Overview & Reviews

Saturn has upgraded the Ion with new fabrics, improved plastics and a new radio with MP3 and satellite radio capability. The electric steering has been revised for improved feel at highway speeds, while the sedan's five-speed automatic and the coupe's CVT have been recalibrated for improved gear selection and response. Finally, Saturn has installed additional sound-deadening material to reduce cabin noise. A Special Edition version of the sedan provides black exterior paint, distinctive 16-inch wheels and a two-tone interior.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 288.00

• 

  DO NOT BUY A SATURN, I REPEAT DO NOT BUY - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Matthew - April 7 - 2:36 am

  I purchased my Saturn ION 3 brand new. This car has DEPRECIATED the worst out of any car I have ever owned. I was coerced into buying the Extended Service Contract being told I could turn it in later. Well the Extended Service Contract DEPRECIATES also. With only 22,000 miles on this car it is starting to fall apart. Brakes are going bad, the fan makes and irritating noise that they tried to fix but failed to do, etc. I should have spent the 20,000 dollars on a CIVIC would have been worth more than my Saturn which is now worth less than 10,000. I also had a new Toyota Camry, JUNK. Fell apart at 20,000 miles. Both made in America. Both JUNK. DO NOT BUY DO NOT BUY DO NOT BUY

• 

  It wasnt my first option. - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Aisha - January 15 - 10:00 am

  I believe that this vehicle lives up to the Saturn standards. So if you never liked Saturn to begin with this isnt the car for you. Its not very flashy but its pretty comfortable and reliable. Its not the best buy but it will get you from point A to point B.

• 

  A true lemon! Starting difficulties! - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Mike S. - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This is the car that killed Saturn. Mine was plagued with electrical problems: "Passlock" malfunctions made the car unstartable at times. (2 column passlock switch assemblies replaced and the problem came back a 3rd time. A $300+ dealer repair if out-of- warranty.) The sensor in the anti- freeze overflow failed. Left headlight problem due to wiring harness wear. Recall for turn signal mal-function. Noisy McPherson struts in winter. A harsh ride, especially in winter. Cheap- looking seats and interior trim. Only pluses: good gas mileage and no rust due to plastic body parts. A mediocre end to the Saturn legacy. Basically a small Chevy with plastic side panels. Too bad.

• 

  2004 Saturn Ion 2 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By kmacarthur - January 6 - 1:00 am

  This is my second Saturn, and it gets the job done. It is a reliable vehicle, I was fortunate in finding a very clean used car. One thing that has happened in both of my Ions is that the outlets cease to work at somepoint. I am assuming its something simple, I just have not had it checked out yet. But either way, it has happened in both cars. I know Im not the only one who has had issues with the key getting stuck in the ignition. Again, this happened on both cars. Overall, it really isnt a bad vehicle especially for someone who commutes. Its a little glitchy, but it gets me from A to B.

• 

  Not all its cracked up to be - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Ny - April 3 - 1:43 am

  Ive had my ION 2 for 21 months, and Im not happy with it. The engine rumbles more than a new car should. The side windows fog up so bad that I cant see out of them at all, so I have to drive with the windows cracked open an inch in winter. The brakes have squealed from the beginning and they "hitch" when I first use them in the morning. The bottom of the instrument panel cover gets caught on my shoe and pulls off all the time, its very difficult to put back on. I realize you get what you pay for and this is a low-price car, but I was expecting a "bargain," not a "cheap" car. I had a KIA Spectra for the same price before and it was much better! I wanted to by American, and I regret it.

• 

  Going to be my last Saturn...sad - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Aaron - March 29 - 1:16 pm

  My wife and I bought a new ION (9th Saturn for my family since 94) and before it reached 10000 miles we had to take it to the dealership 3 times for suspension issues (suspension arm/brushings replaced). It also lunges forward between 2nd and 3rd gear when accelerating slowy and it downshifts and jerks backwards when coasting down hills. When I roll my windows up and down it sounds like a jack-in-the-box before it pops open. My 94 Saturn was great. It had 180,000 on it before we traded it in and got a 2008 Civic. I really dont think the ION will make it that long.

• 

  If I only could do it over again.... - 2004 Saturn ION
  By KCGuy76 - November 3 - 10:53 pm

  Many people wonder why others purchase foreign compact cars. Enter the Saturn Ion. This is my third brand new car; my first, and last Saturn. While I have received numerous compliments on the exterior of the vehicle (Electric Lime with tinted glass and Car Bra), the praise from others can not dismiss the problems with regard to fit, finish, RATTLES and shoddy engineering. After 10 trips to the dealership (recalls, rattles, loose suspension parts, cruise control problems, horn problems, brake pedal linkage issues...etc), I have decided 14 months and 12,000 miles later its time for this car to belong to someone who appreciates a noisy 4 cylinder and enjoys spending time at the dealership.

• 

  You dont get what you pay for - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Yellowbaxter67 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle strickly because it was the lowest cost for insurance. I like the exterior design of the car (clean and sleek looking). I have had the car for almost 5 months now and had the gas cap replaced twice. It keeps loosing on it on and making the engine light come on. I have taken it in three times and it was replaced twice. The decal on the bumper is already coming off. BEST BET...GET SOMETHING ELSE.

• 

  You get what you pay for - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Imalm - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I wanted a cheap dependable car to get me from point A to point B. That is what the ION delivers and not much else. It is uncomfortable on long trips and while it can seat five the leg room in the back seat is only suited for small children. Also, had a minor fender bender and it end up costing over $5000 to fix the car. The autoshop had a hard time finding parts.

• 

  sad - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Denise - March 22 - 8:06 pm

  I bought my Saturn Ion in 2005 it was a year old. I have driven it for almost four years. Really the only problem I have had with it was the CD s stick. This last Sunday however my daughter was hit on the passenger front end. After doing some research I found out that the 2004 had a recall of the body structure on the passenger side right where she was hit. she was driving about 20mph and was hit by a truck going about 55-70 in town. The Ion Airbags did not deploy. Thank God she was not hit severely. Though my car was totalled. I have found six other recalls on the car I bought and I have never received any type of notification...