2004 Saab 9-3 Consumer Reviews

Fun and Safe

Written by: Judi on 02/02/2009

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This is my third Saab. I've only spent $140 on the car since purchased new. I drive it every day. Mileage is great on the highway (about 30 mpg) but on city streets it drops to the teens. A bit of trouble with the locks, and speakers not great in the 2004. Huge trunk but still prefer the old Saab hatchback (had my 1985 900 for 20 years). Safety features ahead of its time.

Favorite Features

Like the peppy turbo, the ski hole, roomy trunk, comfy heated seats, multiple driver adjustments, safety features and 6-CD player.

Suggested Improvements

Lower the volume on the turn signal and improve the audio sound quality. Make the wiper blades more adjustable. Above all, make a compact hatchback (again) that can carry a bicycle with both wheels on or a small piece of furniture; i.e., something besides groceries. Improve city mileage.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great Used Car with Over 100K miles

Written by: Chuck on 12/17/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-3 Arc 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I bought this car on a whim and it already had over 100,000 miles on it. Yes, 100,000. The car ran like new. Handles extremely well and to date (almost 12 months later) I've had no problems. There were some minor issues and with routine maintenance the total cost for the year is under $250!!! I've had no electrical, mechanical or other issues at all. This is one fun car to drive and has held up well. I've got over 125,000 miles on the car now.

Favorite Features

The cup holder is cool, the top works extremely well, and the seats are very comfortable. Wood trim on the steering well is nice too. This car has been good to me so far and still looks great.

Suggested Improvements

Better stereo and not much else.

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Fun to drive. Great feul economy

Written by: ND on 11/19/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

The car is extremely responsive, agile, and powerful. It has a great fuel economy (> 33 mpg on highway). The interior looks cheap and feel cheap (but not as bad as GM or Ford). The dealer has been very responsible. I had an A/C problem 3 weeks after the warrantee expired. The dealer picked up the bill. It has 4-year, 50000 mile warranty.

Favorite Features

Power and fuel economy

Suggested Improvements

Interior quality.

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Fun to Drive

Written by: Shaun7217 on 10/08/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

It's a car with excitement! Really fun to drive! The dealership is great with service. But it eat up some gas! ouch! The turbo engine's air sound makes you excited all the time!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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2004 Saab 9-3 Linear

Written by: sk1395 on 08/28/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

All in all i think this is a good car. The interior is a little cheap with the finish flaking off. Also i've had to have the speakers in the front replaced twice now. My lock system failed during one very cold Wisconsin winter. All I can say is buy the Saab extended warranty! I didn't have to pay for anything to get fixed!

Favorite Features

Turbo, Turbo, Turbo!! Very fun to drive! Drives very smoothly compared to other vehicles this size.

Suggested Improvements

The interior needs work. Very poor quality

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Never Again!

Written by: Mel Jonas on 08/01/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

My wife and I purchased the car in April of 07 with 46,000 miles on it. She loved it until the repairs started. In one year and three months we have spent over $3000.00 in repairs. First thing that went was an input sensor on the auto tranny with 49,000 (covered under warranty). Next time the output sensor went out at 54,000 miles not covered. I went ahead and had the tranny flushed at the dealership at this time also. At 64,000 miles, total transmission failure to the tune of $2540.00. I talked to Saab myself took it as high as I could and they wouldn't help me at all. Saab file# 71- 649725108

Favorite Features

None anymore.

Suggested Improvements

Back what you sell!

5 out 6 people found this review helpful

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I Love my car - but

Written by: Joe on 07/07/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-3 Arc 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I now have a 2004 Arc convertible. I love the car but I want it to behave. I traded a 2003 sedan on the conv. I have put 2 transmissions at 45,000 and 49,000 miles in both cars. If it weren't for a great service department at the Saab dealer, I would be looking for another make of car. I hope the last tranny will be the last tranny I need.

Favorite Features

style

Suggested Improvements

better transmissions and more interior storage.

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Oh my

Written by: johnstone48 on 07/02/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Good looking. Nice lines. Horrible electrical system. Just had to get seatbelt replaced for $675. Are you kidding me? My first and last Saab. Too many bothersome electrical problems such as sunroof, saab infotainment, security system, etc. It's a shame because it's a great looking car but the little issues keep me from coming back.

Favorite Features

Sporty lines

Suggested Improvements

Electrical system.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great car

Written by: jay0725 on 06/25/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I've had my Saab 9-3 about 2 1/2 years now. In that time I've put over 60k miles on it. Maintenance is very important with these cars to keep them from giving you problems. I religiously change my oil every 7500 miles with ONLY mobile 1 full synthetic. Also keeping up with the other maintenance has proved worth while. The dealers charge a lot but it's better than having a broken down car. I average 33mpg between all driving. It has the original clutch at 80k, still shifts and drives like new. Brake dust is out of control but brakes have lasted about 45k miles and still over half left. I had one major issue with engine block at 45k. It was under warranty and I got a free loaner.

Favorite Features

Look, interior styling, fun to drive, great gas mileage, the hiss of the turbo is exciting, great stock audio system, phenomenal in snowy driving with good all season tires

Suggested Improvements

Where is the back seat? Maybe use some of the gigantic trunk for more back seat room? Give a longer warranty to people who keep up with all maintenance as recommended.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love this car!

Written by: fledermaus98 on 06/24/2008

Vehicle

2004 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I've had the Saab 9-3 for 4 years now and have loved every minute of it. There have been no major problems with this car and I have only had to do routine maintenance. The only gripe I have is that the silver plastic piece on top of the shifter came off (super glue fixed that!) and there was a rattle in the door which the dealer took care of promptly. The car handles like a dream and is very sporty. The gas mileage is also fantastic! I average 23 in the city (stepping on the gas pedal pretty hard) and 34 on the highway doing 75 to 80 miles an hour. I would not hesitate to recommend this car to anyone!

Favorite Features

Fun to drive and great gas mileage!

Suggested Improvements

Power seats

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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