2005 LJ Garcia Ion Red Line
Supercars by LJ Garcia

Ask tuners who started the wide body craze and invariably, the answer is LJ Garcia. Known as 'The Godfather,' Garcia has been building highly regarded tuner cars for more than 15 years, with his creations gracing many magazine covers. The Wide Body Saturn Ion Red Line introduced at the 2005 SEMA event is the first domestic vehicle Garcia has customized.

Garcia's Ion Red Line design incorporates his signature wide body appearance and bright yellow paint scheme. Other styling elements include carbon fiber APR exterior mirrors and rear wing, as well as an aluminum grille.

The yellow paint by BASF is also used inside the vehicle, accented by tan suede elements and AC Autotechnic racing gauges. That’s just a start, because the Wide Body Saturn Ion Red Line also features a full complement of audio and entertainment equipment, including Audiobahn 10-inch subwoofers, component sets, amplifiers, monitors and Tsunami products.

Power for the Wide Body Ion Red Line comes from the stock 2.0L supercharged and intercooled Ecotec engine that generates 205 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque. To enhance the vehicle’s impressive performance, Garcia added a power intake system, damper kit, racing catch tanks, headers and oil block adapter.

To finish off the look of the Ion Red Line and further enhance the ride, Garcia added a CVN Motorsports custom air-ride suspension, DP Racing LJ01 custom 19 x 9-inch wheels and Falken GRB FK-451 tires.

Vehicle Highlights

* LJ Series Aerogear 12-piece wide body kit
* Carbon fiber APR exterior mirrors
* Carbon fiber rear APR wing
* LJ Garcia aluminum front grille
* Custom BASF bright yellow exterior and interior paint
* Paint and bodywork designed by LJ Garcia
* Custom audio system by Kustom Rydes
* Racing gauges by AC Autotechnic
* Tan suede interior accents by LJ Garcia
* 2.0L supercharged and intercooled Ecotec engine
* 5-speed manual transmission with short-throw shifter
* Weapon-R power intake system
* Weapon-R engine damper kit
* Weapon-R racing catch tanks
* Weapon-R headers
* AC Autotechnic oil block adapter
* CVN Motorsports custom air-ride suspension
* DP Racing LJ01 custom 19 x 9-inch wheels
* Falken GRB FK-451 tires

Story by GM

Edited November 22, 200520 yr by HarleyEarl

Poor Ion. It was the ugly duckling of the compact cars since the beginning. Now it's going to be sacked in a few years. From what I've heard from others, it's a pretty good car for the price. Too bad it's plagued with poor styling and cheap interior materials. Not to mention the center gauges that are only allowed to be considered cool and unique by the auto media in Toyota products. At least the aftermarket companies like it.

Edited November 24, 200520 yr by Cadillacfan85

I recently drove a new Ion Redline Quad Coupe and was just so impressed with this car. The interior materials were good, nicely put together and I even warmed to the centre stack gauges. And the driving experience is just simply fun, fun, fun. I have made a complete 180 degree turn on this car, since driving it.

Poor Ion.  It was the ugly duckling of the compact cars since the beginning.  Now it's going to be sacked in a few years.  From what I've heard from others, it's a pretty good car for the price.  Too bad it's plagued with poor styling and cheap interior materials.  Not to mention the center gauges that are only allowed to be considered cool and unique by the auto media in Toyota products.

At least the aftermarket companies like it.

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Not just that, the crash ratings are subpar compared to its cousin.