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I wonder if there is just ION 1/2/3 or if you can add individual options to each as you wish.
ION 2 with an auto transmission and air sounds perfect for the small commuter car we want.
Really looking forward to testing one.
As we are in no rush, I will wait to test an Ion when they show up at the dealers in October/November.
thanks
Perhaps I will give the local Saturn store a call next week. Not a big rush, I'm not in the market, just interested if GM can make a good compact sedan.
I had the opportunity today to test drive an Ion while at a session to discuss my VUE. Very nice car!
It was a very comfortable small car. I'm 6' 4" and 250 lbs., so small cars are usually not very friendly for me. But the Ion was a pretty good fit. The steering wheel was small since it did not need to allow for the gauge cluster to be seen through it, so I could position it for comfort. The gauge cluster being center mounted and tilted towards the driver worked pretty well too. didn't take long to get used to it all.
The Ecotec moved the Ion nicely, and it was quiet inside. I found myself going 50 in a 35 without realzing it 'cause I didn't notice any nose.
It was about a 10 minute drive, and it was cool to get the opportunity to drive it. Plus, they spent a couple of hours with me and my VUE going over some stuff, so it was a great day.
I only wonder why the ION version is rated at 137HP while the Alero/GA version is rated at 140?
Pricing looks very attractive. An Ion2 with air and auto for under $15,000. Not bad..
ION looks good on paper and in the previews I've read. Hopefully they can deliver it sans the 200 recalls that have plagued Focus.
-Thanks
I personally like the sedan so if what he said is true, the Ion should be a decent car.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/testdrives/03ion.htm
Read the review posted above. I wonder why canadian Ion's get a better warranty? Car sounds very promising.
check it out..
http://www.saturncanada.com
They provided 3 IONs. All cars had automatic transmission as well. There was an ION-1, and two ION-3s. The 3s were very nice inside, with leather seats and everything. But even the base models were nice. They said the cars were hand-built prototypes and would be destroyed or used as cut-away display cars when they were through, sometime in December.
The cars included (all 2002 models): A Honda Civic LX sedan, a Toyota Corolla LE sedan, a Ford Focus SE (110hp) sedan, and a VW Jetta 2.0 GLS sedan.
People were eager to drive all the cars. They started the test run with everyone driving an ION with an "instructor", to let you get a feel of the course. (There were "speed limits" set up to test the cars' abilities and keep the drivers and onlookers safe.) There was the "floor-it" acceleration test (as fast as you could get up to), to a set of flags where you test the brakes. Then a good, sharp turn (15mph). Next came a makeshift slalom course, larger more sweeping turns (17mph), then this series of fake speed bumps, offset, to check chassis flex (6mph). Finally, another sweeping turn to check for maneuverability, then you came back and let someone else drive.
Overhearing people talk, they liked the ION. They preferred it or the Jetta most out of all the cars. Cracks like "Found on Road Dead" (for the Ford) were heard, and cracks on the low-power, cramped Civic. The Corolla was a nice third place, the Focus out of the running pretty much because of its repair history.
People seemed to have a good time though, and there were alot of Saturn owners there, looking to upgrade from their S Series cars. And even a couple of 2-Saturn households.
* In the Civic, I hated the interior. Totally cramped and uncomfortable to me (I am 6'3, 270lbs.). The power sucked, the handling felt kinda wobbly. I don't know why people love these cars so much.
* The Corolla was a nice ride, but also a little cramped. The power window/lock controls were an uncomfortable reach for me, and not lit at night. The console also intruded on right leg room for me too.
* The Focus was a nice ride, and I would have probably considered one in a second before I purchased my car, but their recall record scared me off. This was the most comfortable car for me though, next to the Jetta (which I own).
* The Jetta was nice all around, but the suspension allowed way too much body lean (no sport suspension, like mine has), and the engine was a little noisy. The engine did provide a sweet sounding note though. Back seat room sucked, of course. But little things like a center sunvisor, big radio display, lit power controls, a meaty steering wheel, and a solid, heavy feel made me and alot of others like the car.
Next, the ION... (continue to next post)
So I hit the gas from a stop, and it takes right off. This one felt more powerful for some reason, but they both have the same engine. I couldn't spin the wheels though, even with the traction control off and flooring the pedal with no AC on. I get up to about 40mph until I have to prepare to stop. The brakes are pretty good. I turn the steering wheel, and it's like a feather. VERY light steering. It also surprised me that it took a little extra "part turn" to get through one part of the course where every other car needed just a turn. So I start going through the slalom, great roll control. I hit the bumps, and hear squeaks and rattles from all over. This is a prototype though, so I wasn't really looking for that. I get to the sweeping turns, smooth as butter (but I was only going 15mph). I bring the car back in.
The ION-3: Since I had already been around the course, I hop into a black ION-3 by myself this time. I notice when getting in that the power controls are not light. Major inconvenience to me, especially when I have a car of two screaming kids (my friend's) who want a window down at night. I reach down to move the leather seat, and it's manual and there is no lumbar adjustment. Oh well, still comfortable for me. So, let's get going! I floor it from a standing start, still not able to spin the tires. I get to the stop part, and jam the brakes pretty hard. The car pulls a little bit to the right, but it was ok. I turn the corner quickly, and take out a cone because I forget I have to turn that little extra to make a turn (ugh!). I go through the slalom, pretty quick this time. Body lean becomes more pronounced (not as bad as the Jetta's though), but all is still well. Then the sweepers. The car feels a little unsettled at its limits to me. I go to the "speed bumps" and, of course, rattles galore from this car too. I take the last "sweeper", sure to turn enough to clear everything this time. Heavy understeer, unsettling feeling. It didn't feel this way in the Jetta or Focus, but did in the other cars and this one. I take the car back and get out.
My impressions: As long as build quality is good (which it should be), this is a great car. I hate the instrument lighting (my opinion though), and tall people should be warned about the leg room. The handling at the limit is unsettling to me as well. This is still a pretty nice car though. Saturn did pretty well. And, of course, this car is MILES ahead of the current S Series!
So now you all need to get to testing when the cars hit showrooms in a month or two.
So you think you mite buy one as a second car?
Vuefor2, I think this car would suit your commuting needs pretty well.
Also, there was almost no tourque steer. The IONs I drove had zero pull one way or another under heavy braking, so that most likely was just a characteristic of your particular car.
The frame has a hurst rating of 27, which is extremely high. I don't know exactly what this means but apparently it has to do with the strength of the spaceframe. The higher the number the better.
The front windshield is 13% thicker than the S series which will reduce wind noise quite a bit.
The engine is mounted on the frame via some substantial hydraulic mounts, which will make the car very smooth and less prone to vibration.
Overall I wouldn't call it a homerun but definately a ground rule double. Should be MUCH easier to sell than the S series.
Only the one ION-3 pulled under heavy braking, so it's not a car characteristic.
That's Hertz rating, the stiffness factor of the frame. 27 is very good. The car was solid, just not rattle free. Of course, they were prototypes, so that's expected. Even the Saturn reps said that.
Alot of people there were S Series owners already, and really liked the ION. It will appeal to Saturn enthusiasts. But those who are not seemed to prefer the others more.
What surprised me is how many slams the Civic was getting. Left and right. No power, sloppy handling, smallish interior, cheap materials. I was totally shocked!
Also, as I said before, I tried to be totally subjective, even though I own one of the competitors. The ION is a nice ride, but I just wish the console wasn't in the way of my right leg, and I wish the steering was a little tighter.
To be fair to the ION, you should hammer Honda for leaving the trailing arms off this generation Si.
YEAH THE SI is ugly too but the seats are nice and the dash plastics are a big improvement over the regular civics..........
AT LEAST THE GAUGES ARE IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER
Given the fact that Saturn S series sales have fallen off AND the fact the L-Series has not lived up to expectations, Saturn needed a winner badly.
I am afraid too many people will be turned off by the center mounted gauges. So turned off, they may not be willing to give the car a chance.
Being "different" is one thing... being radically different to the point of wierdness may prove fatal. Saturn needs more than current loyal Saturn owners in order to survive. It needs to attract customers in mass, increase sales volume, and keep doing what it has been to keep its customers loyal & satisfied. It will not be able to do that if their vehicle designs are not more mainstream.
For the record, I am a former Saturn owner-- I had a 92 SC-2 in my college days. It was one of my favorite past cars. I would love to see Saturn succeed, but I think that may prove difficult if they aim too far off center.