2003 Saab 9-3 Consumer Reviews

Love it!

Written by: Travis Cole on 07/08/2009

Vehicle

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

Review

I purchased my Saab used, I've had a couple issues but I still love the car. It has enough get up and go, and to me is just a thrill to drive! The only real problem I've had with the car is on 2 occasions there was a computer issue, the computer wasn't telling the car to shift gears basically. The first time this happened it fixed itself after I restarted the car a few times. The second time I had to have the computer reset at the dealership ($100) and they put in all the updated software. I get tons of compliments on the car, and I get excited to drive it every time I get behind the wheel!

Favorite Features

MPG, turbo, drives like a sports car not a family sedan, looks great!

Suggested Improvements

Trade-in value is TERRIBLE. The suspension is stiff, it can be a rough ride at times. Sound system could be better, my front speakers are beginning to crack when I turn it up a little bit, and the rear speakers really don't do anything.

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New to Me

Written by: tiki saab on 06/17/2009

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.

Favorite Features

Convertible Top. Convertible Top. Convertible Top. Awesome acceleration, my first turbo. Gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

God awful cup holders, Americans drink coffee in big cups. Armrest, Americans like to rest their arms.

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Never Again

Written by: Dan A. on 06/05/2009

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.

Favorite Features

At least the people at the service dept. at Parkfield Saab in NJ are very nice. They try to uphold a high standard of service, but are limited as the product stinks. If they pickup any other brands (other than ANY GM brand), I would still buy from them. Can't really say anything good about Saab.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the electrical system, the starter, the seats, the window seals, and put more power into the car.

1 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Parts on indefinite backorder!!!

Written by: Jules on 05/11/2009

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!!!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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100% Mistake

Written by: Displeased on 05/11/2009

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.

Favorite Features

It's quick.

Suggested Improvements

Stop with the amount of electronic gadgets. All it does is drain battery life. Replaced that a couple times already. If you are going to charge the insane amount you do for the car, make it so it will drive more than 6,000 miles without an issue.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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HUGE Mistake

Written by: brian on 05/09/2009

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!!!!!!

Favorite Features

looks

Suggested Improvements

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Me too - never again!

Written by: Bob O'Keefe on 04/28/2009

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!

Favorite Features

None anymore.

Suggested Improvements

Make something that is more reliable.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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My Saab has been a great purchase

Written by: Harmiclir on 03/31/2009

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.

Favorite Features

Turbo. Comfortable leather seats. Fine interior/exterior design. Decent gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

The drive is a little stiff.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Quick, Comfortable & Reliable

Written by: jimb on 03/25/2009

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.

Favorite Features

Seats Top operation Styling Combination of Power & Economy Fun to drive!

Suggested Improvements

Stereo good, but not great. (But that is nit picking)

14 out 14 people found this review helpful

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At 150,000 miles it still drives new!

Written by: Brian in MA on 03/11/2009

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)

Favorite Features

Turbo, fuel economy, transmission is bulletproof (just make sure you have the coolant line coupler recall done on your car), seats are comfortable and smell like quality leathers still!, very roomy cabin for a compact, headlights, truck space, stereo has optical cables to all amplifiers-incredible!

Suggested Improvements

Peeling buttons on the stereo, climate control, and glove box. Heater/AC fan blades made of aluminum instead of plastic, peeling logo off of trunk and hood, get out of GM and hook up with OPEL or BMW.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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