Overview & Reviews

The entry-level Ion 1 trim level has been dropped for 2006. Wheel designs have been revised, OnStar is now standard across the board, and air conditioning has moved to the options list for the Ion 2. Upgraded performance is available via an optional Enhanced Performance package, which includes antilock brakes, a sport-tuned suspension and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 170 horsepower.

• Limited rear legroom, center-mounted instrumentation takes some getting used to, below-average interior materials.

User Reviews:

Showing 81 through 90 of 154.00

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  brokeTX lady - 2006 Saturn ION
  By disappointed lady - September 23 - 9:40 pm

  The first year I owned the car was great but, since have had numerous problems from car ignition not turning off to drivers side car door not opening as well as drivers window not working. Im not impressed with the inside cloth interior either. It stains easily. The outside sound is loud when driving. I am however happy with the mileage I get which is one good thing I have enjoyed. This was the first new car I purchased. Im still paying new car payments as well as repairs since the warranty has expired. This has surely left a bad taste in my mouth. I have not recommended this brand to anyone I know.

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  Bang for your buck! - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Rebecca - September 18 - 2:36 pm

  The ION 3 has had lots of improvements in the last few years and has a lot more pull to it than our 2004 ION 2. It handles beautifully and has a heavier feel to it, which makes driving it all the more fun. Less road noise, too.

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  2006 ION 2 - 2006 Saturn ION
  By michael k - July 19 - 12:00 pm

  The first 4 months it had been back to the dealership multiple times for multiple problems. The drivers seat has been repaired 3 times and has to go back to be replaced again. This is our 6th Saturn, and our 2nd ION. We were assured that all the issues we had with our 03 ION had been rectified. We were lied to. After 6 Saturns we have decided not to purchase any more GM products. We are very dissapointed with our ION and hope that others think twice before making the same mistake we did. The first week we had the car, the drivers front window motor stopped working. The car was on its way back to the dealership for front end problems at the time. We tried to opt out of the car but GM said no

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  Nice Sporty Car for over 50 crowd - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Don - May 18 - 10:49 pm

  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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  OK car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Rita - April 2 - 6:13 pm

  I bought my 2006 Saturn ion new in April, 2006. For the first three years, it was perfect. However, in 2009 the power window on the drivers side quit working and it cost $300 to fix. The next thing was some sort of crazy quirk that froze the key in the ignition. After spending towing fees and replace the ignition, I found out that it might have been caused by parking it too long with the wheels turned hard left. (I know, I know - sounds goofy, but now I always make sure the wheels are perfectly in line when I park.) anyway, it does get good gas mileage (I have a long commute), it is ok comfort wise for a car of its class. However, if it does anything else, I am going to trade it.

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  10000 Mile Alternators - 2006 Saturn ION
  By stony - March 27 - 3:26 am

  Ive only got 10000 miles on my car and have already replaced the alternator. I bought it because I know Saturns are very safe, but this thing is so slow and *ugh* Im over it. This car is not very comfortable, has poor visibility, slow acceleration, poor turning radius, is not agile and when driven after driving a Honda Civic (even the base model) its slow-ness becomes extremely annoying.

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  This Saturn is to rival over any imports - 2006 Saturn ION
  By shane - March 18 - 7:53 am

  This is my first Saturn experience. Ive bought three new cars in the past and there is nothing like going into a Saturn dealer and being treated like a friend and not a dollar sign.. I bought a Saturn ION 3 Sedan with leather, 2.4 performance package with Saturn Advanced sound system. This advanced sound system package is definitely worth to opt for. The fuel mileage is well over 30mpg. I compared the Honda Civic, Toyota, and Chevy Cobalt.l The Saturn ION has better handling, more power, and good fuel economy to beat any import you put up to it. Especially for price, quality, and dealership experience.

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  First and Last - 2006 Saturn ION
  By jnelson - March 14 - 9:36 am

  These cars are real junk. I just finished replacing the brake rotors that Saturn had turned down supposedly three times. Terrible service. Definitely my one and only GM purchase.

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  Saturn = Chevy = Junk - 2006 Saturn ION
  By doc4bax - March 9 - 5:35 pm

  I used to have a older Saturn and it held up well. I figured I would find one for my son to drive back and forth to school. I found one, bought it and it had a host of issues. This vehicle is notorious for front end suspension failure. First to go are the front sway bar end links and the sway bar bushings. They are poorly made and wear out prematurely. You hear that clunking noise going over bumps? If so you have this problem. Another problem is the front control arm bushings which are known for failure. Another clunking noise under your feet? You might want to take a look. Another issue, the plastic fuel tank is known to crack at the top where the plastic lines enter the fuel pump (which is in the fuel tank). That wiff of fuel you smell at the back of the vehicle? That means get your wallet out. Fortunately for me, there was a special warranty that I qualified for and GM took care of it. I just made it under the time length (expires 8 years from manufacture date). This is not a cheap fix. They had to replace the tank, fuel pump and hoses plus labor. Also, their is a problem with the shifter. The shifter looses the ability to talk to the ignition switch. When you put the car in park the key will not release from the ignition switch. This leaves the ignition stuck in the accessory position and drains your battery if left there. Fortunately this was covered under recall and it wasnt a cheap fix. Another recall is the actual ignition switch which I had done. the rear shocks wear out prematurely. This car bounced like a clone car when I first got it. This a $50 fix if you do it yourself. Lastly, the electric actuator that recirculates the air from inside or outside the vehicle goes bad. The gears shear off that turn the recirculation door. This actuator is located way up inside the dash. Dealer estimates around $600 plus to replace it as the dash has to completely come off to get to it. I was able to do this myself with minimal dash removal but it was an absolute nightmare and took all day to do. Relatively cheap part but a lot in labor costs to install.

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  Common problems shouldnt be "common" - 2006 Saturn ION
  By torianne9 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car about a year and a half ago. It was a leased car and it had 20,000 miles. I now have just over 55,000 miles and Ive already had the "common" door sensor problem, which wasnt cheap to fix, where my interior lights wouldnt turn off because my car didnt know that the door was shut and today I had my power steering replaced per warranty coverage. The problems that Saturn has "commonly" shouldnt be common problems. I read online that the power steering problem has cost 14 lives already. And the door sensor is extremely inconvenient. I love my car but I truly hate the "typical" problems that come with it.