Saturn Ion Red Line

[frolf]

i hated saturns before, but i especially hate them now. can't believe this piece of junk does 0-60 in a factory claimed 6.3 seconds. i personally don't really care, unless its skidpad and slalom speeds get up there, which they won't, but come on, don't you think you'd get a little upset if some saturn gunned you down in your e46 325 at a light?[fake]

 

[MyHarley]

I like the Saturn I had, some 2 door little 1999 model year I think.....dont remember the number, but it was a tight little bugger........

 

[Tom]

I saw one at my local mall and it doesnt look too bad for a Saturn. Its supposed to be supercharged.

 

[epj3]

It looks shiney now, but in 5 years it'll be rusty.

 

[frolf]

i'm sure its fairly well built. and yes, eric is right, it is shiney. i just can't say what my reaction will be when saturns start to rev their engines at me. i mean at least the ford focus has some wrc racing pedigree.

 

[mrferg]

It won't rust, all the plastic will just crack and fall off.

 

[Bryan330i]

Yea, but can it go over 60 MPH. [fake]

0-60 in 6.3 is better than a lot of BMW's I think. And it sure would suck to run up against one as most people don't understand the full performance picture. So how many of those will be picked out or trees.

I dislike Saturns so much I even thought about getting a plate "NOSATRN" [fake]

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

0-60 in 6 something seconds?? Im not suprised, afterall plastic isn't heavy, besides I would challenge him afterall I bet that car runs out of power at around 85, if not, at that speed it will meet the divider on a sweet curve.[bmwkick]

 

[codex57]

Lots of cars can outgun my car. Hell, jumbo SUVs (like the new Nissan Titan?) are faster than my car. That doesn't mean they're more fun to drive nor do they look as good. Plus, I don't think I'd drive a GM car anytime soon. Well, no American cars any time soon. On the Redline models, the only part I trust would be the V6 on their SUV cuz it comes from Honda.

 

[Bryan330i]

Weight must be a big factor because the engine is a "Supercharged Ecotec 4 cylinder" with a top speed of 155 (modernracer.com)

Look out for flying debris...oh there goes an Ion hood...oh look out, there is a door. [fake]

 

[dzervit]

So poor folk can't get a decent car with some solid 0-60 times? And what about a SVT Focus? That's a hot little number that CAN give you a run for your money in the twisties. Some bolt ons and tuning, it will give your 330 helluva run! And for the love of god, it doesn't have to be 'riced out'. I've often thought of a nice de-badged SVT Focus with some bolt-ons to wipe the smile off sports car drivers when my stealth Focus keeps pace with 'em.[fake]

 

[mclarensmps]

Bleagh; Saturn Ion? Pllease

 

[jrt67ss350]

Here we go again. Give me a break, people. Are you so insecure that you just can't stand the thought that a car that cost half of what yours did can beat you? Gee, I can't help but think that if this was some Japanese car, many of you wouldn't be complaining. I just really don't get the whole anti-American car sentiment on this board. I respect the opinions of others and realize that not everyone likes American cars. I welcome the fact that not everyone likes American cars - it's your choice to like what you want. But it's just ridiculous for you people to sit here and bash the car as a cheap ass car since it's a Saturn built in America.

How many of you have actually driven a new Ion? I have a friend who has owned three Saturns - a 1997 SL2, a 1999 SL2, and he just bought a new Ion 3 this past summer. I drove his Ion 3 for several thousand miles both in town in Las Vegas and on the open western highways this past summer, and I have to say that it is the nicest, most well built, best handling small Saturn yet. It's in a different league than the old SLs, and I liked them and spent many thousands of miles behind the wheel of his SL2s. I personally think it's a hell of a lot nicer and sportier to drive and look at than pretty much any competition offered by the likes of Honda or other foreign car manufacturers, but that's only my opinion.

Don't sit here and tell me the car is going to fall apart because it's a Saturn. Just look at all the serious problems there have been with the E46 BMWs - many of you who have E46s have had some pretty significant and repeated problems. I'm sorry, but I'm just sick and tired of hearing the same old crap over and over and over - "American cars are crap, everyone should buy a Japanese or German car." Not just on this board, but everywhere.

You simply can't compare the Ion Redline to a $40,000 E46 BMW - come on, it's a very different car, people, and it only costs about $20,000.

Look at the specs (these are ones I could find) - 2.0L with Roots supercharger, air to water intercooler, 4.05:1 final drive, 11.6" front rotors, 10.6" rear rotors. Official power figures haven't been released, but they are supposed to be around 200-205 hp and about 200 lb.ft. torque. I think they are doing pretty damn good with this car myself, except for the ricer wing on the back. Thankfully, you can buy it as a spoiler delete car or with one of the smaller standard Ion spoilers.

Don't be so high and mighty because you drive a BMW. Like I've said before, not everyone can afford a BMW, and some people aren't willing to spend $45,000 on a small car like a 330i even if they have the money. Gasp! Imagine that! Oh, the horror!. I hope you get your doors blown off by one of these things.

 

[Bimmerlife]

I personally don't like any American or Japanese cars because of they're poor production build quality. Engines are great however.

jrt67ss350 your post is probably the best I have ever read on this board!

My opinion is don't keep your nose that up so it can rain in to it., because you drive BMW.
I wish that everybody could afford BMW's but reality is far different.

 

[Bimmerlife]

Oh and one more thing, Life is not just about racing your cars. Think about it

 

[BMWdude]

People, people. Have you forgoten "image"? What sounds better? "I drive a BMW" or "I drive a Saturn" There are a lot of cars that are faster than 3series bmws....new accord, maxima anyone? However the "image" of those cars is a family sedan, the bws are alwasy knows as "luxury sport", so take your pick.

 

[Bryan330i]

And the Ion is going to run $27,000.00 from what I am reading.

There is a list of other cars I would buy first, most having less power.

I am not sure but I think even a V6 Accord may handle better than the Ion.

 

[frolf]

jrt has a point. but i was in no way saying i was insecure about a little saturn beating me to 60. i'm just saying that if i had the money for a new car, i wouldn't buy something thats fwd and is quick to 60, i'd buy an old bimmer, or a miata or something with a sporty nature.

and these poor folk that you talk about? yeah thats me. and with my money i got a decent car, where as if i were buying new i couldn't get anything nearly as nice.

i didn't mean to start a riot with this post, was just looking for some opinions.

one thing to keep in mind though, is that not everyone did spend 45k, or anywhere near that for their car.


edit: oh and i really don't care about my roundel, it's what it's attached to that counts.

 

[jrt67ss350]

and these poor folk that you talk about? yeah thats me. and with my money i got a decent car, where as if i were buying new i couldn't get anything nearly as nice.

LOL. That mad me laugh, because that's me, too, Dan!

I do understand and appreciate everyone's opinion on this car. I can honestly say that it doesn't do a whole lot for me, especially if it is going to cost $27,000 like Bryan said. If I had 27K to spend, I'd much rather buy a nice E36 or early E46 than spend 27K on a Redline. I happen to like American cars, especially GM cars, and it's just the continued stereotype that any car built in America is automatically a piece of crap that gets to me. Yeah, American cars sucked in the mid/late 70s and early to mid 80s. A dark time in the auto industry in general, particularly the US auto industry. However, for some reason unbeknownsed to me, this stereotype has stuck with American cars and seems to be getting worse with the increasing import market. American cars today are very different from the crappy cars of the mid 70s and 80s. My parents always buy new cars and have never owned a non-American car. Our GM cars have all been extremely reliable, especially the last three that I can remember. We had a 1988 Cadillac Sedan deVille - 120,000 with very few problems. A 1994 Pontiac Bonneville SSE with 146,000 - not a single problem. 2002 Chevy Impala LS that hasn't had any problems until last week, when it developed a tranny problem being fixed under warranty that is, ironically, a whole lot like the Sliptronic issue - an issue our beloved bimmers certainly aren't immune to. The stereotypes just aren't that true anymore. In fact, we had more problems with the Mercedes we owned for a year and a half in Germany than the last three GM cars combined.

Just venting my thoughts and opinions late last night. I appreciate those that read my lengthy post and backed me up.

 

[dzervit]

frolf - your first post did come off as a little 'high and mighty' as well as insecure... thus the 'riot' that is occuring.

The 'poor folk' I speak of are the folks that can't plunk down at least 35 large for a new, decently equipped 3 series but still want the satisfaction of purchasing a nice, new vehicle to call their own. And believe it or not, you CAN get a sporty domestic for under 30k.

jrt.. - OUTSTANDING POST. I couldn't have said it better myself.