Hello
 

I inherited this 2005 Ion Sedan 2 a couple years ago when an aunt was no longer able to drive comfortably. Been doing some minor aesthetic upgrades to it, as well as installed a new stereo because the stock one was poo. I'll get some pics up of the changes I've made once I have a nice sunny day to get her washed and all shiny. Got some plans to build a custom projector headlight system, as well as in the middle of adding stock fog lamps. Overall, I can't complain much about this car, it has a tiny bit of hesitation when flooring the gas and I'll probably need to redo the suspension at some point... but for as old as she is, I only just broke 55k miles and continue to conservatively drive her to maintain that low mile status.

Just wanted to drop a quick hello and apologize ahead of time if I resurrect some donkey's old thread that nobody cares about anymore. ;)

Welcome, I have an L series with a 2.2 and a 5 speed so I might be able to help with engine problems.

Awesome, thank you! I would have loved to have picked the manual trans for mine too as I much prefer driving with a stick. There's just no comparison in acceleration control. I'll update my sig with accurate mileage and my location shortly as I'm just headed out to the store for a few things. Is there any disadvantage to swapping transmissions out at some point if I start heavily modifying this car?

No disadvantage, just a lot of work with these newer cars. My car actually has a different subframe for the transmission shift linkage. I have had a few of these L series apart and it looks like everything will swap if you can find a complete parts car. I’m sure it will be the same for the Ion. Find a 05 Ion with a bad engine and take it apart.

Welcome to the forum. Andy IS indeed your go to guy for your car. Derf is very detail oriented too. I"m more like applesauce in a fan. Scattered!

Welcome. Stick around.
19BoneStock88 is the Ion dude,
I'm an S car guy.
02 LW300 is an L master. The Ion shared engines in some cases with the Ions..
Andy is actually a master at all things auto--it becomes self-evident.

Thank you guys so much! I'm extremely happy to have found this forum, there are a lot of dead end resources out there. My mechanical and electrical expertise is limited, but I am competent in following instructions. My Chilton's guide is on the way from Amazon so hopefully a bunch of questions will be answered by that, especially which part #'s to get because I'd like to stay as close to factory as possible for now.

Yes, a handful of us keep this place alive. Every Saturn repaired is one more Saturn kept on the road for at least a little while longer.
Can't believe I've been driving the same SC2 for 20 years. My back is starting to go so it may have to go too, but not before i get some performance tires back on it and do some crazy driving to get it out of my system.
Is it a 45k sportscar? No.
Is it fun as hell to drive for $14K 20 years ago and no car payment for 16 years that probably shouldn't have lasted this long? You bet your ass it is.

5 more years I am eligible for a "Historical" or "Classic" plate (PA)

Hahaha oh wow... classic plates on a Saturn xD ty, now I officially feel old.

My Chilton's manual came today!!!! I'm so hyped rn you don't even know. I can do all the things to my car that I've been wanting to, + more. Funnily, it doesn't show anything about replacing the bumper grille, so I guess I'm pulling the whole thing off. Also still have to do a visual inspection of the harnesses to see if the fog lights are already wired. I will be so happy with GM if they are, but if not, oh well... it'll be a good experience to learn how to put in a relay and switch properly. My only concern is that if I wire them into a dedicated switch, will turning off the engine also kill power to the lights, or will I have to figure out a special wiring solution to achieve this goal?

Fun times ahead!