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Saturn ION

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What is this discussion about? Saturn ION, Exterior, Sedan

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#3325 of 3384 Re: ION 2 vs ION 3 Handling [alan34] by allfiredup Jan 09, 2006 (8:35 pm)
Replying to: alan34 (Jan 08, 2006 8:42 am) I test drove an ION for comparison sake when I was shopping and the most compelling reason I found for choosing a 3 over a 2 was the seat fabric. The ION 3 cloth seats look a lot better than on the ION 2. If you're not wanting a "loaded" model with sunroof, spoiler, alloys, etc. the ION 2 is a better value, though.
#3326 of 3384 Re: ION 2 vs ION 3 Handling [alan34] by gmeerschaert Jan 27, 2006 (5:45 am)
Replying to: alan34 (Jan 08, 2006 8:42 am) I have a 2003 Ion 3 sedan. the 16" tires make a great eal of difference in handling and breaking.
#3327 of 3384 Re: I don't know why [uga91] by legalsec Feb 11, 2006 (9:12 pm)
Replying to: uga91 (Sep 28, 2005 6:51 am) Hey,   Long time, no see. I'm sorry to hear that you don't have your 2003 ION anymore. We bought the 1st-year models in the same year.   My 2003 silver ION2 passed the 50K-mile mark a couple hundred miles ago. We're out of warranty, but it hasn't acted up on us yet. Knock on wood. Just regular oil changes and a couple light bulbs. The upholstery could use some shampooing. The front mud guard is half torn off. Normal wear and tear. We still enjoy driving it everywhere because of the coaxial speakers and upgraded radio/CD/cass - we listen to our music loud.   We see more IONs on the road now, but it's taken a really long time. Gone are the days of 0% financing and low, low base prices. I have to laugh when I see Edmunds (high) ratings/reviews for this car in 2006. There was a time when they couldn't say enough bad things about it, but that tune's completely changed. I'm happy to see that actually.   Over and over, the fact is that the ION is no luxury car. It's not Superman. The seats could be better padded. But it is a solid and a good buy for the money. I recently read in Wired that GM's not-so-little dirty secret is they're reverse-engineering the competitors' cars. This assertion keys with the fact that I've been told by others that the ION's trunk battery is a German innovation and its automatic tranny is Japanese.   Cheers and happy 2006!   P.S. We finally donated our 1992 Saturn SL1 sedan to charity with 250K+ miles on it. (I'll try to attach a file image of the odometer here.) We're thinking about buying another ION, but this time it'll be a used one because I happen to appreciate the designers' original design, prefer the golfcart steering wheel and don't want OnStar.   ">http://mysite.verizon.net/hcrussell05 Replies to this message: gmeerschaert (Mar 16, 2006 1:07 am)
#3328 of 3384 2006 better by kurtamaxxxguy Mar 14, 2006 (8:36 am)
Apparently in 2006 quite a bit of the Cobalt technology made it over to the ION, as well as better seats and slightly better interior trim.   The Japanese 5-speed trans was dropped in 2006 as it never worked all that well. 2006 got refined version of 4 speed the Cobalt (and old Caliver) had.   There are lots of IONS where I live.
#3329 of 3384 Re: I don't know why [legalsec] by gmeerschaert Mar 16, 2006 (1:07 am)
Replying to: legalsec (Feb 11, 2006 9:12 pm) All car companies do competitive tear-downs of their competitors cars/trucks. They have for years. It's not a secret, dirty or otherwise. The battery in the trunk is an old idea for weight balance front to rear and space savings. The Germans did not invent the idea. I believe that car racers came up with it in the 50's.
#3330 of 3384 Vs. Honda Civic by mahiri May 15, 2006 (10:17 pm)
Hello, I am debating between buying a Saturn ION for about 10,900 or a 1997-98 used Honda Civic (70,000 miles) for 7,000. I would appreciate any input on which is the better deal.
#3331 of 3384 Ion - 3 Series by cschneider3 Jun 14, 2006 (9:39 am)
My parents are currently in the market for a new vehicle and am inquiring about problems/issues with the Saturn Ion 3 models. We had 2 Saturns both SL2's, one was manual and the other automatic. Both cars have treated us well and barely had any problems and we had over 190,000 miles on them before we traded them in. So my parents trust the cars and know that they will be able to drive them for a while.    Any thoughts, concerns or problems others have encountered would be great!    Thanks in advance! Replies to this message: cdavidhess (Jun 18, 2006 6:11 pm)
#3332 of 3384 Re: Ion - 3 Series [cschneider3] by cdavidhess Jun 18, 2006 (6:11 pm)
Replying to: cschneider3 (Jun 14, 2006 9:39 am) I have owned a 2006 ION 3 with the 2.4L engine and manual transmission for 8 months. I have 10,000 miles on the car. I have not had the slightest problem. I highly recommend the car. It is a real value.
#3333 of 3384 ION I: One Year Update by icedog97 Jul 13, 2006 (11:33 am)
Well, it's actually been a few months more than a year (April) but better late than never.   I leased a 2005 ION I (base) sedan (don't even think they make them anymore, do they?) back in April of last year. Almost 15K miles later I have yet to have a single hiccup with the car (OK...now I am doomed!!!).   It gets great gas mileage (averaging about 28-30 mpg on my daily commute of 80% highway, 20% city), has a nice ride (quieter than I expected for such an inexpensive car) and has decent acceleration for a 4 banger.   With no money down and a $159 a month (with tax) lease payment, I'd have to say, I couldn't be happier with this vehicle so far!
#3334 of 3384 2006 ION 2 by berne1 Aug 18, 2006 (9:43 am)
I got my ION 2 back in April. Bought strictly as a commuter car (and for the payment). I pay $222/mo for 24 month lease with 18K miles/yr. I got the 5-speed because I prefer a stick, plus it added an add'l $250 rebate.   I have been pleasantly surprised with: 1) Engine performance - this car really pulls well in the powerband, especially with the 5-speed, 2) Transmission shift quality is really good, 3) I like the iPod jack, 4) MPG is about 30 in combined driving (75% highway). This car is a lot more fun to drive than I expected, 5) Interior is much quieter than I expected.   Disappointments include: 1) Poor sound quality from the base stereo. There were no ION 2's with the premium sound system within a 500 mile search. 2) Hard plastic dash material, and some rough edges (notably cutouts for turn signal, etc.), 3) Floaty suspension, 4) I can't believe in this day and age that ABS is optional, 5) Styling. Definitely not a fan of the styling, however the price overruled that decision.   Another disappointment (addressed to the dealers)--it seems they all order the same specs on the ION. For the same MSRP I would have gotten the alloy wheels and passed on the head curtain airbags. There was no dealer within a few hundred miles who had one spec'd the way I would have liked.   Overall I am very happy with the car as a daily commuter and would recommend to anybody (with the few minor changes listed above).

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