2006 Saab 9-3 Consumer Reviews

GREAT Car!!!!!!

Written by: RandyV on 11/11/2009

Vehicle

2006 Saab 9-3 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I bought my 2006 SAAB 9.3 Aero with the optional touring package and 2.8l Turbo engine. I love it. At the time of my purchase I shopped around and bought a top of line platinum warranty for the car, covering all repairs, from bumper to bumper...Great choice. Although to date I have not had to use the policy it, but it certainly removes any concerns about expense repair costs in the future. Now let's talk about the car. I have looked extensively at BMW, Audi, Lexus and Acuras but settled on this car. It drives well, looks fabulous and no matter how bad my day is at work....settling in my SAAB for the ride back home, reminds me of Christmas day and playing with my favorite toy!!!!!

Favorite Features

The exterior styling of the car is the first attraction, then to drive the car completes your impression of the car....even my wife loved the car!

Suggested Improvements

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A Sweet Swede

Written by: Sold on Saab on 11/08/2009

Vehicle

2006 Saab 9-3 2.0T SportCombi 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I bought it new and it's still under warranty. Love the design and utility. I've driven it across country and back twice in great comfort and safety. Superb handling allowed me to avoid being rear-ended by another driver. Handled a blizzard in Chicago in February. Routinely get 33 mpg on freeways using cruise control. Great buy compared to BMW or Audi - thousands less. HID headlights are the best I've ever seen with. Real red walnut trim is classy. Only issue is self-locking doors; they sometimes engage/disengage/engage several times when starting; dealer can't seem to correct this. Will definitely consider another Saab when I'm ready for another new car.

Favorite Features

Seat comfort, active head restraints, manumatic transmission, exterior styling, cargo capacity, acceleration, handling and braking, rear fog light, remote auto open windows and sunroof (great on hot days - allows built-up heat to escape), excellent safety rating.

Suggested Improvements

Program to unlock all doors when engine is turned off, rather than just driver's door, ventilated seats (not just heated).

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Review after one-year of ownership

Written by: Ryan on 10/28/2009

Vehicle

2006 Saab 9-3 2.0T 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I am an aggressive city driver (Washington, DC). Overall, an amazing improvement from my 1999 9-3 SE, which was a disaster. The only reason I bought another Saab is because I was deployed with the army for all of 2008 and returned to my hometown (Detroit area) to a completely depressed economy. Bought this car at 12,000 miles in MINT condition for $16,000 out the door. A year later at 25,000 miles, it has not let me down. 100K / 6 years from inception bumper-to-bumper. Failures thus far have been minor. No warranty claims yet, but will drop off soon for a center console arm rest that slides too freely. My #1 gripe is the sub-par sound system and iPod input jack.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy on the 2.0 is well above the Edmunds rating. I average 30 MPG on premium fuel. Superb turbo system. Night and day difference from my 1999 9-3 SE. Runs better on regular and mid-grade than 1999 Saab. Decent handling. Aeronautical feel on the dash instrumentation design.

Suggested Improvements

Audio: speakers are poor, menu on radio is ridiculous, audio input jack presents loud alternator hum when music source also plugged into power outlet. Rear brake pads metal-on-metal at 18,000 miles. Front brakes are still only 1/2 worn at 25,000 miles. No power seat for front passenger.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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1st Time Owner - Not the Last...

Written by: victor824 on 10/27/2009

Vehicle

2006 Saab 9-3 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

Nice car! I was very impressed with the performance and handling. The interior worked well for me and the power delivered by the 250 hp engine was exhilarating! The windshield washer reservoir had to be replaced twice - then they came out with the recall. The back brakes created a tremendous amount of dust compared to the front. ???? Finally replaced the pads with EBC reds - problem solved. The Saab emblems peeled off after just three years but the dealer replaced them free. The turbo blew a gasket at 75000 miles and the dealer originally quoted it at $3700 but when I declined they talked to Saab and could get it done for $900. ????

Favorite Features

Power!

Suggested Improvements

Get rid of the sliding arm rest. Use better (performance) brake pads.

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Buying Saab was the worst decision of my

Written by: Nataliya on 10/13/2009

Vehicle

2006 Saab 9-3 Aero SportCombi 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I can say now confidently that buying Saab from GM was the worst decision we made with my husband so far in our lives! The car design is simply put flawed, the car is constantly breaking and each morning you are praying that your 3-year old nice looking car will start. I had 6 battery problems – each time it is something new around the battery: faulty switch, wires, corrosion, alternator, throttle motor is draining it... 5 issues with coolant system, my AC was passing smoke into the cabin since antifreeze was leaking into AC system, ESP failure, faulty gas cap, etc. Not mentioning constantly peeling exterior, cracking knobs on the dashboard, leaking washer nozzles and tank...

Favorite Features

Design of the dashboard and seats.

Suggested Improvements

Start from scratch and change everything after GM destroyed Saab as a brand. Stop cutting cost in areas where it is unacceptable.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Don't Buy!

Written by: Saab Stinks on 10/10/2009

Vehicle

2006 Saab 9-3 2.0T 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Do not buy a Saab! This car is riddled w/ electrical problems! The ECM has a known defect which causes the ABS, Stability Control, Traction Control, brakes all show as failing, then the speedometer and all other dash components stop working! Only fix is to pull over and restart! Talk about dangerous. Saab knows about it and has no fix in sight. Stay clear of this junky car. Bought used 8K and have had it in the shop every month or every other month. Warranty is up in a month and so is my ownership. Time to buy a quality car. All service people at the dealer know be by name- no joke.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Fix the known defect! Get someone who can trouble shoot to do this and fix this known problem.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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My 20 cents

Written by: Ricky Sein on 10/08/2009

Vehicle

2006 Saab 9-3 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I bought the 2006 9-3 Aero in 2009. It had 22,000 miles. The car looks very nice, it's lots of fun to drive. It is faster than most of the similar priced European makes (which are usually more expensive). The 2-tone leather interior with silver trims look sporty and modern. The 2.8 V6T does consumes significant amount of fuel, which can add up, specially if you follow the owner's manual requirement of premium fuel only. Overall, I love it!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Power, Style, and Prestige

Written by: Juice22 on 09/22/2009

Vehicle

2006 Saab 9-3 Aero 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl Turbo 6M)

Review

I bought this car after looking at BMW, Lexus, and Audi. We chose the Aero with the Six-Speed manual tranny after testing out the 2.0 automatic, which was great, but a little twitchy in response for me. The Aero definitely has a better low-end and the manual tranny means I get to control it exactly as I want. This is by far one of the most enjoyable cars to drive. The Turbo is better than most other cars I've driven. It always turns heads and gets a lot of compliments. It's nice not seeing so many on the road as well. Just had Coolant reservoir replaced via recall. Saab service has always been strong and quick to fix any issues...of which I've had very few (replaced stereo amp).

Favorite Features

The turbo is incredible off the line and on the highway. Never a time when not enough power. Cornering is great for mountain roads. The dual exhaust is very well tuned and sounds great under acceleration, cruising, and idle. The bucket seats up front hug you well as you fly around corners.

Suggested Improvements

Brake dust seems to accumulate on the front wheels even right after cleaning. Console arm rest should be lockable or harder to move - it slides way too easily. Interior wood trim should be available rather than just silver plastic...the wood was a downgrade? Hrmm...

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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77000 Miles and No Problems

Written by: RogKel on 09/09/2009

Vehicle

2006 Saab 9-3 2.0T SportCombi 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Still a quiet, smooth ride. 2.0t has more than adequate power. Summer mileage 26 to 28 mpg on regular; winter mileage 23 to 25 in NH. No mechanical or electrical problems other than H7 low beam bulbs have a 4-6 month life expectancy. Exterior and interior have held up well. Highly recommend.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy. Smooth power from turbo four without a lot of noise. Dog can sleep soundly.

Suggested Improvements

Original Pirelli P6's didn't have enough tread left at 22000 miles to make it thru another winter. Current tires are Michelin Primacy MXV4; much smoother, quieter tire, but pricey. Rear brake pads shot at less than 30,000 miles; original front pads only about half worn.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Details, details, details!!!

Written by: CMC on 09/08/2009

Vehicle

2006 Saab 9-3 2.0T SportCombi 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Bought used in '08 w/20k miles. Has everything but nav. After 16k miles/12 months, car feels like development stopped at 85%. All the pieces are there, just not fine-tuned the last 15%. Strong drivetrain performance (2.0t w/5-speed auto), but average gas mileage (mid-20s on highway). Steering is light/fast, but ominous popping/clicking noises from front end when turning at low speed. Smooth road ride is exemplary; rough road ride is jittery/harsh. Seats are comfortable/durable; rest of interior has too much brittle plastic. HVAC/radio too button-intensive. Interior squeaks and rattles are starting. Well-designed conceptually, but execution lacking. Resale value plummeting even after 3 years.

Favorite Features

Exterior styling, seat comfort, visibility, cargo storage/utility, high level of equipment (both standard and optional).

Suggested Improvements

Electrical issues--random theft alarm; drivers window wouldn't go up/sunroof wouldn't close. Dealer resolved after multiple visits. Suggest working on mfg. execution for product to match market re: fit+finish/ materials quality. Dealers need help too. Make Acura your target market, not M-B, BMW.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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