Used 2003 Saab 9-3 Sedan Consumer Reviews
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2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 2.0T
Jaime Perez, 04/17/2016
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
52 of 52 people found this review helpful
Great car! This car is bulletproof if properly maintained. I stayed on top of maintance and the car never let me down. At 230,000 miles I drove the car cross country coast to coast all the time without any fear of breakdowns. I even cruised at triple digits out in the desert with no problems. Engine still strong at that mileage. Frequent oil changes highly recommended to prevent sludge in these engines and to prevent turbo failure. Car still has original transmission at 230,000 miles. The car feels very light and corners like a sports car. These Saabs do have electrical problems but the only ones I encountered were passengers door lock stopped working and the high beam shutter in the Xenon headlights stopped working so no more high beams. I would definitely recommend getting the daytime running lights disabled at a shop that specializes in Saabs because they come from the factory with the daytime running lights which leave the headlights on all the time whenever the car is on. If your car is equipped with Bi Xenon headlights like mine was you don't want them on whenever the car is on because the bulbs are expensive and if the high beam shutter stops working like it did in mine then you're looking at $750 a headlight for replacement. Also check the Coil Springs on all four corners because they tend to rust due to poor coating from the factory which can lead them to breaking which is not good if it happens while driving. The car gave me an impressive 39mpg on the highway during summer days and 34mpg during winter on the highway. The car gave me 24 mpg in the city. The car has more than enough power for everyday day driving. The car is amazing in the snow and it's a great cold weather car. Never got stuck in snow and drove it in multiple snowstorms where there was so much snow that only rigs and trucks were on the roads. The car also survived every day cold starts in -20 degree weather never failing to start. I will definitely be buying another Saab in the future. Great European cars. Stay on top of maintance and you will get a car that is reliable, sporty, good looking, good on gas, great driver in any weather, turbo power, handles, great cargo space, room for 5 people, luxury features for the year of the car! There's a reason why there's so many of these on the roads especially in the northeast!!
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- Value
first sight fell in love, still loving strong
whasaab, 09/22/2013
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
38 of 38 people found this review helpful
At first, I was very hesitant about buying this car because I read many unsatisfying reviews on Saab. However, bought 2003 9-3 vector in Feb 2013 under 6k, looked new inside and out, one owner and no accident. Checked with Saab if the car had any mechanical service done. All the recalls had been taken care of and no other mechanical issues. After 8 months putting over 10k still feels like a new car. But make sure you use premium gas and full synthetic oil. Not using premium grade gas will give you check engine light. But don't panic, it will go away if you put premium. My $6k saab looks better and runs better than brand new camrys or accords .. love this car.
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Loveable but complicated!!
merashad, 06/14/2011
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
49 of 50 people found this review helpful
I love the car for it's design and drivibility. The car responds well if maintained. The complicated portion of the car is its electrial and quirky engine light. One day the car is fine and the next, the electrial system can just quit without warning. No, mishaves to complete shut off. If you are looking to purchase this car you'll need to have on hand about $1500 due to abrupt problems.
Best car for the Money, If you can fix it yourself
mrdotkom, 02/09/2013
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
If you're not a mechanic you bought the wrong car. If, like myself, you enjoy working on your car and don't mind changing ignition coils on the side of the highway in a hail storm you can get a great value on this car. I bought this car after the previous owner failed to diagnose the blown ignition cassette. After ~$150 bucks I got a great deal on it. The CEL lights most people are reporting are as a result of non-OE specific spark plugs. Most people spend too much money at the shop and not enough time learning about proper maintenance and service. This car has never been in the shop since I've owned it and for the next 50k miles I expect it to be somwhere between my garage and the highway
I love this Sport Sedan
carz240, 01/19/2012
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
27 of 29 people found this review helpful
After I sold my old car I wanted an improvement. Something with xenon lights, leather, automatic windows and sun roof, and it had to be relatively fast. After looking for 3 or 4 months I found a 2003 Saab 93 2.0t automatic. I went over to test drive it that night at the owners house and I instantly wanted it. I ended up buying it that night, I didnt know much about Saab and if I did I would have bough the Vector/Aero or the Arc. I wish Saab wasn't in this problem right now, after owning this car for the past 6 months I want to be a Saab guy forever. Im 20 and I am in love with my Saab, I have never had any major issues. Just little things here and there. I highly reccomend the 93
200,000 and going strong
thartz, 07/29/2013
updated 09/27/2013
2003 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd Saab and it's just as bullet proof as the first. I picked this ARC with the 6 speed manual because of the motor. They are amazing. I average 27 mpg and 31-33 on the highway. I got the car with 92k on it because I was so comfortable with the drive train and it's not disappointed. I'm just below 200k now and put on over 700 miles this weekend. Sure there are little issues but it's 10 model years old and I paid under $7,000 for it 5 years ago so i can't possibly complain. The rear main seal has a slow leak that the gasket sealers can't quite stop. The gas cap doesn't seal properly so the check engine light is on but all in all, it's been great.
Why the bad Reputation?
aemadian, 05/27/2015
2003 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
This car is fun to drive and has a great powerful engine. You always have the confidence to take on any car on the road and get ahead fast. Great MPG too even-though it is a turbo car. I have never had any engine and transmission problems with my car. I have only changed the oil when service warning comes on. Handling is great too, almost like a BMW but front wheel drive characteristics. Radio went bad once because a really smart person jumped the battery and fried the amp. You take care of it, it takes care of you. It's just false word of mouth that gave this car bad rep.
Honest Review
leviphx, 06/20/2014
2003 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
18 of 21 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used with 63k miles on it and haven't regretted it a day since. Knowing the history of these cars however, I made sure I had an independent mechanic familiar with the brand take a look at it before I made an offer (easily worth the $150 dollars). I don't want to put anyone down, but I believe that at least half of the poor reviews this car gets are due to A) Poor maintenance by/no knowledge of previous ownership, or B) Poor maintenance by current owner. Love this car and it will love you back, simple as that. And don't buy a performance (or any other) car without a thorough inspection. Tho people I suppose have been burned by a bad car regardless of their caution I guess
Great first car
dipper94, 05/07/2013
2003 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
It's a blast to drive. I highly recommend it, however a few words of caution. You're going to have some problems with the electric lock system, but other than that it will perform really well. It's incredibly safe and incredibly reliable. Before you get behind the wheel of this car though, make sure you understand how a turbocharger works and how to mantain one. More importantly know how to drive a car equipped with one, they drive differently than naturally aspirated cars (Cars without turbochargers or superchargers). It's a great first car for your teen. It's my first car, go it used for 5.5 grand with 50k miles on it. It's driven me reliably for the past year. It also looks great.
2003 Saab 9-3 Arc
OpusTwo, 10/10/2006
2003 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
75 of 112 people found this review helpful
I always wanted a Saab, so I bought the 2003 9-3. BAD MISTAKE!! It has been in the shop 36 times in 3 years!! It always has something wrong with it. Saab will do nothing for me. They have the worst customer service I have ever dealt with. The say my car does not qualify for a buyback? If 36 times in the shop does not qualify, WHAT DOES? Never again. Don't buy one!!
Great VALUE
drfabulous, 02/22/2013
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Still love this car, even after 130k miles. Looks and drives like it did back in 2005, easy on gas (average high 20's), and has NEVER had a major issue. Like others have said, it's a car that is unique and requires a little more work to repair, but if you're handy and willing to do research, it's simple. Case in point- fixed my power steering leak for $10 in under an hour with nothing but common hand tools when a shop wanted $600, and I'm by no means a mechanic. Bottom line- its fun to drive, good gas mileage, nice enough to drive to meet with clients, and people always look at it going "I've never been in a SAAB".
Have confidence, get certified
RLS123, 03/07/2006
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I wanted the confidence of an extended warranty and something different than the run-of-the-mill sedan. I didn't know much about Saab, so my expectations weren't too high. If you only look at Consumer Reports, you would never buy this car. However, it's an attractive automobile with many standard features which would be options on another vehicle. I was concerned about it being a 4 cyl, but the Turbo gives it plenty of guts. Additionally, I have owned this car for over a year now without any cosmetic or mechanical issues. It's fun to drive with very little road noise.
I've owned four Saabs...
rsg4, 11/29/2009
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I purchased a used 2003 9-3 Saab a few years ago. This was my fourth Saab. It was still under warranty. This model is a far cry from the old Saab. I too, have had issues with lights, engine light on, heat/cooler blower...just to name a few. Even the 6 CD gave me issues. I had the CD into the local dealer several times -- of course, never acted up while at the dealer. Finally (200 miles out of warranty) it acted up -- and they were refusing to honor the warranty!! Gave me a price of $2000 to fix. I was on the phone quite a bit with Saab, when they finally agreed to fix it. Funny thing, the dealer only fixed $1100 of the $2000 -- said the other didn't need fixing!
Looks like new!
Jeff S., 01/04/2018
updated 07/05/2018
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
We have had this 2003 9.3 Vector for about 3 months and it drives and looks great for a 14 year old car! We purchased it from a friend who was the original owner and had most of their service records. It is easy for my 16 year old to change the oil and (although different) the filter as well. We will do the air and cabin filter and plugs in the next month, but this car runs like a top and we have had no problems after a little over 3,000 miles. It now has 147,500 miles on the odometer.
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still on the road
chemaespi, 02/21/2016
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
i have a 03 9-3 bough it a year ago a few things i have fixed ignition coils and spark plugs,brakes and rotors,radio and speakers all after market with custom dash to install my tablet, oil change with a bottle of lucas, oil coolant hose had a big bubble replaced before it blew, sway bar links bushings and control arms,disabled alarm was very annoying going off random hours of day and night removed the on star and antenna replaced with a bmw type of antenna to cover it no engine problems at the moment next up are from shocks because they are worn and causing vibration at high speed got this car very cheap for $1000 so for me was worth fixing it when the car still runs great why buy another ? dont replace what is not broken. always use 93 gas grade
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DON'T BUY a 2003 9-3!
Saab Owner, 09/21/2004
2003 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
In 14 months, I brought my car in for major repairs 18 times! Ended up having to sue Saab before they honored the lemon law levels. I love Saab, but I will never own one again after this experience!
2003 9-3 Linear
Larry DeVivo, 06/06/2006
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
As a life long Saab driver, I can only say I am extremely disappointed in this vehicle. I have been in the repair shop 18 times over 3 years and have not been satisfied that any resolution is in sight with newer models. On a positive note, the handling is fun & what you would expect from Saab. The fuel economy has been good. If not for the repeatedly ridiculous problems from a supposed new car, I would not be writing such a harsh review. I am actually looking at buying a different vehicle for the first time in my life... one that does not need the constant work this car has needed. If I wasn't replacing the wiper motor this week ( 2nd time), I could go shopping!
Last Saab I'll buy
Avi8jazz, 10/26/2010
2003 Saab 9-3 Arc 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
10 of 18 people found this review helpful
Pros: 6 Speed manual gives us 37 mpg on hwy at 75 mph. Trunk is a LOT bigger than it looks from the outside. Fun to drive. Cons: Replacing left headlight takes practice (dealer charges $90). Windows regulator is defective(bad design) $450/window. SAI Check valve $180 needs a biannual check. If it fails, condensation floods the SAI Pump $600 (current issue). Check Eng. light only goes out when the bulb burns out. No AUX input for iPod connectivity (had to buy a third party $75).
Great Car!
Jack C, 11/26/2006
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I moved to this from a 200SX Nissan RWD Turbo Coupe. I was at first apprehensive about getting a FWD but I was pleasantly surprised once I got behind the wheel. While it's still a tad not as fun as my previous ride, it surprisingly comes close to it, for the heavy car that it is! Fuel economy is miles better than my ex and its way more comfy. Not sure about the reliability though. After a month the passenger side window stopped working and I had to get the entire rail changed. Other than that, its been sweet but it's been only 5 months. Very good boot space and spacious at the back. The worst thing about this car is the stereo system, my 150 dollar self installed HU in my ex is WAY better.
lovely car
sweatheart, 01/15/2010
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Ive had the Saab 9-3 4 door linear sedan for almost two weeks now i absolutely love it! Its very fun to drive. Stick shift is smooth. The only thing wrong is my emergency brake gets kind of stuck when trying to take it off. The car is very clean inside and out. Trunk size is good its pretty big for a sedan.
Better options available
Ashok, 12/13/2006
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car trading my Toyota Camry. The engine is great with good interiors, all other things are very average or poor. The interior of the car shakes and rattles all the time. There is something going wrong always - various lights come on, computer malfunction, moon-roof not closing, door-handles fading, shock-absorbers breaking, etc. The dealership is very nice and the car is still under warranty (ends Oct,07). I don't know what I'll do after that, if this thing keeps braking! Don't waste your time on this car, I guess SAAB brand is being washed-away by GM. I love the Acura TSX as an alternative.
At 150,000 miles it still drives new!
Brian in MA, 03/11/2009
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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)
So Far So Good
Csaab, 06/23/2003
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
So far I have 1300 miles and my Steel Gray Vector has been GREAT!, I love driving this car fast. I get alot of compliments, and questions as to why I purchased a Saab and not a BMW,Lexus or an Audi? So far my only complaint is when you drive on a bad surface you can hear the thud from a pot whole a little too much.
outstanding!
loanplanet, 05/28/2003
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
With so few Vectors in the Washington DC area, I feel very lucky to have gotten one. After test driving the sea of competition (audi, 04 maxima, G35) this was the car for me. Great handling, performance, acceleration, and design. I get lots of looks and complements on my car. The interior is well thought out, the seats are remarkably comfortable, all the gauges are easy to read, and the "driver settings" for heat, air, etc are great and the xenons are a must have!! Drive one and you'll be sold! I've got BMW owners drooling over this one!
Will blow you away
Mike from NY, 06/16/2003
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
All of my friends have owned Saabs in the past. I've driven the old 9-3, the '02 9-5, the Audi A4 and the 330i. None of these cars can match the excitement of driving the 9-3 Vector. Sexy design, awesome handling, tremendous mileage and incredibly enhanced pickup and speed, this car is nothing but fun to drive. The car will blow anything else in it's class out of the water. Good looks..awesome ride...head turner...its value far exceeds its price...you can't go wrong with the Vector. Truly amazing work by Saab.
FUN TO DRIVE
IN SOO KIM, 05/28/2003
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased the car for the unique design and sporty stylish.
Outstanding car for a great price!
JMichaelG, 07/10/2007
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The Saab 9-3 Sports Sedan is a great car. It is incredibly fun to drive and it gets excellent fuel economy. The interior design is very good. Leather appointed seats are standard and the seats are surprisingly comfortable. The audio system takes some time to get the hang of. The Saab has a sporty, stiff drive which makes driving an enjoyable experience. I will not buy a different type of car, my Saab is the greatest car I have ever owned.
9-3 Vector
New2Saab, 05/19/2003
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I've had it for a week. Did my homework, and so far am happy w/ my choice. The car's got great styling, power and features. JD's latest survey seemed to call out the quality of the electronics. Admittedly and as expected, the car was delivered w/ a few bugs that I need to take in to have fixed. The radio on/off sticks and the "nxt" button on the steering wheel doesn't work well. Overall, I feel the new design is strong and is positioned to be a legitimate player in the sport/premium mid-size segment.
One Month with Vector
SaabVector, 04/12/2003
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I picked up my Vector last month, it is my first Saab and I it is great. I did a ton of research, narrowed my selection down to the Vector and the G35. After driving each car I knew that the Saab was the clear choice. Amazing acceleration, looks great, and is a blast to drive.
Difficult & Costly to Own
Jarrod, 09/22/2006
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I had this vehicle in the shop 15 times in 3 years. Poor interior choices; the rubber coating peels off all the control panels and door handles, I only get 20 mpg because the turbo kicks in at every stop light etc. Brakes had to be replaced at 21k. Both headlight assemblies had to be replaced at 20K miles because they malfunctioned. The gas gauge is inaccurate. GM used too many inexpensive parts to improve margins on the Saabs and the negative effects of this poor decision making trickled down to the consumer and dealer network - who in turn just services the car and bills the expenses for labor and warranty repair back to GM - does this make any sense? Use quality parts and make a good car.
Too good to be true
Jessica, 09/07/2006
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I leased this car the first year it came out (I have since been told this was a mistake) because the price was right and because it came with free maintenance for 3 years. Within the first 5 months of owning the car, it started giving me problems. My lease is up this month, and I couldn't be happier. The car is too technologically advanced for it's own good, so although it has great "extras," the electrical malfunctions are numerous. I've have problems with everything from the engine light, windows, radio and locks (they lock and unlock while I'm driving on their own) to the gear shift box, in addition to several recalls. On average, the car is in the shop every 4-6 months.
188000
dbrooks22, 05/08/2013
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Electrical quirks aside, this car is pretty amazing. I don't think there is a better value for the money. The WORST mpg i have gotten over the past 6 months is 32.5. Best was 36.7. Great handling, leather looks new. Engine is a peach. In 5yrs when i'm done with this one, I fully intend to get the 2008 9-3.
Saab 9-3 Vector
cheerboy23, 02/17/2004
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
This car is really fun to drive, very unique, and styled awesome. I love the car, but it is very unreliable. It has been in to service 8 times in the 8 months that i have owned the car. It has left me stranded multiple times and I do not trust it's reliability. The interior has aged far too quickly in the short time that I have owned it. I regret the purchase of the Saab and I wish that I could get rid of it. Other that those things, the car is great.
No disappointment here!
Red Saab 9-3, 12/26/2004
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Great balance of above average performance,comfort,design,and fuel economy. 28-30 combined mpg with mainly hwy driving. Other than turbo lag with hard acceleration from a stop or out of a turn, nothing about my 9-3 disappoints. Substantial power,and with power heated seats,rain-sensing wipers,parking assist,dual ACC,OnStar,and wheel-mounted audio controls,the 9-3 pampers. With new Michelin Pilots, I experience a stable, quiet and responsive ride at all speeds. Brakes are exceptional, although a little touchy until you adjust to them. As far as design, it turns a few heads and you don't see yourself coming and going. When heading out with family or friends, I always say "I'll drive!".
Dealership's Best Friend
High Maint., 02/09/2005
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought my Saab 9-3 Vector brand new 17 months ago. It is a fully loaded, 6 speed (210 hp), which currently has approximately 22K miles on it. Performance wise the car has met/exceeded all expectation, but I continue to have numerous problems with several different features on the car(I have been to the dealership approx. 15-20x). The tires (Pirelli Rosso Asimmetrico) that come standard on this model generally need to be replaced after 10-12 months. I have had the lug nuts replaced twice now because of rust and Saab knowingly continues to replace them with the same defective lug nuts. Before buying this car, I would highly recommend inquiring about these issues in particular. Best of luck!
Fun Driving Experience
Scott, 02/19/2007
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Saab used about 6 months ago. Style is to each his own, but I love the appearance and the feel of owning this car. It has way too many safety and other features to list, but most are very useful. The real winner for me is the joy I get when I drive. The car makes me feel very stable and comfortable. I feel in control. It has what I like to call smooth power. It handles well, and it is just a pleasure to drive. The six speed manual is way fun as well. I had one problem with the drivers window, fixed under waranty. I also have an oil leak which will be looked at tomorrow.
2003 Saab 93
sideorder, 01/03/2010
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The engine has performed very well. All electronics and interior design has failed often. Engine Check light due to Gas Cap design triggers often. Traction control fails on and off again. Drivers window came off track. Side mirror adjustments needed replacement. Water Leak issues from Pollen filter design, door leaks due to poor rubber seal and interior door seal. It goes on but this should be enough. Car noise is non stop. Something always rattling.
Think Twice
EuroCarDriver, 03/03/2010
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Bought this vehicle with 95k and it was a one owner vehicle that was dealer serviced, so thought it would be a good buy. Have had a Saab in the past ('92 900 turbo) which was a great vehicle. This '03 model, not so much. Day 3, engine light came on. Something to do with emissions. The grill has even fallen out driving down the road. Twice! There's been other issues too. Right now the water pump is out. I got tired of the car and it's been sitting for a year now. GM ruined what was once a great vehicle. Hopefully Saab will go back to it's former glory now that GM is out of the picture.
Look at this before you buy!!!
JRT, 04/20/2007
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
In short: for the love of God stay away from a Saab!! My Saab has been involved in 6 separate recalls, needed a new transmission due to mechanical failure (out 2 weeks), lost two batteries which requires a tow (no kidding), I had no idea what "turbo-lag" was until I tried to pull out into traffic with this thing and the service teams have been less than stellar. For the record mine only has 24K miles on it!
Worst Car Ever Owned
cdukes1984, 11/22/2008
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Please don't buy one of these cars!! It looks great and performs like a Saab should but something is always broken. Transmission and radiator went out @ 43k and now the check engine light is on @ 46k ($900 repair). I worry about if I will make it to work everyday.
This car breaks a lot
Eliza, 09/04/2006
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I purchased my SAAB because the test drive was great and the car had great features and design. The turbo engine is a lot of fun, and the interior and exterior are beautiful. After 3 months, while driving in Manhattan, we had our first engine problem. The car was towed to the dealer at no charge and we were given a replacement. After that, the car has been in the shop at least once every 3- 4 months for various problems. Computer problems are the most common, but the most surprising was the complete tearing appart of the clutch, something not even the dealer had seen in 20 year old cars. This is very odd as the car stays in a garage and we drive very slowly around NY streets.
nice car, nice rental
jj, 12/23/2004
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car hugs the road! This car is sleek and beautiful! This car sucks in the snow with the high performance tires! This car loves being in the shop! (I guess it misses it's brother's and sister's at the dealer). Man, I love the way this car handles and looks. But, it goes into the shop every month or two for something new malfunctioning. Tires wear down like crazy. I wish they would have taken time to fix all of the electrical kinks as they did in the styling.
worst car ever!
c, 03/17/2005
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car has been to 3 different Saab dealerships 39 times in 2 years! It has had 2 computers, 2 transmissions, a crankshaft even a new engine! The car quickly became very uncomfortable and Saab is the worst manufacturer to admit that they have very poor design and build quality. If someone wants to sell you a Saab or even give you one, run, even a free one would end up costing a fortune! They have had to tow this car and loan or rent us one more often than we have driven ours!
Oh my!!!
Gobsmacked, 10/30/2009
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 3 people found this review helpful
Fine apart from: £5000.00 New Auto Gearbox £0090.00 New Front Coil Springs £0130.00 Diesel Fuel Pump £0200.00 Alternator £0500.00 Tyers, 3 developed punctures (1 two days after we bought the car) £0100.00+ on Bulbs (all changed, Brake Lights changed monthly) £1000.00 For Service. The final straw came, when the car would not accelerate past 50 mph, later traced to the Particulate Filter. This would have cost us another £2000. At this point it was goodbye to SAAB... at least they cleaned the car each time it went in to be fixed, yes... you guessed it... the cleanest car in history!
Holding On to Rattlebox Junk
KnottingMooF, 08/25/2010
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 12 people found this review helpful
I only wish I had the foresight to read review sites such as this before making the worst car purchase in my auto-owning history. I won't reiterate what everyone else has said about electrical, rattle, peeling dash and overall gremlin nightmare about this car. GM has replaced the engine three times under extended warranty. Because of the new engine and all the time and money I've put into this car, I'm holding on until my warranty runs out and the car dies on the side of the road. It's very interesting to see all the high reliability marks if you scroll back to 2003 when the car first hit the road. Except for one person who had high mileage early on. Everyone else scores it a 1!
Still Get Compliments on the Car
Harry 19, 07/01/2008
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I did have some fairly minor mechanical problems the first year, all of which were covered under warranty--nothing since. The car still turns heads after all this time--people assume I paid a lot more for it than I did. The ride is a little stiff and the model has improved since 2003. I still enjoy it and never had some of the mechanical problems that other '03 owners seem to have encountered. I enjoy driving the car and will probably buy a 9-3 again but hope to be able to keep this one going another few years at least--I don't use it much more than 7,500 miles a year and if I can avoid any major problems expect to hold it until it dies.
Fun to drive, great mpg
heilig, 12/20/2007
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have had some problems with this car (HVAC fan broke twice, emission control blower, front lights burned out), but all in all this has been a fun to drive, economical car. I drive between 75 and 80 MPH and regularly get 32 MPG at these speeds. Acceleration when driving 55 to 90 MPH is excellent.
Fun lively ride
Speedy, 03/02/2009
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have no complaints about car, turbo acceleration is flawless, overtaking is amazing and I have only 2.0t!!! Just overall sexy!! My only problem is airbag light, but I will get that fixed.
Welcome to the premium-class SAAB!
William C. Eastwood, 08/24/2002
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A good friend of mine works at SAABs NY office and got to test the new 9-3, as a good friend of his I got to drive it to. What can I say, a wonderful car. I'm considering getting rid of my BMW 330Ci and getting a new 9-3 Aero when it hits the market, I suggest you do the same!
More of the same
Bueller, 07/16/2008
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Similar to other reviews, I've had numerous electrical and mechanical issues since purchasing the car 4 years ago. The HVAC blower has been looked at and 'fixed' 5 times now. Window motor replaced. Fading door handles replaced. Interior finishes now chipping off. Hood Saab emblem is cracked and deteriorating. Excess brake dust.