2005 SAAB 9-3 Linear 2.0 t

Summary:

Read this before you think about buying a Saab

Faults:

Had many problems from the beginning

Lots of interior noise, windows rattling, creeking suspension, overall terrible craftmanship and quality.

Button's coating peeling.

Cheap sound on radio.

Terrible value retention, lost most of its value in a short time.

Expensive parts, most mechanics unfamiliar with these cars.

Dealer's own mechanic admitted that these cars are not made like the older models.

And many other short comings!!

General Comments:

This is really a bad car. Drives great, but is cheaply made. It creeps and windows rattle a lot, making it a real disappointment. I was so disappointed with this car I finally gave up after two years. I took a huge loss, but traded in for a Honda Accord. Saab's are really no longer the same cars they wore. What a shame! Avoid this car at all cost, avoid them like the plague.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th November, 2007

21st Nov 2007, 16:56

You may have had many quality glitches with this car, but I can't believe that you only rate the performance at 2/10. If nothing else, the 9-3 is a lively performer.

Feel the pain on the loss you took on selling. Been there, done that and can empathise and sympathise with your plight.

11th Apr 2008, 22:00

Is it such a loss if you're not the one selling the car at a huge loss but buying it used? I just bought an '05 for $13,800. It originally sold for just under $30K.

15th Apr 2008, 20:52

I bought my second and last Saab. I consistently had problems with the balancing of the tires. For over a month now, Saab has had my car JUST TO BALANCE THE TIRES!! So finally (because I wouldn't accept less) they replaced all of the tires for no charge. But this isn't the first experience with this type of situation.. I bought my first Saab from Carmax and returned the car because it was shaking pretty badly at 70mph or so... and that was a 9-3 Aero. Now, I'm driving a 9-3 Arc Conv, just like my car and it also shakes!! Why would Saab sell a car/convertible that shakes all the time? Has anyone else experienced this?

1st Jan 2009, 03:20

The shaking at high speed might be from a or multiple out of shape rims so to speak, the same can happen with tires. And of course it could be just balancing or alignment.

I had an Eclipse that did that, changed all the tires and was fine. Same on my friends Jeep. So it may be tires or the rims. If you hit lots of pot holes, it would more likely be the rims, especially if they're alloys.

2005 SAAB 9-3 Linear 2.0 16v turbo

Summary:

Very reliable

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Car handles very well. The turbo boost is nice and kicks in when I need to go to warp speed right away.

The seats are comfortable, but I don't like leather because it's a bit slippery. U.S. models only offer leather only.

The headlights are well designed.

The car is one of only 4 cars that has a IIHS gold pick rating for safety. I have not had the chance to test this myself.

The rear seat does not fold completely flat, but it almost does. The only way for this to be done would be if the rear cushion pivots out of the way. I don't know of any new car that does this, only some old cars that are no longer made.

If you get the V-6, that engine is made in Australia with some Chilean parts. The convertible is made in Austria. People who are anti-Austrian, Australian, or Chilean should consider getting a sedan with a 2.0 turbo engine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th April, 2006

19th Apr 2006, 21:42

"The rear seat does not fold completely flat, but it almost does. The only way for this to be done would be if the rear cushion pivots out of the way. I don't know of any new car that does this, only some old cars that are no longer made."

Volvo has had this feature on it's Wagon's since the early 70's and possibly earlier. They continue this feature on some of it's later models I believe.

22nd Oct 2008, 11:22

A lot of the new econo hatchbacks have the rear cushion pivot out of the way, i.e. Honda Fit, Hyundai Elantra Hatchback, maybe some others in that class...