Should Saturn Build an ION Wagon?

[Charlie]

Do you think Saturn should build an ION wagon like these member created concepts?

ION Wagon at an Auto Show (http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php3?photo=322&papass=&sort=1) by Craig
ION Wagon on the Street (http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php3?photo=2965&papass=&sort=1) by Ben

Post your thoughts.

Thanks!
Charlie

[piney]

I like them - but let the folks who did the Matrix/Vibe or Element interiors set them up inside. Something like those with polymer panels would be great - and don't forget the CVT!!!

[swoker183]

those dont look that bad. i dont know if i would actually buy one, but they arent that bad lookin

[L300Boy]

I think it is a very natural progression for the ION .. these photoshops look so natural...its as if it were ment to be. The showroom floor pic kinda looks like the VUE, does it not?

[JanCan]

I like Craig's addition in the background... "Wagons Rule!".

[eRic 02sc2]

the ion wagon looks ok. saturn will need one since the l-series isn't doing so good (REBATES?!)

[Qlara]

They didn't ditch the SW2 for no reason. Small wagons sales accounts marginal volume to maintain profit for Saturn. I thought they're going to have L-series SportWagon in '05 too. So ION wagon might just be a nice concept only.

How's the new ION sales so far? I see none on the roads yet, see more Mazada 6 though. :rolleyes:

[XtremeGrandAm]

I think it depends. If its just going to be a standard wagon like the SW's were than I say no. If its going to be a sport wagon type vehicle with CVT and AWD than I say yes.

[LilRedVUE]

I agree with Qlara - the SW model was ditched because sales were so low. I believe Saturn would do better to release some "special edition" models of the ION and L-Series.

[prosys001]

A model like the protege 5 or matrix would be great.

[saturncanuck]

Yes, but they won't

[piney]

Seeing the trend of cool little wagons - more less multipurpose mini-wagons, GM tanked the SW just in the nick of time so that they would not be seen as a trend setter. *heavy sarcasm*

If they would bring the ION wagon out in the same active lifestyle, multipurpose image that the Vibe and Matrix have, it'd sell - particularly if it had a CVT and polymer.

I'd like to know how many of the Vibe/Element/Matrix target market are apartment/condo dwellers and how many of their cars are full of dings.

[pitboss]

Just had my VUE washed at my retailer here in Clearwater, Florida and I asked one of the salesmen how the ION was selling. He just said one word..."Not." There was a couple getting ready for a test drive that looked to be on this side of 90 years old. I guess they didn't see the commercial or they thought it was their "Cocoon" (filmed in nearby St. Petersburg,,,,home of the newly wed and nearly dead). As far as a wagon goes...nope...think the Coupe with the suicide doors better bail out this turkey.

[Scratch1SL]

I think it would be a hit! I would buy one in a New York minute!!

[GR898SL2]

So long as they drop in that Saabotec and offer CVT, an ION wagon would make a nice grocery getter -- and a quick one too. If it's a plain Jane ION sedan with a cargo area instead of a trunk, it isn't going to sell. Ben and Craig are on the right track in making the wagon resemble the Matrix/Vibe.

[Klutz_33]

They should but only if they offer the quad coupe tuner engine and all wheel drive. That would be real nice

[Swizelman45]

I think it'd be great, kind have a euro-wagon look to it, and give it the characteristics and performance to match the look.

[1993SC2]

I agree with XtremeGrandAm (what he said is shown below) but a 230HP Ecotec (turbo or something) with AWD would be sweet. But, sadly, the people that don't know trendy automobiles from Grandma's Grocery Getter down there at Saturn (the corporate folk) are getting more conservative by the day in the sporty car arena. That's why all the young people are going for the import trash (no offense). They're cheep, sporty, and as most autos are today, reliable.

words of XtremeGrandAm:
I think it depends. If its just going to be a standard wagon like the SW's were than I say no. If its going to be a sport wagon type vehicle with CVT and AWD than I say yes.


...
www.xtremega.com (Site Administrator)
A place for Pontiac Owners & Saturn Owners

[benpatient]

it's funny you should say that we made our wagon images look like the vibe/matrix. because all i did was extend the roof straight back and have it drop vertically down, and let the window wrap around. i didn't do anything to make it "look sporty." the truth is, the ION looks sporty as a wagon no matter what you do with it. the shape makes it perfect. it should be done, because when you extend it out like that, you see right away the connection saturn made between the ION and the VUE. they were done to look similar, but some how the format hides that. when you extend the rear of the ION into a wagon, suddenly, the ION sedan, coupe, wagon, and VUE all look to be in the same family. it's the missing link, as they say. They should build it, with a sport version. and don't let the matrix/vibe interior designers anywhere near it! are you nuts? the inside of those cars is as tacky as half-set wood glue.

i HATE the matrix/vibe interior. it's my least favorite new car interior. the center column with the radio and air controls by itself has the following materials: three kinds of grey (or i guess brown?) plastic, with various textures, painfully fake brushed aluminum, fake chrome, and black plastic accents. all on the center bit there! people complain about the ION interior, but really there are only 3 textures inside the whole car. the bumpy stuff, the smooth stuff, and the dumb saturn elephant skin stuff. i guess every car maker uses that stuff, though. i just don't like it. but anyway, the gray interior saturn has what, 3 shades of grey? that's just right. it works. no gaudy fake chrome or brushed alum or fake wood or anything. i'm all for a bit of real wood or aluminum, but the fake, smooth, shiny plastic versions of those materials are nasty. anyway, they should make the wagon. i'd trade in my ION3 for turbo ION wagon. and take the increase in payments...

[SW2Muck]

Originally posted by piney
Seeing the trend of cool little wagons - more less multipurpose mini-wagons, GM tanked the SW just in the nick of time so that they would not be seen as a trend setter. *heavy sarcasm*

If they would bring the ION wagon out in the same active lifestyle, multipurpose image that the Vibe and Matrix have, it'd sell - particularly if it had a CVT and polymer.

I'd like to know how many of the Vibe/Element/Matrix target market are apartment/condo dwellers and how many of their cars are full of dings.

I couldn't agree more Piney. Maybe the SW's didn't sell well new, but from Saturn dealers have told me, used ones don't stay on the lot long, so there's got to be some sort of a market for small wagons, and these new sport wagons and used SW's are obviously filling it, so why not an ION wagon?

[piney]

I should clarify that I like the multipurpose nature of the Vibe/Matrix/Element products - the flat load floors, hook eyelets everywhere, stuff like that. The fake aluminum and stuff is a fad - but the useful and clever layout of the space is the good stuff that I'd like to see. :yes:

[haypops]

The ION wagon should offer 2+2+2 seating. The old SAAB 96 did it on an even smaller vehicle. This would make it the cure for the minivan. This seating arrangement would help those who need two car seats + room for 2 grand parents.

I also think the SKY should be renamed as an ION, replace the square grill thing with an ION grill and other ION accruitiments. The more IONs on the road, the more accoustomed people will become to its quirkiness and sales will steadily increase. Any photoshop wizards out there want to give this a try?

[Saturnmeister]

Yes, they should; it would be better looking than the sedan, and a whole lot more useful.

Wagons DO rule!

[Ernie's 00SWP]

:x They stopped making the SWP... :hmpf: I think they should make an IONP to replace the SWP... I may need another RHD one day.. and would like it to be another Saturn... HEY SATURN!! WAKE UP AN SMELL THE MAIL!!! :redjump:

[SaturnSdn]

If an ION wagon would be as "UGLY" as the ION sedan is why bother. The ION Q-Coupe is as "UGLY" as the ION sedan and they are going to built it, so why not have an ugly wagon to make it a threesome.
I don't see a new Saturn in my future at all......ever. Thats after eight Saturns .

[vtunderground]

Unless Saturn managed to truly screw it up (I wouldn't put it past them), I think an ION wagon would look much better than the sedan or quad coupe. And yeah, it sure seems like used SW's don't last long on the dealer lots. I had a lot of trouble finding one, especially in twin cam / 5-speed trim.

I would buy an ION wagon, but only with the gauges where they're supposed to be. And a supercharger would be nice. It seems like sporty wagons are the "next big thing".

Wagons rule!

[hoperlw1]

I would like an ION wagon. It probably couldn't be as good as my 1993 SW2 was, though. Styling would have to improve and it would have to lose some weight.

[kidsaturn]

I haven't caught the ION 4 sedan fever althought the techs I talk to say they are pretty solid cars, the shape is not quite "catchy". Now the the "SUW" if you go with sport look with performance features, it looks to "open up" the demograghics to this new line. do not wait till its to late or fate will lend it's hand...the kid...

[Dr. Bob]

Would the proposed wagon be based on the sedan or the quad coupe?

[FL ION BY]

I agree with Piney's idea of a VIBE type version of the ION rather than a traditional looking wagon. Same outcome, different look and market.

[ralheid]

No! Saturn should not even be building an ION sedan, G(eneral) M(oroms) now as a Jetta clown, with Chevy's famous cheap look, with the new high speed assembly line. (if it's wrong pass it on)

Too bad they fired the guy that used to stop the lin.

[silverplum]

Rumour has it that wagons are going to make a come back. Will this be the demise of SUVs?

[ChrisION]

i love the ION sedan but i think the wagon would take away some of it's coolness which it radiates through the unique styling and customizable interiors and exteriors. somehow, it would just remind me of the old SW's, and we both know they didn't do as good as the sedan... plus, i dont think too many people in the ION's target age group are shopping for wagons.

[ChrisION]

in response to silverplum's post, i don't think wagons will make too much of a comeback, most of the people who buy SUV's (i'm one of them) buy SUV's for their large size and high seating position or towing capacity. the better fuel economy in a wagon could be argued with, though. the only reason why we got an SUV is for the towing capacity; we have a pop-up camper which we use to pull with a minivan.

[trunx]

I wanted a stationwagon or a hatchback. That's the whole reason the Protege5, Focus ZX5, Vibe, Matrix, Aerio, Golf, and Elantra GT were at the top of my shopping list. Saturn got lucky because these cars were either to expensive for the options I had to have, uncomfortable, or the dealers were rude to me. Don't get me wrong, I love my little Rogue, but a wagon would have brought me to the nearest Saturn dealer a month sooner.

[trunx]

On that note, yes, there is the L-series wagon, but I dislike the new L-series styling, especially the rear end of the wagon. And, although I really like the styling of the VUE, if I get an SUV, I want All wheel drive, which puts me $5000+ Canadian above the loaded ION.

[haypops]

Recent comments on future Saturn products seems to make an ION wagon unlikely. The replacement of th eLseries is refered to as an extended sedan which really seems to mean a hatchback/wagon. The proposed minivan is supposed to look like a wagon, and the 2008 v6/v8 sportWAGON. Of course the VUE could be described a Wagon too.

[2fast4all]

They should make a redline v-6 wagon.