2002 Saab 9-3 Consumer Reviews

Our new toy!

Written by: SAAB-BOB on 06/28/2008

Vehicle

2002 Saab 9-3 SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

We bought our convertible 9-3 a couple months ago and we love it. The car gets good gas mileage (23-25MPG) around town where it is mostly driven. The handling is great and the turbo pickup is excellent. This is my first SAAB and am enjoying every moment of ownership. The pricing is so good on used SAABs that you can't go wrong. If your on the fence just do it..buy the car and have fun. Life is too short not to enjoy a little topless driving in the sun. They say once you own a SAAB you'll own another...I'm starting to believe it now. Do your homework, make sure the car you buy is of quality and go for it!

Favorite Features

Convertible top, seats, speed warning

Suggested Improvements

Cupholder stinks

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I feel the need--The need for speed

Written by: telrod on 04/20/2008

Vehicle

2002 Saab 9-3 Viggen 4dr Hatchback (2.3L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I've had Porsches, Bmw's, et al, ad nauseum but this is the first manual I've had that I need to check the tach to see what gear I'm in. It's that quiet and that smooth. When I first bought it I'd be going along the freeway at 60 and notice that the tach was at 5000 and I was in 2nd gear. The gears are VERY long in this car. The Viggen driver's seat is the best, most comfortable seat anywhere including Buster chairs and couches at home. I've gotten used to the torque steer which adds a quirky challenge to stay earthbound. It reminds me of the fishtailing 1980's Porsches I've had, about which the reviewers used to say, "Fishtailing off a cliff is part of the 911's charm"

Favorite Features

The stereo is like a seat at the opera house.

Suggested Improvements

They should add 10 feet to the car's length and a 3rd set of wheels to improve stability.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Disappointed

Written by: Marianne on 03/31/2008

Vehicle

2002 Saab 9-3 SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Purchased this used w/only 32K (one owner vehicle myself being second) since I have had this vehicle I have had new brakes and rotors cut, fuel pump fixed, transmission flushed(that was at 50 k miles). This tops it all, I woke up at 1:30 am saw strange lights coming from my driveway to discover the hazards were flashing. I tried everything and could not shut them off, looked for fuses etc.. had to take it to a SAAB recommended mechanic near my home and his comments the SAAB is the worst car for the money and be prepared to continually pay for repairs... the repair cost was unbelievable. The problem electrical and the computer board....

Favorite Features

I love heated seats; my previous car mazda millennia had them (such a great feature on a cold morning) and was thrilled to learn this SAAB did too

Suggested Improvements

The cup holder above the CD player is inconvenient (very odd location) not a great deal of side or center compartment storage for items such as CD's, gloves, maps etc...

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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From dream to nightmare

Written by: Gullable on 01/29/2008

Vehicle

2002 Saab 9-3 SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This was my dream car until I bought one (used). It's fun to drive, but not at all the luxury car I expected it to be. Over $1500 spent in repairs in 1 year on a 6 year old car with under 60K miles: alternator, exhaust pipe, headliner clips, headlights (always dim, have to replace every 3 months), digital display fading, dash cracked, cupholder broke off, irritating squealing noise from AC fan, humming sound from glove box, roof channels rainwater into my lap, emblems are faded. Payments are too high to be this disappointed. An extended warranty is a must with this car.

Favorite Features

Love the heated seats, sport suspension, high safety rating, quiet roof, and overall good looks.

Suggested Improvements

Ridiculous cupholder seems like an afterthought in design. Needs an auto lock/unlock button inside so you don't have to reach across the car.

1 out 3 people found this review helpful

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First time Saab Owner. Amazing Car!

Written by: Yuryi on 10/25/2007

Vehicle

2002 Saab 9-3 SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This is my first Saab ever. Enjoyed every minute of it. Does everything you want it to do but with 30-35 mpg. I am sad to have sold it. It sold the next day after putting it in the paper. I will definitely be looking to buy another one

Favorite Features

Power. Design interior and exterior. Great MPG. Fun to drive manual tranny. Tons of room! Great suspension.

Suggested Improvements

Torque steer. CD/info display pixels.

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Saab 2002 vintage

Written by: Steven Patriarca on 01/01/2007

Vehicle

2002 Saab 9-3 SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

The car is dependable and solid. The body style on the 2002 93 SE is vintage. This car with 30200 miles on it and Saab Certified is like driving a new car. I also had replaced all four tires in 6/2006 with factory Pirellis since I had basically just bought the car out of my lease agreement and would be driving it a while. Prior to purchase from my lease the dealership also did all the 30k service at about 21k miles. The 2002 93 SE has every available option one could ask for including the cold weather package and traction control. The traction control is necessary due to the high performance tires.

Favorite Features

Favorite features are the unique Saab dash and body features which I find to be missing in the newer models that have changed style since 2003.

Suggested Improvements

A more all season oriented tire would serve better in New England than the performance Pirelli.

8 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Been great

Written by: dkp on 11/27/2006

Vehicle

2002 Saab 9-3 SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Today I hit 120,000 on my Saab. My repairs have totaled less than $1000; brakes, temp gauge sensor, mass airflow sensor. Love: acceleration, fuel economy, handling in snow/ice, cargo room. Dislike: rear passenger room, cupholders, pedal placement (too close together for my clodhoppers). Also dislike having to move the front seats up to fold the rear seats flat.

Favorite Features

Traction control, turbo, trunk space, fuel economy.

Suggested Improvements

Center armrest, cupholders, pedal placement, rear passenger legroom behind tall driver.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Falling apart after the warranty

Written by: jjsaab on 11/11/2006

Vehicle

2002 Saab 9-3 SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This car is fun to drive and has reasonable fuel economy when it is not in being repaired. I am on my 3rd water pump, have replaced several computer modules, gaskets failing in very expensive areas, have electrical problems, etc. etc. I have been told by the Saab dealer that these things happen even if you keep up with the Saab maintenance schedule. I am not sure if my problems are the result of poor build quality, poor Saab mechanics at the dealership, or both. Beware of the reliablity of 2002 Saabs 9-3.

Favorite Features

This car is fun to drive with Michelin Pilots on them.

Suggested Improvements

This is my second Saab. The reliability of my 2002 9-3 vs my old 1992 Saab 900 went from very good to very bad.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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they don't make them like they used to!

Written by: kris on 08/18/2006

Vehicle

2002 Saab 9-3 SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This vehicle has been a nightmare! I have been the only owner, never in an accident and there have been issues from the time it was under warranty. 2 auto windows that broke, 2 ball joints (the same one each at 50K miles), 3 electrical relay switches, head gasket that leaks, radio control display that is not readable and many other problems, on top of routine maintenance! Lemon is what I got, and Saab has lost a customer of 25 years!

Favorite Features

Heated seats... at least they haven't broken yet.

Suggested Improvements

Increase the warranty like other manufacturers.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Nice, Nice, NIce

Written by: henry on 07/24/2006

Vehicle

2002 Saab 9-3 SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

We have been looking for a convertible which I fit into. I am 6'9" and am able to drive and ride comfortably. The car is one of my favorites for styling & perfomance. 2.0 liter is amazing bullet proof and the auto shifts smooth and is fun to drive. If you want a nicely priced used convertible the Saab is 2nd to none.

Favorite Features

Styling, performance, soft top, leather.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders but bottle water works just fine.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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