Used 2004 Saturn ION Coupe Consumer Reviews
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Good to us...watch the CVT
We bought this car brand new and overall it was a good vehicle for us. Here are the issues we had over 8 years and 140k miles. The remote start from the dealer never did work right. It engaged the PassLock system which left you waiting 10 minutes while the fuel system reset. We had the common issue with the ignition switch replacing it a few times before it was fixed for good. The biggest problem was the CVTs in these cars. They failed more often than they should and couldn't be rebuilt, only replaced. GM fixed a lot of them but ours never died. However at 140k miles it started act up a little which is why we decided to move on.
more like sad-urn
Everything started out great until the day of my wedding. My 92 year old mother and I went to brunch on what was supposed to be the greatest day of my life. I had scheduled the day out to a tee including my beautiful vows that I left safely in my glove compartment. Shortly after the briskets and jam came out the hostess made the announcement a golden Saturn Ion was smoking profusely in the parking lot. My mother and I dashed to the ION and quickly popped the hood. After the smoke cleared we decided to drive the vehicle to the nearest authorized dealership. The car decided to cut off in the far left left lane of US I 85. Mother and I had just gotten the walker out of the trunk but didn't have time to grab the three spare oxygen tanks. We made it to the shoulder as mother screamed "Holy Mother of pearl!" and a semi trunk rear ended the Ion right in the bosom. We don't remember much after that but the State trooper told us the oxygen tanks basically created a hydrogen bomb that propelled the ion 300 feet across the incoming lane. The tow truck driver told us that if it wasn't for the dry rotted frame and the irresponsibly placed gas tank (Saturn faulty designing for you) that the accident wouldn't have been half as bad. Needless to say I didn't make it to the wedding and the vows were destroyed. The marriage ended three years later due to a tax invasion scandal involving a dunkin doughnuts franchise. Moral of the story, don't buy a saturn they ruin lives and families.
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Worst car ever
This was the worst car Ii have ever had. I got it in February and the same day I got it it stalled out on a major and the transmission fluid cost $10 a bottle. I spent $40+ in transmission fluid in a day and a half. Once we got it running it kept stalling out all the way home. I had to use this car to get back and forth to work and school and I couldn't even drive it for the first month I had it. After Ii got it legal it broke down 4 times in a matter or 2 hours. It's not a reliable vehicle at all & I do not recommend it for anyone. I went to get it looked at the transmission place and they wanted over $1,700 for the transmission, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. It is not a safe or reliable car. Too many issues. It was an automatic acting like a manual vehicle which that should not happen. I had it for a total of 2 months. I only drove it for about 2 weeks and had to get rid of it due to all the transmission and engine codes it was pulling up with my code reader.
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I love this car!
This is the 2nd car I've had, I'm 17 and it's totally perfect for me! It's so cute and fits me. The performance is great, I haven't found any problems with it at all; even my mom likes to drive it. It's super fun to drive, and I'm pretty protective of it. My last car (Ford Contour) was a dud but this car is awesome!
Good Car for the Money.
I just bought my Saturn Quad 3 Coupe yesterday and thus far I am very impressed. First off, the car buying process from a saturn dealership is far better than any other dealership that you could imagine. That right there is almost enough to just make you want to buy the car. No pressure, just good cars and good people. Now for the car itself, I am very pleased with. Now not as fancy as some of it's competitors, it does give you a lot for the money and saturn has a great incentive combo going right now. I got 2250 in rebates and 1.9% financing. If you just started driving or if your just looking for a fun A to B car, then I highly suggest the 04 Ion.