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Comments
Protege is the most fun small car.
The Corolla could use about 20 more hp though.
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Corolla engine is definitely the weak point. The Ecotec is a better engine. It will be the strong point of the ION.
cmon kids, it'll be fun...
Lets get back to the ION. I have seen zero info on the car lately.
Noticed today Saturn is number one in satisfaction again. Pretty impressive.
Also, I'm curious as to why everyone is bashing the 1.8L in the Corolla..with 130 hp (and lower curb weight) it matches well with the 130 hp Proteges, Foci, and standard engine class topping 140hp Elantras, etc. Motor Trend even got a CE 5sp model to sixty in 7.9 seconds... whats the big deal? The Ecotec may have a bit more power, but by design, that engine is heavier, and doesnt achieve the mileage that the Corolla does. (At least not in Alero/L-series form.. surely, the ION, beign lighter, may fare better)
~alpha
1.8 in Corolla is ok, but I find it a little noisy and with an automatic it seemed a little gutless. That said, mileage is good. Not bashing it at all, just saying I prefer engines like V-tec and Ecotec.
alpha01:: I think the 1.8L in the Toyota Corolla is a little buzzy also. It's a good engine though. We test drove a Matrix and I remember my wife commenting on it.
~alpha
The more I see the ION on the net, and after having seen it at NYIAS, I really am interested to drive it.
The W body is the GP/Intrique/Impala/Regal.
Almost every maker uses Alpha codes for their cars, just that people use GM's codes since they are used in different brands.
Saturn should play up the Satisfaction scores in their ads.
Saturn should play the customer service angle up big time with all new lineup this fall. I really hope the ION is well made also as quality is key also.
~alpha
Noticed some good deals on the s-series in the paper but they just aren't very spacious inside and the L series are a bit big for what we need.
I am eager to see road tests and drving impressions of the Ion and to see if it will sell.
I think the center pod will be quite functional and it looks good.
I don't even mind the steering wheel.
The coupe looks great, except I don't care for that colour blue.
I give Saturn at least a B+ on this one, before driving the car.
IMHO. ... Greg ('94 Blue/Green Sedan with all the trimmings except sun roof and leather, both of which I don't like)
that image of the Ion is just......not nice.
I really want Ion to sell well but I am so disappointed in the styling and interior it makes me want to cry.
Maybe I will need to grab a kleenex from the kleenex box in the center of the Ion steering wheel...........
LOL!
Oh well, typical GM half-@$$ing it again.
Saw a 9995 Saturn L....good buy I guess, except still shy on HP. Gotta be a small person too to drive one of those.
Lets hope the Ion interior is larger and taller, much like the Focus.
I guess it doesn't matter what I think if these cars sell. I just don't understand with all the talented designers available how they come up with this stuff.
The L is not the only 'new front and rear clips' offender.
Go check pics out of the 2003 Cadaver and Sunfire. YIKES!
As far as design gaffes, I can relate this to you. I am an architect (well need to finish exams first) but I can tell you first hand that design is one part of the equation. You can have all the talent design wise....but the process of design and manufacture is another. You need to have project managers and business managers all buy into the design and protect it all the way from concept through to the finish. Our American business way of life with executives and other decision makers over time strip the content and beauty of the design out of the car. Decisions occur along the way that sucks all the life out of a car design. This is because designers are never given the authority to parent their designs from start to finish. They never get 'final say'. Why do you think Lutz was brought in to GM? To help parent the designs through the process from start to finish!
The engineers can take credit too for wanting to make the car less of a challenge to execute; they may compromise looks in return for easier to engineer and other reasons. Then there are the bean counters and also managers rushing the process and things get sacrificed there. Can't underestimate the effect many pointy haired bosses have on turning a beautiful concept into useless drivel.
I think this is why the US will never have the best cars anymore. Our business culture is set up to rever everything but design. Its always about something else like money or placating union workers, or making it dumbed down to build. In the US, its never ultimately about design. There's so many agendas that get placed in there otherwise.
The final thing is the true belief by typical auto executives that they just sell what's good enough. No American car company has ever set out (at least in the last 20 years) to make the best all out no excuses car in any category of the market. Or the best designs because they truly feel they are above competition and whatever they puke out will be 'good enough'. If it isn't, then people are just 'too picky'.
The 50th anniversary Vette is nice, but so is an M3 or Z8.
Never would I plunk down 45k on a Cadillac.
Give up attitude? No its a REALITY attitude. Go wave the flag all you want. American cars are good overall but why can't people admit the best in class sedans and coupes in virtually all are from 'import nameplates'.
I guess it don't matter anymore. All car companies are global anyways. Flag waving is pointless these days in the auto industry, unless you are way deep into nostalgia.
http://www.boston.com/cars/automobilia/
Back to Saturn. We have any better pictures of the Ion out there yet?
http://www.urbanracer.com/features/nyias02_2_article.html
I can't believe the G35 is your dream car. You like that and think the ION is strange? What a joke.