Comments: 1-15, 16-21
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 illumated day and night.
The handling is terrible, a 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 worst speakers.
I blew the speakers in the hopes of listening to music on the highway with the widows 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!!!
'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) '
What's dumb about it, most new cars have this & can only be a positive thing!
The reason the lights are always on is because Saab are Swedish & in Sweden there is so little daylight that it makes sense for the lights to come on automatically whatever the light... Volvos are the same.
You say the suspension & stereo are rubbish, I assume you realised this during your test drive... you did take a test drive didn't you??? If not, you can't complain!
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.
Count me as another who disagrees with your reasoning as well as your conclusions.
I too, own a Saab 9-3, and it has been delightful since day one.
Great comfortable seats, great handling, great features. Very reliable. 10 Worst? I think not!
Best I've ever owned!
1999 Saab 9-3 SE, my car was recently flooded by water, I thought it would be ruined forever. The Leather had changed color from all the water, the center mounted ignition would not allow you to turn the car off once it was started due to the amount of water still in it. Everyone thought the car was a loss, especially considering all the electricals. After removing all the water from the car, allowing a thorough drying followed by a deep cleaning, the car is fine! The only mechanical issue was, we had to take apart the ignition to remove the rest of the water, them sprayed with silicone lubricant and replaced. Works perfect. I conditioned all the leather, the color restored itself, with no damage. The engine was fine. So obviously the car isn't that delicate, actually really a tough car, dependable too, even with the high miles.
The "telescoping" steering wheel is found on many fine cars. Unless you are a Valet parking the car or unparking you will find this a useful option.
The daytime running lights prevent accidents. As mentioned before if someone hates them there is a simple procedure to remedy that, and on your first mention to the service department they would have mentioned it if one has an aversion to reading the manual where they tell you which fuse to pull to disable the feature. As a side note Canada requires Daytime running lights, and many US cars now feature them. I love them since I no longer have to remember to turn on my lights in Parking Decks and turn them off when I get out.
SAABs are fantastic cars. I have owned several.
I to have to disagree with the author's statements. I own a 1999 9-3 SE Convertible in Yellow and it's one of the most distinct cars in all of Vegas. It's required a few repairs over the 2 years I've had it, but it's never left me stranded anywhere.
All of the author's complaints are more "I don't like this feature/car" than evidence or reasoning why the car is bad. We don't really care if you personally don't like the car. Hey, I don't like Honda Civics, but I'm sure they're perfectly good cars. Go buy a Civic if you want a basic layout with no frills. I personally love where the ignition is, I just get a bit nervous when I valet.
I wouldn't reccommend a Saab to anyone. For those of you who disagree just wait. I have owned two Saabs a 99-93se and the 9000 and have come to the conclusion that the same problems start to happend around 50,000 mile.
AC, motor mounts, new di, etc. Saabs are not well made and will start to cost big bucks as the car gets older.
We have two SAABs including a '99 9-3 and a 9-5. While the 9-5 is a better car in many respects (and commands a higher price) the 9-3 has been fine. Each car has over 100,000 miles. We have driven it over 70,000 miles over five and half years.
The 9-5 still has original water pump, hoses, serp. belt, pulleys (need changing soon). It drives and handles very well and the turbo has lots of zip! If the first commenter had bought the car used and it has lots of miles I can understand that it may have some front suspension issues.
The first commenter did not appreciate the driving lights, but we do. The SAAB models continue to be rated amoung the most safe cars on the road.
The versatility of the car with the split folding rear seat and hatchback is great.
I can understand the authors issues with the mechanical flaws; though any car more than 8 years old will begin to have some problems. But as for things like daytime running lights-- all new cars have them for safety, plus how the hell will you notice or care about them when you are driving???
Dashboard lights on--- again whats the big deal, you can barely even see the illumination in daylight, its not as though they are blindingly bright.
And, this is a more personal preference, but I would rather have the telescoping wheel then a tilt one. I have fairly long legs and arms and in cars without a telescoping wheel I have to either choose between having my legs at a comfortable distance, or having my arms the same.
If you ever checked into it, pulling one simple fuse will take off the daytime running lights and turn off the dashboard light when the selector is in the left position. Look in your manual and check the fuse number, it will tell you which fuse you can pull to make this happen. I believe it's one in the teens, maybe thirteen
I just bought a Saab 93 Convertible.. I really like it. It has lots of speed but I will say that I feel EVERY FREAKIN bump on the road.. I'm not sure if I need new struts or if this is just the way the car is..
Any suggestions???
To the poster who asked about feeling every bump in the road with his 9-3 convertible.
I guess what you are asking is if all 9-3 convertibles ride harshly.
No - actually the 9-3 convertible has a very good ride.
However keep in mind the the convertible is not as structurally rigid as a sedan so you will feel some cowl shake and chassis flex over rough roads.
To the poster complaining about the ride on the 9-3 Convertible, it would also help if your car is not equipped with the Aero suspension and wheels.
The standard set up is already firm enough, to the point of being jiggly; the Aero pack only magnifies the 9-3's rather restless ride.
"Rather Restless Ride"??
I don't know what 9-3 Convertible you've been riding in, but mine has a very smooth & controlled ride, in fact it is every bit as comfortable as my wife's Lexus.
It does not have the "Aero" suspension though.
Just traded a 2002 Chrysler Sebring Lxi convertible for a 2006 9-3 convertible. The 9-3 rides and handles like a dream in comparison. I test drove several used convertibles, including Mercedes and BMW and I found the Saab 9-3 to have one of the smoother more stable rides. Euro autos just have a stiffer tighter ride with more stable handling.