Revn Limit-Please advise

I am a total car neophyte and I went in today to go look at a 2005 Saturn Ion 2 (automatic). Everything seemed fine during the test drive but then I revved it up at neutral and at 4000 rpm's the engine shut down.

Now I have been researching rev limiter on the internet and it seems that the Saturn has a rev limit at neutral of about 4000 rpm's.

However, my questions is that once the rev limit is reached will the needle not go past 4000 or will the engine shut down completely. This cars engine shut down completely and I want make sure that it is a design specification and not an engine problem.

I appreciate any feedback as I plan to buy this ASAP. Thanks.

Also, just wanted to add that I tried to rev up a Saturn L-3. And although it was also limited at 4000 rpm's the engine did not shut down completely- as opposed to the Ion 2.

Why?

the S-seires was limited to 4K when the VSS read 0mph, i'm not sure what other models are limited to but its in the same ball park.

when the rev or top speed limiter is reached the PCM will cut fuel injection until the rpms drop below the limiter, which then fuel is again injected, until the limiter is exceded again, and the cycle contunes until you get your foot off the gas, which if you done you know it is very jerky. the rev limiter is designed to prevent engine damage by over reving with no load by fools that don't know better, not that holding it at 4K is that smart ether....