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Drivinisfun: 0% for 60 months is available on All GM products, not only the ION. The Delta platform is a US design. It is not used by any GM Europe cars. There was talk of using it with the new Astra, but that was squelched in favor of the less expensive platform developed for the new Fiat Stilo.
If you have any understanding of human nature you should be able to understand why people are upset with you. Like was said earlier, it would be like me going into the Mini forum out of the blue and telling you the Mini is ugly, unreliable and crap.
You opinion on the ION's looks has a ZERO correlation to anything.
My problem is not with the inner guts, is with the candy wrapper and unfortunately this is what most people see and get exposed to when shopping for a new car.
You seem to be all of a sudden very silent about it.
LOL.
www.dateline.msnbc.com
LOL
Now, lets talk about why the poor mini was excluded from the top ten at car an driver...oh wait, I don't care why it was excluded.
Car & Driver? I have yet to see any Saturn product ever been mentioned in that list.
Also show me where does in the IIHS.ORG website states about the Frame damage at 5MPH? No, news clips don't count.
Pretty weak comebacks I might add.
As far as the come backs go, maybe, just maybe my comments as to the MINI's exclusion from the top 10 (right fully so) touched a nerve..
But, if I bought a fad car, it may bother me as well.
Hit a nerve?
The MINI exhibits a level of engineering, handling dynamics, quality, looks, cool factor, innovation, performance and resale value that none Saturn or GM product can ever dream of matching.
When was the last time complete strangers gave you the thumbs up when driving a Saturn? When was the last time people approached you to ask you about your "Cool" Saturn?
Enthusiast Magazine opinions are just like you say, opinions. You take them for what they are worth. Real world data proves otherwise.
Oh and the MINI has captured every top spot in the SCCA Solo I and Solo II (H-Class) autocrossing race classifications.
No Saturns to be seen there either (Not surprising).
Bye, bye amigo, its been a real pleasure debating with you.
Enjoy your spacey looking Saturns....
As far as your opinions go, they will be placed in the appropriate spot, but I cannot say where for it will go against edmunds.com member guidelines.
Yes you all know I hate the Ion dash so I won't rant off more about it here.
Someone mentioned something about a candy wrapper above. Yeah, the wrapper's not pretty.....so even if the car is good it will most likely not sell as well as it could have if it was a decent design. And C/D don't seem to like it....I haven't driven it but am terribly appalled by the design I don't think I will bother.
My summation is that its a huge wasted opportunity for Saturn, regardless if the car is any good or not, cause the design and interior are so stinking bizarre no one would drive one without checking in with the head alien's approval first.
reg : I totally agree on the Scion thing. Vehicles look like crap. Disagree with you on the ION, but that's old news.
drivinisfun : What is the point of you being here? If you hate the car so much go do something else. You and regfootball should start an I hate IONs forum.
The S series was designed back in the late 80's. Back then the S series was one of the safest small cars made. In fact in some ways it still is. The S series was the first compact to earn dual 5 star safety ratings for frontal impact. This happened in 1999.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/Cars/749.html
The L series is based on the Opel Vectra platform stretched to suit American taste. This platform was designed in the early 90s. Before the offset crash test was an important test.
If you look at actual data from real world collsions you will find that the S series and the L series outperform every vehicle in their pricerange for injury, collision and theft claims.
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ictl/ictl_4dr.htm
This is why Saturns cost less to insure than other similar vehicles. In expensive states like California this can add up to big savings.
I haven't see it yet, but apparently the upcoming consumer reports issue makes the VUE one of their top picks for safety. They look at all crash tests results and then factor in their own emergency handling tests.
This isn't a Mini Cooper forum, but allow me to digress. The Mini is a niche vehicle. Very nice handling from what I read. Not something that most people are going to want to buy. Not now, not ever. As for coolness factor it will be much like a Miata. Hot now, and maybe for another six months. After that its back to niche status. This means resale value will not be stellar. Just like nearly every other vehicle made, even the Mini will depreciate. Finally, no doubt you're aware of why the Mini Cooper only recieved 4 stars while the 80's designed Saturn S series got more. If you are please enlighten us.
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ictl/ictl_4dr.htm
Thats at only 35 MPH.
Next time you are going to come in here just remember. The Saturn white knight will be here defending truth
On the ION 1 ONLY you can get 1.9% for 72 months.
This does not mean the ION is a flop. This means that GM is on a mission to gain marketshare. Specifically they are trying to gain this at the expense of Ford who is hurting somewhat right now.
With how cheap money is right now it cost GM comparably very little to offer 0% APR.
Its far to early to know if the ION is going to be a sales winner. I do know that thus far it has been selling very well and the public at large has no idea it even exists. The ads will start on the 9th.
The people I have sold them to have reported to me that they have received many inquiries and compliments.
We had one on display at the local mall and reception by the populance was extremely positive on the looks and pricing.
As for myself, I have an L200 with tint and aftermarket wheels and have recieved quite a few unsolicated compliments by strangers on its looks.
Of course looks are totally subjective so if someone doesn't like it thats no skin off my back. I can't stand the looks of the new Accord. Thats why they call it taste I suppose.
The center dash is different but wouldn't deter me from buying one.
My complaint is that of the size of the steering wheel - too small. I would guess though that most of the intended buyers will not mind. However, with the performance version of the coupe I would hope that Saturn will use a different steering wheel. I could be wrong but it seems to me that the intended buyer (tuner crowd) will want a more substantial wheel to grab.
I think the rear quarter panels on the sedan with the lack of a window look out of place. The ION 3's cloth seats are just as bad. It wouldn't keep me from getting a ION anyway. As I am looking more at the coupe. I actually like the steering wheel. My knees where always right up to the steering wheel in our S sereis cars and my cavalier now. I hope they keep the small steering wheel.
I would also like rear disc brakes.
As for the L-series, your excuse is poor to say the least. Saturn modified the platform for L-series duty. There is no reason they could not have designed it to be safer in the offset impact as well, especially considering the car was introduced in 1999, well after the test had started.
Hmm...who's providing safety facts and fiction now?
Seriously though, when someone makes false statements and uses logic that doesn't add up, you have to expect them to be corrected, whether that person owns the car or not. Just like how you needed to be corrected trying to make the Mini sound like an unsafe car due to a 5 mph impact, when it in fact did better than any Saturn product in the offset-impact. Can't people in this forum just be a man about things and admit they were wrong or does everyone have to pout and claim we are all Saturn haters? I don't hate Saturn. I just can't stand it when certain people try to influence others with their untrue facts about cars. So keep it to facts, and you won't have to corrected.
Nuff said
Although my facts were wrong in the case of proclaiming the S series the first the rest of my post still stands unchallenged.
You're going to have to do better than that...
Looks and no interest.
Click the photo links near the bottom for the interior shots.
0% doesn't cost manufacturers much when the prime lending rate is only 2-3%. Gets people in the door now and when the economy gets better and the war is done with, you will see incentives come off slowly.
Center IPs will become more common as manufacturers are trying to win over younger buyers who look for something different or cool. My brother-in-law's girl friend is 19 and she thinks center IPs are "neat". May not appeal to everyone, personally I don't mind them.
BTW.. your center IP horse has been dead for months now.
I have never known anyone in the places I have worked that has had their monitor off to the left or right.
My business is cad and graphics heavy.....I'd think if offsetting the screen was a better way I'd had seen it SOMEWHERE before. My 21" trinitron is right smack dab in front of me.
Do the video game buffs offset their TV's to the left or right?
Do they make laptops so the screen is off to the left or right? Is the swingarm on an Imac on ceter with the screen or off to one side?
We've been all over the map here lately and some of us are having difficulty remembering the civility and respect requirements in the Town Hall.
Calm down and stick to the subject. It's really kind of silly to be at each other's throats simply because we have different views of this vehicle and the world in general.
What a boring world it would be if we all held the same opinions about everything, yes?
Thanks for your cooperation.
I stopped by the local Saturn dealer to have some brake work done and wanted to check out the new ION. I was EXTREMELY skeptical about the styling, fit and finish, and especially the center-mounted instrument cluster. Wow, was I ever wrong. The ION is a very nice car. The styling is much better in person and darker colors don't show some of the odd cut lines. The inside was also very impressive. I might be going out on a limb here, but the center mounted instruments are possibly better. They're so natural to glance at and nothing ever obstructs the view (i. e. arms or steering wheel spokes while turning). The overall look of the interior is very stylish and quite futuristic, a welcome change to the dark, dated look of the outgoing S-series. The look of the steering wheel will take some getting used to (the feel is perfect though) and the 4-spoke wheels would not be my first choice. However, for all you skeptics out there (I was one of you), you must go to the dealer yourself! You'll be impressed.
Off-topic messages have now and will continue to be removed.
As far as the Ion bodystyle--my opinion is that it is pretty cool--I guess it is because it is so different. But everyone is going to love or hate something about every vehicle on the road. It is inevitable. So far we have gotten a really good response on the ION's at our retail facility. I agree that there are many people who don't like the looks, but amazingly enough, I have yet to meet one of those people.
I have had my ION3 for 2 months and I haven't had one complaint. The steering wheel is much better to handle because it makes it easier to turn without your knees bumping the bottom of it. the dash is easy to see--almost more natural to look at rather than constantly glancing down through the steering wheel around my wrist to see how fast I am going. The ION even handles great in the snow--which we have had a ton of here in the past week. I am not sure what the crash ratings were on the ION--has anyone seen or heard?
I know the small car market is VERY competitive and everyone aside from Toyota and Honda seems to have 0% on the small cars now, though even Toyota has 0.9% on Echo.
BTW, MINI has been awarded "North American Car of the Year" in Detroit this morning.
Where are the award winning Saturns.
Bye.
Paid normal Saturn no haggle price of $16120 incl destination, ABS, and convenience package.
We were going to put down about $6000, but decided on only $1000 since we got 0.00% financing for 60 months.
We will pick up our car on Thursday. Can't wait!
Just to let everyone know, the ION has been named the sponsor of the Survivor 6 series. It will be featured in the last two episodes of the show. They are offering a special DVD if you visit your local retail facility that includes profiles of contestants, interviews, footage, and a 60 second version of the ION "childhood" spot. It will also take you to the Survivor 6 website where you can register to win a new Saturn ION. Saturn will also be sponsoring the Survivor online fantasy game. Th DVD's have not been released yet, but I will be sure to let you know when they do.
Dindak--they have started advertising the ION. I have seen commecials and also billboards on highways. They started them before the 0% took effect.
Imaddikt :: Didn't really look at the Ion 3, they didn't even have one on the lot. We really wanted to stay in the under $16000 range and this model priced out right around our budget max with the ABS so we bought.
If all goes well, we will pick it up tomorrow. I'll have to get a digital camera and post pictures some day.