2003 Saab 9-3 - Consumer Reviews

New to Me

Vehicle

2003 Saab 9-3 SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I am a week and a half into owning this car. I bought it in spite of it being a rental for its first year, 10,000 miles per Carfax. I am happy with the purchase, 117k on the car. Mostly in good to above average condition. I had it checked out by an independent shop and it received a clean bill of health. Had an oil change, will run synthetic of course. I am planning on a tune and complete fluid replacement @ the next oil change interval. A lot of juice when I hit the gas, I am well above the posted limit before realizing it.
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Never Again

Vehicle

2003 Saab 9-3 SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Where do I begin? My "latest" issue is that although the electrical system is working, the car wont start! The Saab mechanic informs me that it "may" be the started, but maybe not. He can replace it for $700+, but if it's not the problem, I'm out the money! The leather seats are worn out. The fan for the a/c stays on for an extra 15 minutes after I shut off the car. The car rattles way too much. The seals on the back window are coming off. Oh, and the motor for the passenger seat is gone and now starting to go on the drivers side as well. They inform me that the motor is over $700! I can easily say that I will not buy a Saab OR a GM auto ever again. Haven't met many happy Saab owners lately.
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Parts on indefinite backorder!!!

Vehicle

2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have had a lot of Saab's and no car has given me as many problems as this one. It was in the shop over 7 times in 1 month alone. Recently the alternator went and then the vacuum pipe and now a $34.00 hose that is on back order Saab Corp. says indefinitely. Thanks to GM the quality of this car and the company has gone down the drain. WATCH OUT!!!
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100% Mistake

Vehicle

2003 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

This car seems to have spent as much time being fixed as being driven. It is now in the shop for oil leaking from a vacuum pump and a broken bolt that was supposed to hold the sway bar in place. Just replaced the blower motor for the heater two days earlier. In the time we've owned it, we must have gone to the dealership at least 20 times. All I can say is if you ever buy a Saab voluntarily, you have just made the worst mistake in your car buying life.
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HUGE Mistake

Vehicle

2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Traded my infinity g20 (loved that car) to saab of tampa (only because the miles were getting high). I picked a 2003 9-3 linear with 38,000 miles on it. The price seemed too good to be true. The car looked great... And that's about it!!! To many problems to list, about 2,200 dollars and a year later traded it in for a 2009 xterra. DONE WITH SAAB!!!!!!
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Me too - never again!

Vehicle

2003 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I helped my son purchase a used Saab in January 2007 and with each year the repair costs just keep coming. In September of 2007 the check engine light came on with a total cost of $545 to fix. In February 2008 a new radiator cost $721. In December 2008 it cost $903 for a new window regulator and new blower motor. In April 2009 a tow charge of $105 and an estimated repair cost of $900 to fix after the car simply stopped running on the highway. With the latest fix the total repairs bills are over $3000 in 2 years and 2 months. What a piece of junk!
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My Saab has been a great purchase

Vehicle

2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I had a few minor problems in the first year but since then, nothing. Granted, it's a fairly low-mileage car but it rides well and has been reliable. I still get compliments on the way it looks. I have no idea how the problems with GM cutting Saab free will play out or affect future value but so I'm glad I bought the car and have never understood the concerns raised by many old-time Saab-snobs.
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Quick, Comfortable & Reliable

Vehicle

2003 Saab 9-3 SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I am very pleased with the combination of power and fuel economy the Saab 9-3 convertible provides with the 2,0 liter turbo-charged engine. My 9-3 is equipped with an automatic transmission and delivers 20 plus mpg city and 28 mpg highway - not bad for a comfortable, powerful and fun to drive convertible. The 9-3 delivers more than adequate acceleration, and plenty of reserve power for merging and passing. Ride & handling are superb, albeit with a bit of cowl flex on less than glass smooth roads. Comfort is fantastic, thanks in part to some of the best seats in the business. Top operation couldn't be easier. Reliability thus far excellent! A very nice automobile.
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At 150,000 miles it still drives new!

Vehicle

2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I bought this car in late 2005 with 13,000 miles from the dealership. Everybody gives the 2003 a bad wrap because it was new, but the thing is that all the software fixes are in place and it drives great! I like this style compared to the 2008 and newer and will probably search for a low mile 2005 when I sell this. For the meantime I expect to get 250,000 - 300,000 miles out of this car. It does not vibrate and drives new even at 150,000 miles. This car features the pre-GM stereo which gets a bad wrap because of no BASS, however I added an Infiniti Basslink to the system in the trunk (wired to my front door speaker for BASS) and now people who ride in my car says it sounds like a club)
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Fun lively ride

Vehicle

2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have no complaints about car, turbo acceleration is flawless, overtaking is amazing and I have only 2.0t!!! Just overall sexy!! My only problem is airbag light, but I will get that fixed.
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