50 Best Seattle Used Saturn Ion for Sale, Savings from $2,649

2001 Saturn Ion - Saturn Ion is the best American car ever.

Started as a side-project, the Saturn was labeled an "experiment" and marketed to people who wanted to buy a car that was not only American but help many of the old-time American ideals. Hard work, honesty, family and a good deal for your money. It lived up to that, with a car that years after the companies demise, is still in good demand. I get offers from dealers in the mail asking me to trade my car in, as other people are looking for a Saturn. I see Saturns when I go shopping. I see them driving on the road.

Story

I enjoyed taking my Saturn down US 101 in Oregon from Astoria to Coos Bay. It was a sunny day, and I was able to open the roof most of the way. There was a bit of a problem though, when we wandered out of the forest and made it to the coast. The wind was very strong. I had to close the sun roof, and when we stopped to take some pictures, I couldn't open the door to get back in! I had to have m... (more)

Pros

My Saturn has needed very little maintenance over the years. After 17 years on the road and 180,000 miles, it does not want to stop. It's last checkup finally reported back that it was starting to burn oil, but at it's age - I would have expected to hear that four or five years ago. At 17, that's phenomenal. It comfortably sits four adults. In fact, I often brag that the seats are more comfortable than my living room recliner. The back seat folds down to expand the trunk space, so if you are camping, you can throw a sleeping bag in there and stretch out.

Cons

The worst thing about the Saturn is that the company was shut down by GMC. I have no idea what car I would if my Saturn could not be repaired for some reason. As for other cons, the mileage could be better. I would like it to be about 50 mpg or more, and when all is said and done, I see no reason why cars do not get that kind of mileage.

2007 Saturn Ion - Good value

I am fairly happy with this vehicle. It's light, gets decent fuel mileage, and is fairly simple in its engineering making it possible to do some of the maintenance and repair myself. I'm not sure if I like the gauge cluster in the middle of the dashboard instead of in front of the steering wheel, though. The engine makes a respectable amount of power for the weight of the vehicle.

Story

I was driving on I-90 in the northwest winter, with snow all over the road and almost no other vehicles. I pulled the e-brake and slid sideways along a straight stretch of the freeway for a couple hundred feet, using oversteer to alternate the direction of the slide when it started to wander too far out of my lane. It handled great, and recovered gracefully when straightened out.

Pros

It's fairly lightweight. This gives it reasonably economical fuel mileage, respectable handling, and an above average power-to-weight ratio for an economy car of its age. The plastic body panels do a great job of enduring small impacts without sustaining permanent damage; I can literally punch the side of this car repeatedly, and the plastic just deforms on impact and springs back into shape.

Cons

The light weight comes with some trade-offs. The steering knuckles, a.k.a. spindles, the swiveling frame that the wheel hubs mount to, are made of aluminum, and not enough of it. I bumped a curb with this car and broke one. Also, the gauges are in the middle of the dashboard, requiring the driver to take their eyes further from the road to glance at it. The styling is kinda cool, but I'd rather have my gauges where I can see them in my peripheral vision without looking away from the road.