Car financing: 2003 Saturn Ion
None for sale by us right now: rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one. Rated 9.4 to 9.8 L/100 km combined (EPA). 5 NHTSA recall campaigns. CarmaCars is not a lender, dealer or lessor, and does not arrange financing or leases. We rent cars, and sell one only when it is listed for sale on this page with its price.
- For sale by us
- 0
- Combined
- 9.4 to 9.8 L/100 km
- Recalls
- 5
For sale
We do not have a 2003 Saturn Ion for sale right now. We are a rental company: rent one for a week to try it, or tell us what you want and we look for one for you.
CarmaCars is not a lender, dealer or lessor, and does not arrange financing or leases. We rent cars, and sell one only when it is listed for sale on this page with its price.
2003 Saturn Ion specs
| Spec | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.2L 4-cylinder | 2.2L 4-cylinder | 2.2L 4-cylinder |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 5-speed automatic | Automatic (CVT) |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City | 10.7 L/100 km | 11.2 L/100 km | 11.2 L/100 km |
| Highway | 7.8 L/100 km | 8.1 L/100 km | 8.1 L/100 km |
| Combined | 9.4 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km |
| CO₂ | 221 g/km | 230 g/km | 230 g/km |
| Cost to drive 100 km | $14.57 | $15.19 | $15.19 |
2003 Saturn Ion: every figure
| Figure | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 2.2 L | 2.2 L | 2.2 L |
| Cylinders | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| MPG city (US) | 22 | 21 | 21 |
| MPG highway (US) | 30 | 29 | 29 |
| MPG combined (US) | 25 | 24 | 24 |
| MPG combined (Imperial) (converted from the US figure) | 30 | 29 | 29 |
| Luggage volume (litres converted from EPA's cubic feet) | 425 L (15 cu ft) | 425 L (15 cu ft) | 425 L (15 cu ft) |
| Fuel cost a year (EPA) (EPA: 15,000 miles at its fuel prices) | US$2,700 | US$2,800 | US$2,800 |
| Fuel cost for 20,000 km (at $1.55 a litre) | $2,914 | $3,038 | $3,038 |
Sources: fuel use, MPG, CO2, electric range, battery, charge time, luggage volume and the annual fuel cost are the US EPA's (fueleconomy.gov). Imperial MPG, litres, inches and pounds are converted from those figures. Figures no free source publishes for this car (power, torque, acceleration, top speed, fuel tank, towing) are left out.
What to check when buying the 2003 Saturn Ion
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. Ask the seller for proof each one was fixed; a dealer can check it by the VIN.
- Owners filed 758 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system (396), steering (140) and engine and engine cooling (59). Have those parts checked before you buy.
| Campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14V171000 | 2014-04-10 | electrical system:ignition | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the... |
| 14V047000 | 2014-02-10 | air bags | This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10,... |
| 04V547000 | 2004-11-16 | exterior lighting:turn signal | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TURN SIGNAL LAMP AND DAYTIME RUNNING LAMP (DRL) ON EITHER FRONT SIDE CAN STOP WORKING BECAUSE OF LOSS OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE BULB AND SOCKET. |
| 04V003000 | 2004-01-05 | fuel system, gasoline | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L 4-CYLINDER (L61) ENGINES WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FILTER THAT COULD CORRODE PREMATURELY ON THE EXTERIOR SURFACE. |
| 04V004000 | 2004-01-05 | visibility:power window devices and controls | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW, PARTITION, AND ROOF PANEL SYSTEMS." THE POWER WINDOWS AND/OR SUNROOF MAY BE OPERABLE AFTER THE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS OPENED. |
Source: NHTSA (US) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this model year.
Thinking of buying the 2003 Saturn Ion?
No 2003 Saturn Ion is for sale by CarmaCars at the moment; this page helps you judge the car before you buy one elsewhere. CarmaCars does not finance cars. Renting is not a loan, so there is no credit check to rent. For anyone shopping for the 2003 Saturn Ion, here are the facts that matter.
Recalls and complaints
Check whether every recall was done, by the VIN, before you pay. Owners filed 758 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system, steering and engine and engine cooling; have those parts checked. Ask the seller for the service records of this exact car. There are 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file; a dealer can check by the VIN whether each was done.
Reading the spec sheet
It is powered by the 2.2L 4-cylinder, with front-wheel drive. It runs on regular gas. With front-wheel drive, the weight of the engine sits over the driven wheels, which helps in winter.
At 9.4 L/100 km combined, a 300 km drive takes roughly 28 litres of fuel. At our price setting, driving 100 km costs about $14.57, and a 300 km weekend about $43.71. At US fuel prices, the EPA estimates US$2,700 a year for 15,000 miles.
Is it right for your trip?
It suits anyone who needs a car for a few days, a week or a month without buying one. It suits people curious about the model who want to drive it before they buy.
Size and space
As a compact car, it has a closed trunk that keeps luggage out of sight. Its 425 litre trunk is enough for a family's bags for a long weekend.
Drive it on your own roads
Renting first costs a fraction of the price of buying the wrong car. Rent the Ion for a week and see how it fits your life. A test week in the Ion tells you more than any review.
Which one to look for
Set a budget that includes tax, licensing, insurance and the first set of tires. If two trims share a powertrain, the difference is equipment, which you can check in person. Look at a few listings of the same year and trim to get a feel for fair prices.
The cost of driving it
Get an insurance quote for this exact model before you buy; rates differ a lot between models. The EPA estimates US$2,700 a year in fuel for 15,000 miles at US prices. Tires, brakes and batteries are the regular costs to budget for beyond fuel.
Want a price?
A week with the car can save a costly mistake: request it now.
Rent it for a week before you buy
A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent a 2003 Saturn Ion from us first.
Ask us about the 2003 Saturn Ion
Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 2003 Saturn Ion for you and reply within one business day.
Buying the 2003 Saturn Ion
Does CarmaCars sell the 2003 Saturn Ion?
Not right now. CarmaCars rents cars; it sells one only now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.
Can I rent a 2003 Saturn Ion before I buy one?
Yes. Request it for a week (or longer, up to 365 days) and drive it as your own; nothing is charged until we confirm and you approve.
Does the 2003 Saturn Ion have recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for it, in the table on this page. Ask for proof each was fixed.
What does the 2003 Saturn Ion cost in fuel a year?
EPA puts it at US$2,700 a year for 15,000 miles at its fuel prices; at our price setting, 20,000 km cost about $2914.00.
Where do the figures come from?
Fuel use and fuel cost from the US EPA (fueleconomy.gov), dimensions and weight from NHTSA vPIC Canadian specifications, recalls and complaints from NHTSA. We leave out any figure no free source publishes.