Used Car Review: 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe

New cars are extremely expensive to buy, and are one of the worst "investments" a person makes. The moment a new car is driven off the dealership's lot, its value is reduced by thousands of dollars. Buying a newer used car has many pros, an only a few cons. For someone who's a first time driver or a parent looking to get their child a reliable form of transportation, a 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe may be the right used car choice.

Price of a 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe
According to Kelly Blue Book, the price of a used 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe can range anywhere from $4500 to $8000 depending on the used car's mileage, condition, and features of the car. Other factors, such as if one is purchasing a used car from a dealer or private seller should be taken into consideration as well.

Features of a 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe
A 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe is a four passenger car and will generally have: Power windows, power locks, power steering, driver and passenger airbags, mp3 CD player, fog lights, ABS, OnStar, and four cup holders. Optional features such as a sunroof or automatic start may be included in the model you are looking at, so it is best to ask the owner or dealer you are purchasing from all of the specifics to the particular model.

There were several 2004 Saturn Ion Quad Coupe 3 used car's at the dealership I was at, and I opted to pick the used car with a sunroof. For a difference of a hundred bucks, it was one of the best decisions I made. Why would one want to drive a fast little car without the wind in their hair?

Safety Features of a 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe
The 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe has all the typical safety features one would expect when purchasing a used car. An important highlight is OnStar, a service that will notify authorities when your used car is involved in an accident. Additionally, one can use OnStar to report accidents, as well as get directions.

Are Suicide Doors a Pro or Con? You decide!
One of the features that make a 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe unique are its suicide doors. While there are four doors, only two open regularly. There is no need to worry about your passengers safety, because the two back doors many only be opened after one of the front doors has been opened. In fact, suicide doors are safer for children because there is no need to worry about them (or someone else) opening the door to your used car. On the flipside of the argument, in an accident it is harder to get out of the back seat because the doors will not open from the inside. Either way, the suicide doors on the 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe are a stylish feature that make this used car stand out from the crowd.

I was looking for a used car, one of the main reasons that I was attracted to the 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe was because of its suicide doors. They add to the overall sporty look of the car.

2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe is scratch and Dent Resistant
Almost all used cars have scratches and dents. That is not the case with a 2004 Saturn Ion Quad Coupe 3. The outer shell of a 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe is made from a special type of plastic that bends. One can punch the side of a 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe and the door will pop in and out.

My 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe has had many shopping carts run into it, and there still isn't a scratch or dent on it (unlike other used cars). Additionally my 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe still looks brand new and there is no rust on it like other used cars.

2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe has Fantastic Mileage
With the price of gasoline going up every day, mileage is a very important factor when it comes to buying a used car. The advertised mileage of a used 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe from a dealership, reads 25 mpg city and 30 mpg highway on the sticker.

Over the past couple of years my 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe has averaged the advertised 25 mpg in the city; however it did above average on the highway with 35 mpg. This may be because my model is a standard and not an automatic. If I had to go back, I would have picked an automatic because I do a lot of city driving. I have found that the optimal mileage comes at driving 65 mph.

Performance Limitations
The 2004 Saturn Ion 3 Quad Coupe has a 4 liter engine and can go up to 144 mph; however the computer chip in the car limits the speed to 120 mph. While I would strongly advise not driving above the local speed limit, one can have the computer chip that sets the top speed of the car unlocked to achieve its maximum potential.

Driving 144 mph is just asking to be killed. Having the wrong tire pressure could cause a blow out, and result in a major accident, threatening the lives of others as well as your own. That said, for those who like to tinker with cars, there are many modifications that can be made to enhance the performance.

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_{Source
"2004 Saturn Ion Suggested Retail Value", Kelly Blue Book. Retrieved on January 22, 2010 from http://www.kbb.com/kbb/UsedCars/PricingReport.aspx?WebCategoryId=35&YearId=2004&VehicleClass=UsedCar&ManufacturerId=44&Condition=Excellent&ModelId=263&PriceType=Retail&VehicleId=3362&Mileage=72000&SelectionHistory=3362|32344|02740|0|0|129937|true|130019|true|130012|true|542547|true|129972|true|130064|true|130077|true|130073|true}