OK when it works
About twice each week, the car just shuts down. It doesn't matter whether I am on the freeway, in town, using the air conditioner, or not.
I have had the car towed to the dealer I bought it from (Saturn of Escondido) and they are of no help.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 1st September, 2005
It is great!!! It handles very well
This is the best car that I have ever owned. The gas mileage that I get is wonderful, especially with gas prices they are today. I will most definitely get another Saturn.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th July, 2005
Low quality components. Beware!
About 6 months into the ownership the car developed a 'clicking' sound in the front end. Dealer claimed they couldn't duplicate and didn't know what it was. Finally one year later the dealer duplicated the noise. Turns out these cars have a known problem with the sway bars. So the sway bar bushings and linkages were replaced under the (extended) warranty.
When the car was about a year and a half old, I had my mechanic give it a good once over in anticipation of my warranty expiring. The mechanic found that the rear shocks and front struts were leaking. These two items are excluded from the GM warranty. Beware!
A spot weld holding the muffler shield in place is broken.
In 2003 these cars had great reviews and a good price. However, my personal experience has been poor. The suspension items that required replacing should not be worn out with normal use after a year and a half of driving. In particular I find it shocking that the sway bar bushings and linkages required replacement 6 months after I purchased the car. I also believe that Saturn is using low quality parts for its cars. It is unheard of for a car this young to require new shocks and struts. The fact that these items are excluded from the GM warranty makes me think that the manufacturer is aware of the problem with its components.
The accelleration for this car is relatively good. However, I find that the shifter does not want to go into a gear when the car is first started in the morning. This has been a problem ever since the car was purchased.
The trunk in this car is really large. The split rear seats add to its size even more.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 13th April, 2005
Another typical General Motors poorly designed, engineered and assembled automobile
The front end bushings were squeaking and have been lubricated and then finally replaced.
The steering made a rubbing noise and has been lubricated twice.
Ignition switch failed on a very cold morning and needed to be replaced.
Clutch switch was poorly adjusted, causing intermittent starting problems.
Car had blown several turn signal bulbs which has now been corrected under a vehicle recall.
There is wind noise coming in from the left side of the car at highway speeds.
Other than the price, there is very little to be excited about with this car.
I can live with all the little flaws because I only purchased an Ion 1 and knew that I was basically getting what I paid for. I would be very upset if I had spent more money and purchased an Ion 2 or Ion 3 and had all these problems.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 10th April, 2005
That is VERY rude... some of us are completley happy with our GM products.
I agree with the above commenter. People like to float the notion around that GM supposedly makes bad cars, thinking that it is some kind of accepted fact in the automotive world, which is beyond question. Obviously, this reviewer is entitled to his or her opinion (hence, the purpose of this site), but I disagree. GM has had their problems, but so have all the car companies. I would not buy GM products (which are now all I buy) if I thought they were poorly made. But I have seen tremendous strides made in GM products in the past decade, to the degree that they can hold their own against, and in many cases surpass, everyone's beloved imports. GM knows what they are up against, but they can/do also set standards in their own right. I guess I am guilty too, of wanting to support the American economy... there are a few of us left.
All the best.
25th Jul 2005, 18:40
I own a 2004 Ion2 (the sedan, not the "Quad Coupe"). I have owned it for 1 1/2 years now, and I, too have noticed the poor suspension handling, especially at higher speeds. Granted, I have 40k miles on it, the suspension on most cars last 80k+ miles. My sway bar bushings are heavily cracked, and since its first winter (4 months after purchase), I have had a clunking in the front end over bumps, even more so when it is cold out. The car has been wonderful to me, no check engine light coming on or anything, but the suspension is less than great. I also have an oil leak as well, that the dealership can't figure out yet. Great car, great price, but some things aren't what they seem to be.