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Saw this in the IONforums.com group... Why should GM have NOT killed the ION???

Discuss...

Permalink Reply by BlackChrome on April 16, 2008 at 1:21pm: Because it's one of the nicest looking and unique cars.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by marlin on April 16, 2008 at 6:22pm: I will say they should have fixed all the problems with the car and continued to work out the little things ... oh well maybe they will brin over the opel? I would have liked to see the new TVS in one brand new off the lot or even a 2.0 turbo option for 2010 or something ...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dead EyeZ24 on April 25, 2008 at 4:01pm: I think the Ion is a really good car. But personally I think the Opel might be better. Think more people might like the opel better than the Ion. Of course most people who ride in my redline can't believe the thing is a Saturn. Guess GM just felt that they could do better with the Astra.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adam on April 26, 2008 at 10:12pm: The Ion fit a niche that has not been filled by the Aura, Sky, or even the Astra. The Ion was a great mid-size that came in enough trim models to satisfy everyone. They especially shouldn't have killed the Ion Redline. The success of the Chevy Cobalt SS, which during its first three model years shared a platform with the Redline, with the same engine and most of the same characteristics, shows that the Ion Redline could have been successful for many more years. The issues with the Redline were more to do with poor marketing than with it being a bad car. Now Saturn is without a sport-compact model to satisfy people who are GM or Saturn enthusiasts, but are also looking for a car that can actually MOVE. Put an LSJ into an Astra and you'd have a CAR!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by scarlett_trocar on April 26, 2008 at 11:02pm: I like having a 'unique' car, but quite frankly I'm getting sick of people not being familiar with it.
"Oh, you have an Ion?"
"No, dangit...it's a Redline"
"What's that?"
*sigh* "It's got a supercharger...." (...tired of explaining...)
"A supercharged Saturn?!"; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by marlin on April 27, 2008 at 12:00am: funny you should say that! Today we were installing my springs and a guy next to me was like hmm I know that's a saturn but what kind? I said "ion" he said oh but that's a little more sportier "ion", I just kinda turned and said yup ... and left it at that he went into this long story about when he had a saturn and how it was slow and didn't go it was only good for gas ... haha lol I did not even want to go into details. When people ask me what kind of car i drive i just say an "ion" now, not a redline unless they ask for details. He did comment and said it was a pretty nice/clean ride and since it is the only one of it's kind on base right now, I get looks from alot of people ... some are kinda dirty but others seem to actually like it. I even had one guy at the gate ask if it was a new model saturn just came out with and he replyed by saying he just purchased a brand new astra lol sorry if I put you on blast if ur on the forum lol but I was like wow u think someone undermarketed this thing? Oh well hopefully Saturn will move forward and actually listen to the people that purchase and drive these cars!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rob on April 27, 2008 at 3:44pm: Marlin,

I know what you mean about marketing and such. I think, personally, that has been one of the MAIN issues with Saturn is lack of advertising and showing what's in the lineup. I was getting my Ion RL inspected for MA and a guy that works at a Nissan dealer pulled in behind me and said, "Wow, what Saturn model is that?" This is from someone that WORKS in the industry. So I told him and he wanted to know what engine config was in there. We continued a nice discussion but I found it amusing that I, had to explain it to someone that works at a car dealer.

Mine was unique in Chicago, saw very few even though my retailer sold about 10 for the 2006 model year. Mine and one black one were the only ones with the Aero spoiler. The Astra is in its first year, so maybe, hopefully, a performance edition will be offered. But then again, I already have 2 cars that aren't winter cars, going to be hard to justify a 3rd.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dead EyeZ24 on April 30, 2008 at 7:38pm: Ya, I get tired of explaining the same thing over and over again.
Always have people coming up and saying, "Now I never seen an Ion look like that. What is it?"
I had to even open up my hood once to prove that it had a supercharger to a body shop cause the owner didn't believe me.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kevin on April 30, 2008 at 12:47pm: it has always been nice to drive a ride that the general public is not exactly sure what it is. i have had many folks approach me and ask about the car. After you tell them what it is and explain that it is saturns lil race car they seemed thrilled with the idea that a gm owned company has designed a sleek and sexy lil car at an afforadable price for a change. It truly is a shame that gm dropped the ion line because it is a nice car that has good lines and performance for its status. but then again as a car guy for many years ,by gm discountuing the ion model it will make the redline version worth more years down the road.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rob on April 30, 2008 at 5:17pm: Kevin I can relate to that feeling of driving something not everyone else does. My Pacific Blue RL was rare in Chicago and from what I see in Boston, even more the case. I too loved the fact Saturn had a lil performance car. I always tell people, "Look for the blue 'Fast and Furious' type car" when I'm picking them up. They are shocked that it's a Saturn.

Yes, now that the line is dead, those that are not racing should in years to come see a nice value, especially since it has the polymer panels, another great quality about the older Saturns.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kevin on May 3, 2008 at 11:59am: they should have taken the ion and made it a rear wheel drive compact and that would have solved alot of the problems performance wise. it also would have made the car alot more fun to drive; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ryan on May 1, 2008 at 8:25pm: i kinda like the fact that the stopped making the redline. for one people who dont know about then find out what it is and what ya can all do to it there like i want one and try looking and cant find one. and i like it whe people say nice car. i just say yep, and keep walking. if they ask i tellem and there like, huh? lol; ▶ Reply to This