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Forget the press: Saturn Ion isn't all that bad
By Bill Griffith, Globe Staff
Sometimes, you have high expectations for a car and come away disappointed after a test ride. The flip side holds, too. Occasionally, you have low (even zero) expectations and come away feeling that a vehicle's strong points outweigh its negatives.
That said, rarely has a car come our way with lower expectations than the 2004 Saturn Ion.
National motor press reviewers haven't liked the Ion's interior fit and finish, its gauge cluster at the center of the dash, its electronic steering, its uncomfortable seats, its tight rear legroom. Generally, they have shunted it aside with the generic "It's not up to contemporary standards" label. On top of that, some reviewers don't like the small size of the radio controls or that the fuel-filler door is on the wrong (i.e., right) side of the car.
Wow! Why even bother to drive this dog?
Well, unless they bite, I like dogs. And it's fun to look for sunshine where others see only raindrops.
For starters, I like the Ion's innovative, quad-door design that eliminates the "B Pillar." That's the post between the front and rear doors, the one that used to separate a sedan from a "hardtop."
Unfortunately, it isn't particularly functional for rear-seat passengers. It's true, there's precious little legroom in back. However, both back seats and the passenger seat fold down. That, coupled with an extraordinarily large trunk, makes it possible to fill the car with lots of "stuff" -- think of those college students with packed cars you see tooling down the Mass. Pike each May and August.
And the driving experience was fine. The base 2.2-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine offers plenty of oomph, at least when paired with the standard five-speed manual. It's quick (as opposed to fast) off the line, has plenty of passing power, and tools along the highway with no hint of straining. The electric steering offered good road feel and had the right amount of built-in turning resistance.
Those gauges on the center of the dash take some getting used to, but only one day at the wheel takes care of that. Suddenly, it's normal to check the dials, which just happen to be on the same horizontal plane as the sideview mirrors. And headroom abounds, especially with no space-stealing sunroof up above. This was one compact car that I could wear a hat while driving.
The Ion's suspension is basic: Front struts with stabilizer bar and rear semi-independent torsion beams give the car a sporty feel to go with its sporty looks. The ride is firm enough but not sports-car tight.
My number one gripe turned out to be engine noise in the passenger cabin, something endemic to Saturn's small sedans and coupes since the first one rolled out of the Spring Hill, Tenn., plant 13 years ago. A tuned exhaust, like the one available on the Ion's Red Line model that's aimed at the tuner market, would have been welcome, if for nothing more than to add a friendly tone.
Finding myself liking the Ion far more than I was supposed to, I asked for a second opinion from my wife, Stephanie. She's not into researching cars, preferring to go with her initial reactions. She generally picks form over function and admires style while giving grudging acceptance to substance.
Approaching the car: "This is sporty-looking."
Getting in: "This is comfortable. Lots of legroom in front."
Looking at the sticker ($18,125): "It's affordable."
Looking at the options: "Hey. Front-wheel drive and traction control. You can drive it in winter around here."
Trying the controls: "The radio buttons may be too small for you, but they're just right for me."
On the road: "You feel like you're connected to the road."
Checking the EPA mileage figures: 33 highway/26 city. "That makes sense."
On getting out: "Can I get one? This is my idea of a basic car. It has everything you need at a good price."
Review Here
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By Bill Griffith, Globe Staff
Sometimes, you have high expectations for a car and come away disappointed after a test ride. The flip side holds, too. Occasionally, you have low (even zero) expectations and come away feeling that a vehicle's strong points outweigh its negatives.
That said, rarely has a car come our way with lower expectations than the 2004 Saturn Ion.
National motor press reviewers haven't liked the Ion's interior fit and finish, its gauge cluster at the center of the dash, its electronic steering, its uncomfortable seats, its tight rear legroom. Generally, they have shunted it aside with the generic "It's not up to contemporary standards" label. On top of that, some reviewers don't like the small size of the radio controls or that the fuel-filler door is on the wrong (i.e., right) side of the car.
Wow! Why even bother to drive this dog?
Well, unless they bite, I like dogs. And it's fun to look for sunshine where others see only raindrops.
For starters, I like the Ion's innovative, quad-door design that eliminates the "B Pillar." That's the post between the front and rear doors, the one that used to separate a sedan from a "hardtop."
Unfortunately, it isn't particularly functional for rear-seat passengers. It's true, there's precious little legroom in back. However, both back seats and the passenger seat fold down. That, coupled with an extraordinarily large trunk, makes it possible to fill the car with lots of "stuff" -- think of those college students with packed cars you see tooling down the Mass. Pike each May and August.
And the driving experience was fine. The base 2.2-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine offers plenty of oomph, at least when paired with the standard five-speed manual. It's quick (as opposed to fast) off the line, has plenty of passing power, and tools along the highway with no hint of straining. The electric steering offered good road feel and had the right amount of built-in turning resistance.
Those gauges on the center of the dash take some getting used to, but only one day at the wheel takes care of that. Suddenly, it's normal to check the dials, which just happen to be on the same horizontal plane as the sideview mirrors. And headroom abounds, especially with no space-stealing sunroof up above. This was one compact car that I could wear a hat while driving.
The Ion's suspension is basic: Front struts with stabilizer bar and rear semi-independent torsion beams give the car a sporty feel to go with its sporty looks. The ride is firm enough but not sports-car tight.
My number one gripe turned out to be engine noise in the passenger cabin, something endemic to Saturn's small sedans and coupes since the first one rolled out of the Spring Hill, Tenn., plant 13 years ago. A tuned exhaust, like the one available on the Ion's Red Line model that's aimed at the tuner market, would have been welcome, if for nothing more than to add a friendly tone.
Finding myself liking the Ion far more than I was supposed to, I asked for a second opinion from my wife, Stephanie. She's not into researching cars, preferring to go with her initial reactions. She generally picks form over function and admires style while giving grudging acceptance to substance.
Approaching the car: "This is sporty-looking."
Getting in: "This is comfortable. Lots of legroom in front."
Looking at the sticker ($18,125): "It's affordable."
Looking at the options: "Hey. Front-wheel drive and traction control. You can drive it in winter around here."
Trying the controls: "The radio buttons may be too small for you, but they're just right for me."
On the road: "You feel like you're connected to the road."
Checking the EPA mileage figures: 33 highway/26 city. "That makes sense."
On getting out: "Can I get one? This is my idea of a basic car. It has everything you need at a good price."
Review Here
and on ion's, they give 3k cash back, good cars B)
