Used 2006 Saab 9-3 Consumer Reviews

My Jet

I saw the Combi in 07 and i fell in love with the car, it looked like a Red jet coming from the other side, It looked beautiful and since then i was trying to buy this car but they seldom come out for sell, used that is. I finally bought the car last week, and in love with it. can't stop thinking about it. I didn't know, driving a car could be this much fun. I also have an 02 525i, and it delivers its own fun, but the sheer driving pleasure that this car provides is out of the ordinary. There is plastic all around is because the car needs to be light on its feet like Acura RDX.

Pretty awesome

Just bought a 2006 9-3 sedan two weeks ago. Everytime I drive it I end up going over 90 mph because I can hardly tell how fast the car is moving. I am going twice the speed limit on on and off ramps to the highway just to feel the car handle. It is an incredible ride. My only comments on improvement are: (1) the radio is terrible, and I have the premium package with an "upgraded" radio; (2) road noise - for a luxury sedan, it is a bit loud on the highway, even when you're only going 55 mph; (3) the steering wheel should be wrapped in leather, not the plasic/rubber material; and (4) the bottom of the front seats are too squishy. Otherwise, I am in love with my new car.

OOPS Wrong car.

Well I got suckered by the lure of a 'Good deal" I needed a cheap family vehicle and I found a 2006 SportCombi Aero with 56K miles for only 11.5K, paid cash and now I know why it was so cheap. It started having problems on the way home from buying the stupid car. It's got this weird surging hesitation under partial throttle. A grinding clanking from the engine, and a weird high pitched whine from the audio system even if it's turned off. This is a one owner dealer maintained car with full service records, so I know it was taken care of. I'm really disappointed because I liked the performance in a car that I don't see dozens of every day. UNIQUE, I like that. Unreliable and broken NOPE.

Saab 9-3 2006

Loved my Saab 9-3, 2.0T 06. This car was easy to maintain DIY for basic stuff like plugs oil brakes struts etc. sensors can go haywire if u tool around in the wrong places so be careful while working around any electronics. I disabled my traction control when I lowered it by shorting one of the abs hub sensor wires, was horrible. Turbo lag is not bad at all, keep it on the pipe and you will be good. Very controllable chassis especially after strut upgrade and lowering springs. Bottom line, if u want something extravagant and pretty go by a bmw or an Audi, this car handles I've smoked RWD cars after their drivers talk a bunch of crap about oversteer this and blah blah that. Great car, sensor faults will happen, get tech 2 or obd2 with CAN to scan the ecu and see where any problems might be. Major repairs are costly , so be warned have a wad of cash to own one of these. Cheers

New Wagon

My wife and I were looking for a sporty station wagon. While we liked the BMW 3 wagon, no way was it worth $10K more. I thought the Saab was more fun to drive – turns out it weighs 500 lbs less with the same power. The car really feels tight and quick. The Saab quirks like the center console ignition give it character and separate it from the generic feel of the Japanese and American designs.

Great ride

Stylish looking sporty convertible for the money.

My 2006 Saab 9-3

When I selected the Saab, I drove a lot of different cars in the 25K-35K price range (Infiniti G35, Volvo S40 & S60, BMW 325, Accord & Solara). My Saab is great for driving country roads & highways. I get an average of 26mpg and on the highway I get up to 32mgp. Great acceleration when passing other cars. You feel like your only doing 70, but when you look at to speedometer you realize that your cruising at 110, oops! I find the 9-3 to be very comfortable. But my boyfriend, who is 6'2 finds that there is not enough legroom widthwise across the car. When driving his right leg rests against the console. The only problem I have had is that you really need to slam the doors to shut them.

Back to Saab

This is my first Saab since my I owned a 1984 900 Turbo and I can only say they've gotten better. I traded-in a Mini Cooper S for my 9-3 SportCombi Aero and my new Saab is more fun to drive. The performance of the new 2.8L V-6 is all I could ever want. This car measures and stacks up favorably with the competition at much less cost

Disappointed

I hate to have to write a negative review. I have 4200 miles on my '06 SAAB 9-3 Aero and had to have the engine replaced in the car. Engine coolant light to leaky head gasket to engine replacement. Unbelievable!! I love the car other than that. The V-6 has a problem that they wanted the engine back to the factory to investigate. Beware folks!!

Details, details, details!!!

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.

I wish I never bought it

One of the first problems is poor support from the dealership. Within the first few months the leather seat split. Not in a seam but across the leather itself. Dealer couldn't tell the cause so they wouldn't stand by it. Front spoiler is so low you can't turn into a graded driveway without it scraping. I broke mine going through snow. So far the sunroof, Stability Control (ESC)have required repair. The windshield wipers have gone bad twice. To add insult to injury the colored plastic part of the front and rear medallions have come off. Top this off with a paltry 19 MPG and you'll find that IKEA couch you bought was the best thing to come out of Sweden.

Inconvenient

I love to drive this car. It is fast, it responds well, and is very comfortable. However, I have had many problems since day 1. It came with a bad battery which died the day after I bought it. There was a recall on the coolant tank which I wasn't informed about; had to wait until my hood was smoking to find out. The saab service agents don't care and fail to inspect my entire car when I bring it in, so I have to keep going back. Speakers are fuzzy. Just replaced another battery and a corroded switch. Seems like there is always something wrong with it. I now have to replace the front and rear break pads and rotors at 36,000 miles.

My Saab

77000 Miles and No Problems

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.

Attractive and fun midsize wagon

The Aero Sportcombi is a car that gets overlooked too often in favor of the 3 series and the A4 Avant (both more $$). Which is too bad, this is a great looking and performing little wagon. I had the opportunity to drive the 2.0T and Aero quite aggressively at the Aero Academy and was impressed with the cars dynamics. Power from the smooth turbo V6 (a Wards 10-best engine) is plentiful, and I find myself shifting 1-2-4 or even 1-2-6 as the speed builds quickly. Very minimal turbo lag and torque steer. Cargo room is on par with many mid-sized SUVs. Fuel economy is good for a V6: high 20s hwy, low 20's city. Throw some cross bars onto the roof and you've got a capable home depot runner too.

Better than the A4!

Just picked up a 2006 9-3 Sport Sedan with Automatic and Cold Weather package. Coming off lease on a 2003 Audi A4. We've only had the Saab for a few days but it's really wonderful. Side by side, the performance is better than the A4 1.8T. Smoother shifts, more refined engine and much faster. Interior is really nice and different than German & Japanese cars. The mpg is also quite a bit better than the Audi. Priced the 2006 Saab 9-3 against a 2006 Audi A4 2.0 front driver: the Audi ended up $9000 more. Not worth it! Our first Saab and I think it's a great, under appreciated car

Frustrating/Disapointing Experience

Bought the car 20 months ago and it has been in the shop 12 times. Most were warranty items. Replaced the coolant reservoir 4 times and the coolant temp sensor 5 times. Very disappointed in the car. Love to drive it, when it is running. Other warranty items have been stereo cuts in and out, wiring in door loose, replaced the tires 3 times in 37,000 miles, and replaced struts and shocks already.

Value Priced, Modest Design

Overall, I have been very happy with my 2006 Saab 9-3. Coming from a late model BMW, the differences were dramatic in ride, handling, computer interface and interior design. I have been more than satisfied in all areas. My primary concern with the car is the road noise inside of the cab, however; putting everything that could be a concern into perspective, road noise is really not a big deal.

Blast to Drive, Blast in the Wallet

This car is a blast to drive. I bought this car used with about 47,000 miles in 2007. Because most of the miles were highway, I figured I'd only have a few maintenance issues. WRONG! I've easily spent close to 1,500 on this car so far (including the pricy 60K maintenance). So far the horn and both power windows have broken, along with the temp. gauge. The front of the car/wheel well is currently squeaking. Regardless of these issues this car IS A BLAST TO DRIVE! I paid only about 20k for this car and there is no other car at that price point like it. So, if your looking for a great car to drive and don't mind putting in a little maintenance, this could be the car for you.

1st Time Owner - Not the Last...

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. ????

Saab Convertible - Performance and Fun

The Saab 93 Convertible is incredible! I own the Aero and the new 2.8 V6 turbo is worth the extra cash.

A Sweet Swede

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.

Fly Saab Air!

A hidden gem discovered at an auto show while looking at competing convertibles! Fun to drive with top up or down, as car handles very well, slicing from lane to lane, and the 2.0T Turbo seems to have more than the 210 hp as hp and torgue is right where you need it, especially 50-70 MPH when passing. Great styling especially with top down which quickly shows its design as a convertible, not a coupe with roof cut off. And excellent value too, with options and features, out the door price makes this a better value than a BMW or Audi. If you are considering these convertibles, do yourself a favor and at least drive the Saab too!

Great car

I got my 9-3 SportWagon Aero (2.8L) two weeks ago. The car is very sharp - accelerates great, handles great. Interior quality is not Lexus level, but beats my other car (Honda Accord).

Finally got it - Saab Aero Sportcombi

When I first saw the pictures in the 2005 Geneva Auto Show, I knew this was the Saab I had been waiting for. The SportCombi provides the utility I need, the luxury appointments I desire, and exclusivity that flies in the face of homogenized convention. I finally picked up my vehicle Jan 2007 and feel safe, secure, and proud.

Everything seems GREAT to me!

Not certain about some critical reviews here but I've had no problems so far and am having a great time driving this vehicle. Plenty of headroom (6'3"), which was one of the main selling points for me - had trouble with just about any other car/vehicle (even my brother in law's Escalade). This vehicle has superb ergonomics and comfort with handling and performance that does not disappoint. I was cross shopping against an Audi A3 but honestly, there is no comparison (other than the Audi's superior DSG transmission - would have loved one of those in this car). I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a great handling, powerful and good looking "wagon".

Awesome Summer Car

This is a VERY fun car to drive. I think the exterior style of the 9-3 Aero convertible when the top is down is an absolute beauty. This car handles very well and the turbo engine kicks in phenomenally. There is sometimes a slight delay in the automatic, but I have observed that it depends on the temperature outside. Great car hands down.

Could be better

It is a great car, but have had problems with steering wheel locking and key not working car at all,this has happened a few times, they said nothing could be done about it .. problem for that year? Have had electrical quirks, and had to have key reprogrammed. It has speed unreal, can go so fast in seconds. Seats are extremely comfortable, and the gas mileage has been fantastic. It is like the car that keeps giving in the fuel department! The quirks are annoying to say the least for such low mileage, but if I had not had a problem with the above mentioned, the car would rate a 10 in my book hands down.

Great car

I traded my 4WD SUV the day a nasty ice storm came through. Slid all the way to the dealership, thought I was nuts to trade that day. Drove home 35 miles on the same ice in a car I knew little about. Performed aewsome, never missed a step. Since then my Saab has been the BEST vehicle I hav ever owned. None of the issues others note, great hwy mpg, fast, safe, stylish, reliable, exclusive (see very few SCs on the road), and tracks through snow and ice w/o the need for AWD. I needed car I could "bond" with, and this is definitely it!

My first Saab and probably my last

I always liked Saab, so I leased this car in 2006 for 27 months. It's a very nice car for the buck, but I wouldn't buy one. That's just my personal preference but my sixth sense told me that this car would cost a lot of cash to maintain for the long haul. Drives great, handles great. The turbo 2.0L engine is sluggish with the A/C on full blast, but otherwise very quick and great on the highway when you need some extra power. The exterior is very high quality, interior is the same way. Not sure why Saab put a completely useless 3"x2.5" screen on the dash. It has an integrated phone, but it only works in Sweden, not in the US, so all those buttons are useless unless you live in Sweden.

Sticking By It!

OK, so the driver door of my Aero Sedan may have a prickly little habit of coming loose and nearly falling off unless I tighten the bolts every few weeks, but I'm chalking it up to charm. Really. I've owned Acuras up until buying this Saab, and sure those will get you where you want to go, but they just don't have the same kick and flair of this car. I truly love driving it and that counts for something in the trend of mundane cars and dull driving experiences.

Fantastic car!

I own five Saabs from a 1968 V4 to my 2006 9-3 SportCombi Aero. The SportCombi is my favorite: fantastic power and torque (I can take an S bend near my house in 6th gear and have to downshift in the others); outstanding ride and handling; excellent ergonomics; and I'm glad to see Saab offering a hatch again and the SportCombi is close to the name of my 1974 Saab CombiCoupe hatch!

Great, Fun Cars

Saab did something right when they made these cars. I drove a 2006 2.0t SportCombi for a year and now am driving a 2006 2.0t sedan. They are delights to drive- the steering is tight enough to be precise when taking corners or going down the highway, but also light enough to steer with two fingers in parking lots. The 2.0t engine has plenty of power- its sweet spot is around 80 mph on the highway- if you do t watch your speed you may be going 95 and not even realize it. 95 in a Saab feels like 70 in a different car. The interior is so cool with the green backlit dashboard… lt looks like a jet cockpit. Night-panel really makes it look stealthy! The seats are so comfortable and the suspension is the perfect mix of smooth and sporty. Sure, these cars may nickel and dime you with small issues as they age (no gas gauge, slow windows, broken mirrors or taillights, etc). But, they are rock solid mechanically. At over 178,000 miles on my combi and 160,000 on my sedan, the engine and auto transmission still run great and they always start up and take me from A to B reliably, while maintaining 25 mpg in the process. These are CHEAP nowadays- I only spent $2500 on my sedan. However, they are reliable, fun to drive, look cool, and are cheap to maintain (the engine was shared with GM, so parts are easy to find) if you don’t mind a few small knickknacks breaking here and there.

aggressive drivers beware

Got the car for 28k with the automatic. Car is by far the best thing going for the price. This car will get you speeding tickets for sure. I got one the second day. reaxxs rear steering is amazing when you push the car to its limits through corners.ESP actually works great keeping you out of the ditch. Brakes are incredible, zero fade. Car cruises at 130 getting 24mpg but gets a little loose over 140, the aero ground effects would probably take of this. stereo cranks as long as you're not into heavy bass, 6 disc changer is nice. Definitely worth considering. we chose this over the subaru wrx due to styling and driving comfort. I drive all over the continent and enjoy every bit of it

Disappointed with vehicle

From our purchase date we have been very disappointed with this car. You would think for the price of the vehicle it would hold up better. The car constantly has problems. Problems with the windshield wipers, windshield sprayers, headlights, gas tank cap, doors locking, ingition switch, sunroof, and it rattles. And the problems re-occur. We take it to the Saab dealership service department and two weeks later it is back in the shop for the exact same problem. The front leather seats are very uncomfortable. There is no support in the seat. When you are riding in the front you have a tendency to slip forward almost coming off of the seat. Cheap leather also. Very disappointed w/car.

2.0T is the way to go

I have had this car for almost two years so I have good perspective on this car and have had no issues. The turbo charged 4 cylinder offers plenty of power, especially at higher RPMs. Even enthusiasts will enjoy the base 2.0T engine. For max performance and control, I suggest using the manual shift feature with the automatic transmission. I have really pushed this motor to the max and it is equal to the task. The handling is decent for a front driver. The suspension is a little on the soft side during hard maneuvering but is stable. The Saab is a great commuting car, but the backseat is small, especially with an infant car seat.

Love my Swede Racer!!!

I purchased this car in March 2008 after many months of research. I wanted something upscale but not the same thing everyone else had (G35, 3- series, A4, etc). I found myself leaning toward the Swedes so it was down to the 9-3 or the Volvo S40. I drove the S40 and the turbo lag was scary so I drove the 9-3 and was sold. The only problems I've had were the coolant reservoir needing to be replaced (under warranty) and my ignition switch failed after a few drops of coffee spilled in it. The dealership replaced it free as a courtesy but said the next one is my expense ($700). Everyone loves my car and they say it's perfect for me! I hope Koenigsegg can help Saab survive!

Saab FUN

Fun and exciting to drive. Recently had two rather large rocks hit windshield. However, on further inspection not a mark was noticed. This car has very rapid pickup in the 70-80 mph range.

Great car, but no Acura

I currently own a 2005 Acura TL 5AT with navigation. My wife traded in her 2001 Lexus ES for the 9-3 Aero with everything, for about the same price as my TL. I really like the seats on the 9-3, which are slightly more comfortable than my TL. However, we weren't impressed by all the hard, black plastic throughout the interior, especially when compared with the TL. Acceleration is good throughout the RPM range, but the normally aspirated TL is better. The Saab does shine in safety, with a BEST PICK side rating (1 notch above TL) and GOOD rear impact rating. Not a bad choice, but we like our TL a lot more.

Fun car, but needs a little arm room

Love the gas mileage! Love the acceleration, and optional manual shifting on the fly. I do wish there was more room or padding on the door where your elbow naturally sits during a long drive. My arms get sore after an hour of driving from having to place to comfortably rest. I also miss my auto-dimming mirrors from my previous vehicle. Otherwise the seats are very comfortable and the position of the headrest is the best I have ever found. My wife calls it "the fast car" and tries to steal it whenever she can.

Update to 10/28/2006 & 7/21/2006 Reviews

I have put a few years of road tripping and hauling mountain bikes and snow boards in this car, still fun to drive. (~50Kmiles) Turbo is excellent now that I have moved to Denver (5500ft.). I can drive it in the snow easily- advantage being I grew up in the snow, I was more worried about having 17" wheels. No mechanical or electrical problems, exterior and interior have held up well against rough use. No change in gas mileage, I saw an increase when moving to CO (not sure why). Useful tools and jack, I use the cargo cover at trail heads. Only worry is brakes are weak for about 30 seconds after starting car, weird.

Haven't bought my Porsche because of my 2006 Saab

The 2006 Saab Aero Convertible has prevented me from buying the Porsche 911 that I want, and I will tell you why. I used to own a 1998 Porsche 911 993 Convertible and I recked it, fixed it and sold to a German friend which then shipped it back to Germany. It hurt me so much to crash my 911, that you can't imagine the pain. But I deserved it, because I was texting while driving. Do not text and drive. The only car that has been able to for-fill my loss has been the Saab 9-3 2.8L Turbo. I can afford a new Porsche if I wanted too and I put a deposit of $1000 on a 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo AWD Convertible. The Dealer was asking $56,995 and I was and am pre-approved with my credit union with a great interest rate and ready to buy. I got in my Saab 2006 Aero Convertible on my way to see the Porsche that is located in Tampa, Fl and I live in Miami Fl, and got on the highway and I said to myself "I'm not selling the Saab even if I buy the Porsche". Then I realized I need to consider the Porsche after I decide to part with the Saab. So, I turned around and called the Dealership and requested my deposit back. The Dealership was awesome and understood my situation. What I'm trying to say is that the car performs almost as good as my 993 911, enough to think about it twice before I give it up. Unless I have a major mechanical issue, the Porsche can wait. I will get the Porsche 911, no doubt. But, there is no hurry! I love my Saab and I will enjoy it until it breaks. (It doesn't break) And I drive it hard.

Disappointing

I have had three SAAB's and am currently still driving my 89 900S. What an utter disappointment. I know on paper this car is much better than previous models. Sitting down in the car, my first impression was that I had lost my best friend. The car has none of the charm that my other SAAB's have had. It felt like a gussied up cavalier. None of the materials in the car seemed first rate. With the current financial problems (and I see why, it doesn't feel like a SAAB SAAB) coupled with the not so nice feel of the car, guess I won't be bringing home the next one. I drove the new S60 and it felt more like a SAAB than this car.

Not Safe

While driving at 11:30 pm on a small country (paved) road with my high beams on, my warning system indicated "Left High Beam Failure. About a minute later the left head light was in flames. Within 15 minutes the entire front half/engine of the car was in flames and subsequently burned/melted the entire front half of the car. There were less than 80,000 miles on the car. After month and a half Saab still has not investigated this issue and refuses to acknowledge the issue. I have pictures of the fire that I am happy to share. It was a horrible experience, and I am not sure how Saab can have such reputation for safety.

Wonderful car

This is a lovely car to drive. The performance, ride, handling, versatility, and comfort are all top notch. I have the automatic transmission which is the best I have ever driven. Fuel economy is very good for the power and size of the car. The radio is a bit confusing and has way more features than I need. It can be extensively customized but it takes a lot of patience and help from the manual to figure it all out. The front seats are very comfortable, the rear seat is also nice, but a little too low for tall people. The hatch takes tons of cargo, the look of the car is lovely. Especially with the incentives Saab offers, this care is an incredible value!

9-3: a noisy ride

Won't be buying another Saab; after living with the excessive road noise and poor stereo for 2.5 years, it's time to get a quieter car. Wears me out on a long road trip. Awful stereo, with no bass in the back parcel shelf. All bass is in the doors, which makes everything rattle that is in the door pockets.

Review after one-year of ownership

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.

What a blast!

So far I love this car, still a little cold to drop the top much, but can't wait for summer or at least April! It's as much fun to look at as it is to drive.

Stay away

My recommendation would be to stay away from saab. I have had it in the shop for major repairs of about $5,000 twice already. Thank god for my extended warranty. Multiple electrical issues with stability control failures, and steering wheel lock malfunctions. Also the plastic inside and emblems outside crack and fall apart. The car is fun to drive but could be better if it were AWD. Don't get me wrong BMW, Mercedes, and Audi have their share of problems and cost a lot to fix but at least they aren't going under, and dealerships can still be found. My car is currently at the shop being fixed again, and once repaired will be going to a dealership to trade on a reliable vehicle

Worth considering strongly

I purchased this car last year. I have been searching for a small sporty sedan for a while. This has been as close to perfect a choice for me as I have found to date. I traded in a VW Passat for this and don't regret it yet. This car is worth a serious look. There have been no major problems so far at 15,000 miles. Minor problems include: a 6 disc cd changer that jammed and had to be replaced, many of the parchment interior body panels were slightly discolored on delivery, and there are a few rattles predominantly in the door panels (a bit disappointing for a $30,000 car).