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2003 Saab 9-3 User Reviews

2003 Saab 9-3 Review Ratings

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Average Ratings from 29 reviews

  • Performance:4.5 out of 5 stars4.5 out of 5 stars4.5 out of 5 stars4.5 out of 5 stars4.5 out of 5 stars 4.5 / 5
  • Appearance:4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars4.6 out of 5 stars 4.6 / 5
  • Build Quality:3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars 3.9 / 5
  • Overall:4.4 out of 5 stars4.4 out of 5 stars4.4 out of 5 stars4.4 out of 5 stars4.4 out of 5 stars 4.4 / 5

Review Highlights Click to filter reviews below

PROS
"ride" 13 reviews
"power" 12 reviews
"fuel economy" 11 reviews
"comfortable car" 8 reviews
"handling" 8 reviews
CONS
"high maintenance" 3 reviews
"interior" 2 reviews
"power" 2 reviews
"expensive part" 2 reviews

User Reviews

Displaying 1 - 10 of 29 reviews 123 Next
Tyler writes:
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

good looks, good performance, unique characteristics

Cons

more expensive repairs than a Civic or Corolla

65

Saab 9-3 — Remember these ratings are relative. For a poor, married, college student, this car is about as good as it gets. Solid performance. Not a burner in a straight line, but fast enough to have fun. Get the Arc if you need better acceleration. One of the best handling front wheel drive cars I've driven. Balanced, good turn in and minimal understeer. Very fun to drive. 30-35 MPG on the highway. Great interior. Comfortable seats. Soft leather and heated. High quality sound system and sunroof/moonroof. It's needed a few repairs, but I bought it used, so that's to be expected. Nothing major and no repeated repairs. It's a great choice for people who want a quality sport luxury sedan, but want something more unique than all of the BMWs and Audi's out there. The Saab has all the luxury, styling and most of the performance of the germans (maybe even better than a comparable Audi, a little behind a BMW) at a much lower price (used resale value). I've driven multiple Audi A4's and BMW 3-series 2001-2004 for comparison.

Primary Use: Family transportation

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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purdyboyfloyd writes:
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Convertible Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

ride, looks, looks, turbo action is real,

Cons

Ignition start is questionable even with new battery and tested ok alter., cup holder is a joke, lights are weird,  

purdyboyfloyd
45

A New One With Warranty Is The Way To Go. A 2003 Convert. W/80k Miles For $7k Is A Good Deal — I purchased a used 93 SE 2003 convert. extermely cool smooth drive. Almost no engine noise or vibes... SID was gone when I bought it, so can't complain, but I do want to replace that. Internal and external car was very well maintained, looks almost new. Mechanically, the SPORT switch is like warp speed... with Michlens, the road hug is like no other... it's amazing all this from a 4 cly. engine. The things that seem to be a common theme in negative reviews, like the poor cup holder (spilled a complete cup of boiling coffee.....) the light switch and roof switch hard to reach when driving... No elec. windows huh, in 2003, and the trunk lock is a real enigma... all this one adjusts to to have the sport ride I've described. I do not venture to far from home, as the roulette will it start will it not start is very intimidating. It's the only thing negative I have to say... I'm told it the crankcase position sensor... three times in four months. Not a good average... Overall I'd give this SAAB 4.5 out of 5. HOWEVER that balsted engine light just will not go out, and I'nm trying to fix it myself, as I've read all the horrr reviews about sensors being replaced but not correcting the probles. Most disturbing is the It seems to be a tempermental car. I've had it four months, and while nothing has broken down... it seems like a roulette wheel when you turn it off... and expect it to start again. For this reason I'm afraid to venture more than shouting distance that my wife would asst. me in seeing how i bought a man car...

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Ben writes:
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector Review
Back Seats:
Cargo Capacity:
Family Car:
Fuel Economy:
Front Seats:
Handling:
Maintenance Cost:
Price:
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Reliability:
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Pros

very comfortable cruiser, solid and safe,

Cons

Fuel economy,The black coating on the climate control buttons wears off very quickly and looks horrible

35

A Dependable Good Looking Saloon — Alot of car for your money.feels very well screwed together,beautifully quiet and comfortable,fuel ecomomy not great but makes up for it with a very slick gearbox and plenty of standard equipment.Has some get up and go when you need it but is so quiet you wouldnt know it unless you stare at the speedo.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Andrej writes:
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

fun, safe, fast, and cheaper to run then bmw or audi since it was GM owned

Cons

none really

35

Great Car! Would Recomend Maual Since Driving Is A Blast! — A really underrated car that makes a great alternative to bmw 3s or audi a4s. In a world where a 3 series is every other car, this is truly a head turner. Fun to drive, and a really good turbo completes this ride!

Primary Use: Commuting to work

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Helge writes:
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

It's a Saab!

Cons

Crappy soundsystem.

45

Probably Not My Last Saab. — A nice, powerful sedan with clean lines and appearance. 2,2 litre TiD engine, no extencive styling which made it a kind of anonymous vehicle with LOADS of torque. A reliable and comfortable ride, allthough anonymous. Average diesel consumption = 0,65 - 0,70 litres/10 km.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Cian writes:
2003 Saab 9-3 Vector Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Quick, comfortable, spacious, safe

Cons

Thirsty

45

Saab — Comfortable, yet quick! Has given no problems since purchased, and is still as good performance wise. Nice leather seats, aircon, and of course, it's very safe. Would prefer a little more fuel economy, but that's about it. All in all, I'm happy to keep it for a while longer. That said, if somebody offered me an Audi S5, well...

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Andrew writes:
2003 Saab 9-3 Arc Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Good mpg, lasts forever, sturdy build, attractive, fun to drive, has good
get up and go. great handling

Cons

low to ground, easy to scrape,

35

It's A Great Car Gets Awesome Mpg No Real Trouble. — low to ground, easy to scrape, Good mpg, lasts forever, sturdy build, attractive, fun to drive, has good get up and go. great handling

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Joseph writes:
2003 Saab 9-3 Arc Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Speed, pickup and fun to drive

Cons

interior electrical problems; the car is too smart for its own good!

25

2003 Saab 9-3 Arc — I love this car, the 2.0 Turbo is good on gas and has amazing pickup. No repairs needed, so the cost of ownership ahs been cheap! Really fun car to drive. A few interior electrical problems but they were easy to fix.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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jbrant23 writes:
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Best power out of a 4 cylinder! Comfortable! Stylish!

Cons

Beyond expensive to repair if you take it to a Dealer, if you can find a foreign car repair go to them first, that's what i did, i saved big$$$$

jbrant23
25

Love It! If It Breaks Be Ready To Shell Out The $$ — Just bought the car a month ago, and we knew about the transmission slipping on hard accelerations, but we were willing to get it fixed because of the low price. Just a warning to anyone interested in a 2003 model... They have been prone to transmission failures. If you test drive one with hesitation not caused by the engine be sure to have it checked before making a decision. Other than the transmission failing the car is perfect!

Primary Use: Commuting to work

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Austin writes:
2003 Saab 9-3 Linear Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

speed, comfort, computer, good on gas, turbo.

Cons

finicky, interior is a little squeaky.

85

Overall Good Car :) — PRO'S: sweet looks, sunroof, heated leather, center console key placement, on-board computer, speed (turbo), comfort. CON'S: daytime running lights burn out quickly, center console sqeaks when you lean on it, can be very finicky sometimes. FUN FACT: faster than a porche 911 turbo from 40-70mph.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

1 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 29 reviews 123 Next
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Cost $6,010 Average Instant Market Value $6,274 Average Instant Market Value $9,643 Average Instant Market Value
Gas Mileage (highway) 29 28 27
Horsepower 175 185 184
Crash Test Rating 8 5 4
Front Leg Room (inches) 42.3 42.4 41.4

Reviews From Other Years

2011 Saab 9-3 Reviews

An All Around Good Cruiser For Worry Free Motoring By Sta8of9

I traded my 2010 AERO Sportcombi in on Coco due to the demise of SAAB and wanting to fulfill my dream of a SAAB convertible. All in all she has performed well and is stylish and roomy for two passenge... Read More

Read all 2011 Saab 9-3 reviews

2010 Saab 9-3 Reviews

Awesome Looking And Driving Vehicle! By MikeV3

This is a very nice vehicle. It drives well and handles better. This car has the XWD (cross-wheel drive) and is great in snow and leather seats are heated and very comfortable. It also has 17" 5-st... Read More

Read all 2010 Saab 9-3 reviews

2009 Saab 9-3 Reviews

Saab 9-3 Aero Xwd By Ho

Performance - acceleration good 0-60 about 5.5 sec, braking good, handling good, Seat comfort good Build Quality - No major repair done. But some small repairs. Appearance - Exterior looks sharp and ... Read More

Great By Randy

nothing i love my car great performance comfortable super stylish built well fun to drive super acceleration when i need it and most of the time i need it around wembley great on petrol doesnt cost th... Read More

Read all 3 2009 Saab 9-3 reviews

2008 Saab 9-3 Reviews

Bmw Sucks ! Drive A Saab By Jan

One of the best cars you can get. It can outrun a bmw, audi and merc. And still it runs cheaper on fuel. Service bills are cheaper also. I have the 180 bhp Twin turbo diesel now. It holds 400NM of to... Read More

The Seats... The Seats ... The Seats... By AMME

I have owned three Saab convertibles, but this is the finest. No problems what-so-ever. Performance and handling are great as is the build quality. A quiet and fun ride. An amazing car, if you en... Read More

Read all 15 2008 Saab 9-3 reviews

2007 Saab 9-3 Reviews

Love It, Even With All Is Quirks! By Roberto

I bought mine at an auction. Some parts of the interior trim where missing, it was mechanically neglected, and poorly restored for a previous accident. But I felt in love with the specs, it's desi... Read More

Very Nice Vehicle By Steven

The Saab 9.3 overall is very good, I would recommend it to all my friends. The information center wouldnt let you see what percentage of oil life was left before you were warned to change the oil . ... Read More

Read all 20 2007 Saab 9-3 reviews
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