thoughts on saturn ion 1

All in all it is a satisfying vehicle. All true about blindspots and gauges
in the center (although Saturn is not the first to do it. There were other
vehicles in the past that have done that.) It took me awhile to get used to,
but I like it. The only odd thing is driving at night and being used to
having that dashboard light on the driver's side - which is now quite dark!
But who needs that little bit of light in any particular area when driving
at night anyways? (As long as it's on the gauges!) I do see where the
smaller steering wheel had to force the change, but I also wonder if it
prevents tons of retooling for the cars they sell with right hand drive.
Interesting points are no oilpan (it's cast as part of the block) and oil
filter access from the top (these are things I learned from the wonderful
people in this group for when I first changed mine.) I am rather sad that
Saturn is becoming more integrated into GM, and I feel it may lose it's
individuality - one of many reasons why I drive one. Many GM models now have
the 2.2L Ecotec and VTi transmission, and now that Saturn Ion will share a
platform, it will be similar to other GM models from different divisions.
(The Camaro/Firebird; Cavalier/Sunfire; etc. etc. etc. syndrome.) It was
great having a motor unique to Saturn and tranny / automotive computer
technologies that were also unique to the make. It is interesting to note
that the QuadCoupe design did come from an early Sunfire (circa 1990)
prototype, however.

"marx404" > wrote in message
...
> IMHO, being an older SL2 owner my 1st impression was that Saturn does
listen
> to it's customers. Many of the past issues of SL's were either changed or
> fixed for the better. Case in point, more horsepower, better sound
proofing
> in the cabin and moving the PCM (main computer) from under the dash to
under
> the hood.
>
> If a base car w/no frills, bells or whistles is your objective, then a
level
> 1 is the car for you. If you need more then just the basics, then better
> look at at a level 2. Have you been to a Saturn dealership and had a
> knowledgeable salesman explain the 3 different levels of ION to you? Did
> they also explain about the optional Travel Package, Safe and Sound
Package,
> Sport Package and Special Edition Packages?
> Actually lots to choose from in a little cheap car.
>
> There are some cons also that I have heard about. The Quad Coupe has more
of
> a blind spot over the sedan. The sides of the console between the seats
can
> be sharp on some models, if you get your hand stuck reaching for lost
> change, some say. Personally, I notice a distinct road handling difference
> between the base level and level 2's, but maybe that's me.
>
> Basically, yes it is true that Saturn is "no hassle no haggle", they dont
> play the "hit 'em high" negotiating game like others do. That's not to say
> that everything is carved in stone either, within reason though.
(sometimes
> if you look around, you may find a level 2 or 3 at a sale price for
whatever
> reason)
>
> Beyond that, it is an inexpensive roomy fun to drive car that is very low
> maintenance.
> Go find yourself a good dealership with a knowlegable sales consultant who
> knows what the L he is doing and ION sure you will see the same point of
> VUE. <grin>
>
> (now I do expect mrfact to counter this with something silly so I can only
> say this to you in advance: Use your OWN judgement. Go look for yourself,
> drive one and see. Check out other sites like SaturnFans.com and
SaturnSpot
> and you will find many ION owners also, compare then decide if an ION is
the
> right car for you.)
>
> marx404
> www.saturnofstuart.com

....Looks like good advice to me.
....In addition, I would suggest you check out:
* other posts in this group about Ions (Google Groups can do a search if
your news reader can't)
* _Consumer Reports_ articles, especially the latest annual customer
feedback (sorry, I forget the article name and month in which it's
published -- you should be able to find it by looking in the year-to-date
index at the back of any issue of the magazine)

In article >,
says...
> I am rather sad that
> Saturn is becoming more integrated into GM, and I feel it may lose it's
> individuality - one of many reasons why I drive one.

Nothing wrong with motors coming from GM. GM runs engine lines for
decades it seems like before doing major changes which makes finding
parts easy and prices of parts very inexpensive. All of Saturns other
motors came from ten buck two. I'm happy they finally went with a GM
motor for once.

1.9L British?
3.0L Opel?
3.5L Honda?
2.2L GM Global!

The ecotec is by far the best designed and thought out engine ever put
in a Saturn. I say its a far better 4 cylinder than any Asian 4 banger.
They cant keep anything long enough on the market before they drop it
for who knows what else. We design engines to be mantained regularly and
last well past 3 years, they design engines to last 3 years until
relicensing a car over there forces you to buy a new car. I mean we all
know what a small block chevy is, a 3800, and a northstar but what the
hell is a Q23 or what have ya in the asian makes...

Unlike some of these folks, I own one, just bought a new Ion 1, see my post on
gripes. Mostly the AC is weak and the seats are cheesey. The steeering wheel
is still too small and the arm rest is mounted too low. Otherwise, I like it.
Needs some better tires... Fast, inexpensive, fun to drive, great on gas-
that's why I bought it. (plus my old saturn was very reliable with low
maintenance)
E

Small point - the 1900 in the S is all American from all I've read. It was
the 4 banger in the L prior to the Ecotech that was the English... I keep
hearing good stuff about the Ecotech too (which is encouraging).

"Blah blah" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> says...
> > I am rather sad that
> > Saturn is becoming more integrated into GM, and I feel it may lose it's
> > individuality - one of many reasons why I drive one.
>
> Nothing wrong with motors coming from GM. GM runs engine lines for
> decades it seems like before doing major changes which makes finding
> parts easy and prices of parts very inexpensive. All of Saturns other
> motors came from ten buck two. I'm happy they finally went with a GM
> motor for once.
>
> 1.9L British?
> 3.0L Opel?
> 3.5L Honda?
> 2.2L GM Global!
>
> The ecotec is by far the best designed and thought out engine ever put
> in a Saturn. I say its a far better 4 cylinder than any Asian 4 banger.
> They cant keep anything long enough on the market before they drop it
> for who knows what else. We design engines to be mantained regularly and
> last well past 3 years, they design engines to last 3 years until
> relicensing a car over there forces you to buy a new car. I mean we all
> know what a small block chevy is, a 3800, and a northstar but what the
> hell is a Q23 or what have ya in the asian makes...
>
>

Oh, don't get me wrong - I really like the Ecotech...but I also recall the
days before General Motors (among others) swapped engines among their
divisions. It made each compete to make better, faster and very
individualized motors for their products. (Albeit some designs were not that
great...and disappeared fast...) Still, the competition made each make
unique for that particular division's patrons. Once upon a time, choices
were made based on the entire package, whereas today it will probably be
more based on design and aesthetic appeal.

To be able to avoid the parts monopoly is a good thing (so one can't get
price gouged by a particular maker). The Ecotech seems to be a very, very
fine powersource that is engineered very well.

I guess one (of still many) things that Saturn has going for them is their
unique body panels. I like that...but everybody I work with wants to kick my
car to test out what the commercials say...


> The ecotec is by far the best designed and thought out engine ever put
> in a Saturn. I say its a far better 4 cylinder than any Asian 4 banger.
> They cant keep anything long enough on the market before they drop it
> for who knows what else. We design engines to be mantained regularly and
> last well past 3 years, they design engines to last 3 years until
> relicensing a car over there forces you to buy a new car.

In article >,
says...
> Oh, don't get me wrong - I really like the Ecotech...but I also recall the
> days before General Motors (among others) swapped engines among their
> divisions. It made each compete to make better, faster and very
> individualized motors for their products. (Albeit some designs were not that
> great...and disappeared fast...) Still, the competition made each make
> unique for that particular division's patrons. Once upon a time, choices
> were made based on the entire package, whereas today it will probably be
> more based on design and aesthetic appeal.

Sadly thos days are gone. They had to go when asia flooded the market
with their makes. People say that Asian cars are good for the car
industry because they increase competition. I say the competition was
already here and they killed it. No longer Pontiac vs Chevy vs Mopar vs
etc. Now its Domestic vs Import and GM and Ford had to team up to help
compete.

> To be able to avoid the parts monopoly is a good thing (so one can't get
> price gouged by a particular maker). The Ecotech seems to be a very, very
> fine powersource that is engineered very well.

Lets hope so, I've only heard of one ecotec that had a timing chain jump
time. Often I feel that these engines that are engineered all over the
place might not work right. Like someone else changes someone elses
design and weakens something or something doesnt fit right... So far
that doesnt seem to be the case here. The case here might be that
someone catches someone elses mistakes.


> I guess one (of still many) things that Saturn has going for them is their
> unique body panels. I like that...but everybody I work with wants to kick my
> car to test out what the commercials say...

Thats when you say as you're walking over to their car "See here your
car isnt like that!" THUD

>

In article <3Dcvc.40430$mm1.24649@fed1read06>,
says...
> Small point - the 1900 in the S is all American from all I've read. It was
> the 4 banger in the L prior to the Ecotech that was the English... I keep
> hearing good stuff about the Ecotech too (which is encouraging).
>

Odd... Maybe the Twincam is made in one country and the single cam is
made in the other. Like how the ecotec is done. The basic engine is made
in 3 different locations but the supercharged version is only made in
Germany. GM powertrain gives build locations on current engines but the
saturn motors were never listed on it.

> Thats when you say as you're walking over to their car "See here your
> car isnt like that!" THUD
>
> >

LOL!...Love it...

EDeneen wrote:
>
> Unlike some of these folks, I own one, just bought a new Ion 1, see my post on
> gripes. Mostly the AC is weak <snip>

I have a black Ion 1 and live in the Southern California desert. A
typical summer day will be around 105 in the shade. My AC will take the
car from intolerable heat to the point where it will freeze you out of
the car in about ten minutes.

You might want to have yours checked.

Tom

--
If it ain't broke, let me try...