Used 2006 Saturn ION Consumer Reviews
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My reliable race car, Saturn Ion with 2.4L engine
John, 02/02/2021
2006 Saturn ION 3 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2006 Saturn in 2014 as second car. It had 130,000km. All Saturn lovers know the GM engine is not the quieter and most reliable one, still, I had few Saturns and love them. Now with this one I was really lucky to have an issue with solenoids. Yes, lucky indeed because I found an awesome mechanic and he change the solenoids and explained me that for the 2.4L engine if I do not use a good filter a lot of things will go bad on my car because a regular oil filter cannot offer the same oil flow everywhere is needed !!! I was puzzled as it is my 4th Saturn and never heard this one. I asked him more and he also recommended me the synthetic oil he said will work miracles for my car. I put that oil in the car beginning 2015, the premium Napa filter (few $$ difference from regular one) and I was not driving a Saturn anymore. The engine works like a toyota one, improved gas mileage and everything is a dream ever since. So I am using fully synthetic Amsoil ever since, Napa premium filter or Amsoil recommended filter, and I had no issues with my Saturn in the last 6 years. I have a super reliable car and when the time to change it will come someone will buy a super reliable car. Last year (2020) at 185,000km I did some maintenance work on my Saturn - new Amsoil into the transmission and fancy iridium sparkplugs. I had no issue before the work but again, I felt my car is working better, I showed her love and she loves me back :) Thanks Edmunds for all the knowledge you put together here, I've learnt so much from here and now I finally decided to contribute to this knowledge with the little I know. Thanks.
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Good Commuter Car
epic_sandwich, 01/01/2012
2006 Saturn ION 2 4dr Sedan (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
23 of 31 people found this review helpful
I've owned my '06 Ion for 4 years, purchased used from a Saturn dealer with 22k on the clock. It just passed 80k the other day and thus far has been a good car. Average 33mpg, over 40 on trips. Issues thus far: AC compressor failed (replaced under warranty), power steering motor failed (out of warranty, dealer wanted $1300 to fix, I bought a used ps motor off eBay and did it myself for $80 bucks), ignition module failure (twice, $82 part at AutoZone), and now the front right wheel has a bad bearing and is causing excessive road noise. Most of the problems are easy and quick to fix, no car is 100% failure proof and I think this car is a good trade-off. People have unrealistic expectations.
Want lemonade? Buy a Saturn
My 1st Saturn , 12/11/2006
2006 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 4A)
11 of 14 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Saturn on 10/23/06. I was told that the ION 2 was the best fuel efficient vehicle on the market. I get only 24 MPG which most of my miles are highway. It also has slow take off. I am very disappointed in this vehicle. I have been given poor customer service and I keep getting the run around from the dealership. My next step is to contact the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General's office. If you are looking to buy a new car, don't buy a Saturn ION 2 unless you plan on spending double in gas per week.
Nice Sporty Car for over 50 crowd
Don, 08/12/2016
2006 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
Was looking for a Stick Shift car as I was getting tired of my 95 Prizm with 3 spd automatic (great car, but boring!). Found this on car site, price was right, had under 89K on the clock and was a 5 speed (!). Only a few cosmetic blemishes (crack in upper front fender, small hole in side of drivers seat, but ran strong. Over the next 15 months, have replaced; A/C Unit (bought car in winter, was unable to test, Compressor was broken, replaced under warranty), new rear shocks ($50 from RA, did myself), upgraded front brakes (drilled and slotted units from RA for $105, did myself), new front wheel bearings ($75 total from RA, did myself) lower control arms ($105 total from RA, again, did myself). Not all cars are perfect, but this one has been the most fun to drive since my 1978 Firebird I had in 1982. It has the gumption to get up and go on the highway AND, you can do the Supercharger upgrade from the Redline OR Cobal SS without doing anything special as the 2.2 will handle the extra power without strengthening the valve train or crankshaft. Looking forward to having fun with this car, and...love the back suicide doors! Everyone gets a kick out of them!
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Great car for the money!
Austin Ozburn, 08/02/2016
2006 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I love this car and I loved my 97 4 door Saturn just as much as this one. The car drives and handles great, but it doesn't ride like a Cadillac. There's plenty of room inside the car and in the trunk. Maintenance is cheap and easy if you know how to use U-Tube. I would definitely highly recommended this car to someone be it in good working condition.
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