Disclaimer: These are my opinions and not those of GM whom I work for...

It's interesting to hear your comments. Most of your negative focus was on the aesthetics of the interior and exterior. Around 100,000 people have bought IONs so that's a lot of people who like it. Look at an ION 3 quad coupe with bigger wheels and tires which is a much more impressive looking package.

Civics and Corollas make me yawn, the ION has some personality. As for others' comments comparing it to an Echo. Cmon! That thing is the dorkmobile. At least the ION has a modern look on the exterior and it is trying new things with center-mounted gages (which, by the way, are very big in Europe and Japan). It takes a only minute to get used to the gages being there, and you can adjust the steering wheel wherever you want it without having to worry about blocking your line-of-site to the gages. Haven't most of us gotten used to key cylinders by the shift lever?

The pips-out textured plastic material is a modern look as well. Look at the VW New Beetle which has similar style plastics. But, this has been changed in 2004 on the ION to accommodate people that don't like innovative materials.

The colored roof-rails are the first use in production of a trend that has been hinted at for years with concept vehicles. Plus, they are customizeable, with interior kits that match the interior kit. If Audi had come out with this first, people would like it. SUVs and Subarus have two-tone treatment of a different sort.

You have to admit that with 140 hp the ION can move, and it has a 5spd. auto which is rare for the class, (the coupe has a CVT). At 80 mph with a 5spd auto, it is stable and eager to go faster, revving only at 3,000 rpm, just like my '97 900S; it revs much lower with a CVT. Sure the ION is not as quiet and the interior is not as refined as a Saab, but it costs so little to start! Look at the quad coupe and you get unobstructed access to the interior of the vehicle (no B-Pillar). You can put a surf board in there.

Wait for the supercharged 200 hp Saturn Red Line coupe and you'll be impressed by the power, ride and handling.

Just go to http://www.saturnfans.com and see customers' passion for Saturns on par with our passion for Saabs.

Atul
'97 900S
Detroit
87,500 miles

posted by 198.208....

• Loaner review...'03 Saturn Ion 2, FrozenSaab, Tue, 2 Sep 2003 19:55:06
  • Saturn bites back...I return the Ion...but..., FrozenSaab, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 15:31:04
  • From clean 96's to the Ion......, Mike Lynch , Wed, 3 Sep 2003 11:43:12
  • "Transportation Appliance", Brian, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 09:22:10
  • Re: Loaner review...'03 Saturn Ion 2 (LONG), Atul, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 08:41:35 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Echo had center gauges first..., bRAD, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:00:50
      • How does it reduce eye strain?, FrozenSaab, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:16:15
        • Hey, I don't make it up..., bRAD, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 12:47:08
    • I didn't hate the car, and it's a vast improvement..., FrozenSaab, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 09:02:51
      • Follow-up, Atul, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:20:04
        • No RHD Saturns?, bRAD, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 12:49:55
        • I for one love the centre window switches..., FrozenSaab, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 10:37:02
      • Re: I didn't hate the car, and it's a vast improvement..., D.H.A.P., Wed, 3 Sep 2003 09:41:34
  • Re: Loaner review...'03 Saturn Ion 2, SHinZ, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 07:32:29
  • Re: Loaner review...'03 Saturn Ion 2, GM, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 06:53:12
  • Thanks for the review and pics! nm, Redmilk, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 06:31:01
  • its a crying shame..., compaqted, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 05:57:01
    • It's a great bargain!, FrozenSaab, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 06:19:21
  • auto locking doors (+), Trev, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 05:48:18
    • Sorry, I like them, phred, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 09:41:44
  • Yep, I agree with your comments concerning, Annie, Wed, 3 Sep 2003 05:34:11

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