Most people think of Saturn as a entry level car. I bought mine as an enthusiast vehicle. Saturn did not put much effort into selling these cars and the magazines panned them which is a shame because it's a fast and fun little car.

The heart of the car is a 2.0 liter supercharged 4 cylinder Ecotec engine. It puts out roughly 200 horsepower and 200 ft./lbs of torque. That's enough to put the 0-60 times in the low 6 second bracket and 1/4 mile times around 14 seconds.

The motor was designed to be supercharged. It has a chain driven cam (instead of belts) and sodium filled valves for heat dissapation. Stock red line was 6500 RPM but with GM stage 1 and 2 modifications it now revs to 7000. The stage kits also added approximately 40 horsepower and 20 ft./lbs of torque.

The car has a mostly polymer body which makes it dent resistant and virtually rust-proof. Only the hood, roof, and trunklid are metal. It has a few modifications to indicate that it's a Red Line like a front fascia with integrated spoiler and intake, side skirts, and a giant wing on the rear that you either love or hate (it was optional). It also has rear half-doors that open in a suicide fashion. The front doors must be open to do this and there are no "B" pillars.

The suspension, transmission and brakes have all been modified to handle the extra horsepower and the car was lowered approximately 1/2 inch for better handling. The steering dynamics were also changed from the stock ION.

The interior is considered sparse by todays overblown standards. I feel that it's clean and simple. It reminds me of the old days of Novas and Dusters. Sorry, there's no TV in the dashboard and it doesn't talk to you in calm, pleasing tones. It has two very fine Recaro seats up front and a couple psuedo-seats out back. I can't speak to the comfort of the rear seats as I've never ridden back there. The front ones are firm, supportive, and have great bolstering.

The dashboard has the much debated center mounted instrument panel. When Toyota did it, it was considered fresh and different. When Saturn did it, the magazines didn't like it. Same concept, same execution, they always prefer Japanese. I can take it or leave it. It is nice not having something you can't read behind the steering wheel but you have to look over at it.

The controls are well placed and everything is fairly logically laid out. The digital odometer doubles as a message center and important messages scroll across the display (such as trunk ajar, or change oil). It does have an oil change monitor and the manual recommends you change the oil when the monitor indicates it's warranted. Oil changes are about $100 at the dealer because it takes 7 quarts of Mobil 1. This car was built to boogie.

The best part of the car is the driving part. It's no BMW but it will smoke all but the most determined of them. You need have no fear of anything that doesn't have the M badge on it and probably don't need to fear most of those.

The car accelerates rapidly. The first to second shift is kind of awkward as if the gear ratios aren't quite right for the car, but 2nd will plant you back in your seat, 3rd will take you close to 100 MPH, 4th will take you past just about anything still in front of you, and fifth will take you to an estimated top speed of 145 stock with no limiter.

The brakes stop the car quickly and straight without a hint of fade and it handles well. It's the ION that goes to 11.

Good car. Reliable, good fit and finish. Great gas mileage. I'd still have my 2003 Ion if it wasn't rear ended and totaled!

Poor is too high of a rating. 1st, seller contacted me before the sale was over-was I bidding against myself? 2nd, vechicle completely misrepresented.Ad said hit in front, needs fenders, core support radiator, and POwertrain not damaged.Told the car was "parking lot drivable". When we got the car, the oil pan was busted and the oil pick up was clearly visable-dip stick missing-no oil and a siezed engine. Next, it's a manual, and either the clutch or trans is shot-how do I know? Well, I put the car on a slight incline in any gear and it rolls like it's in nuetral. The ad also mentioned the car has power locks and cruise control-it has neither. Windshield is severely busted, and in the ad, it looks ok-photo shop works wonders! Took 37 days to get the car shippped--30 days is the limit to have pay pal refund your money! I was quoted $400 shipping cost, he bumped it up to $600-and after complaining, he sent me a rubber check for the $200 difference. The tow truck driver told me he originally quoted $400 for a running vechicle, came to NY the previous week, and told the owner $600 because he would have to bring a trailer with a wench. You see, he knew that the car diidn't run! Also, I offerred to pick up the car twice, and it wasn't convient. I have not recieved a title for the vechicle or a paid bill of sale, or as I requested, all of my money back including shipping and title transfer fees. My funds were sent to him certified. I bid on a 2005 Saturn with front end damage and a solid powertrain with 33,000 miles on it! I have a vechicle with much more body damage than is represented in the ad, and a completely junk powertrain, and the vechicle isn't equiped as stated in the ad. Ebay doesn't work with complete missrepresentation and down right lies, and this guy is a real work and needs own up. If it was just a mistake on his part, he would offer a refund! He would of called and said there is engine/clutch damage. These are not oversights, just plain lies!

It seems to be a very reliable vehicle. It's not built with expensive materials, and you can tell that they tried to keep the price down, but it is built very well....I am speaking mostly of the interior plastics!...LOL. But, the mechanics of the car seem super....it stops great....4 wheel disc!, It has the best power of any 4 cyl car I have ever driven...my other car is a corvette, and I can say that I don't find myself rocking back and forth in the seat to try to get it to move faster, even though I am used to the power of a 450hp vette. It's a great balance of utility and fun to drive factor. Very pretty inside and out. If you want a car that gets super gas mileage but can still get on the highway without making you think your gonna get smashed, has four doors...but doesn't look like it and can haul your family or friends around, and looks sharp, has a lot of luxury features...then this is a good choice. And, it's made by GM, which in my book talks miles about how effecient, powerful, and reliable the engine is going to be. Anyway, it's a blast of a car if you want a gas sipper that's fun as heck to drive!

I bought a Saturn Ion level 2 with upgrades and only 8,000 miles in November 2006. For a small sedan it is great! It has manual transmission, and drives great. With gas prices as they are currently, I am thankful for my Saturn. For long trips it is not the most comfortable, but for round town and short trips, it cannot be beat. The large trunk makes it easy to transport almost anything that I need to take from one place to another. I am disappointed that Saturn no longer makes the Ion, but I know that Saturn does make quality vehicles. I would recommend Saturn to anyone who is looking for quality at a reasonable price.

The car was in the price range we were looking for,the color we wanted, People were very nice to deal with. The car is run great Thank you Greg

vehicle was just as advertised. Wanted it to tow behind our motorhome. It had been set up to do same. We are quite pleased with our purchase.

The 2006 Saturn Ion is a great economic vechile, it has a great design, the interior does not compair to a luxury vechile, but it is much comfortable than most vechile of its class, it has the speedometer in the center of the dash which some people think is weird the up side to this is less discretion when driving at night which you will notice right away,

the car is pretty fast for a four cylinder, you can get up to highway speed befor you get off the on ramp to the highway, or if you just want to pass someone the car will get up and go. belive it or not my saturn block more outside and engine noise cadillacs. the car has what is called quiet metal, ask a saturn dealer about it. the engine is very quiet as well,

Sound system is pretty good for a stock system, it is loud and sounds good, just no stock subs for bass, also if you like loud music you can simply shut all your windows and it will be very quiet out side the vechile.

My Saturn Ion is averaging 37mpg which is a little higher than saturn says, I do put shell fuel into the car.

One great advantage to owning a Saturn is when it comes time to replace parts it is much cheaper than most other vechile.

Saturn Sale People: are paid on commission and by the vechile they sell, they will get the same commission if they sell you a 10k car or a 50k car, also saturn wants consumers to have no pressure when you go into a saturn dealer