Joined
·
2 Posts
Are these still good cars to buy? Reliability? What to look for in a used one?
Want to get one as a daily
Want to get one as a daily
Redline in 2022?
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
If it has been taken car of then they are still great cars. I would have a prepurchase inspextion done so you know if there are bushing going or leaks and what not. Big thing to check ia that the intercooler pump is still working. To do so turn car on, open intercooler fill neck, squize right side tube (i thonk might be left side) and make sure or see flow.
Joined
·
2 Posts
It had a safety inspection which would check suspension and bushings
It looks in good shape otherwise like it was taken care of low miles
In my opinion the Saturn ions were made/manufactured with an "ok" rating. What I mean is that they were made to be repaired and maintained frequently at the Saturn dealer/service center. They have several issues from the start and were easily fixed when you brought the car back to Saturn. For example, the ions had suspension issues. They were very loud when driving over everyday bumps and turning corners in parking lots. There were ignition starting problems in the cold weather. New brake components needed to be replaced after a few thousand miles.
They had a redline version that many did not know about. It took many years for people to learn about the redline. The redline was made for performance but because of this, it requires additional maintenance and service.
I would not call the Saturn ion redline a reliable car because it requires extra service and maintenance to keep up with the higher expectations of a performance car.
The redline version requires special knowledge and/or learning.
Sounds negative but on the positive side, If one can put in the effort, the car is worth it.
They had a redline version that many did not know about. It took many years for people to learn about the redline. The redline was made for performance but because of this, it requires additional maintenance and service.
I would not call the Saturn ion redline a reliable car because it requires extra service and maintenance to keep up with the higher expectations of a performance car.
The redline version requires special knowledge and/or learning.
Sounds negative but on the positive side, If one can put in the effort, the car is worth it.
Joined
·
354 Posts
All i can say is that i have owned my 06 since march 2006 since new, that i daily drive mine all the time and that i just hit 250k miles. It has been very solid overall and being in NJ rust has been becoming the big problem. Never touched the chains, but i do burn some oil, fix what needs to be fixed as it come up and hope i can find the parts when it's time.
2007 IRL, magnaflow catback, coilovers, carbon wing, al splitter, zzp 2.5" header&dp, soon to be S3
Joined
·
24 Posts
Damn! I didn't know those chains could last that long.
Joined
·
354 Posts
Haha i do it for science! I will say i have been burning oil for a long time now and pretty much kept saying oh I'll do the chains when i do my pistons... No chain rattle either , but i am very curious to see how maxed the tensioner is when i do the rebuild. Which i hope to get to soon as i was supposed to do it a year ago, but then my spare car got flooded out... Fun fact , my clutch has 220k miles on it.
2007 IRL, magnaflow catback, coilovers, carbon wing, al splitter, zzp 2.5" header&dp, soon to be S3
Joined
·
24 Posts
Saturn has some good clutches it seems, I've got 194k miles on the clutch in a saturn ion 2 sedan we have.
Joined
·
27 Posts
I am the original owner of a 2006 Redline Ion Coupe, and it has been the most reliable, cost-effective car I have ever had ... hands down!! And really FUN to drive. I'm a classic car enthusiast and have always had various older concours car for show and club use. For the last 22 yrs I've had a 1969 Ferrari 365GT2+2 ... longer than I've owner the Redline. The Ferrari followed a 1971 BMW 3.0CSi, which I'd had for over 10yrs. I don't drive the Ferrari every day, like I do the Saturn, which has been a wonderful daily driver. I DO follow routinely the recommended servicing, including frequent oil changes. My mechanic says he has never sent a finer, better maintained example. I hope it lasts forever!!
![Wheel Car Tire Vehicle Land vehicle]()
2007 IRL, magnaflow catback, coilovers, carbon wing, al splitter, zzp 2.5" header&dp, soon to be S3
Joined
·
24 Posts
That thing looks phenomenal man. I bet the picture doesn't do it anywhere near justice. I managed to snag a very nice example myself for 6500 at 70k miles in februry, an silver 07' with the spoiler like yours has, but previous owners had installed the boost gauge, lsd trans (from a cobalt with 32k miles in like 2014-15), lowering coilovers, sideskirt underprotectors and a 2.5" magnaflow catback. I absolutely love this thing. I've tinted the taillights and marker lights, added some black touren tr60 wheels with a red line around the circumference, and have an black aluminum front splitter on the way. I love everything about this car. I plan on getting a carbon trunk and carbon wing later when funds allow. When I finally fix the map sensor code I have, I'm probably going to get it to stage 2.
Joined
·
27 Posts
Thanks! 225,000miles and going strong.
This post is outdated but I have had my Red Chili Pepper Ion RL since new 2006. I have 210K on it now and still have the original clutch and timing chain. Drive it good and it takes care of you. Never had starting issues. It is loud when going over road services because the body is close to the ground and made of polymer, not metal. But when the road service is smooth like blacktop it's quiet. The issues I have had are failed intercooler pump, thermostat, and the black applique on the driver's door that broke off but was replaced. Oil, Brakes gear oil, and standard maintenance are all that is required.
I was just saying that it is not just an average car because of the obvious supercharger etc.
the many other Saturn components are easy to maintain - I agree
I like the red ones - did not know of the chili pepper, however - is that the official name of the color?
when I had my first ion - the ion2-2004 I was seriously concerned that my brand new car was making noises every corner and bump
so I took a test drive with the mechanic/tech at Saturn and he said the same thing about the noise -
That was good customer service that the tech took me for a ride and explained everything -
Go Saturn!
the many other Saturn components are easy to maintain - I agree
I like the red ones - did not know of the chili pepper, however - is that the official name of the color?
when I had my first ion - the ion2-2004 I was seriously concerned that my brand new car was making noises every corner and bump
so I took a test drive with the mechanic/tech at Saturn and he said the same thing about the noise -
That was good customer service that the tech took me for a ride and explained everything -
Go Saturn!
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
Join the discussion
