Used 1999 Saab 9-3 Consumer Reviews
Used 9-3 for sale
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Repairs on high mileage '99 9-3
nhundt, 09/02/2008
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Regretfully gave up my 99 9-3 today. After 136K miles it was costing a fortune in repairs & replacements: fuel pump ($700), electronic ignition computer ($700), air vent selector switch broke nearly 1/2 doz. times. Now the engine gaskets are leaking coolant into the crankcase, front struts need replacing, and soon it will need a new clutch. Some items (e.g. clutch) are expected but other repairs were an expensive annoyance compared to '84 Celica which this car replaced. With my 9-3's book value next to nothing, chose to avoid throwing more $ at this car; I purchased an '08 Civic EX-L instead. Conclusion: Saabs will see hi miles only if you spend big bucks to keep 'em going.
Questionable build quality
Ken S., 06/17/2002
1999 Saab 9-3 SE HO Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought a 1999 Saab 93SE two months ago. So far, the A/C has been charged three times and no one can figure out why it is blowing the freon out of the pressure reease valve. The engine started leaking coolant and oil from the head gasket. I get a sulfur smell from the tailpipe at times. The power antenna no longer goes down all the way. The dash turn signal indicators sometimes don't work. Or sometimes they stay on when the turn signal is off. The passenger side headlight wiper is coming loose. The car has way too many interior rattles and creaks for a car in this class. And it is out of warranty with 54K on it. I want my Acura back.
1999 Saab 9-3 for sale near you
Showing 2 of 2 listings
- Viggen 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $26,750563 mi away
- Base ConvertibleMSRP: $4,250774 mi away
The road less traveled
waltwins, 07/24/2002
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Second Saab I've owned. Very practical, fun to drive, reliable and safe. Will probably buy another one when the time comes.
Flying ace...
9 3 owner, 07/26/2002
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have a lot of mixed emotion about this car. It can be a pleasure to drive. Acceleration, comfort and feel are all good. It is expensive to maintain and has had its share of minor problems. No major flaws however. The change over to a hydrolic clutch is a vast improvement over the previous model but it still feels like the clutch plate may be small for the weight of the vehicle. i.e. It commonly lugs starting the car on an incline and wants you to feather the clutch out.
I'm Liking This Car
J-Lo, 08/24/2002
1999 Saab 9-3 SE HO Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my first SAAB and I've had zero complaints. I purchased a late year 93SE 4DR with the HOT engine and it is just plain cool. Performance is great and after 45K it seems to get better each day.
Jury is still out
prnitz, 11/25/2002
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 2dr Convertible
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had his Saab about a month. My last car was a 1999 Toyota Solara coupe. Believe it or not, the Saab after a few years of depreciation was much more affordable than the Solara convertible. Compared to my Solara SE V6 the Saab is smaller, handles bumpy roads worse, has a funky interior lay out, and will not hold its value as well as a Toyota, BMW or Mercedes. On the plus side, it gets great gas mileage (35 on the highway, 30 around town), has great acceleration from the 4 cyl turbo, and has distinctive looks. I am going to like this car if it does not break. If it does, and I find it hard and expensive to fix, I am back to a Toyota.
Best car I ever Owned
Guyod, 12/31/2002
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The car has a solid feel to it. This car loves to be driven fast. Its hard to say no. I only had the car for 6 months but I only brought it to the garage once because the brakes were squealing. Turns out nothing was wrong with the brakes but they did replace the SID display because lines were missing(Covered in warranty). I would smile every time i came up to my car in the parking lot or looked at it out my window. I regret wrecking it. Planning on getting a new one when i save the money.
Could Have Been Better
Westportviggen, 01/27/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 Viggen Turbo 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have a grey 2001 5-door Viggen . I am generally happy with the car. The car is a great start to a true performance car. It has very nice power and handling atributes. It rips out of those second gears turns with incredible power. I haven't driven any other front wheel drive car that can spin tired out of a turn at 50+ mph. BUT IT COULD BE BETTER!!!!
Bud
lenore, 07/28/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 SE Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Best car I ever drove!!! It is a plow horse. Always there and reliable. Pack horse too. Carried home two full sized desks and 2 storage units from Pottery barn in the hatchback. Unbelievable!
Split Decision
Gunny23, 09/04/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Driving 35K+ per year puts me in the used car category, and I just couldn't say no to the price and great warranty of my 99 9-3. Cupholder in front stinks, but the seats are awesome and highway ride is second to none. I really want to love this car, but a few glitches make it a split decision. Everyone has had the AC knob problem, it seems, and when I had that fixed, the backlights on the SID went out. It doesn't stand up to a 328, but for 10 grand less, I can live with it. If I have no problems for the next year, I'll call it a great car!
I really do like my 9-3
Eric , 07/22/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 SE HO Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I use the Saab as my 2nd car and just for commuting to an from work... and for that purpose it really works well. The gas mileage is good (low 20's) and the car is easy/fun to drive and weave through traffic in. I could have purchased a Civic or another comparable vehicle for what I paid for the Saab in '01 but there is no comparison and that was a very easy decision. You get a lot of value for the dollar (if buying used) and that is probably the most appealing thing about this car.
1999 Saab 9.3
Garth de Leon, 09/30/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Purchased used @ 34,627 miles. Service and reliability has been superior to all other previously ownesd Saabs ... To date considered excellent overall!
Navy Blue Rocket Sled
Spark9-3, 10/05/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned this car for about 2 months now. I love it. If you are good with driving stick this car will satisfy that urge for power. I love everything about the car, testdrive one, you will be hooked VERY quickly. My only advice is to find one with a CD changer as it costs 700 from saab to have one installed, and other than that the only option for CDs other than replacing the radio is a FM modulated changer (I just had one installed from tweeter today) which runs around $350.
Saab Fun to Drive
mattg, 11/07/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have a great experience with my Saab 9-3 and would buy another one. Good performance and fun to drive. Poor Gas Mileage expesive repair.
Bought off E-bay
O'B, 11/18/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Nice styling, car is very fast in stock trim and handles well. Radio/CD player are descent. Ihad problems with paint peeling in the rear wheel wells,exhaust went, and so did the head gasket. I hope these aren't common with all of them.
It looks great
Saabstory, 11/29/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I want to like my 9-3. The greatest shortcoming in the car is its very very substandard structural integrity. To put it kindly, the car is "floppy" like a recently dead fish. When you are driving on smooth pavement in a straight line, the car feels great. Hit a bump, or take a twisty lane and you notice that the car doesn't feel like one piece. Go over rail road tracks and the car feels very loosely held together. Rattles abound, and electrical problems have plagued mine. That said, the engine is a 10 and the car is very thoughtful. Little things like how it remembers to use the rear wiper when you put it in reverse in the rain make a good impression.
'99 Saab 4-Dr Turbo Hatchback - the best!
D Haverkamp, 06/01/2005
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is my fourth Saab, and it has been the best so far. The construction is solid, with very low road noise. The seating is comfortable both front and back. The handling is tight and reliable. Visibility is excellent. The original sound system still sounds as good today as when I bought the car new. Mileage has also been good--- about 32 mph on the highway, around 24 in-town.
Like the Saab but must have snow tires
snow tires, 12/01/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I can't believe no one has mentioned how poorly this car handles when there is snow on the roads. I put on some Bridgestone tires, allseason and it still handles bad. I'm told you must have snow tires, $1000 dollars. I have never had a car that needs snow tires. Not safe to drive without them.
I love these cars
Pat, 08/30/2005
1999 Saab 9-3 SE HO Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
In October of 04, I bought my first Saab, a 99 9-3 S sedan. for 8 months, I loved this car. Then one June night, I was rear ended by a drunk driver at 40mph while I was at a stop... this car saved me from much pain. Since then, it has been replaced with a 99 9-3SE HOT. The AC Compressor binded, shredding the serpentine belt. $1200 dollars later, all is well. Its a joy to drive, gets a lot of looks, and people assume you paid so much more then you did. Rule of thumb is, this car breaks down less then most, but when it does it hurts the wallet. If you can't foot a 1000 dollar bill bi-annually, then this is not the car for you. I love it to death. Drives great, looks great, worth it.
Great Buy
Boxter72, 10/11/2005
1999 Saab 9-3 SE Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I recently bought this vehicle. I LOVE it. It is one of the greatest cars I have ever driven. Knowing High quality build and performance, I can say that my 1999 Saab 9-3 SE Turbo is an excellent vehicle. Acceleration is wonderful, cruising is comfortable, reliability is amazing, quick response superb, build is extraordinary. This vehicle is a SAFE, RELIABLE, FUN, performance and safety Inspired EXPERIENCE, not just a car. It is a life-time investment that you will not regret for a moment.
Saablover
Lukas, 12/16/2005
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Superb dream car! I've always loved these autos and I was not wrong buying this one. Swedish perfection! No problems at all! I bought it w/ 50,000 miles and now I ended w/ 122,000 - maintenace free w/ oil change. Unfortunately I was rearended by a drunk driver and my passion (Saab) was totaled. The car was totaled but nothing happened to me. I would recomend this car to anybody - simply perfect vehicle, reliable, beautiful, no words...
Great used car value!
ryno, 02/17/2004
1999 Saab 9-3 SE HO Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 9-3SE HO 5sp is a great driver's car with impressive acceleration, ample cargo space, and loads of standard options. It is amazing how much this car depreciates in value in the first few years, but this makes it a great used car value.
great car!!!
flcmike, 02/24/2004
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
best car Ive ever had!!
Great car!!
Grreat, 04/11/2006
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is the best car i have ever owned! It is fun to drive and reliable, there have been no problems
Excellent car
Steve, 07/02/2006
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love this car. Nothing but minor maintenance. Getting ready to do timing chain, but only as preventive maintenance.
Not worth buying, even used
tdskip, 05/14/2004
1999 Saab 9-3 SE Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Saab has ready gone down hill, you can tell they we've been stretched too thin in trying to keep up with their peers. My 9-3 has the structural integrity of cooked linguine is is fragile. If you ask Saab they'll admit that this model needs lots of maintenance and isn't very robust (tend to bends the front hubs). Roomy and the hatchback is flexible, but not as much as you'd think since the rear seats won't fold flat unless the front seats are all the way forward.
Fun!!
Steve Pfeiffer, 05/29/2004
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for about four months and every morning that I get up I can't wait to drive it.
Looks are not everything
Hobbs, 06/24/2004
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my Saab 2 years ago becuase it had good reviews but ever since it hit 50K miles everything and anything has started to go wrong with it. Performance wise the car is great but as far as interior creature comforts there really are none. Major complaint is with the engine components mainly ignition, I've had to replace the chip that controls the ignition twice in 2 years and Saab won't do anything about it. In fanla car looks great but it's cheap under the hood and inside.
Style and Value
jrobinson24, 03/09/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 SE Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Being a SAAB fanatic (owned '88 conv., '95 900SE), I was looking for a reasonably-priced used sedan. 9-3's offer great value and lots of style, comfort, and power. 4-door hatchback offers tons of cargo room (please bring it back SAAB!). Automatic requires a heavier accelerator foot to get it moving, but when turbo kicks in it has great power! Lots of nice interior features to make you think you spent a lot more on the car. Reliability has been good, and SAAB service is great - if needed. I highly recommend this car, although performance freaks may want to grab the HO version that came out later in '99 with 200 vs. 185 hp.
GM influence shines through
bybyby, 07/09/2004
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 2dr Convertible
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 99 convertible (4 year lease turn in) and thought I was buying a cream puff. However, I had to replace part of the front axle as well as numerous other little things that shouldn't be happening on a car with only 40k miles. The car goes down the road great. But beware that late model Saabs are laced with GM DNA and it shows. The build quality and fit and finish is not there and is not like the Saabs of old. Although these cars are still built in Sweden; the Detroit influence (cheap and unreliable) comes through. Saab is forced to used some GM Euro parts and it shows in the car. It's a real shame what GM is doing to this once great brand of car
Saab 4 U
Saab 4 U, 08/25/2004
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Wonderfull in winter weather. Great response for a 4 cyc. Great fuel milage.
5 years and counting
Egospoon, 10/20/2004
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
80K miles and no substantial problems. The air venting directional thingy froze up and the info display isn't comprehensible any more, but really that's it. Love it.
Almost A Great Car
srotzin, 11/26/2004
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in Nov of 2002. Off lease, it was in perfect condition. However, for the past two years the car has been slowly drifting into maintenance hell. Airbag sensor going out, electrical discharge for distributor going out, little plastic stuff breaking and for the finale... at 60,000 mi a head gasket and turbo. Yep, a $3,800 repair at 60,000 mi. While out of warranty, I thought a call to SAAB USA was needed. No cars head gasket and turbo should go out at 60,000 mi... they have been dragging their feet and wanting every detail as to oil changes and the like. There is no doubt, they are balking. As the transmission begins to slip, I am going to sell it for scrap and buy a real car
I love my HO Saab!!!
Ana, 02/23/2005
1999 Saab 9-3 SE HO Turbo 2dr Convertible
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I come from a family that have owned Saabs before I was born. This is my first Saab. I have had it over a year in Chicago and love it. It performs excellent in the snow. People can actually sit in the back seat. I was planning to keep it for just the summer, but now I can't get rid of it. The only problems have been a headlight and my A/C fan. At my last tune up they said everything looked great. I highly recommend the HO 9-3.
1999 9-3 WOW
rsbrissett, 12/01/2005
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought off the original owner who was 65 and kept every document. This car is nothing short of incredible! Acceleration is muscle car and fuel economy is frugal. Tensioner pulley seized (which caused serpentine belt to break) and caused the car to overheat for over 20 miles. After replacing the belt and the pulley the car is 100%! I cannot Kill my Saab! It has not let me down and neither will I!
saab 93 review
armen, 05/15/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Fun to drive, not very reliable. Impossible to find a good garage (including certified delerships).After 5 dealerships and 6 independant garages in 2 years, I have given up on this car. Three pieces of advice. Buy it new , get a lease, give it back.
1999 9-3
Heckler, 06/02/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car has operated flawlessly so far, except for one issue repaired under warranty (the temperature knob broke).
'99 Hatch, great car!
Cliff in Surrey BC, 07/14/2024
1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Senior owned for 14+ years and it qualified for 'collector' insurance! Low mileage turbo 6 equal performance to Bimmer 318's. Average vehicle maintenance and replacements over the years, nothing exceptional. Firm suspension, excellent handling and turn radius. Has modern alarm system and many driver features, far more than expectations!
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Bad experience
automobile, 09/07/2002
1999 Saab 9-3 SE Turbo 2dr Convertible
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is fallaing apart.Since I had it,I started to have all kind of problems. Ready to sell it!!!!!
Takes Your Family in Style!
slbenz, 09/21/2002
1999 Saab 9-3 SE Turbo 2dr Convertible
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Even though I have only owned the car 5 weeks, I have been quite satisfied with its performance, comfort and gas mileage so far. I can easily buckle in two car seats in the rear and still have leg room for my four and two year old boys with no complaints from them.
93 converitble
riderwood, 01/26/2003
1999 Saab 9-3 SE Turbo 2dr Convertible
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is a great car. Fun to drive and has enough pickup in the sport mode.
Not Worth it!
llangone, 12/21/2004
1999 Saab 9-3 SE Turbo 2dr Convertible
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I loved this car when I bought it. For the first 9 months it was great and a lot of fun to drive, then everything went down hill from there. The airbag malfunctioned and required replacement, pullies seized, the top has stopped working. The car looks great, but is not worth the headaches! My husband has sworn off Saabs for our family.
1999 Saab 9-3 Convertible
Tagme1213, 05/06/2020
1999 Saab 9-3 SE Turbo 2dr Convertible
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I had a 1999 Saab 9-3 Convertible which was worth it's weight in gold due to the fact that a negligent driver t-boned my '99 with my daughter inside as the driver. My daughter walked away unscathed thank goodness. My insurance company was VERY fair to me, gave me over 4600 after my deductible as I had collision on the Saab. I loved my little red car. And agreed like others have posted, Saabs do mandate some pricey costs but the trick is to find an old time Saab repair shop since today the name Saab is no longer. Not every "repair shop" is going to know Saab's little quirks here and there. If the repair shop up front doesn't know the car has a SubFrame, walk way or if they don't know GM took over Saab, Walk away. So for the past year I searched high and low for another. And I did find another 1999 Saab. Picking her up tomorrow. I'm so excited I can't tell you! The 99 Saab has many features of the older Saabs, none of the quirks that GM added after they got their hands on the Name. So I went from Red to Black. Can't wait. Found her with under 50K.
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