2004 Saturn ION User Reviews

Pros

good value for money, low insurance, sharp car, spacious

Cons

see comments

The 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Special Edition (w/leather interior, new style alloy wheels and chrome tail pipe!) is my fourth Saturn with the previous ones being: 2nd model year SL1 (hand-me-down from dad, model year 1993?), 1997 SL2, 2000 SL2.

I received the Ion 3 SE with a security circuit board that was bad. 200 miles after receiving it, one morning the car wouldn't start and the engine wouldn't turn over, not even a clicking sound. The dealer thought the battery was dead and re-charged it. Same thing happenend next day: car wouldn't start. Dealer finally diagnosed it correctly (after I threatened to return the car within 30 days of purchasing it) and switched out the circuit board. No problems since but there's always the vague thought that the car might not start.

Had to have some front shock work done recently. Car started out driving smoothly then 6 months later it was driving rougher and one shock was collapsed. I'm not sure if they're using inferior (read: cheaper) parts. Two months after receiving the car, the windshield wipers are streaky and don't do a great job of clearing the rain. If they substitute cheap windshield wipers what other items are quality compromised to cut costs?

This is a good car, sporty-looking (don't get a spoiler, it's small, looks cheesy and I usually prefer spoilers) and it's spacious inside. Gas mileage isn't as good as the SL2 but again the car is bigger.

This may or may not be my last Saturn (w/39 month lease). Hopefully the upcoming Saturn Aura has a successful launch (almost looks like a Cadillac CTS). Might be worth checking out in 2006....read morehide

Pros

styling

Cons

poor in snow and front consule too close to gas peddle causing pain to right leg.

Bought a special addition last April and after two weeks I knew I made a mistake. The front consule is so wide that it hits your right leg and am in constant pain. I talked with the Saturn dealer, no help. Called the Saturn manufacturer and complained, no help. After having foreign cars for past 20 years, I will return to foreign cars for my last 20 years. If you test drive this car, notice how close your right leg is when stepping on the gas peddle only (not the brake) It is a design flaw that they have to fix. I also had the usual problems or lights burning out in the first 2 months and the radio on the blink for 5 hours and then reappairing. I should have realized something was wrong when I received $4500. off a car that listed for $18,300 especially when Saturn had a reputation for selling cars at sticker price. I use this car for business use and trade every 18 months. Can hardley wait till this Summer when I trade it in for a Honda or Toyota....read morehide

Pros

Zero interest on a new car with fair MPG and performance

Cons

Overall poor quality from bumper to bumper, very rough ride with a great deal of road noise.

Not only is the ride rough but the seats are very hard and way too small for someone over six feet tall. I am completely unhappy with the car and wished I'd never got it.

Pros

looks nice

Cons

in shop 7 times in 13 months

I bought this car 2004 Ion Quad Coupe brand new from dealer, traded in 1997 SC1 for it. Within the first 4 months, I had 2 recalls done to it. I also went through 4 radios before we could find one that would work (I bought the upgrade to the CD/MP3 player). I had to limp car to the dealer 3 months later because the transmission needed reprogrammed ( I couldn't go over 20 mph on any hills). Few months later, car wouldn't start, had car towed to dealer, needed new ignition switch. 5 days later (yes, 5 days later), vehicle wouldn't start, needed new fuel pump. also needed new swaybar arms and bushings because vehicle rode like a tank. called saturn to voice my displeasure and their answer was, since we fixed everything for you at no cost to you, you shouldn't be upset. I told them I wanted out of this car and I wanted them to buy it back from me because it was a piece of junk. They offered me $10,600 for it. ( I would have to take a $5,000 hit on it if I wanted to buy something else). I voiced my displeasure and told them that I would just go to a competitor and trade the car in. They offered me low financing if I buy another Saturn. What was the old adage, screw me once your fault, screw me twice my fault. I told them that I would never buy another Saturn product again. I am currently trading this car in (at a $5000 loss to me) for a used Chevy Impala so I can afford the payment. Before buying this car, check the reviews. I think you will see that I'm not the only one that has had numerous troubles with this car. FYI, both times my car would not start, I had my 6 month old daughter in tow. Beware, beware.
2004 Saturn Ion with all upgrades: $18,000
5 radios: priceless
transmission reprogramming: priceless
swaybar arms: priceless
swaybar bushing: priceless
ignition switch: priceless
fuel pump: priceless
not being helped by Saturn Corporation: losing a customer forever...read morehide

I love my Saturn! It is my first car and it totally fits me. I purchased the car in January of 2004 and it was and even now, the hottest thing out (I think). I have had some problems with the car such as a recall two months after I purchased the car, defective windshield wipers, and there is no locking gas cap. But through it all I have found Saturn to be very helpful and courteous to me regarding my issues and concerns. I am proud of the purchase I have made and I am extremely happy. I would totally recommend this car and possibly all other Saturn products to a friend or relative....read morehide

Pros

Exterior Styling, Fuel Economy

Cons

Interior looks and feels cheap and uncomfortable

My wife and I are happy with our Ion 2. We have owned it approximately one year and have been pleased with are purchase. The interior is cheap and the fabric stains easily, but for the price you really can't beat the value of the Ion.

Pros

nice whells drives nice all i can say is it is a good car.gps also

Cons

nothing

It is a 2004 saturn and saturns are awsome also they have some good selections of color i love the blue the best.

Pros

Great car for fun... not for anythang else

Cons

bad tires

I loved my Ion 2 manual Sedan. It was about the top of the line and ran beautifully. I never had any problems engine wise with my car. I drove it everyday almost 100 miles. It had great acceleration. It accually got me the job i have now. Only problem with it i had was the 16 inch rims that i got. One of the tires blew when i had it for only 1 1/2 months and only 8000 miles. Couldnt keep control of the car and rolled it twice... Saftey is excellent on this car. I had all the windows open and sunroof. I had no seatbelt on and i walked away with only a bruised tailbone. I loved it. Never had any of the problems all these other people have had....read morehide

Pros

Looks, Fuel Economy

This is a great car! I looked at Honda, Toyota, and Scion before deciding that Saturn is simply the better choice. I love my Ion 3 and I would recommend anyone buy a Saturn. They are not generic like Asian makes and are better quality than Ford or Dodge. Best of all, the buying experience is second to none....read morehide

Pros

The front seats, sound system, brakes, acceleration, price, dealer

Cons

Fit and finish, weird instrument pod, keeping wheels clean, mileage

I found a demo with 4500 miles on it, I got a 2004 Red Line for under $17K with incentives. I saw an ad, test drove it and went back the next day to buy it. It's like no other Saturn I've ever been in.

The magazines pick apart the interior but I like the simplicity of it. I don't like overly loaded cars, I didn't really want A/C or power windows etc. but everything comes bundled like that now. There is not a lot of unnecessary stuff. The Recaro seats are excellent.

The body panels do have a pretty good gap in them, I've heard that it helps with the expansion and contraction of the plastic body panels. Considering the price, I wasn't really expecting a German car build quality and I'd rather have gaps than door dings. The wing and hood scoop are a little over the top but it came like that so what the hey.

The braking, acceleration, and overall handling are excellent. The fly-by-wire takes a little getting used to, the throttle is kind of touchy. The cut-off kicks in very quickly in first gear but second will get you to merging speeds on the highway rapidly, shift into third and you're easily exceeding the national speed limit.

The engine takes 7 quarts of Mobil one and dealership oil changes are $85. That's kind of steep but there isn't much else like it. I drive it pretty hard and average between 20 and 25 MPG. It's a hot rod economy sports car with 4 doors. I haven't had any problems with it....read morehide