2003 Saturn Ion consumer reviews

My Saturn ion is that 201,000+ miles. I have not had any major issues, mostly just Maintenance. I do notice an electrical problem. It’s been there since I got the car. I just don’t have the money to pay a mechanic to find the problem.

Just got my ion, within the first ten miles the 23 year old car lost the timing chain. I guess you get what you pay for. (It was free) Seems easy to work on, and parts are cheap. I'll update my review once I fix it for under 40 dollars on parts! Before this snag it did seem to run well handling was a little touchy or so it seemed to me but I'm used to driving a Chevy truck 10 years older. And just for reference mine got 289,000 miles on the clock!

Never gave up on me. These cars are made to have problems and triumph through them. Keep up on the oil changes and it’ll last you 200k miles easily. The only thing i had to fix on this car within the 2 years i owned it was the alternator, and a minor thing with the throttle body, over all only spent $200-$300 in repairs over 2 years. Timing chain didnt give up on me until 200k miles. A xxxx of a car, comfortable, quick, and truly trustworthy. Perfect car for new drivers or old drivers!!

Bought my Ion with 68K on it. The original owner stopped driving it because of many problems. Radio stopped working , Wipers broke , Cruise didn't work , Mirrors stopped moving , Suspension went to xxxx, Needed all bushings replaced, Shock went bad. Front rotors worn badly , Needed brakes and tires. Front end out of line. Fixed everything but the Radio and Cruise. Runs good and get 30MPG average. I love this car.

This car drove fantastic and took me to see patients as I drove over a thousand miles weekly in several counties. Sadly, after 16 years repairs started adding up, so I gave the 2003 Saturn to my 16 y/o granddaughter who is learning to drive. My son is a certified mechanic and able to keep my beloved Saturn on the road for many more years. The black car still looks brand new.

This car meets my need , has a lot of room space , it’s the best car I have own very reliable and comfortable I enjoy it for over 3 years I know anyone that purchas It would be very happy

Bought my Saturn brand new and for a couple of years it was fine. Then my moon roof started leaking. After that, I had intermittent starting problems (I was going on my third ignition switch), then at 60,000 miles the transmission decided to stay in a low gear and the car wouldn't accelerate or shift into a higher gear (CVT transmission). My mechanic (who thought I had many more miles left on the car) finally recommended that I use the money that I would spend on replacing the transmission on a new car. I took his advice. This was the worst car I have ever owned!

In 2003 I owned a 1983 Chevy Celebrity and I loved my car but my mother sold it when I was at school so, my dad, angry, took me out to look at getting a new car. I needed a car, I was a busy 19 year old, I was working 2 jobs as well as going to school so he wanted me to have something reliable, something made in America. We went to the Saturn Dealership and he picked out, for me, a car I really didn't like. It had 4-doors, it was white, no fancy things like cruse control. Within a week I was in love with the ION. It was a smooth drive, fun to drive, I loved street racing in it (I was 19, thats what kids did), the ION took off like a fighter jet on the road and it purred like a new kitten under the hood. I have owned the ION since 2003, it now has 200,000mi on it, I have raised 4 kids in it and although its been beat up, stained and wrecked I still drive it. In 15 years I have replaced the breaks, seals, tires, battery and alternator, other than oil and filter changes thats all its needed. I use synthetic oil and replace it every 4-6000 miles and in turn for taking care of her she gives me all she has. ION is 15yrs old and she is a little worse for the ware but I will drive her until she dies.

This was my first car as a gift, got it when it was twelve years old from a family member with only 29,000 miles, basically used by a little old lady who drove it to church and back. Now at about 37,000 miles three years later. Reliability I feel is better than what I have got, as many issues I have had with the car have just been bad luck. Wipers got stuck due to me being inept and needed to be replaced, power steering replaced for free due to a recall, replaced original tires at 35,000 miles due to screw causing a flat. Only real issue is electrical systems, check engine light goes on and off as it pleases. Love the way the car and most pre-2004 saturns look on the exterior. This is no exception. Interior is a bit plasticky but it is only the level 1 trim. Seats and comfort are nothing special. Center mounted engine cluster is strange but doesn?t bother me. Car is fun to drive, with a go kart like steering wheel and peppy engine. Only real downside is I don?t get great gas mileage. Average about 21 when I should be getting up to 26. But it?s only used for city driving. Overall, it?s a car I?m trying to keep alive because it?s a dying breed, but it is a decent car.

Great car. Had it several years, 205k miles and its still running strong! Regular maintenance and good gas! Wish Chevy made more! Thank you so much I really Appriciate it