Used Saab 9-3 2003-2007 Review - Garbage or Great?

This is my pretty terrible review of the 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero. If you're looking at a used one, I hope you find this helpful. Take everything with a grain of salt as everybody's used car will be different.

2004 Saab 9-3 Aero:
Engine: 2 liter inline 4 cylinder w/12 psi turbo (210 hp & 220 torque)
Transmission: Aisin 5 speed auto w/select shift or 5 speed manual (manual really notchy, would not recommend)

[lightly]

I am on my second Saab now. My first Saab was an 06 9-3 2.0. it had just a little over 286k miles on it. Drove like a champ. Took it on a 7hr road trip to Georgia and another 7hr back and it ran great. Unfortunately I hit a sinkhole during hurricane Florence. Totaled my car. Long story short I purchased my second Saab. 2008 9-3 2.0 with 108k miles. Very great cars.

[Farmer]

Well rang a Mechanic of 28 years the other day he Saab are one of the best cars on the market, parts aren't overpriced, keep the service up to them and you won't have a problem, he said don't tell to many people there will be more for us then lol i am buying a 2007 Saab 9-3 convertible with a 6-speed gearbox its done 100, 000 ks cant wait.

[thatsentertainment]

These are great cars! Here in Australia many Saab 93's from this era are still being driven on the road which shows how reliable they are.

[hoppysport]

I bought a 2008 SAAB 9-5 2.3T five years ago for $10, 500 with 60, 000 miles. It was a perfectly maintained one-owner car. Including the original owner, a bit less than $3, 000 has been put into maintenance and repairs...that includes oil and fluid changes.

Almost all of the money spent has been for wear and preventative items, and includes SAAB specialist labor. I've changed the suspension parts, exhaust, valve body, DIC, brakes, rotors, heater bypass valve, shifter jalousie.

The 9-5 has never left me stranded, and always starts at first crank. The great thing about the Direct Ignition system is that the car starts instantly in really cold temperatures.

One last thing: The 9-3 and the 9-5 are structurally the strongest vehicles on the road...by far! That includes any new car.

[InvestWithoutBeingRippedOff]

Not a terrible review at all. Very honest and helpful. Thank you.

[lorddiablo]

Yeah.... You're absolutely right about SAAB ! I bought a 2006 9-3 Arc 5 years ago and I still driving it every day. Its not only a fun car to drive but also a very reliable & safe car. Though its now 15 years old, it runs great ( of course, you have to keep regular maintenance ) ! Since SAAB is not easily seen on the road, and whenever I meet another SAAB, we will signal each other as a Proud SAAB Owner ! !

[captainsweeney]

I own a GS 350 2014 now, and I still love my Saab. This cars got it all, reliable, fast, looks great, and luxury. The turbo whistle. Feels like your in the cockpit of a plane. If only the guy before me had taken care of it, I would still be driving it. I love these cars. Our family had two. I got 38 MPG on the highway!
19 city, but still.

It's a luxury car but it's definitely not missing that very mechanical, aggressive feel to it.

[aikane]

I bought a 2006 93 Aero about 2 years ago. It had 56, 000 miles on it. I like it very much. I did have to pay to replace the CIM and ABS control module. That was expensive! It drives well. Overall, I am very pleased with it. No regrets in my purchase

[caffina]

Saabs are amazing cars and still today are the safest cars on the road. Only thing I don't like is the repair cost. Everything else is perfect. Fast and looks great.

[anthonyheavey]

Hi I recently purchased a 2007 93 with 150000 miles on the clock that has recently been fitted with a new clutch and 4 new tyres for €750
I have it for two weeks now and the previous owner has told me of 3 minor faults.
First off it needs a new oil sensor
It is full of new oil and it doesn't leak or burn oil and in the last two weeks the dipstick still remains full along with clean oil and a new oil filter.
It also needs new rear sway bar bushings that the previous owner has provided
The last fault is a security failure that needs new batteries and new capacitors.
The car is running great and is very economical so I am am very pleased with my purchase.
And the minor faults will be fixed soon.

[MostGenericUser]

this video answered all the questions i had about this car. hopefully be going to look at a great deal on one from a friend soon.

[seanhillebrandt]

2003 saab 9-3 I have many Saab storys but i love my car regardless

[rosesmith]

Honest review ! Thanks for posting - I’m considering one of these for my summer ride

[charleschauffe]

I have a 2007 9-3, have owned for almost 10 years & it is our primary daily driver. Car is so comfortable, great gas mileage, fast, handles great, what's not to love? Over 134k miles, most problems with the car are well known to Saab owners, but nothing to deter my love for it! The car will stay in my family for the next decade...

[Johnslist]

Well said! I've had two previously and did my own work, prior to the Interwebs! I appreciate the reliability mention since I've since had a Mercedes with incessant electronics issues. My concern was getting parts or finding help if needed, but I think both are still out there. I'll find someone's 'problem' and fix it up. I was looking at a couple VW, and the shoddy plastic and trim and little things, in addition to head gaskets, and engine issues killed that idea.

[caffina]

And also Saabs are extremely reliable IF you take proper care of them. Also the old gtis are shit reliability so idk what your talking about. Those 1.8t engines are notorious for being in reliable. Now if it's the vr6. Those are good engines.

[blchamblisscscp]

I had a 2003 9-3 Arc. I took it to every single service interval, never used any oil except Mobil 1. The engine itself never had a day of trouble for 6 years. Lots of fun to drive. But it cost me three, yes three, transmissions for different failures. The final straw was the loss of the blower motor. Can't drive in a humid climate with no defroster or a/c. Window fog is a real problem in the South at certain times of the year. After the fifth replacement blower motor not working at all, I decided I had had enough and went to a 2010 MB C300. Much more reliable. Many more luxury features. But not as fun to drive as the Saab. Except for the complete crap transmission, my complaint would be the very complex fiber optic infotainment system was impossible to upgrade with superior, more advanced aftermarket designs. So I was stuck with the green- lighted system while other cars we're getting USB, Bluetooth, etc. Heck, the new C300 even had DVD to watch movies while I wait for my wife in the car.

[lorddiablo]

One year after I posted my comment below, I bought another SAAB.... 2005 9-3 Aero with some major issues but my Saab mechanic helped me saved this one and is also running great !

[lukehoppe]

I just got a 2007 saab 93 2.0t and I love it

[OLDSKOOLRAVER]

I have a 2003 aero and have had it remapped to a stage 1 .Awesome fun and power .Noobtune is the guy to go too .