Faults:

I had a drivers' door lock retaining clip (on the rod) break, and I couldn't use the key on the driver's side. (Warranty fix, 18,000 miles)

Back up light switch went at around 34,000 miles. Easy fix for anyone.

Sometimes 2nd. gear is hard to engage.

I had some bird droppings left on the hood for no more than 3 days, after I washed it off it left a ring in the clear coat. I don't think this is acceptable at all. On my 1986 Cutlass the orig paint job was 17 years old, and I've never had a problem like that.

General Comments:

I love this car, I would never regret this purchase.

The $16,000 price tag is well worth it. Power is very good in all gears. Handling and stopping is also up to par.

I love the way the interior is set up, front pax. seat folds all the way down and so do both back seats.

Gas mileage is superb, at around 24 MPG city and about 34 MPG Hwy.

I wish they used the Red line's Recaros seats here because these ones don't support you good at all when you cornering hard.

After market parts are becoming available more and more.

Faults:

I've had no trouble with this ION or the SC1 I had for 7 years.

General Comments:

I love Saturn. I had a SC1 for 7 years and nothing but a great car. A little on the uncomfortable side for long distance driving, but the ION has improved the seating. The car handles great and is so much better on gas mileage which is a plus now with higher prices at the pump.

Faults:

Left turn signal harness replaced (twice)

Control arm bushings collapsed.

Upper shock mount bushings failed.

Fuse for power steering blew.

Starter failed.

Engine cold start switch failed.

Auto transmission software upgrade to correct rough shifting.

Hood release seized (twice)

General Comments:

Two pieces of advice I freely share with friends, but I neglected to follow myself:

1. Go Import.

2. Leave first model year of ANY car alone.

In addition to all the stuff breaking only 2.5 years into my lease, GM dropped the 5 speed auto tranny my car has and replaced it for the 2005 model year with a 4 speed auto. Good way for GM to mitigate future warranty work I presume - especially with the warantee running out on the two model years they offered it.

Motor's loud as all heck - I checked the engine compartment on an '06 (during a now-regularly scheduled breakdown) and there is now more insulation in there than Santa's outhouse. Too bad I can't get that retrofitted.

The tech guys are nice though.

Faults:

Absolutely nothing has gone wrong with my Ion.

General Comments:

My 2003 Saturn Ion is the most amazing car on the road. It has plenty of power and is fun to drive. The gas mileage is outstanding. Not only to I think my car is one of the most attractive cars on the road, but it is also one of the best deals out there. This car is definitely worth the money. It handles fairly well and feels like an all around stable car. The only down to this car is that the gages are in the middle of the dash and this causes poor lighting in the interior, especially at night.