Used 2006 Saab 9-3 Consumer Reviews
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Luxury that Stands Alone
I recently purchased a Saab Linear 9-3 and I can't say enough good things about it. I test drove and Audi A-4, a BMW 3-Series and was on my way to test drive a Lexus IS300 when I decided to stop and test drive a Saab. Needless to say, I didn't even bother going to the Lexus dealership, and bought the Saab the next day. Having just graduated college, I wanted a luxury car that was sporty and well-designed, but I didn't want to be looking at a mirror image every time I was stopped at a stop light. That is exactly what I got and I couldn't be more excited every time I get in the driver's seat.
Great Car
i ws not planning to buy a car. Drove it while my VW was in service, and had to get it. Never thought I would have a Saab. Drove the 325i, A4, and C230 Sport and bought this. Maybe not quite a 325, but a lot of car for the price. Handles good, and is fun to drive. Car has great gas mileage for the "funness" of it. Better than the 2004 Passat I traded in.
- Aero ConvertibleMSRP: $11,49115 mi away
- 2.0T ConvertibleMSRP: $7,995100 mi away
- 2.0T SportCombi WagonMSRP: $8,249163 mi away
The best car!
I was looking at another cadillac when I saw the Saab. I was attracted to the looks and when I drove it, it was so smooth that I changed my mind in the middle of the deal to the Saab. I absolutely love everything about this car and will buy another one in the future!
SAAB most underated car
This is an excellent car. Great build quality, styling, handling and performance. very underated car. This car is a blast to drive If anyone is thinking of an Asian import you need to test drive this vehicle.
almost perfect
Saab really did a good job with this car. The V6 makes all the difference. Thank god those 4 cylinders are gone. The car has incredible passing power. Acceleration is smooth through the entire power band. I also found it to be a MUCH better value than a comperably equipped Audi or BMW. I feel like I saved thousands. The base Aero has almost everything you'd want on it so you don't get dinged for options that should be standard.
Great choice
Was looking at BMW 3-series when I came across the new 9-3 aero...so glad I did! Amazing car to drive...so smooth and quiet on the road, with plenty of space inside for hauling people and things. I've always had a liking of "unique" cars, and the Saab 9-3 is definitely a unique car. It's all the luxury and performance of a BMW or Audi, at a slightly lower price, and you can bet you won't see another one at every stop light!
One of the best looking vertables
Went from an 04 Audi S4 to this car, and although I miss the kick off the line, I realize I went with this car for a totally differant mindset. The car does have good passing power, but the turbo doesn't kick in right off the line. Steering wheel feels like a GM. Little loose, but can get used to it. Quick quiet drop top. beautiful dash with green night lights. 2 semi useful cupholders.
mmmmmmm
Just took delivery three weeks ago and have already put 3000k on my new Saab 9- 3 sport combi. With two 100lb dogs and me over 6'6" I was worried that the wagon wouldn't be big enough, but it fits me like a glove! There is certainly enough room and it is so much more fun to drive than an SUV. I'm a big back road driver and this car is perfect for that. Love it!
More Bang for Your Buck
My wife and I drive a BMW 325Ci an Audi A4 Quattro and recently leased a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero (manual). This car is awesome, easily the best of the bunch and the others are pretty good. The Saab offers better performance, more interior comfort and space and respectable gas mileage (28.5 mpg on a recent highway trip). The best features of the car are the V-6 engine and the upgraded seats that the Aero model offers. The engineers who put the engine together have created one of the most useable and powerful engines I have ever driven. In particular on two lane highways you can pass quickly and in confidence.
Great Value
Just purchsed a 2006 9-3 Sport Sedan for my wife. The 9-3 Sport Sedan is very well equipped so we just added Cold Weather package and Sentronic Automatic Transmission. It is much quicker than the old 1.8 Audi and the engine has a nicer character and better gas mileage. A really beautiful, under appreciated car.
My fifth saab
Fast for a Saab new 6 speed auto is great. New duel exhaust sounds good. Need to see 1/4 mile time for this car with normal test temps not in the middle of a desert like Car and Driver tested this car two mo ago and gave a very poor review. This is my 5th Saab and my third Aero. Drive it and you will buy it! When the dealer delivers the car, do not use harsh wheel cleaner on Wheels as this discolors the break calipers. D
06 SportsCombi
What a fun car to drive. Expecting our first baby and wanted safety first and foremost in a wagon. Tired of SUV. Considered the Volvo V70 and XC70 but didn't have the same "fun" quotient. We had a Saab 9-3 convertible before and had always been impressed by it's torque at low RPMs. The 9-3 Sports Combi did not disappoint. We were hooked after the first drive. The redesign suspension makes handling superb. I love that it has full complement of airbags including curtain airbags. Gets good gas mileage, is fun and unique to drive. Would like to have gotten the 9-5 but it's in desperate need of a redesign.
2006 Saab 9-3
This is my third Saab and it is absolutely a wonderful driving experience. Coming from a former Indy race car fan, I'm vividly reminded of the race... the engine sound & speed of the cars. It has that certain sound reminiscent of that great noise. It feels lots more powerful than my other 9-3's due to turn-on-a-dime cornering, hold on the road fast speed, the inside quiet, speakers (woofer in the trunk). I had to watch my speed with the prior car. Now I absolutely have to watch it. So fast so quickly!!! I love it the best of the other Saabs. My only wish is to have this performance placed inside a smaller but the remarkable Saab body style of the 80's. That was THE CAR!!!
Very pleased with purchase
I've only had my Saab 9-3 for a week but I absolutely love it! I think that people are negative about Saabs because not very many people own them. It comes equipped with many standard features that you pay handsomely for with the BMW 325i - which I test drove also. It's comfortable, the drive is very smooth and I love the exterior design of it. I was looking for a compact sedan with that special "something." My friends and family love it. If you are considering a Saab, please test drive one. You will not be disappointed!
So far, so good!
I've put 6000 miles on the Sport Combi, and it has been bulletproof so far. Have averaged 28.0 mpg on the computer on regular gas. Car has plenty of power, is very comfortable and looks great, because it is different. Every passenger so far has been complimentary, and at least one friend just purchased one because he liked it so much.
Fantastic Drive!!!
After attending the Aero Academy, I realized this car has excellent handling and is built for fun driving AND safety. It's got a sporty ride & a nice interior. It was obviously built with comfort in mind & attention to detail. It's my first Saab, & I will never buy another type of car if I can help it. Go to the Aero Academy if you can! It's the most fun I've had in I don't know how long! I love my Saab!!!
Great sport sedan
I love this car. It handles great and has plenty of power for passing carving up twisty back roads. This Saab is very comfy and feels solid when driving. It doesn't hurt that this car is one of the safest cars on the road.
It's been great!
After 6,000 miles, the car has been absolutely perfect. Nothing has gone wrong. It has averaged 28.1 MPG with only one long trip. It handles well and is very distinctive... gets lots of looks at stop lights. It is more comfortable than I would have expected and rides much better than I though. My last car was a 2002 BMW 525i so that was a tough car to follow. It is my 3rd Saab in the last 20 years... the best of the bunch.
Just love it!
I've owned my Saab for almost three weeks and man do I love this car. It's gorgeous. I got the steel grey metallic. Love the two tail pipes. It's smooth, very easy to drive, very fast. You will feel the bumps, but it's a sportscar afterall. Love the rear parking assist. I like the dash, but feel like they could have offered the chrome detail on the dash. Love the steering wheel design. Hate the passenger side view mirror. It's hard to see out of it. The front-end is VERY low. I have already knocked the front fender out, but because it's a Saab, it's incredibly durable and the dealer was able to pop it back in like 30 seconds. Overall, it's stylish, fun to drive, and reliable.
Awesome car
Only three weeks with the car, but loving every minute. Once you take this car home, you'll think of any excuse to take it out for a drive.
2006 93 Aero Review
Former BMW and Audi driver. The 93 Aero is powerful; 250bhp/258lb-ft available for real life driving conditions through most of the power band not just near the redline. 90% percent of maximum torque is achieved at 1,500 rpm! Not enough power, buy a simple plugin engine control PPC upgrade ($850) which enables 285bhp/358lb-ft. The rock solid suspension and superb road manners allow you apply that awesome power as if gliding rails in addition to the legendary Saab safety, utility, spaciousness, and functionality. The interior is abundantly quite, however, the car is tuned to provide the enthusiast with an addictive amount of engine and turbo sound.
Great when not in the shop...
I purchased this car on 07/18/06. Up to now (08/15/06), the car has been to the shop 4 times for a/c problems. This car has NOT been reliable and has turned me off from the brand. The few times I've had it, it has been fun to drive. It's a great little luxury/sport sedan. It drives rather well and is fast once you are above 2000 rpm. Tire noise is audible. The 300 watt system needs improvement. Seats are great and all the controls are with in reach. Fuel economy has been pretty good with about 22-24 mpg.
Polar Bear White
I love this car. It is agile and nimble on the road. It looks different from the other coupes on the road. I am so happy with it that I have already forgotten about my Mercedes-Benz. I feel you get a very versatile and SAFE vehicle for the dollar.
Sixth Saab - best ever
Great car and so much fun to drive - comfortable, fast. Engine purrs. Top goes down and up quick. Just under 2K miles - no problems at all. 22.4 mpg - and not broken in yet, and city driving.
GREAT CAR
I got this car about 2 weeks ago, and it's great. The Saab is very affordable considering all the standard options that are equipped standard. It's fun to drive and very nimble which surprised me being that it has only a 2 liter engine. The European styling cues make it interesting and unlike any other car on the road. Also, the Pirelli tires that come standard are an excellent feature meshing well with the cars responsive rack and pinion steareing system. Great car yet would like to see more contoured seats particularly in the lower back area.
Excellent value, fun to drive sport/lux
I love how this car drives. Very sporty and fun yet not hash. 2.0T has good power even with automatic. Excellent styling!
Love my car!
Great car. Fun to drive. Good mileage compared to similar luxury sedans. Leather seats are firm and comfortable.
Much improved 2006
We had a 2003 9-3 sedan. This 2006 model feels more rigid and the steering feels tighter, which makes it more fun to drive. Suspension is a bit smoother but still is firm. Overall a lot better car than our 2003. If you want a good looking and fun car to drive, the Saab Sportcombi may be what you're looking for!
Great alternative to many SUVs
I've owned the 2.0 T manual trans., my 3rd Saab, about a year. It has been almost perfect. Some latches have needed lubrication, but no other issues. I've averaged 28 mpg with about 40% highway miles. Sound system is more than sufficient, the car feels stable at speed with a great compromise for ride and handling. Even if you don't like this car, it's worth buying just for the safety and efficiency! You don't need a Subaru; they're not efficient because of the 4WD and unless you drive in really bad conditions, all you need is the stability control that the Saab has standard. Controls can be a little confusing but seats are amazing. This car is a steal and holds lots of stuff.
SportCombi - More than a Sedan / Minivan
We have just crossed the 500 mile mark and the car has performed great. Out on the highway the car does well for a midsize car (e.g. semi trucks that went flying by us didn't move our car as much as our minivan) and around town the car is a blast to drive. The safety features are second to none and car has many luxury features with impressive build quality - no rattles. Back seat comfort and cargo area exceeds the rest of the cars we looked at (Volvo, Audi, Honda) and meets our needs as well as the minivan does during arond town drives. The controls and radio are simple and easy to use. Speed warning feature is very nice and provides another safety feature (i.e. no speeding tickets).
Best car i've ever owned!
This Saab is incredible! Enormous fun to drive, very comfortable, very beautiful car. The Swedes definitely put their heart into this particular design. No problems yet with drivetrain, engine is strong and the turbo sure adds to the fun, step on it and you may not know you're doing 100 already! We lived in Germany for 9 months - our Saab is Autobahn tested and believe me, it's passed every test, up to 235 km/h. The aerodynamics of the car are hardly matched by any other auto maker, it's quiet and it's very steady! I would buy this car 10 times over!
GREAT SportCombi
Saab is getting closer and closer to hitting it on the nose with style, performance and comfort. This SportCombi is nothing short of fantastic - driving and comfort. They still need to work out the cheap plastic dash interior but I hear they made huge strides in the 2007 model. If you are in the market for a nice European car with lots of cargo space, don't skip looking at the Saabs - you'll not regret it.
Saab convertable, 2006
Great car. Not one problem to report. Car is quick, agile, comfortable, great features. I've added Sirius radio and GPS. Also, snow tires. I looked at a lot of cars, many convertibles. It came down to the Saab and Mazda6 (not a convertible). Both great cars, but I'm very glad I went with Saab.
Great GM Car So Far
I'm just about to turn 3,000 miles in my 06 Aero and so far, so good. I come from a GM family and have previously owned two Chevy S-10 Blazers. So, the switch to a Saab has been pretty radical. I first noticed the car on the road and thought it was beautiful before finding out it was a GM product. The 06 model is still very Saab oriented whereas the 07 model is adopting more of the GM DNA on the interior. Overall I have been very happy with the looks, performance and value of this vehicle. I very rarely see any other Aero models on the road... mostly 2.0s. If you are lookng for an affordable entry-level luxury sports sedan, the 9-3 is tough to beat.
Two Years and Still Love It!
I am just now adding my review after two years into my three year lease and I still love this car. I find the car to be a great performer and very comfortable. I tested the BMW 3 series, the Audi A4 and the Infiniti G35 and have never had a second thought about my decision. A couple of minor things (mostly electronics related) have caused the car to go into service but with the warranty and free scheduled service it has been an easy car to live with. I find the car to be quite handsome in the euro way and is unique on the road. Many friends who own BMW 3 series comment how they get tired of seeing themselves at every street corner. A solid buy/lease.
Saab 2006 2.0T
I love the car. It is nice and quiet when the windows are closed. Compact but not too compact. I also like the huge amount of trunk space. I like how the car responds and it is so easy to drive.
So far so good
I was a bit skeptical of buying my first Saab. I have read of reliability issues but so far this car has been perfect.
Better Than A BMW!
I have had 2 BMWs in the past, and after my last experience with BMW, decided a change was necessary! I truly love this car! It has these tiny features to be grateful for, like a rear fog light, a glove box to keep items cold, the manual buttons on the steering wheel, and the pockets for storage on the front seats, along with many others!! The back leaves little space when the driver and passenger need more room in the front. Overall, would never go back to a BMW! GM please don't change any body styling, it's perfect as it is, thank you for a great car!!
Exceeds expectations, "expert" opinions
At 16,000 miles and 18 months, the car has been trouble free and all maintentance has been covered for free (one oil change). This car is more reliable than the Toyota and Honda I previously owned. Car handles very well, and although the controls are a little complicated, figured out how to use the car after a couple of days of ownership. This has become my favorite car and willing to replace with a new one in 10 years when this one needs replacing.
Well rounded tourer
The 9-3 sportcombi is an excellent tourer that keeps the driver well connected to the road without fatigue. The seats are great, the safety features are best in class, and the car is nimble in traffic. Currently averaging 26 mpg in city/highway driving. The interior could be improved, which apparently happened with the later versions of the car. The car also feels more balanced that the sedan version, because of the better weight ratio (52/48 instead of 60/40 in the sedan). This has an impact on the feel of the car and how the suspension performs. The reliability has been rock solid since we leased it. Its very likely we will keep the car when the lease is up.
Very happy with my SAAB 9-3
I was a tad bit scared buying my 2006 SAAB 9-3 2.0T w/ 103,000 miles but I was able to get it for only $3,500. At 115,000 miles, I've been pleasantly surprised by its performance. My only complaint is the broken fuel gauge issue that makes me track mileage on the odometer between fillups. It handles very well and the suspension is smooth.
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Can’t believe the value
Bought this car a couple of years ago as a retirement present to myself, with only about 75,000 miles (the car, not me.) It appeared to be in near pristine condition, so for $7200 I thought it was worth the risk for such an old car. It’s been an amazing car. Comfortable, turbo powerful, fun and so far completely dependable. I don’t put a lot of miles on it as it’s stored winters, but so far I haven’t had any of the “Saab stories” I’ve heard about. A fun, near-luxury car for little more than the cost of a junker.
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Better than the reviews by CR, Edmunds
A very understated car. It almost looks like a combination of the positive characteristics of bmw and volvo, along with Saabs traditional design. Handles well, I like the fact it takes REGULAR GAS! You can't get that on any other european car. But I believe my mileage is more like 20-22 city 25hwy. The interior could be a bit larger, stereo and controls could use a little work. Moving flexible armrest on the center consule can be annoying. I think that the reports about the reliability being poor are not fair. Look at mercedes, bmw, volvo, volkswagen, audi, they are all about the same or worse. I previously had a 900 which ran over 165K, with no major concerns. These are good cars
Very reliable with great gas mileage
I have had to drive a lot more the last four months with a job change, so I am now putting a lot more mileage on my Saab than I did initially. Only have 26,000 miles but expect to have 36,000 by next May when the car turns three. So far, it has been trouble free except for the decal coming off the hood once which was fixed under warranty. Otherwise, this car gets great gas mileage (29-36 on highway, 18-24 in city - beating EPA estimates of 19 and 29), is completely reliable, and has the acceleration of a new V6 Honda Accord with about 10 mpg better. No smoking engines, no batteries, no rotors - none of the problems others report. I guess I live a charmed life.
This car makes you unique
I've only had this car for about 2 months and I can't tell you how excited I get when I jump into it every morning. This is a very fun and sleek ride. It handles the turns well, manuevers with ease and when I want to kick it into overdrive I just switch over to the 5M tiptrometer. Just to tell you how well this car handles, I took it to 115 mph the other day on the hwy, and I literally didn't realize how fast I was going. Its that smooth of a ride. Yes, people told me to get a BMW 3 or an Acura TL (give me a break; but I tell you what-this car is just as good as those and the cool thing is that I'm the only one I know who owns a Saab! How's that for being cool.
Great car for money
Great car to drive, powerful 4-cylinder engine, nice fit and finish, terrible audio system. We leased our 2.0T automatic for 2 years and so far it is great fun to drive. Wish it had memory seats standard, though. Stereo is crap, with poor sound quality and aggravating RDS scrolling which is hard to fix. Gets about 30 mpg on hwy, 21 around town. Auto-stick works well with the 4-cylinder turbo. A little tight in the rear seat quarters for adults.
Good Choice
Extremely pleased so far - handling, styling, and power meet my high expectations from Saab. Enjoy setting the automatic controls so the radio & heat come on the way I want them to. Love the "heads-up" display atop the dash, but why do I still have a big screen in the middle of the dash with nothing to display? The basic audio system is a bit bland - I'm sure there's a subwoofer in there someplace, but my ears haven't found it. The engine has nice perky pickup, although the delay while the turbo kicks in was odd at first. Still, I find myself doing 80 without realizing it.
Aero Pleasure
I compared many cars before ultimately deciding on the 9-3 Aero V6. It would have cost me $5,000 more to buy a comparable car from another manufacturer. I was extremely pleased with the overall value I achieved, having purchased every available option and not breaking the $40K barrier. I have to say, the audio quality of the 300 watt stereo is disappointing & the navigation system is extremely poor! The navigation unit in a Honda Civic is far better! I understand that both the stereo and the navigation have been improved and this makes me wish I had waited to buy the 2007 model. I had a problem with the coolant system and after 6 service trips, I think it has finally been fixed!
Great vehicle for under $5000
The cons: Expensive repairs (In Washington state) The electrical can behave erratically. It's older and some luxuries are oddly modern and others are oddly outdated. The pros: It's affordable It's dependable It's speedy, safe, all-around, and excels at everything you'd expect for a 2006 vehicle. Real, if you take care of your car it will take care of you. This vehicle needs a bit of TLC. Read the manual, use the correct fluids, get your vehicle serviced correctly... Do the things you need to do to an older vehicle and its a great vehicle. If you can't work on vehicles yourself in the slightest, don't buy a foreign car. This Saab is great. I love it.