7th Dec 2006, 19:15

My 2003 Saab 9-3 is The Best Car I have ever owned in any price range, and I've owned well over 20 vehicles in many price ranges over the years.

I think that Saab builds fine automobiles!

8th Dec 2006, 07:07

There is an AP news story on-line about a man in Wisconsin who has put one million miles on his Saab 900. He used premium fuel & changed his oil with synthetic regularly.

The vehicle has been retired to a museum.

This is the Saab quality that I know & love.

8th Dec 2006, 09:59

Wait, wait, wait.

You people are saying that car designed and built in Sweden for Nordic winters cannot take an automatic carwash?

This has to be the most ridiculous thing I've heard yet. Brushless automatic carwashes do not hurt the paint, and most quality carwashes are of this type.

3rd Aug 2007, 21:56

As a SAAB technician, I have no problem saying that ever since GM took over, the cars have become much better. They're still crap and I wouldn't buy one myself, but they are much better than they used to be. Of course, anyone who buys any car in it's first model year is going to have teething issues. As of 2005 the 9-3 has actually been on OK car.

2nd Sep 2007, 23:32

If you're thinking about buying a Saab, DON'T DO IT!!! After spending $5500 in 18 months and being told that I now need a new transmission (which may or may not have fixed all of the car's problems), I have gotten rid of my 2003 9-3. I think it might have been the happiest day of my life...

5th Nov 2007, 17:09

Yes, My handles on the inside of the doors are peeling too - how can this be fixed? Other than that, I LOVE driving my Saab - it is quick and reliable!

6th Nov 2007, 15:23

Upon personally knowing several SAAB technicians, (main agent and private the like) I am yet to find any of them liking the GM facsimiles over the original cars built under Scania-Vabis. Most of them cringe when a SAABrolet rolls into the Garage. I can't agree more, as my 1991 900T with almost 300k on the clock is still my dependable daily transport, whilst my brother's 9-3 is in the shop ALL THE TIME. Not to mention that the 9-3 has the build quality to make my Grandmother's 88' Oldsmobile proud.

But I digress, This is just my opinion. (even though it is strongly based on empirical evidence)

As a litmus test, just use an overview of this site. Compare the ratio of good vs. bad smiley faces on SAAB 900's made before 1993, and NG900's or 9-3's afterward.

THAT SAYS IT ALL.

16th Feb 2008, 21:08

I own a 9-3 and am so disappointed. Prior to this car, I owned 2000 9-3 Convertible and proclaimed to all my friends how much I love my car. My 2004 9-3 has been such a let down.

I too have had the front and back seal come off after a rainstorm.

The brakes and tires have gone.

The air conditioning has always smelled musty. Once winter rolled around, the heat stared making really annoying noise.

I also had to get the gear shift knob replaced twice, it kept popping off while I was driving.

Needless to say, I have owned my last Saab! I just feel horrible that my two best friends also bought one on my recommendation.

17th Feb 2008, 07:52

I own a 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible and it is a fantastic vehicle.

Reliable, comfortable & quick.

No complaints here!

27th Feb 2008, 22:13

We own a 2003 9-3 Arc and its the worst car we ever owned. Half of the options we should be able to access through the onboard configuration does not work. Automatic wipers do not work. Reverse alert does not work. The cheap soft layer of plastic on the buttons and dash components is chipping and pealing away.

Last, but not least, the final nail in the coffin. The auto-transmission has just stop working all together. The engine will just spin while its in gear. We are never purchasing a Saab product ever again.

6th Mar 2008, 13:53

Many thanks for all your views, I was just contemplating changing my totally reliable Honda accord for a Saab 9-3, but after reading your views, I think I'll keep my car a little bit longer...

17th Dec 2008, 03:04

I also thank every one for the comments above. I didn't realize that GM owned Saab. As with all makes and models you will get no problem cars and lemons with each make and model having a different ratio. My brother had a 1988 Olds 98 and got 200k with no problems, plus a 1999 Intrepid ES that was fabulous (owned both from new), but his 2002 Jag was crap, sold it when the warranty ran out. But those makes and models ON AVERAGE were all crap. I have owned Toyotas (Avalons & MR2s) with great success. With my luck I buy the average or below performer, so there is no Saab in my future.