Saab 9-3

Price Paid:  $16000.00 from private dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
2006 SAAB 93

Summary:
unbelievably unreliable car

thought SAABs are good cars but I was really really wrong

Strengths:
just comfort and look

Weaknesses:
2006 SAAB 93 2.0T - 20000miles.

"Gear box malfunction" message came on. I took the car to the dealer, paid $105 for the diagnostics. They said it just needs software updates. They did that, I took the car from there. Went with it 2 miles, the same message came on. Took the car back to the dealer. Now they say is the transmission and the estimate for replacing it is $ 3300 (even though, when I called the same dealer they told me the transmission is $1565 and labor is $1005)....weirdddd. Ohh...and when I asked the service guy from the dealer how about the warranty on the new transmission, he told me laughing: 12000 miles. at the question: " Does that mean that the new one will break at 13000 miles?", the dealer guy just answered "Maybe".

Anyways, I never thought a transmission can go down at 20000 miles.

One thing is for sure: I'll never buy another saab in my life. Not only the car broke, but both the dealer and the central Saab don't want to talk about the problem (they say they do not know the cause....weird...specially because I paid for a diagnostics)

so, do you still want to buy a saab?

Similar Products Used:
acura TL (200000 miles - no major problems)

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $23000.00 from Chermak Saab

Year / Model Reviewed:
2006 9-3 2.0T

Summary:
Bought my '06 2.0T in May with 20k miles on it. This was my first car i bought so i wanted something nice for my money. When i was looking for a car i wanted something roomy, fun to drive (looks), good on gas and had creature comforts. After doing a lot of research i narrowed my choices to 3. I liked the Accords but with the options i liked it was V6 or bust. The Legacy's were nice but the interior was "ehh" and then i checked out the Saab . My father works for a Swedish comany so i was familiar the cars and the uniqueness. After the test drive i feel in love with it. It was the car that best met my criteria. The was bought from a Saab dealer so i came certified and warranted until 100k or 5/2012. I've always babied my cars since i started driving so the maintence/care for Saab's is somewhat of a welcomed challenge.

Strengths:
Looks, Gas mileage, seats, trunk space, passenger space, AC, quickness between 50-90 mph

Weaknesses:
Somewhat nit picking
-Terrible Stereo!! I had the 7 speaker system and it was brutal. Anyone who really enjoys their music will not like the factory system. I recently replaced the front 6.5's with Alpine comps, added a JLw1 sub and an Alpine amp to power it. The improvement is ten-fold.
-slow off the line
-repairs/maintence(oil changes) are expensive.
-has some rattles....
-...very stiff suspension which could go either way
-Integrated console, there's a million buttons and the layout can be complicated. The use of fiber optics as well as a fully integrated headunit makes for changing it up nearly impossible.
-

Similar Products Used:
2002 Chevy Cavalier car the surived my time in college in North Philly. Car was nothing flashy but ran/looked great.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $17599.00 from Carmax

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 9-3 Aero Coupe

Summary:
Don't believe the negative hype. If maintained properly, these are fantastic cars, and will run forever. I am amazed by the stupidity of some of these reviewers. Here's a newsflash, if you buy a 12 year old car with no documented service history chances are great it is not going to perform like a brand new one. One guy on here trashed Saab, and by his own review he kept this "unreliable" car for 7 solid years!

Strengths:
Very strong and rigid chassis, produces a remarkably smooth ride. Smooth as silk at 98 mph. Might be owned by GM, but this car is definitely a european Bahn Burner. Turbo makes it as much fun to drive as an M3, but you still get 30 mpg on the highway! Great seats and steering wheel, nothing like quality hides for an interior.

Weaknesses:
Ever so slight Turbo lag. Although it looks great, the front spoiler on my Aero is only about 3" from the ground. I fear that it is only a matter of time before the worst happens....

Similar Products Used:
Mercedes CLK 430, BMW 528i

Price Paid:  $31500.00 from Marietta, GA

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 9-3 Linear

Summary:
I'd never seriously considered Saabs before, but after seeing some ads for the new 9-3, I looked into it further and we test drove and wound up buying one. I guess their ads are right. "People who test drive a Saab usually buy one". We were initially drawn to the sharp Euro styling, and after reading reviews about the equally sharp handling, we were sold. There really isn't anything about the car we don't like, though about 50 more hp in non-turbo form would be nice. Even so, the 175hp turbo 4 is very smooth, with minimal lag, and Saab has nearly eliminated the previous torque steer problems too. I love the comfortable seats, extra interior space vs. the German competition, and the fact that you don't see many of them around. I recommend that anyone shopping Audis and BMW's try out a Saab as an alternative.

Strengths:
Styling, handling, smooth ride, safety features, dealer experience, peppy engine, smooth shifting 5 speed auto, comfortable seats, interior room for the class

Weaknesses:
Could use a little more low-end grunt, resale value iffy

Similar Products Used:
'97 BMW 540i, '98 BMW 540i sport

Price Paid:  $32000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 9-3 Linear

Summary:
Just a beautiful car. Powerful, comfortable, and spacious. The new design definitely makes Saab a legit contender in the premium luxury sedan market, and yes, this car is a contender.

Strengths:
Powerful, comfortable, and spacious. New design is a plus, as the hatchback got old.

Weaknesses:
Not many.

Similar Products Used:
Volvo S60, Audi A4.