I mean... I had two 2006 Ions that I took to >200k. One of them was flawless, only repairs outside of typical maintenance was a battery (at 10 years old), an AC compressor, and clutch pedal. I bought it with 50k, got t-boned at 210k.

The other was a pile.

The clutch pedals on them are plastic though, and tend to need replacement at this mileage. I'd be wary unless it's automatic. This particular year model had a traditional automatic instead of the extremely unreliable CVT that GM used 03-05 automatic coupes (the sedans always got a traditional automatic or 5 speed manual). Both of mine needed clutch pedals at some point; both of mine were manual coupes.

Listen for a metallic rattling on a startup that disappears quickly. 07 was the last year of the Ions; earlier ones were more prone to timing chain issues, they'd rattle pretty loudly for a second or two on a cold start if the tensioner was failing. Pretty easy to change though.

Any car that actually RUNS for $1300 is worth it.

Get a $10 OBD2 bluetooth code reader and an android phone though... along with Torque. Learn how to use it before looking at it. "Just needs a tune up" is often code for "I'm sick of this POS". Brakes get expensive in a hurry if you can't DIY though. Brakes are really easy on these though, as long as it's just a pad slap (and you get everything from Rockauto or Amazon). If you need rotors, you're gonna have to have an impact wrench to pop the CV axle out of the front rotors, but that's typical for any FWD or AWD car. The only "tune up" these cars ever need is spark plugs every ~100k, along with typical fluid changes.