BEST & WORST stickshift you've ever had to use?

[Rich]

Well, I'd deal with it for the styling.

Whenever I get back to the US I will consider putting my money where my mouth is

[Raza]

I've always liked the looks of the Saturn Sky but if the stuff I'm reading here is accurate then I'm crossing it off my "Might buy someday" list!

Leave it off, unless you like looking like a doofus and not being able to see out of your car 362 days a year, because only 3 days are nice enough to warrant putting the top down and leaving it.  On a day like today, I was able to drive on the highway with the top up, and then drop it at a red light when I got on surface streets.  Not a long light, I didn't have to pull over, I just pressed a button.  And if you have a Miata, it's even faster.   

[sportyaccordy]

Thanks to Bob Putz for thinking he could get GM to build a world class roadster.

They have one, its called Corvette

[Payman]

I've always liked the looks of the Saturn Sky but if the stuff I'm reading here is accurate then I'm crossing it off my "Might buy someday" list!

I truly believe it's one of the best looking cars of the past decade. It also has a good engine, especially the 2.0 turbo. It's all ruined by the truck tranny, the sexy but headache inducing top, and the badly engineered trunk. The Sky even has a nice interior, but the Solstice one sucks.

[MexicoCityM3]

Best: 911 GT3, 1M
Worst: Aunt's 70's vintage GM pickup. Very closely followed by VW "Sedan".

[Madman]

I truly believe it's one of the best looking cars of the past decade. It also has a good engine, especially the 2.0 turbo. It's all ruined by the truck tranny, the sexy but headache inducing top, and the badly engineered trunk. The Sky even has a nice interior, but the Solstice one sucks.

Yeah, by all accounts, the 2.0 Turbo is the engine to go for.  I was turned off by the 1990s Daewoo quality interior of the Solstice, but the Sky looked decent enough.  Too bad about the tractor-like gearbox and the nightmare roof mechanism.  I'd have to actually drive a Sky to be sure, but I think both these faults would be a deal-breaker for me.

I guess I will just have to settle for a Miata when my mid-life crisis finally hits.

[Rupert]

And yet you drive a Catera...

[Madman]

And yet you drive a Catera...

And?.................

The Caterror's interior was pretty decent for it's time and it's smooth-shifting automatic is nothing like the Solstice/Sky's clunky manual.

What's the correlation between the two? 

[2o6]

They both suck.

[Raza]

Nothing wrong with a Miata.  If you can get past the image (just say "fuck 'em" as you enjoy your car) , and the fact that it's the obvious answer (this was the hang-up for me; I'm weird like that), it's as soulful a car as many European cars. 

[CALL_911]

And?.................

The Caterror's interior was pretty decent for it's time and it's smooth-shifting automatic is nothing like the Solstice/Sky's clunky manual.

What's the correlation between the two? 

You bitch incessantly about relatively stupid shit with every car, and then when you vote with your wallet, you choose the epitome of mediocrity.

[Madman]

Nothing wrong with a Miata.  If you can get past the image (just say "fuck 'em" as you enjoy your car) , and the fact that it's the obvious answer (this was the hang-up for me; I'm weird like that), it's as soulful a car as many European cars.  

I'd rock a Miata.  Gotta wait until the kids are gone, however.  Evidently, stuffing them in trunk is considered "abuse" by the state!  

You bitch incessantly about relatively stupid shit with every car, and then when you vote with your wallet, you choose the epitome of mediocrity.

I just don't get all this haterism on the Caterror.  It's rear-drive with good handling, powerful enough, very roomy, a comfy cruiser, loaded with toys and, so far, utterly reliable.  The fact it's a little outside the mainsteam is also a bonus for me.  I'll admit the styling is a little bland but if that's the biggest criticism that can be leveled against it then it must be a pretty good car.  

[AutobahnSHO]

I'd rock a Miata.  Gotta wait until the kids are gone, however.  Evidently, stuffing them in trunk is considered "abuse" by the state! 

Just find a cheap one anyway. My kids love it- they enjoy sitting in the front seat and being next to dad..

We convoyed with MIL to Nashville Saturday. 13yr old didn't want to ride with grandma in the Miata (she also has one back home in NH) so I asked if one of the younger kids wanted to ride in it. Wifey says "that's not safe on the highway".    

MIL comes back with "Oh, so you're ok with Ben or I dying, but not Liam(8) or Amelia(7) ??   I LOL'd.

BTW mine bluebooked at around $2k private, insurance is pretty low. Apparently they don't cause much damage when they hit stuff.
AND I purposefully wanted one because they were designed for two things- Fun, and Reliability.  Mine has 172k miles.

[sportyaccordy]

I'd rock a Miata.  Gotta wait until the kids are gone, however.  Evidently, stuffing them in trunk is considered "abuse" by the state! 



I just don't get all this haterism on the Caterror.  It's rear-drive with good handling, powerful enough, very roomy, a comfy cruiser, loaded with toys and, so far, utterly reliable.  The fact it's a little outside the mainsteam is also a bonus for me.  I'll admit the styling is a little bland but if that's the biggest criticism that can be leveled against it then it must be a pretty good car. 

Youre arguing w/people who voted w/their parents wallets... take that into consideration

[Cookie Monster]

Youre arguing w/people who voted w/their parents wallets... take that into consideration

I don't mind he likes his Caterra, I mind that he bitches about other cars so much.

[CALL_911]

Youre arguing w/people who voted w/their parents wallets... take that into consideration

Point still stands. If I was spending $3k of my parents money, I still wouldn't buy a Catera.

[Colonel Cadillac]

Youre arguing w/people who voted w/their parents wallets... take that into consideration

What is your point? It doesn't make sense in my mind.

[Rupert]

No, really?

[Rupert]

Youre arguing w/people who voted w/their parents wallets... take that into consideration

Hey now.

[Colonel Cadillac]

So Rupert, can you make sense of it?

[hotrodalex]

No, really?

[Habitual Speeder]

Best: Porsche 997 Carrera 4 cabrio

Worst: Saturn Ion

[CALL_911]

No, really?

Oh, you and your anti-rich kid tirade. You'd think a 30 year old would be over the kids who fucked with him in high school.

[Rupert]

Ha!

Struck a nerve again, did I?

[Rupert]

So Rupert, can you make sense of it?

Make sense of what?

[CALL_911]

Ha!

Struck a nerve again, did I?

Oh, you and your anti-rich kid tirade. You'd think a 30 year old would be over the kids who fucked with him in high school.

[Rupert]

Yep, you said that. Good job using the quote button! Twice in one post!

[CALL_911]

Yep, you said that. Good job using the quote button! Twice in one post!

lol, so bitter

[Secret Chimp]

You kids need to stop storing your parents' money directly up your asses, jesus.

[hotrodalex]

You kids need to stop storing your parents' money directly up your asses, jesus.

Yeah that doesn't seem sanitary.