1999 SAAB 9-3 S 2.0T from North America

Summary:

Fast, fun, unique and sturdy... what more could you want?

Faults:

Water pump failed at 90K, I replaced it for $130.

Rear shocks were leaking, all shocks and struts replaced w adjustable Koni dampers and lowering springs. I did this myself for a cost of ~$800.

Rear muffler rusted through at 90K. Replaced with stainless steel factory sport exhaust.

Fan speed knob broke off...$10 part to fix.

General Comments:

I wish my 9-5 Aero was as reliable and tough as this old girl.

The Aero is faster and handles well, but the 9-3 with the upgraded suspension is a hoot and scoots along pretty quickly!

These cars have lots of performance potential and require a strict maintenance regimen (full synthetic oil and good filters every 4K or so). But they are long lived and pretty tough.

Interior quality leaves plenty to be desired, but the seats are comfortable and leather.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th September, 2007

1999 SAAB 9-3 SE 2.0L from North America

Summary:

It's gone..

Faults:

I totaled the car after owning it for only 2 weeks.

The driver window was hard to use and would repeatedly fall into the door cavity.

Nothing else.

General Comments:

Great acceleration and handling.

In general FWD cars are not good for racing and stuff like that if you don't know how to control them. I myself do not know how to control it...

Really fun to drive.

Safest car I could have been in when I was showing off (slid on gravel and flipped the car over into a ditch - my fault completely)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2007

1999 SAAB 9-3 SE turbo from North America

Summary:

Stay away from Saab

Faults:

Our Saab just suffered catastrophic engine failure while on a trip. The first thing I checked when we pulled off the road was the oil, which showed full on the dip stick and appeared to be normal - not too dirty.

After having the car towed in to a Saab repair place, I was informed that the engine needed to be replaced because of an oil issue. After checking on line I was shocked and dismayed to find that these Saab's have a known oil pump design flaw and are prone to engine failure.

The car has around 70,000 miles, we are the original owners and have maintained the car since day one.

We have added our name to the class action suit listed in this forum.

This is our second Saab and will be our last.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd August, 2007

1999 SAAB 9-3 S from North America

Summary:

Top ten list for worst cars ever

General Comments:

Working valet, I always wondered why there were so few Saab's being driven.

That was until of course I owned one.

The car is, at best, pathetic.

The seats are uncomfortable for both long and short trips.

The steering wheel is equipped not with tilt steering, but instead with some different B.S. option that allows you the ability to pull the wheel forward, or if you like, push it back. (one of the dumbest installments I've ever seen)

The process of just getting the key out of the ignition is a chore in itself with a Saab. For the manual trans you need to place the car in reverse every time you want to park the car and get out.

I've never been one to care about daytime running lights. But this car is installed with both front and rear. So no matter what time of day it is, or were you have the lights positioned at. You have both the front and rear on.

Also, the dash is always illuminated day and night.

The handling is terrible; an idea of how a Saab handles would be similar to a cross country skier on a lake of ice.

It basically floats and goes where it wants to, not where you want.

If you hit a bump, there are three options the car will give you.

1.) (In a manual) The gear will decide to pop out of place.

2.) The car will start to lose traction, begin spinning the tires and end up burning the only thing good on the car (the tires).

3.) The car will lose control, taking you wherever it feels.

The suspension is bad.

The radio is bad. With even worse speakers.

I blew the speakers in the hopes of listening to music on the highway with the windows up... BAD IDEA. I guess Saab had no idea that cardboard isn't the best technology for speakers.

Through all these faults on this car, they still managed to put a sticker price of $27,000 when new.

Saab, you are a terrible car company, and you make terrible cars.

For anyone reading this, do yourself a favor and DO NOT BUY A SAAB!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th June, 2007

15th Jun 2007, 20:56

Regarding "Top ten Worst cars...

Well I'm wondering whether you noticed any of this on the test drive?I have a 99 9-3 SE and LOVE it! The daytime running light feature can be turned off by pulling the fuse, as stated in your manual, if you don't want the daytime running feature. The stereo in my car is great, but yes the speakers are just okay. My car has been driven by me like a race car, and I have put 120,000 miles on it with no serious issues aside from regular maintenance. Its Fantastic and everyone comments that it has really comfortable seats. The suspension on mine is all original and nice and tight, handles great especially at speeds over 70mph.I don't know, but maybe youre just not a Saab person, theyre very quirky cars, but fantastic. By the way, I see Saabs all over just as much as Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Volvos. Maybe they aren't as popular in your region for a specific reason.