![]() ![]() In 2006 GM offered a two stage engine upgrade kit for both the Cobalt SS and Ion Red Line. The most significant item was a limited slip differential. The revisions were not just for looks as extensive testing at the famous Nurburgring track helped produce skidpad figures of 0.85g.Īs if the Ion Red Line’s performance was lacking, in 2005 Saturn offered an optional Competition Package. A lower ride height thanks to re-tuned brushing and spring rates added to the aggressive stance created by the gun-metal painted alloy rims. from 70 mph, a figure Car and Driver Magazine at the time said was “Porsche territory”. Due to the light weight of the Ion to start with, breaking from the larger four-wheel discs was a short 164 ft. 0 to 60 times of 6.0 seconds was faster than the next closest GM car, the Cobalt SS. The European sourced five speed manual transmission (shared with the Colbalt SS) managed power from the front wheels. Under the hood the standard 2.0 Ecotec engine was massaged to 205 hp thanks to a Eaton supercharger. The Ion RLE was distinguished immediately by its larger 17’ wheels, not so subtle ground effects and revised front and rear end treatments. The Ion coupe got the Red Line treatment shortly thereafter. The resulting collaboration with GMPD was the Red Line brand of performance cars within Saturn. In an attempt to expand the Ion’s appeal, Saturn worked with the GM Performance Division (GMPD) to develop a special coupe only Ion. Saturn’s replacement for the S cars was the Ion in 2003. Although not hard-core performance cars, they did manage to blend a fun to drive factor with frugality. Saturn began to make a name for itself with the ’90s SC2/SL2 coupe and sedan. That was unfortunate because the Ion Red Line was great performance value. Unfortunately, it did not appeal much to performance minded shopper who more than likely looked at the Civic Si first. That appealed to a lot of people who might have otherwise chose a Honda or Toyota. Overbearing apple pie and All-American propaganda was toned down in favor of attention to detail (in customer service at least). They were also assumed to be free of some with the baggage that came with the rest of GM. True or not, Saturn cars were perceived to be a small step up in quality from a typical Chevrolet. 2.Not really known for performance, Saturn made a name for itself by appealing to people who were intimidated by the typical dealership experience.Here’s a link to the listing on the dealership’s website. Provided everything checks out (we always advise a pre-purchase inspection for older cars), this Ion Red Line looks like a ton of fun for just five grand. During our search, most other Ion Red Lines we saw had miles in the 150-200k range. With about 116k on the odometer it has fairly low mileage. It does have a modern, aftermarket Pioneer sound system that looks like it has Bluetooth and satellite radio capabilities, which is fine with us. This 2004 example looks to be in good condition and thankfully hasn’t been “modded” by someone with a penchant for a goofy “cambered” stance, cheesy ground effects, and a buzzy coffee-can exhaust. But when you’re swiftly running through the gears or unraveling a winding road while being hugged by those Recaros, we doubt you’ll care about the door panel’s plastic finish. On the down side, the Ion was dinged for its odd center-mounted instrument display as well as the Fisher Price-like quality of various cabin trim pieces. Handling was praised as well, as the car was judged as easy to drive fast thanks to its safe and predictable nature. In its road test of an Ion Red Line, Car and Driver reported that the Saturn sportster dashed to 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds and that the engine “pulls hard at all rpm.” That’s seriously quick for a sport compact, easily blowing off the Honda Civic Si of the time (at 7.6 seconds). Also standard were Saturn’s flexible, dent-resistant and rust-proof body panels. A five-speed manual was the only transmission choice, and further indicative of Saturn’s seriousness with this car was the standard fitment of very supportive Recaro sport seats. The aptly-named Red Line boasted a supercharged 2.0-liter inline four with a robust 205 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. The following year things got very interesting for driving enthusiasts with the introduction of the Red Line performance version of the Ion coupe. The coupe version was called the “Quad Coupe” due to its pair of small, reverse-opening rear doors that made access to the rear seat much easier. Introduced for 2003, Saturn’s Ion model was produced through 2007. It’s at a dealership in New York, and it’s priced at just $4995. For September 29, 2021, our used car find is this rare (fewer than 6000 produced over four model years) 2004 Saturn Ion Red Line. ![]()
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