interior was optional and it includes special SKY Redline embroidery on the seat backs. The Redline was the turbocharged variant, but it included so much more including those beautiful two-tone bucket seats. You get a fully set of bright analog gauges that light up when you hit the ignition and the secondary controls are big and easy to read—no fussy touch-screens or menus here. The stubby chrome shifter manages a slick-shifting 5-speed manual gearbox that’s a joy to row through the gears and the aluminum pedals look racy. Everything was standard in the Redline, including ice cold A/C, power windows and locks with keyless entry, cruise control, and a potent AM/FM/CD stereo system that sounds great. Check out the contrasting red stitching on the shifter boot and the trick cup holder that pops out of the side of the center console. There’s plenty of room for two, and even if you’re a taller guy, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to get comfortable inside. Admittedly, there’s not a lot of trunk space, particularly with the top down, but it’s easy to access through the rearward-tilting deck lid. The black canvas convertible top stows easily in a matter of seconds, leaving you with a smooth, sleek profile that fits the car perfectly. Can you tell we love this little car?

The big upgrade for the Redline was under the hood, where the standard 2.4 liter inline-4 is replaced by a burly direct-injected 2.0 liter turbocharged DOHC unit making 260 horsepower and a very impressive 260 pounds of torque. There was a time not too long ago when those were Corvette numbers. It rips off five second 0-60 and low 13-second quarter-mile times, too. The Sky is legit. The last 10 or so years have also proven that these cars are bulletproof reliable and the same powerplant is still being used in other GM products so service is easy even though Saturn is no more. Tilt the clamshell hood forward and you can see a lot of plumbing and a clean-looking engine cover to clean things up a bit, and everything remains 100% OEM so it’s daily-driver reliable. You can see just how clean things are and how well-maintained it is just by looking at the fittings and big aluminum pipe feeding the intercooler—it’s all like new! It sounds a little coarse when it’s cold, but that’s kind of the nature of a turbocharged 4-cylinder and at full bore, it sounds fantastic exhaling through a surprisingly throaty exhaust.

The 5-speed manual offers slick shifts and a tall overdrive gear for easy cruising and 3.73 gears out back ensure that it gets on the boost quickly. There’s also a limited slip inside and three different modes to the stability control system, so you can really have some fun with it. The suspension is independent all around and the Redline gets upgraded sway bars, a lower ride height, firmer springs, and upgraded shocks, so it feels more buttoned-down than a standard Sky. Of course, it’s all in virtually new condition and as you can see from the undercarriage photos, this car has never been used in inclement weather, not even once. Big disc brakes are reassuring and the stainless exhaust system exits in a neat triangular outlet in the rear bumper. Polished 18-inch alloy wheels were optional and carry 245/45/18 Goodyears which have plenty of life left in them.

What else can we say beyond this is an incredibly clean, well-maintained nearly new car. It’s fast, it’s comfortable, and it’s bargain-priced for the performance it offers. It comes with a clear CarFax report showing no accidents or other mishaps in its past. If you like the look of this Saturn, you’re going to love the way it drives. Call today!