2004 Saturn ION 2 review from North America

I am a female who knows enough about cars to now realize she made a mistake buying a 2004 Ion Level 2, or a Saturn in general. I live in Florida. There is never cold weather here, coldest it gets in central FL is about 20 when a crazy front comes in.

An hour ago, I come downstairs from a friends apartment to start the car. The temperature outside is just about sweatshirt degrees... so maybe 50 degrees F.

I put the key in the ignition and the car cranks but won't start. The interior lights came on, which means it's not the battery. The fuel pump ran, so it wasn't fuel. I just performed an oil change on her myself 107 miles ago.

I am having the same problem you guys are, my issue is I'm not in Jersey where is 5 degrees at 2am in the morning.

I have heard nightmares about these cars on sites like this, and I see the "notifications" from MyCarStats.com as well. You think they would recall this.

I have to mention the water stain (jizz like marks) are a joke, and the fight I have in the morning I have when aligning my key in the ignition to turn it over is getting a little old.

Regardless, I raise my hand in agreement with the starting issue when it's "cold" out. I kept trying to turn her over knowing she would start eventually, or that I would just kill the starter. I noticed that when I engaged the ignition, the 'service engine light' came on. After about 5 minutes of trying randomly, she cranked, caught the engine and I laid my foot on the throttle, and she sputtered. Kept the throttle down to 1800rpm until the temp gage was halfway. Then I made the trip home. When I got home, I shut the car off and engaged the ignition ... the 'service engine light' was off. Magic I guess.

Do not buy a Saturn.

Seat covers are a joke. Water makes them look like animals had a fluid free for all.

Key is impossible to turn in ignition. Takes constant tries, banging, steering wheel shaking and frustration to get it in the position to turn over.

Suspension sucks. Horrible. Shocks and struts... joke.

Mileage has been slipping as the car gets more miles. Hasn't been driven differently, longer or with different gas.

It's comfy.

Love the location of the instrument pod.

My 2.4 is a bat out of hell. Acceleration is great, impressed in fact.