Apocalypse Rally Ready: 2007 Saturn Ion
It was only this week that we discovered that taking a photo of your car through a window screen is the only safe way to document your car during the time of COVID19…but it appears to be a thing that is taking off. At least the seller was daring enough to step through the mesh long enough to take a few pics of this manual gearbox equipped Saturn Ion that has been “converted” to a rally car. Look at all those lights! I am dazzled! Find this 2007 Saturn Ion offered for $5500 in Fremont, CA via craigslist.
From the seller:
2007 saturn ion
condition: excellent
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: fwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 60000
paint color: red
size: sub-compact
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: offroad
Fun driving adult owned Rally car all new suspension new brakes new clutch nice stereo with sub and really nice exhaust and 60,000 low Miles One of a kind get a thumbs up everywhere I go
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Very odd choice for a “rally” car, but extra credit for going in a different direction at least. I won’t talk smack about FWD in rallying because, well… Lancia Fulvia and Mini Cooper. But I get the distinct feeling that this car is more show than go. Big tires, mudflaps, and a bunch of lights does not make a capable rally car. This car is to rally as “glamping” is to camping. I almost expected to find a slushbox automatic. Though is does have manual crank windows!
The ad is way too short of information and helpful photos. New suspension… how about you describe that and take a few photos? That’s probably the most important part of the puzzle here. Is it lifted or is it stock with just taller tires? Any performance upgrades or attempts at making it rally-capable?
This is a decent starting point if you really want a left-field rally car from a dead brand, but it’s got a long way to go before it can handle anything but packed dirt trails. Call me when it’s gutted and has a full roll cage installed… and maybe a few scratches and dents that prove it’s been used.
One of the few things in addition to the manual gearbox that gives this build any sort of credibility is the NA Miata in the background…and even then, I’m not too impressed with the hood vent styling they put on that car.
The Miata is winking at you!!
I HATE when Miata’s are coy like that
I used to have this driveway that could only park cars in single file and we had to park off the street overnight. So every morning whoever was the front car had to move the other two first, and get in and out of the three cars one right after another. I had a 1991 Saab 900, and then there was a Toyota wagon, and a Saturn wagon. The Saab door closed with a nice solid thunk. The Toyota door closed a little less solid but like every other Toyota ever. The Saturn? The door felt as light as a license plate and closed with a sound like a flat tin plate being dropping on the concrete. It did not inspire confidence.
“adult owned”
Hey now, technically speaking 18 is an adult. Technically correct is the best correct.