Member of the Month

hi_vis360
November, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Saab 9-3

profile picture
_TK_
Posts: 467 - Karma: 128
Just another car opinion thread, anyone ever own a 9-3? Thinking about buying one wondering if you guys had any input? +K for serious inquiries.O yeah its the coupe convertible 1.8 turbo i believe
Dec 5 2012 10:31PM
11 4
profile picture
Che~
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 296
My family owns a 2002 9-3 Aero. Best car ever. Good fuel economy, fast, awesome in the snow
Dec 5 2012 10:33PM
0 0
profile picture
123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
my friend had one for a little while, until he went to college. it was an all around pretty decent car. I think he was happy with it, and it has some zip. I can't really comment on its handling in the winter though, because we would always take my car or his truck to the mountain
Dec 5 2012 10:38PM
0 0
profile picture
_TK_
Posts: 467 - Karma: 128
Ok, yeah i have a subaru outback for when troubles concern but looking for a sporty cheap fun reliable car, thanks for the input
Dec 5 2012 10:40PM
0 0
profile picture
.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
My friend drove a 2004 9-5 Aero when we were in high school. It was a pretty cool car I guess. Never really liked the way it looked, but it was decently quick.
Dec 5 2012 10:41PM
0 0
profile picture
grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
had a 99 9-3, had a bunch of problems with the fuel injector, other than that a pretty good car, small back seat,  all saab have a certain smell, you allways knew when you were gettin in on, drove pretty well, suprisingly fast,185hp 2.0...i know its no sti, a lot of nice little features, but a lot of plastic people that broke in mine just from me being a slop/young/iresponsiable, had a rocket box on mine and was a pretty good ski car, front seat didnt recline fully back though....best thing ever ignition in the center concel so youre keys dont hit you leg over and over.
Dec 5 2012 10:43PM
0 0
profile picture
bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
Ton of electrical issues along with any other kind of problem. Parts are gonna start getting tough to find because Saab is done, also they're mad expensive to have work done. Otherwise sweet car. They handle awesome and look cool, really comfortable. But not very practical.
Dec 5 2012 10:46PM
0 0
profile picture
tBatt
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 580
My buddy has a 2002 9-3 SE. Tuned to boost 19 pounds.
It's really quick, but handling is kinda meh.

Mods:
steering rack brace
1.5" drop on slightly-stiffer-than-stock springs
bigger FMIC
Viggen clutch
3" DP to 2.5" catback (catless)
short-ram intake
bigger (22mm?) rear sway bar

And I'm probably forgetting stuff.

Back seats aren't very comfy
stock audio sounds like shit
He'll smoke my buddies '04 WRX with TVG deletes, Short-ram intake, catless up-pipe, full 3" exhaust and running 16 pounds of boost.
It's probably the fastest car I've ridden in.
He has put about $8000 in REPAIRS into the thing from 75k miles to 105k miles. I feel like it's in the shop every other week.
Dec 5 2012 10:54PM
0 0
profile picture
bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
Somebody mentioned the key in the center console. Yeah leave your moon roof open, rain, replace ignition.. Fml.. Saabs. Glad those days are over for me.
Dec 5 2012 10:59PM
0 0
profile picture
volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
They're great cars. Gotta love the swedes.
Dec 5 2012 11:13PM
0 0
profile picture
_TK_
Posts: 467 - Karma: 128
Good info, is the whole ignition thing frying out from getting wet thing true?? Little bit of a concern if i leave the top down and it rains a little
Dec 6 2012 12:15AM
0 0
profile picture
bdarb207
Posts: 3057 - Karma: 438
Yes. Know from experience.
Dec 6 2012 10:05AM
0 0
profile picture
lelandsdad
Posts: 196 - Karma: 340
Had a 2001 9-3. Pretty good in the snow with dedicated winter tires. Amazing mileage @30 highway. All around nice ski car but with one major engine design flaw. The oil was susceptible to "sludging" causing the engine to seize. Google "Saab sludging" for all the info. I was driving down the highway my oil light came on, pulled off the highway as soon as I could and that was it...engine gone. Also, have a 900 turbo convertible and 9-5 wagon which I'm selling to buy a Volvo XC70 for the all wheel drive. Definitely recommend the old style 9-3 (pre 2003) but make sure the oil's changed with synthetic at least every 5k.
Dec 9 2012 11:14PM
0 0
profile picture
salomon097
Posts: 1345 - Karma: 301
probably been said, the 9-3 is a 2.0 turbo actually same engine used in turbo cobalts (GM acquired saab in the mid 90's) These cars come stock at 185 hp but can easily reach 300 hp with a quick tune and a few bolt ons, and this can be done relatively inexpensively. Ive heard parts/ repairs are expensive but at the same time heard these cars are really reliable and can be driven 250+k miles no problem
Dec 9 2012 11:17PM
0 0
profile picture
kingkarl4
Posts: 19 - Karma: 86
There back in business!!!! Already there rolling off the lines
Feb 5 2014 8:50PM
0 0
profile picture
goodnoooo
Posts: 555 - Karma: 2,075
i love my 9-3. i have never had a problem with it.
Feb 5 2014 8:51PM
0 0
profile picture
louie.mirags
Posts: 6015 - Karma: 5,027
I've had my '03 Saab 9-3 Linear for 3 years and it has been real reliable. Besides routine maintenance, nothing major went wrong. I've put atleast 80-90k on it. I bought it at 75k miles and the peedo stopped working at 138k. Right now to renew the NY inspection I have to buy a PCV valve kit(?) for emissions, most expensive repair yet. I average 28-32mpg depending on the season... I love my saab..

Click for larger image
Feb 6 2014 2:31PM
0 0
profile picture
0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148
had an 00, 2.0t loved it, terrible handling but fun in a straight line, super fun in 3rd from 60mph will roll over lots of cars in a line, espcially from a roll but from a dig/in turns gets shit on.  great in snow if you are decent at driving a stick, repairs are so so, same with any turbo car thats foreign.  now own an 01 honda accord with the v6, cost for repairs is about the same fyi.i say buy if the mileage/price is decent.
Feb 6 2014 5:33PM
0 0
profile picture
qazwsxedc34
Posts: 2955 - Karma: 2,141
Possibly the most unreliable car is a 93’ Saab 9-3.
Feb 6 2014 5:45PM
1 3
profile picture
Gherbs
Posts: 530 - Karma: 903
i wouldn't go as far as one of the most unreliable cars, they're definitely not that bad..
Feb 6 2014 5:54PM
0 0
profile picture
deepfriedtwinkie
Posts: 434 - Karma: 389
Good car but the parts are expensive to replace. From what I've heard you can make them pretty quick.
Feb 6 2014 9:37PM
0 0
profile picture
0123456789
Posts: 9226 - Karma: 148
makes totally unreliable claimabout expense of parts, then says "from what ive heard"  serial rite now?

My current "Cheap to repair" honda is the same fucking cost to get anything done! and if you have a indy mech, im sure he will allow you to buy your own parts and bring them in as opposed to him ordering them.  this equals less than normal prices!  that last bit can go for any brand tho foreign indys seem to be  more common for some reason...
Feb 6 2014 11:19PM
0 0
profile picture
Titus69
Posts: 9329 - Karma: 17,816
ive been looking at these as well OP, does anyone know if theyre worth getting with over 160k miles? Ive been looking at the 9-3 2.0t sedan or the 9-3 hatchback and all the ones within my budget have a lot of miles
Feb 7 2014 6:40AM
0 0
profile picture
.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
There aren't many cars worth getting with 160,000 miles on the clock. If the only Saabs you can afford have that many miles, you need to admit to yourself that you can't afford a Saab. Get a Civic or other similar econobox.
Feb 7 2014 10:01AM
1 0
profile picture
Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
I would like to own a Saab 93 Viggen..
Feb 7 2014 10:18AM
0 0
profile picture
HitTheJim
Posts: 787 - Karma: 399
sounds like you need a miata
Feb 7 2014 6:04PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)