Used 2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M) Consumer Reviews
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2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 2.0T
Jaime Perez, Worcester, MA, 04/17/2016
Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
52 of 52 people found this review helpful
Great car! This car is bulletproof if properly maintained. I stayed on top of maintance and the car never let me down. At 230,000 miles I drove the car cross country coast to coast all the time without any fear of breakdowns. I even cruised at triple digits out in the desert with no problems. Engine still strong at that mileage. Frequent oil changes highly recommended to prevent sludge in these engines and to prevent turbo failure. Car still has original transmission at 230,000 miles. The car feels very light and corners like a sports car. These Saabs do have electrical problems but the only ones I encountered were passengers door lock stopped working and the high beam shutter in the Xenon headlights stopped working so no more high beams. I would definitely recommend getting the daytime running lights disabled at a shop that specializes in Saabs because they come from the factory with the daytime running lights which leave the headlights on all the time whenever the car is on. If your car is equipped with Bi Xenon headlights like mine was you don't want them on whenever the car is on because the bulbs are expensive and if the high beam shutter stops working like it did in mine then you're looking at $750 a headlight for replacement. Also check the Coil Springs on all four corners because they tend to rust due to poor coating from the factory which can lead them to breaking which is not good if it happens while driving. The car gave me an impressive 39mpg on the highway during summer days and 34mpg during winter on the highway. The car gave me 24 mpg in the city. The car has more than enough power for everyday day driving. The car is amazing in the snow and it's a great cold weather car. Never got stuck in snow and drove it in multiple snowstorms where there was so much snow that only rigs and trucks were on the roads. The car also survived every day cold starts in -20 degree weather never failing to start. I will definitely be buying another Saab in the future. Great European cars. Stay on top of maintance and you will get a car that is reliable, sporty, good looking, good on gas, great driver in any weather, turbo power, handles, great cargo space, room for 5 people, luxury features for the year of the car! There's a reason why there's so many of these on the roads especially in the northeast!!
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Loveable but complicated!!
merashad, Florence, AL, 06/14/2011
Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
49 of 50 people found this review helpful
I love the car for it's design and drivibility. The car responds well if maintained. The complicated portion of the car is its electrial and quirky engine light. One day the car is fine and the next, the electrial system can just quit without warning. No, mishaves to complete shut off. If you are looking to purchase this car you'll need to have on hand about $1500 due to abrupt problems.
Best car for the Money, If you can fix it yourself
mrdotkom, Hillsborough, NJ, 02/09/2013
Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
If you're not a mechanic you bought the wrong car. If, like myself, you enjoy working on your car and don't mind changing ignition coils on the side of the highway in a hail storm you can get a great value on this car. I bought this car after the previous owner failed to diagnose the blown ignition cassette. After ~$150 bucks I got a great deal on it. The CEL lights most people are reporting are as a result of non-OE specific spark plugs. Most people spend too much money at the shop and not enough time learning about proper maintenance and service. This car has never been in the shop since I've owned it and for the next 50k miles I expect it to be somwhere between my garage and the highway
I love this Sport Sedan
carz240, Chicago, IL, 01/19/2012
Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
27 of 29 people found this review helpful
After I sold my old car I wanted an improvement. Something with xenon lights, leather, automatic windows and sun roof, and it had to be relatively fast. After looking for 3 or 4 months I found a 2003 Saab 93 2.0t automatic. I went over to test drive it that night at the owners house and I instantly wanted it. I ended up buying it that night, I didnt know much about Saab and if I did I would have bough the Vector/Aero or the Arc. I wish Saab wasn't in this problem right now, after owning this car for the past 6 months I want to be a Saab guy forever. Im 20 and I am in love with my Saab, I have never had any major issues. Just little things here and there. I highly reccomend the 93
Have confidence, get certified
RLS123, 03/07/2006
Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I wanted the confidence of an extended warranty and something different than the run-of-the-mill sedan. I didn't know much about Saab, so my expectations weren't too high. If you only look at Consumer Reports, you would never buy this car. However, it's an attractive automobile with many standard features which would be options on another vehicle. I was concerned about it being a 4 cyl, but the Turbo gives it plenty of guts. Additionally, I have owned this car for over a year now without any cosmetic or mechanical issues. It's fun to drive with very little road noise.
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