If someone suggested gettin an Ion a few weeks back (when i hadn't seen the improvements made to the new one) i would have said youd be making a mistake. for the reason that what spoiled the marker was the fact the marker had to be completely stripped to maintain it and things like the solenoid hosing and the eye wire and the board in any marker are just not up to being constantly fiddled with ( I've been there ). however now smart parts have introduced the bolt out back system, this has eliminated the only fault i saw in the marker as a starter / intermediate marker so i would deff go for the new ion. If i were you i would get a Q lock feed neck, new trigger and barrel, o and an oops . from then on most other upgrades are cosmetic. like i said, i had an ion and the only fault i saw has been fixed.Take a look at the new Ion (little more expensive) out or the cheaper guns tart parts have released.
http://www.shop.justpaintball.co.uk/acatalog/Smart_Parts_Ion_XE_White.html
http://www.shop.justpaintball.co.uk/acatalog/Smart_Parts_Vibe.html
I've seen this for sale for £88 on one site, but cant remember what site it was