2009 Saturn Sky

Started in the 1980s as “a new kind of car company,” General Motors’ Saturn division took a fresh approach to manufacturing and selling automobiles. Initially, the brand launched with “no haggle” dealership pricing and a small lineup of vehicles distinguished by dent-resistant plastic door panels. Over time, the cars and SUVs became more conventional, sharing parts and basic designs with other GM models. The last Saturn vehicles, the Aura sedan and Astra hatchback, were based on designs from the European brand Opel, which was then a part of GM. Ultimately, Saturn was shuttered during GM’s bankruptcy in 2010, along with Hummer, Pontiac, and Saab. Saturn vehicles still on the road today are over a decade old and lag behind other used options when it comes to safety and convenience features.

Saturn's more deluxe version of the Pontiac Solstice roadster shares that car's standard 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine, which sounded and felt harsh. However, Saturn's Red Line version, with a turbocharged, 260-hp four-cylinder, transforms the car, making it much quicker and more fun to drive. The Sky handles fairly well, is easy to control, and has a tolerable ride. Rushed into production, the passenger compartment has unimpressive fit and finish, and cabin storage is pretty much limited to what you have in your pockets. The trunk is tiny and folding the soft top is a multistep process that requires getting out of the car. The Sun set on the Sky in 2009.