Faults:

Unlike my previous Saab ('95 900S convertible), which this car replaced, mechanical issues have been few and far between.

Rotors, brakes, and as of this writing, AM radio went out.

Both engine and trunk bonnet badges were faded and replaced.

Maintenance to date on this car has been routine and CHEAP! No one is more surprised and pleased than me that SAAB can be mechanically reliable over the long haul thus far.

Yes, the "check engine" light shows up out of no where, but after a day or so, it goes away.

My excellent SAAB/Volvo guy; a guy I made rich on my 900S over the previous 10 years I drove it, does his recommended scheduled maintenance on my 9-3, and assures me all is well.

This car is driven on long road trips, as well as Los Angeles rush hour grid lock, and yet no drama.. thus far.

General Comments:

The car looks like my 900S; a very attractive car, top up or down.

I added a performance exhaust system Magnaflow just to add some baritone to the engine note, and a K&H air filter system.

My commute to and from work is against traffic, and at normal highway speed, say 70 mph, it's about 40 minutes. In my case I make it in about 25-30, because once on the freeway in the fast lane, I safely cruise at autobahn speed with few if any rear view mirror incursions.

Why SAAB? SAAB is the East Coast BMW. I am an Easterner living in Los Angeles, where everyone has/wants a BMW; in other words, it's a cliche.

SAAB until recently were few and far between. Now in the age of recession, SAAB has come full circle; a high performance luxury sedan at a fraction of the cost overall vis a vis BMW, AKA Big Money Wasted.

Faults:

Several items replaced before my ownership such as seat belt tensioners (which are failing again). I do not have the full list in front of me.

Power steering pump 70k km.

Emblems worn before I picked it up at 65k km.

Strut mounts replaced at 75k km along with several other suspension components that should not have to normally be replaced prematurely.

Squeaks, rattles and vibration noises (throughout the life of the vehicle).

Headlight modules and connectors replaced at 85k km.

Engine block replaced 100k km, GM replaced with a Used engine! (Which failed, see below).

Engine block replaced again at 112k km (coolant leaking into block due to engine replacement (used engine!).

Engine block replaced third time, along with new heads at 112k km.

Oil leak, not repaired properly 115k km.

Airbag sensors failing (no airbags), since 120k km. Too costly to repair, still failing.

Oil leak, not repaired properly 118k km.

Door lock failure, replaced at 120k km.

Oil leak, not repaired properly 123k km.

Wheel bearing replaced at 125k km.

Oil leak, not repaired properly 127k km.

O2 sensor failed, replaced at 125k km.

Oil leak, not repaired properly 130k km.

Fuel sending unit replaced at 135k km.

Oil leak, might finally be repaired 135k km.

The list goes on in between these items but I surely can't recall everything.

Total cost, out of pocket: approx. $10,000 Cdn in three years. Total including GM warranty repairs in three years: $44,900 (not including the cost of wheels, brakes, maintenance or the purchase price of the car - these are repair totals only. See below for more details).

General Comments:

The stress and aggravation this car has put me and my wife through cannot be described in words. My throat closes up and my eyes begin to swell when I think of how much time and loyalty I have wasted trying to get this horrible car to stop going into the shop. There is always a light on. The average service visit is every 6 weeks and this is compounded by the fact there are no longer any Saab dealers within 60km.

The key issue above is the engine replacements between 100-112k km. These replacements were covered under GM extended warranty, but were unnecessary from the get go. The novice GM service technicians dropped a piece of spark plug into the cylinder head during routine maintenance. The next day they determined they screwed up and decided to replace the engine. However, the replacement was from a wreck and as a result it failed as well. The dealership closed in the meantime and I had to bring my service elsewhere. After nine visits to the new dealer who did not want to take on the task, they closed as well. Months later another dealer was able to replace the engine, but not until after the car was gone for six months.

After all was said and done, the total bill was around $21,000 for the third and fourth engines. Approximately $18,000 more than the car is worth. This is a perfect micro example of the poor decision making at GM which caused their demise in the first place.

I always wanted a SAAB and I regret the decision with every last molecule in my being. The check engine light is always on and went on again yesterday. I pulled over and began to sob (read: Saab). I can't take this anymore, but I have sunk too much time and money into this vehicle to give up! I must try and drive it into the ground, despite the fact it already has about 300 miles of rubble and dirt on top of it so really there's nowhere else to go.

Bottom line, I shall never buy another GM product again, specifically a SAAB. Good luck to those who purchase a new SAAB by Spyker. Honda or Toyota here we come!!!

Oh, but it drives well and looks good when it's not in the shop, leaking oil or at the bottom of the next cliff...

Peace.