Used 2003 Saturn ION Coupe Consumer Reviews
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Almost 3 years
GaryM, 01/28/2006
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The car has yet to let me down. I have had several trips to the dealer, and almost always got the car back while I waited. The free rental with my service contract made any overnight problems bearable. The tires seem to be about gone. This is a little better than I expected for OEM tires. The 16" low profile tires gave the car the best handling I have has with a small car. The transmission shifts good most of the time, but occasionaly hunts when the acceleration drops off near it's shift point. The front seats have a tremendous amount of leg room. However, the rear seat passenger can loose all of their leg room to the front seat. The car is comfortable on long trips.
Thirteen years and still going strong!
Barry, 09/22/2017
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2003 Saturn Ion 3 brand new and, thirteen years later, it still runs like a top! I've gone through three alternators, two batteries and a water pump but I consider that normal wear and tear stuff for as much driving as I do. I did suffer with the ignition issue but that was fixed after the recall. I recently replaced the rusted out front strut assemblies but that's the only major repair I've had to deal with and the car will be turning over 300,000 miles within the next couple of weeks! I do as much of my own work as possible, change the oil regularly and don't beat it. I've taken care of my car and it has taken care of me. Love my Saturn! Hope it lasts another 300,000 miles!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2003 ION needs work
kurt w, 08/08/2004
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My experience with two 2003 Ions suggested Saturn put GM's new Delta chassis too early. A solid body and good handling were appreciated. Freeway cruising was quiet but nervous. Build quality was awful - both cars had tons of squeaks, rattles, ill fitting parts, and transmission and engine glitches two service centers could not repair. 24 mpg was the rule but acceleration not so great (5 speed helped on hills but often shifted harshly). The buying experience was pleasant, but the service was awful. Hopefully the 2004 and 2005 versions will be better.
My Last Saturn
EW, 08/02/2006
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 6 people found this review helpful
At the time I got this car - the "college grad" deal made it the most affordable car around. Now all I want to do is get rid of it. It is not a sporty car. It is an economy coupe, and that is it.
Good Car
squeak303, 09/07/2004
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
For the price you can't really go wrong. It's a solid car and very reliable. Gas milage is excellent, especially in high priced Chicago area.
Non start problems
Unsatisfied, 03/01/2009
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Why won't Saturn stand behind their vehicles? Only a week after purchasing my vehicle it won't start. Local repair shop said probably starter, decided to do a little research first, omg I can't believe the thousands of complaints on line. Dealers replace ignition switch which is faulty in the first place but they do not acknowledge that. Guess what the switch if you are lucky only lasts a year if that and then you are stuck with the same repair every year.
Would buy another
azgirl, 07/07/2009
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I like my Ion. Six years after purchasing, it's a great value. I don't drive it hard. Maybe if I drove it more, it would have more issues. Six years and less than 37K miles, the only issues I've had are a drivers side power window issue (fixed under warranty), and I now need new bushings. Love the interior and exterior styling and would buy another if they were still in production.
I Love My Saturn ION 3 Quad Coupe!!!!!!!
bubba1, 08/01/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is the best designed Saturn yet. It is my third Saturn and I'm amazed at how well they've done on the Quad Coupe. This car is responsive, fun to drive, economical, and handles extremely well. The 16" rim/tire combination is a big plus. The ION 3 easily outhandles most of the sports sedans in the tight curves of the road. It's almost as if the car's been glued to the pavement. The CVT trans is a wonder to drive. It's smooth, responsive and well designed. The "drive by wire" power steering is very responsive and gives just the right amount of feedback to the steering wheel.
Cranberry Ion
Kate J, 08/04/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my first new car. I love it!!! The center dash is wonderful.
old mans coupe
sdue52, 08/05/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have a little age on me, but I still like a sporty ride. I just purchased a bright red Saturn Quad Coupe, with tan leather and all the goodies. I like the tight feel of the car. The sport suspension is firm but you got to love the way the car hugs the apex of a curve. The gauge pod is a great idea, and I like it. It is easy to keep you eyes on the road. The car is a blast to drive, and attracts a lot of attention. The most common reaction is "THAT IS A SATURN?"
First new car.
nitsuj, 08/19/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Maybe it's just the contrast after driving a 1986 CRX HF (read: 63 hp), but I found the ION to have more than enough power. About a month after purchase, I took a 930-mile marathon road trip. There were a few mountain passes in my way, and i had no trouble blasting uphill with the A/C on full. The variable power steering, while a bit touchy at times, really turns to a rail at about 90. The price can't be beat: I'm spending as much on my purchase as most people spend on a lease. And based on other peoples' experiences with this company, I expect to be driving this car for a decade or more.
Best coupe (and service) for the money!
pupdaddy123, 08/18/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is fun, afforadable, and practical.
excellent
Kody, 08/22/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I just got this car about three weeks ago and I still love driving it. I fell in love with the style the first time I saw it, and after I drove it, I knew this was the car I wanted. It is very good on gas, it costs me about $17 to fill the entire tank. And the gas mileage is also very good. I only use about half a tank of gas in a week. Everything, the air conditioner, CD player, cruise control, etc., is very easy to use. The remote keyless entry is also very helpful. Overall, the car is very comfortable, drives very smoothly, and is a lot of fun.
You get what you pay for...
car shopping, 09/02/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I test drove this car for 24 hours. The editor's review of this car is very accurate.
Pure Delight
Kiwicort, 09/07/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have found that America can build a car that is reliable, fun to drive and a blast to drive. This car is tight and corners much better than my 2001 Civic ever did.
Ion 2
Bradley Klein, 09/13/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Well built car. My other Saturn had 250K with no problems.
disappointed
Mrs. Elder, 08/27/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The transmission is lacking power & performance. A possible bearing in the frontend is knocking. The body doesn't match up like it should. Something in the doors is scratching the glass. The dealership has looked at & tried to repair these things, but wants someone from the manufacturer to look at it. This may be in the first week or two of September.
Quad coupe
eyedoc2004, 09/21/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in april. I was pleasantly surprised this vehicle. I still like it 8500 miles later. It has good performance, comfort, and convenience considery it's economy car class. It's alot of car for what you pay for it and it's practical and fun to drive. I drove a honda civic as well, and this car blows it away. Lots more power and interior room (i'm 6' 3" and have plenty of head and leg room).
Excellence
vladie, 10/22/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great Fun! Looks great on the outside and is really comfterble in the inside
Ions Rock
TSCBoy, 10/22/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Lives up to Saturns standard of providing the best value for your automobile purchase dollar. It is cute, zippy and practical.
ION3QC
EdwinM, 10/25/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Love this car! Fun to drive and very different than anything else out there.
They must have built it for me!!!
Marcella, 10/26/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love my new ION, they must have built it for me, because it is exactly what I wanted. I had a 2002 SC2 and this is such an improvment. More power,more room and way more fun!!!
The experts are wrong
jdt141, 12/07/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had a lot of trouble finding a car that I liked. I drove a lot of cars trying to find what i liked - a Mazda 6, Subaru WRX, Ford Focus, chevy cavalier, and the Ion. The 6 and the WRX were more than I wanted to spend and the WRX was WAY too small for that kind of money. As for the focus, well - this car beats it hands down. It has more pickup, more legroom, and a bigger trunk. The things I initially liked about the focus were the things I didn't like about the Ion (Weird Instrument cluster & small steering wheel). The Ion hauls, has lots of room, and drives wonderfully. great control and lots of passenger space. the suicide doors are very useful too.
Good on gas, that's it
wosko, 09/28/2005
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After 2 months of owning this car, the car wouldn't shut off because the key wouldn't turn or come out. I had to have it towed and the ignition solinoid replaced. A month later it happened again. The dials on the thermostat don't rotate properly. The remote trunk unit has to be reset every so often. The brakes are already going bad. You can't spill anything in the car because cleaning the material will leave moisture stains. Worst buy ever.
definitely worth a look
schillidog, 02/01/2004
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Saturn greatly improves on their small car platform with the new ion line. more power, space and better looks i bought this car in july 03 and have had no problems with it the car gets good gas mileage and has a good performance along with it all backed by saturns reputation for reliability and helpfulness through dealerships
what fun!
happy50ish, 12/30/2004
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have truly enjoyed owning this car. For the money it's the best comuter car out there. I'm very tall and I like the driver leg room. Never intended to put anyone in the back seat. No mechanical problems to date. The purchase process was fantastic. It's a little noisy on the highway but hey, you can't have it all for well under 20K.
Great Car
A/G, 10/09/2006
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is one great car. Easy to drive, fun, and looks sharp. Great fuel mileage. Great in the winter and summer. Just an all around nice car. I recommend it for a first car, or if you need a daily drive that gets good gas mileage but want to stay American.
A few annoying quirks
Jill B., 04/26/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The driver's seat is too wide, so I move around in turns. No adjustable seat tilt, so my thighs are not supported. The clutch safety switch clicks. Hopefully the seat will mold to me like my SL1 did. Most FM stations have static. Brought it back twice, and have been told it's working properly. I'm still trying to get this solved. If I can't, I don't know what to do. Very roomy, much bigger than the SL. The tightest turning circle I have ever seen. Powerful engine, huge trunk with storage underneath. I like the central gauges, not their illumination/contrast at night. Lots of features for the money. Place for sunglasses, but not CD or tape case.
Smooth Fun
rexelent, 05/08/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great car so far. Fun to drive and very smooth transmission with the variable option compared to standard package test driven on the Sedan. Sharp styling. No need to move hands from top of steering wheel to check gauges. Great buy for the money!
I LOVE MY NEW CAR!
TammyR, 05/27/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
To tell the truth, I'm not much of a car person. I can't ramble off specs, but what I can tell you is that this car is fantastic! It's peppy without being jerky and the ride is smooth. My last car was an Eclipse with a bangin' sound system. If I can go from that to this...and love it, you will too!
Whole Lot of Fun
Lucky19, 05/31/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I've had the car for three weeks and have put over 1000 miles on it. I love driving it. It's responsive, quick and turns on a dime. I didn't buy it to go 0-60 in 5, so I am pleased with how fast it is. I have the CVT automatic, and it regularly surprises me with power,agility and responsiveness. My daughter (9)loves the back doors and being able to see the guages. It took all of one outting to get used to guage location. I love the smaller steering wheel and I especially like the view out front. It is everything I expected for the money, and it's even more fun than I thought it would be.
The BEST Saturn YET!
Cool Jay, 05/31/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When I first saw the ION I fell IN LOVE! Things like a Powerful engine smooth and quiet ride, plenty of room, great amount of trunck space and unique design. Meanwhile those uncomfortable seats that many complain about, something must be wrong with their butt because I find them very comfortable. As far as any other negative responses, this is an economy car people NOT A CADILLAC. The ION is just as good or better than any other economy car like the Civic or Corrolla and the $16K that I spent on my ION was well worth it.
I LOVE MY NEW QUAD COUPE
CME, 06/04/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I knew when I went to the dealer what I wanted... but I was even more inclined to buy with the no-hassle, helpful salesman. I LOVE my new car. It is sporty, easy to handle, and just plain fun. THE turning radius is AMAZING. The kids love the rear access doors... and the trunk space is HUGE. I disagree with the "official rating."
Quad 4
Neil D, 06/18/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We had not originally considered the Ion in our search for a new car, but after we test drove the Quad 4, it was far superior to the Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen in looks, power, roominess and handling. The unique features on the Ion including the center dash gages, the electric assist power steering and the battery in the trunk all made sense. The final decision on our purchase was the zero % financing and the much lower cost for insurance.
Red Ion
Andy Cooper, 06/17/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am very happy with this car. My previous car was a 93 Ford Ranger.
My second Saturn and I love it!!
susieqetal, 06/18/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my second Saturn purchase and I am a true believer now. My first experience was great and the second time out did not let me down. The company is everything they advertise it to be. Their cars are dependable, sturdy, fuel efficient, stylish, and fun to drive.
Love my 1st Saturn
migs40, 07/02/2003
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Fun to drive; Able to carry large items because of suicide doors
Reviewers have heads in dark places
Frank Farkle, 07/04/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Have a FULLY loaded ION 3/5M and I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER WITH A VEHICLE! Puke on Edmund's and Consumer Reports bogus reviews. What're they smoking? The ION 3 is the best in class for the money, bar none! It holds a 45 mph corner, at 75 mph, without blinking. The leather seats are excellent. Bought for mileage and drivability - NOT racing off the line. Top-end optional sound system is exceptional. Interior egronomics, fit and finish, are quite nice - electronics - state of the art. $20K vehicle that has a tighter turning radius than Audi's A4.
I love my ION!
hritch, 07/08/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is fun to drive. The small steering wheel is just my size (5'6" female driver) and the center mounted panel is easy to look at. I love all the features about this car that I wouldn't expect to find on a car under $20,000 -- power everything, auto headlights, remote entry, cruise control, ABS, sunroof, etc.
WONDERFUL Car
NC_Guy, 07/07/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Such an intelligently engineered car! Center-gauges, rear access doors, fold-down seats, shoulder-strap adjustable for a child, quality build, tight turning radius, ...wonderful. Had owned only Toyotas before, but this Ion 3 is fresh and fun. For the price of a base Toy, I have a loaded Ion 3 (and don't think I'm not enjoying the leather seats and powerful sound system!). If this is your first Saturn, ask your dealer about the $500 "Conquest" incentive. Thank you Saturn. When this car eventually dies, as Arnie says, "I'll be back."
Going strong
Brandon, 03/13/2019
2003 Saturn ION 2 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have a 2003 Saturn ion 2 the car has 281,000 miles and runs and drives great original motor and transmission
- Performance
- Comfort
Boo for the ION
June Ruggiero, 09/03/2003
2003 Saturn ION 3 4dr Coupe (2.2L 4cyl CVT)
0 of 5 people found this review helpful
I have been beyond disappointed with my Saturn Ion. We drove up to Syracuse for a wedding with my suitcases in the trunk and my bridesmaids dress laid out on top. When we arrived in Syracuse, it was raining. I opened my trunk to and the rain came pouring off of the trunk ONTO my dress. Not good, especially after a 5-hour car ride and the back pain from the uncomfortable seats. And on top of that...I have already had 2 flat tires on my 4-month- old car. The idiot customer service manager with whom I spoke did not make matters any better. Overall, a HUGE disappointment.