2001 SAAB 9-3 SE 2.2 TiD turbo diesel

Summary:

Fast, comfortable, reliable, boring!

Faults:

A few pixels on the dash display have died.

Intercooler pipe split and needed repair. £75 later and cut knuckles, the pipe was on!

General Comments:

It's a bit boring. Mainly because it's hard to fault.

It's fast, it's got massive responsive brakes.

It feels sturdy and chunky.

It's big, with lots of room.

It's got deeper seats, which are great for long legs.

Heated seats make you feel like you've wet yourself.

Cruise control is a god send.

Handling is brilliant! It's not as hard riding as other cars I've had, but I've stuffed it into corners and it doesn't slide or anything. Very impressive. Even the handling in the rain is great!

This car is hard to fault; I think that's why it's a bit boring! I could moan and say that the 2.2 diesel is a bit noisy on tickover, or it's a bit tractor sounding, but I would be nit picking to be honest. Again, that's why it's a bit boring, it's a safe, fast, semi economical car. I'd be happy driving to the moon and back.

Sadly I'm one of those daft people that always wants to fix things, which is why this is a bit... well... boring ;-)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd July, 2012

2nd Jul 2012, 22:20

Better to have a boring car than one that tries to murder you by stalling in traffic, catching ablaze, filling your lungs, or crashing due to no brakes.

You should appreciate "boring" cars a bit more.

3rd Jul 2012, 23:20

Your review was helpful. I like 9-3's, and it's nice to know yours has been a good car. I will be less wary of Saab next time I'm on the market for a used car (IF they resume making parts for them again; I'm in the industry, and right now replacement parts have been discontinued. Unless our dealership can find cheap used parts, we're total lossing the Saabs coming in for wreck repair. It's a shame, because some of them would NOT be total losses if we could get parts).

2001 SAAB 9-3 SE Convertible 2.0 turbo

Summary:

Not bad... but not good either

Faults:

I've had this car a year and so far:

- A front wheel bearing has had to be replaced.

- Engine management light came on. Apparently the catalytic converter is running below its optimum efficiency.

General Comments:

This car is nice, but not so nice at the same time. It's got a full cream leather interior, which is lovely and all the creature comforts like climate control, cruise control etc, but to put it bluntly, the dashboard and controls look like they've come straight out of an early 90's Saab 9000, and been just shoved in my car.

The dashboard is dull and clumsy, the buttons for the electric windows (front and back) are all in the centre console between the handbrake and gear stick, and everything feels a bit cheap.

There are also certain things you'd expect to have, like a height adjustable steering wheel, which simply isn't there.

To drive the car is nice. The engine is really quiet, and it cruises nicely on motorways as well as winding country roads. The suspension is quite firm, and it handles roads well, but there's just nothing exciting about the car.

Mine's the convertible, and if you want my advice and can afford to have the choice, go for an Audi or BMW if you're looking for a mid sized soft-top car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th December, 2010

28th Jun 2011, 16:25

Reading your review, I have to ask... why the hell did you even buy the car if you're so negative about it? Did you test drive it before buying it?

3rd Jan 2012, 08:45

I'll call it a moment of madness. I was blinded by the fact that I wanted a convertible for the summer.

Anyway, I've since sold the car and gone back to Audi. Much better.

2001 SAAB 9-3 SE 2.0t

Summary:

Comfortable, solid and relaxed high speed cruiser

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Very quiet - sometimes cruise on motorway in 3rd gear without noticing the extra noise.

Good looking car with solid feel, no rattles yet.

Excellent rear storage. Can carry chairs etc with rear seats down, pity new model not also hatchback.

Strong relaxed performance.

Steering feels a little vague for high speed cornering, car best on motorways.

Comfortable front seats for me, although some people find the active head rests hard on the neck. Very little legroom in rear, although nicer headrests.

Automatic climate control great - although sometimes need to add fan to clear condensation.

Ride could be softer on rough roads.

Would like more storage spaces in front - eg for specs case.

Long front bumper means I have scraped car park edges and other cars a few times - my previous 4x4 was much easier to park.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th January, 2003