Suicide doors on other cars

[dnem]

One of the things I really like about my Element is the suicide doors. . It's great to have the whole side open up for easy access.

I'm now looking for a commuter car for my wife and I'm thinking about a Saturn Ion quadcoupe. . It has suicide doors and plastic body panels like the Element. . I've test driven one and really like what I see so far. . The one I drove also had the single variable speed automatic transmission which I also liked.

Anybody have a Ion coupe or know someone that does ?

Any opinions ? . Things to look for ? . Things to avoid ?

David

[aquilles10]

I wouldn't buy a car soley because it had suicide doors. If that's the case, then the only car I know of that has suicide doors is indeed the ION coupe. But with the ION coupe, the whole point to have the suicide doors is for the rear passengers to be able to get in and out in a somewhat comfortable manner. With the Element, I suppose it's that too, but it can accomodate significantly more cargo than the ION could ever do.

If you you need a commuter car, you should do yourself a favor and check out a Honda Civic coupe, Fit, or even a Toyota Corolla. None of them will have a suicide door, but all of them will be much nicer to drive and own. My dad owned a Saturn. It was pretty nice while it was new, but it did not age very gracefully.

[Rock E Top]

Originally Posted by dnem

One of the things I really like about my Element is the suicide doors. . It's great to have the whole side open up for easy access.

I'm now looking for a commuter car for my wife and I'm thinking about a Saturn Ion quadcoupe. . It has suicide doors and plastic body panels like the Element. . I've test driven one and really like what I see so far. . The one I drove also had the single variable speed automatic transmission which I also liked.

Anybody have a Ion coupe or know someone that does ?

Any opinions ? . Things to look for ? . Things to avoid ?

David

The Mazda RX-8 has suicide doors, zoom-zoom-zoom......

[Hondamade4dogs]

Ahhhhh the Saturn ION is a piece! the backseat is very small, hard to get in and out of, kids get sick because they ride low and can not see out the windows. If you need the doors, the mazda RX8 is a better choice. Suicide doors are a pain in the ass !:mad:

[dnem]

Rock E Top,

You just took my commuter car concept "up a notch" or maybe a few hundred notches.
The wife would never go for spending the money. . She's not interested in a sports car anyway. . But if I was looking for myself ..... I like your way of thinking. . I could show my wife your picture and say, "But honey, look at all the access room for the children", which wouldn't work to convince her a thing but might distract her long enough to slip out the back door and buy it.

Aquilles,

Originally Posted by aquilles10

I wouldn't buy a car soley because it had suicide doors. If that's the case, then the only car I know of that has suicide doors is indeed the ION coupe. But with the ION coupe, the whole point to have the suicide doors is for the rear passengers to be able to get in and out in a somewhat comfortable manner. With the Element, I suppose it's that too, but it can accomodate significantly more cargo than the ION could ever do.

I wouldn't buy for the suicide doors alone either. . But with a commuter car, you don't have cargo capacity high on the list. . The smaller the car is, the more of an issue rear seat access becomes. . 90% of the miles will be her by herself commuting but we want it to be useful for the other 10% of the time. . I don't want to flip the seat back forward and squeeze myself between the seat and the dash just to let one of my kids into the back seat. . She wants to go small and high mileage without spending the extra cash for a hybred.

Originally Posted by aquilles10

If you you need a commuter car, you should do yourself a favor and check out a Honda Civic coupe, Fit, or even a Toyota Corolla. None of them will have a suicide door, but all of them will be much nicer to drive and own. My dad owned a Saturn. It was pretty nice while it was new, but it did not age very gracefully.

I appreciate the input. . It helps to hear a spectrum of experiences. . I work with a guy that has bought 4 different Saturn SCs [the older coupe] for himself and his kids and he loves them all. . Nothing but good feedback from him. . He's currently looking for another SC.

One advantage of the Saturn over the Honda or Toyota. . I'm looking for something used in the area of a 2003 or 2004. . The Saturns take a much bigger devaluation hit on the resale market. . The original owner takes the big hit and I get the buyers market of low price on the 3 to 4 year old car.

But when you said "did not age very gracefully", that means something to me. . I can't stand breakdowns or constant trips to the mechanic. . It's a balancing act between sale price and projected mechanical reliability. . Finances, mechanical ability, and patience are different from one person to another so the end decision varies from person to person.

I hope others post their thoughts so I can add them into the mix.

David

[dnem]

Originally Posted by Hondamade4dogs

Ahhhhh the Saturn ION is a piece! the backseat is very small, hard to get in and out of, kids get sick because they ride low and can not see out the windows. If you need the doors, the mazda RX8 is a better choice. Suicide doors are a pain in the ass !:mad:

Sometimes on windy days, it feels like the Element is a cardboard box and it is tumbling down the road. Not the best car for Windy conditions!

I agree about the size of the back seat, it's nothing like the Element. . But I only need it to seat the kids when the car isn't being used as a commuter. . I sat it the one at the dealership and thought it was big enough even would be OK for an adult if needed. . The suicide doors made a huge difference in being able to get in and out easily.

But it is a commuter car and size equals gas mileage so you have to give up something. . The low ride boosts gas mileage also.

“Suicide doors are a pain in the ass !”
On that one I disagree with you completely. . I love suicide doors. . I love the pillarless access.

“Sometimes on windy days, it feels like the Element is a cardboard box and it is tumbling down the road. Not the best car for Windy conditions!”
I’ve noticed some wind problems but it’s nothing like the full size Chevy van that I used to drive for work. . The wind could actually move the back end over and cause it to “dog track” when on ice or snow. . That was a very unsettling experience. . I feel my Element holds the rode pretty well taking into consideration its shape.

David

[billyguitar]

Consumer Reports says Satisfaction with owners is much lower than average, depreciation is greater than average and reliability is average. Go to the library and look at the Consumer Reports auto issue, then research any models you're interested in. It can be very helpful.

[fcz1]

Personally, for commuting purposes I find the suicide doors to be a pain if I have passengers in the back. They are very inconvenient in a tight parking spot. I love the E and when I need the suicide doors I can't imagine not having them. But if I only hauled people, I wouldn't want them.

[Hab Mobile]

I think of the "suicide doors" more as clamshell doors. Real suicide doors don't need the front doors to open first.

If you are looking for a commuter car, then I agree with the previous posters in that cargo capacity wouldn't be a high priority. I am purchasing either a Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, or Volkswagen Rabbit as my wife's commuter car in the spring. Good gas mileage, safety, and good handling are what we look for in a commuter car.

[scorsone]

a friend of mine is a mechanic and he sells cars on the side. Most of the time it is a saturn that needed a new engine and he would get the car for about a grand, spend a couple hundred on a rebuilt engine and an afternoon turning wrenches and viola! He would have a saturn to sell and make a couple grand when it's all said and done. I don't trust saturns reliability after seeing the number of saturns my friend turns over.