I recently bought a Cheapo dink-box(06 Saturn ION2) for gas mileage.

I'm a little unhappy with some things about it and thought I'd ask some experts. Most of which I can live with but the wandering in a lane is too bad to live with. The dealer has taken the stance of the tire pressure was too high. Which I've tried rotating tires, differing air pressures and checking for wheel weights and any loose bolts-nuts.

The problem is that the car wallows in/out of turns (it runs off the edge of the road all by itself) and the car will not stay put in a lane on the highway (most steering I've ever done in a straight line THAT includes some 1/4 mile and 1 mile passes).

My thoughts are some springs and shocks (eibach and HR do make some lowering springs).

Any other thoughts on it (besides I know you get what you pay for)?

Because I'm seriously thinking about a Mini Cooper (non S ).

I know it's new, but I wonder if the alignment could be off (like caster/toe).

Ya, could be alignment but also could be something loose or broken in the steering/suspension. New cars are NOT supposed to wander. I'd find another Saturn dealer to have a go at it.

My Z28 needed alignment before I picked it up. The car wandered all over the road when I test drove it (it just came off the transporter), told the salesman to check the alignment. They did it right away and it fixed the wandering problem.

Aria

If we are talking about a newly purchased car, I would NOT pay for any repairs or purchase and install any non-dealer parts. If you have made your case to the dealer and not received satisfactory service or repairs, you can either see the manager of the dealership and firmly state your dissatisfaction or you can skip that step and go directly to the division with your complaint.

If you have received a customer satisfaction/service survey form, fill it out. Be very specific about your issue as well as your dissatisfaction with the dealership's service response. Customer service surveys are reviewed and monitored by the company. Negative survey responses affect a dealership's credibility with the parent company directly. If you send in a reasonably worded,but negative survey, you should get a response- probably from the service manager. Trust me on this, my son works as an Acura tech and ANY negative CSI causes grief all the way down the line from the manager right down to the individual tech. If the problem is with their product or their servicing of it, make them aware and accountable.

I'll take a ride with you. Annnnnnnnnnnnd you can take those old Hoosiers with you! Not that you need my help, but I'll be glad to take a ride just to toss out some new ideas.

I agree jensend the survey just went in the mail filled out defining the problem.

RPOZ I thought you asked about going down to Saturn and bash some heads .

I know you need to clean out a garage. I'll ask my walking talking calendar (wife) if I can break free this weekend.

Just to let you know I added a stock one and I still apear to loosing it at the pump . At least before I burnt the clutch up 2 weeks ago .

Join the club! I bought an '06 Ion3 back in December for gas mileage (100 miles per day). I don't have any problems in a straight line, though. In fact, it's pretty good down the interstate.

However, it is wicked turning while hitting the gas. Not torque steer stuff either. It's like the steering gets so light that any pebble in the road or twitch in my fingers turns the wheel a half turn! I've learned that, when I make a >90* turn with heavy gas, hold the wheel tight and turn it exactly where I want.

I guess what I'm saying is that you need to take it to another dealership. They love to play against each other. Bring it to another dealership and tell them that they'll get your business if they can fix it. I've played two against each other with my wife's car (Hyundai) and they are now calling me on a monthly basis checking to see if there is any warranty work to be done!

You hit the nail on the head on the steering and combined with some soft springs it wonders in LIGHT wind on the highway. This past weekend after taking it to the dealer a strong gust of 10-15mph almost blew it off the highway . Its too much to bear its sold this week for a Mini Cooper.

The ecotec will out run a Mini but I can't see spending money on springs to fix for a normal ride. The ecotec power is impressive with a 5 speed. But I just can't.

Not to mention the wife now refuses to drive it after being blown off the road.

Anyone want to picture a mini with 2 car seats in the back and diaper bag and portable dvd player strapped to a front seat. I've turned into a mini car man (pun on minivan man).