I have to say it, as odd as it is for me to admit this, but I really do like the Saturn ION.

But, in Red Line Quad Coupe form only.

When I went to Ft. Wayne to the Saturn dealership and gave them my number to contact me for when the Astra arrives, I sat in one.

Know what?

I loved the center mounted gauge cluster and the wonderful Recaro bucket seats up front. The interior plastics don't feel harsh and cheap now, and have nice graining. The dash plastics in the ION feel better than those in the Cobalt. They don't sound hollow, and feel semirubberized.

The steering wheel could be adjusted for any position and not block the guages, and, of course, I loved the amber illumination of the interior as it reminds me of my Breeze and because it is different, and not as distracting on the eyes at night. I can make this statement because I had a factory cassette/CD player installed in my Breeze so that I may enjoy my own music when nothing is on the radio, and all that they make anymore is the blue-green display. That sort of ticked me off. They didn't even ask me if it would have been okay, as I specifically requested a unit with AMBER background illumination. But anyway, this blue-gren display really pulls my attention down to the stereo even with with it only occupying my peripheral vision. It actually discomforts me a bit.

Back to the ION. I would like it because it is different. A plastic car that is quick. Something to resist dents and corrosion. Plus that cool center gauge cluster!!! Even though I would like to have the ION Red Line, the Astra is coming, and I would much prefer that. I've loved the Astra since I've known about it in 2004.

This message was brought to you by Steve. Who couldn't hide his begrudged appreciation of the ION any longer.

Thank you!

You get a chance to drive one yet? They're quite fun. *edit* (the Red Line, that is... the other Ion models are ok, but not exciting)

Edited December 14, 200619 yr by PurdueGuy

I'm gonna go ahead and agree with the Redlines being fun since my car is basically the same thing..

I like the Ion. I love plastic panels too. I've driven an Ion Redline. It's sweet.

no need to be ashamed. The Ion is nifty.

A friend on mine is on his 2nd ION Sedan. He loves it. He's weird, but amazingly enough, he's completely loyal to Saturn because of the ION.

Considering the Red Line isnt half bad, its not surprising. Now, if you confessed love the ho hum sedan, I'd have to question your mental state.

Mine was flawed, but considerable improvements have been made since then. The interior is much nicer now.

Ironically, I HATE the center mounted gauge cluster...in any car. However I do like the Ion coupe, particularly the Red Line...

The sedan however, is an ugly mofo.

Glad to know that I'm not as crazy as I sometimes think I am for the things I like, hehe.

No, I haven't gotten to drive one, I'm just going from my firsthand encounter, a walk-around, and sitting in one while having everything adjusted. But I sure would like to. That way I could see how everything functions while in motion, how the Red Line feels while in motion, and of course, the eyebrow raising acceleration.

Ironically, I HATE the center mounted gauge cluster...in any car. However I do like the Ion coupe, particularly the Red Line...

The sedan however, is an ugly mofo.

227689[/snapback]

Yeah. I was going to look into the Redline coupes, but I wouldn't be able to live with that center mounted gauge cluster.

Drove an Ion at an ASIM (what happened to them, BTW). and it blew me away. Didn't expect much, but it was an absolute blast to drive - probably the easist car to drive quickly that I drove that day - Corvette and GTO included. Maybe it's because I'm used to driving FWD, but it just felt perfect.

Never thought much of the car before that. Love it now.

-RBB

I'm gonna go ahead and agree with the Redlines being fun since my car is basically the same thing..

227623[/snapback]

Um... no... yours is heavier by like 300 pounds...

Plastic vs. Steel...

RedLine: 2945 lbs

Cobalt SS/SC: 2991 lbs

Not a remarkable source for the Cobalt, but the Chevy site only has the normal coupe's weight (at 2991 lbs).

I swear, every time I look at the ION sedan, I see a decade's worth of a few J-Body Cavalier cues hiding in there, somewhere.

You know, I can also see a few cues from the 1985 Saturn Project concept car in there, too.

Edited December 16, 200619 yr by YellowJacket894