What's the Skinny on the Ion's?

I haven't really heard too much negative about it. I guess if you can get over its horrible looks it would be an ok car......

I'm waiting for the curve to come out myself.......

The Quad Cab isn't too bad, I have noticed that they are usually "dressed up" better on showroom floors than the regular ION. Not good write-ups on the seats or the suspension. (Car&Driver / Compact Sport Car Mag.) The Redline seems to have worked on that, so with some hope, the ION designers will pick up a clue and redesign the ION next generation. I have noticed nicer seats in the QC though.

marx404

Well, the suspension doesn't feel as stiff as it was in the "S" series coupe, the transmission (VTi) drives like a dream (utterly smooth...) - but there have been problems (not me personally), and Saturn extended the warranties on them - the design is (IMHO) less desirable than the "S" series, but the practical functionality is better. (Higher roofline, spacious interior, lots of cargo room.) The speedometer in the center of the dash may take some getting used to for most though. I have read lots of negative press about the seat fabric (eg: "bottom of the barrel" one reviewer called it). I like the battery-in-the-trunk idea (there's a place underhood for jumpstarts). It's much more responsive - as a whole - than my SC2 was. Lots of technology here, but toned down in style. Lacks - to me - the "sporty" feel that my "S" car had. Ha...reminds me that I'm getting older!

Warren

I drive a 2003 Ion Quad Coupe. I love my car. I like the styling of it alot, I also have the body kit on it though. Where I live mine is pretty much one of a kind. We have horrible winters here.. I made it through with the tires just fine. I don't think I am going to drive it next winter, but that is only because it's lower with the body kit.

It doesn't have a locking fuel door, you can probably just buy a locking cap yourself. I also love the gauges in the middle of the dash, took me about

5minutes to get used to. The steering wheel is much smaller, I find it comfortable to drive. So far I haven't had any problems with my car .

Above is a link to my car.

J

Very pretty car, first good looking ION I've ever seen! :).... if you dont mind me asking, is all the work on it cosmetic or did you soup up under the hood as well, and how much extra $$$ did you put into it?

Wurm

Check out Saturnfans.com. They have forums for each vehicle Saturn makes. Very informative and owners will be more that happy to answer any questions. Steve

It's pretty much all cosmetic. I've got a ractive muffler on there.. I'd like to get a cold air intake for it also. There is a turbo I was looking at, but I cannot justify spending that much money on a turbo at this point to void my warranty. I have the car made for the first year of production, I hope nothing goes wrong anyway, but I like having warranty on the car.

Later on I would like to do much more to it, but also, I don't really have any need to sink too much more money in to the car. It's at the point where I like it except for a few more minor cosmetic mods.

I own a 2003 ION3 sedan.

It looks OK from the A pillar back.

I hate the grinning front -- it reminds me of either a cheap SAAB or an old Ford Escort.

I would consider transplanting a QC front onto my car (only consider, mind you!).

Part of the front look problem is the placement of the hood's front-to-back rigidity creases. They form a narrow gulley, which serves to make the car look pinched. If the creases, which are based on the Saturn badge, were moved out to flow back from the iiner edge of the headlamp assembly, that would make the car look wider and look more like some intelligence went into the design.

If there was an after market hood replacement I would consider it.

Chris

reliability

Lots of better choices out there. GM dropped the ball on this bigtime. Goofy styling, bizarro roof rails, strange steering wheel, cheap seats, center-pod instruments - some or all of which are disliked by most potential buyers. Poor sales reflect these missteps. OTOH, poor sales may mean bargain prices. Don't pay sticker if you buy.

-- Greg Beaulieu snipped-for-privacy@chebucto.ns.ca Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada