Car financing: 2004 Saturn Ion
Rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one for you. Rated 9.0 to 10.2 L/100 km combined (EPA). 8 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
- 9.0 to 10.2 L/100 km
- Recalls
- 8
For sale
Rent a 2004 Saturn Ion for a week to try it on your own roads, and tell us what you want: 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.
2004 Saturn Ion specs
| Spec | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.2L 4-cylinder | 2.2L 4-cylinder | 2.2L 4-cylinder | 2.0L 4-cylinder supercharged |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 5-speed automatic | Automatic (CVT) | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas | Regular gas | Premium gas |
| City | 10.2 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km | 10.7 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km |
| Highway | 7.4 L/100 km | 7.8 L/100 km | 8.1 L/100 km | 9.0 L/100 km |
| Combined | 9.0 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km | 9.8 L/100 km | 10.2 L/100 km |
| CO₂ | 212 g/km | 230 g/km | 230 g/km | 240 g/km |
| Cost to drive 100 km | $13.95 | $15.19 | $15.19 | $17.85 |
2004 Saturn Ion: every figure
| Figure | Powertrain 1 | Powertrain 2 | Powertrain 3 | Powertrain 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 2.2 L | 2.2 L | 2.2 L | 2.0 L |
| Cylinders | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| MPG city (US) | 23 | 20 | 22 | 20 |
| MPG highway (US) | 32 | 30 | 29 | 26 |
| MPG combined (US) | 26 | 24 | 24 | 23 |
| MPG combined (Imperial) (converted from the US figure) | 31 | 29 | 29 | 28 |
| Luggage volume (litres converted from EPA's cubic feet) | 425 L (15 cu ft) | 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$2,600 | US$2,800 | US$2,800 | US$3,550 |
| Fuel cost for 20,000 km (at $1.55 a litre) | $2,790 | $3,038 | $3,038 | $3,570 |
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 2004 Saturn Ion
- NHTSA lists 8 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 898 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system (353), steering (350) and power train (60). 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... |
| 14V153000 | 2014-03-31 | steering:electric power assist system | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS)... |
| 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. |
| 04V281000 | 2004-06-08 | fuel system, other:delivery:fuel pump | CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SUPERCHARGED 2.0L 4-CYLINDER (LSJ) ENGINE WERE BUILT WITH A FUEL FEED PIPE THAT COULD CRACK AND LEAK FUEL NEAR THE FUEL RAIL. IF FUEL LEAKS FROM THE FUEL FEED PIPE, THERE WOULD BE A NOTICEABLE FUEL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE. |
| 04V002000 | 2004-01-06 | structure:body:bumpers | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME WELDS BETWEEN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOTOR RAIL AND THE FRONT BUMPER BRACKET DO NOT MEET ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS. |
| 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.
The 2004 Saturn Ion: before you buy
No 2004 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. Before you buy the 2004 Saturn Ion, here is what the figures say and what to look at.
What to check on the Ion
Ask the seller for the service records of this exact car. A private seller in Ontario must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package. There are 8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file; a dealer can check by the VIN whether each was done. Have a mechanic inspect a used one before you buy it.
Engine and fuel
Its powertrain is the 2.2L 4-cylinder with front-wheel drive. It runs on regular gas. Front-wheel drive is the usual layout for cars this size, predictable in the rain and the snow.
For 300 km of mixed driving, expect about 27 litres, from its 9.0 L/100 km rating. For 1,000 km, budget about $139.50 at our price setting. At US fuel prices, the EPA estimates US$2,600 a year for 15,000 miles.
Practical details
As a compact car, it has a closed trunk that keeps luggage out of sight. Luggage space is 425 litres, enough for a family's bags for a long weekend.
When the Ion makes sense
It suits anyone who needs a car for a few days, a week or a month without buying one. It suits a work trip where a reliable car matters more than anything else.
A longer test drive
A week with the Ion answers more than any brochure. Load it with your things and park it where you park; then decide. Renting first costs a fraction of the price of buying the wrong car.
What it costs to run
Tires, brakes and batteries are the regular costs to budget for beyond fuel. Get an insurance quote for this exact model before you buy; rates differ a lot between models. Ask what a set of tires costs for this trim; sizes and prices vary.
Picking a year and a trim
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. Decide what matters most first: fuel use, space, or the price you can pay.
Make a request
Ask us anything about renting before you buy.
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 2004 Saturn Ion from us first.
Ask us about the 2004 Saturn Ion
Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 2004 Saturn Ion for you and reply within one business day.
Buying the 2004 Saturn Ion
Does CarmaCars sell the 2004 Saturn Ion?
CarmaCars rents cars and sells one now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.
Can I rent a 2004 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 2004 Saturn Ion have recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for it, in the table on this page. Ask for proof each was fixed.
What does the 2004 Saturn Ion cost in fuel a year?
EPA puts it at US$2,600 a year for 15,000 miles at its fuel prices; at our price setting, 20,000 km cost about $2790.00.
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.