Overview & Reviews
The 2003 9-3 is an all-new design from top to bottom. It rides on a new platform, has new engines and an interior that's considerably more modern than the previous version.
- Sharp handling, frugal yet powerful engines, generous passenger room, class-leading trunk space, excellent audio systems.
- Some turbo lag at lower speeds, not as vaultlike as some of its European competitors, front-wheel drive also a slight disadvantage.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 375.00-
Loads For Your Money - 2003 Saab 9-3
By dseyemd44 - November 16 - 2:00 amThis is an excellent vehicle which is fun to drive. There is no feature lacking in this car. While it may not be quite as quick as some of the other vehicles in its class, it is still plenty zippy. Forget about automatic in the Vector, get a stick. I have test driven most of the competitor vehicles and I feel that you get much more for your money with the Saab. This is a car for those who like the driving experience. If you want a fun vehicle to drive and you are not obsessed with impressing your friends and neighbors with a brand name, then Saab would be your choice.
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Oh my!!! - 2003 Saab 9-3
By Gobsmacked - October 3 - 3:46 pmFine apart from: £5000.00 New Auto Gearbox £0090.00 New Front Coil Springs £0130.00 Diesel Fuel Pump £0200.00 Alternator £0500.00 Tyers, 3 developed punctures (1 two days after we bought the car) £0100.00+ on Bulbs (all changed, Brake Lights changed monthly) £1000.00 For Service. The final straw came, when the car would not accelerate past 50 mph, later traced to the Particulate Filter. This would have cost us another £2000. At this point it was goodbye to SAAB... at least they cleaned the car each time it went in to be fixed, yes... you guessed it... the cleanest car in history!
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OK so far on 2003 rag top - 2003 Saab 9-3
By Stafford VA - August 18 - 10:00 amNot as good on gas mileage as I had hoped. Does much better on extended trip. Can use mid-level gas with no problem--regular might be OK too, but I havent tried it. Recommend the leather arm rest--gave it to me at purchase. Paid $32,400 in October, 2003. Car does shake over any type of rough road--but has good pick up and excellent braking. The hand brake is the strongest I have ever experienced. The car will not move when it is engaged. Top works well--no leaks.
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This is a Saab? - 2003 Saab 9-3
By Nutmegger - June 21 - 2:00 amThe good news: goodbye torque steer, goodbye mushy handling, goodbye alarming amount of flex over bad roads. The bad news: its no longer a Saab. Wheres the quirkiness? Hatch? Supple ride? Now its just another generic Eurosedan with a stiff ride...
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Somethings Almost Always Broken - 2003 Saab 9-3
By teblhasa - June 19 - 8:36 pmIt would be a great car, if there wasnt always something going wrong with it! Ive only had it not even 6 months and I want a new car. Some of the 9-3s are great, just make sure you have it thoroughly inspect it before you buy. But it is a lot of fun to drive (when it behaves), and it turns heads! I love how expensive they look all cleaned up, and the really nice infotainment display.
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Love it! - 2003 Saab 9-3
By Travis Cole - June 5 - 5:43 pmI purchased my Saab used, Ive had a couple issues but I still love the car. It has enough get up and go, and to me is just a thrill to drive! The only real problem Ive had with the car is on 2 occasions there was a computer issue, the computer wasnt telling the car to shift gears basically. The first time this happened it fixed itself after I restarted the car a few times. The second time I had to have the computer reset at the dealership ($100) and they put in all the updated software. I get tons of compliments on the car, and I get excited to drive it every time I get behind the wheel!
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I love this Sport Sedan - 2003 Saab 9-3
By carz240 - May 12 - 6:09 amAfter I sold my old car I wanted an improvement. Something with xenon lights, leather, automatic windows and sun roof, and it had to be relatively fast. After looking for 3 or 4 months I found a 2003 Saab 93 2.0t automatic. I went over to test drive it that night at the owners house and I instantly wanted it. I ended up buying it that night, I didnt know much about Saab and if I did I would have bough the Vector/Aero or the Arc. I wish Saab wasnt in this problem right now, after owning this car for the past 6 months I want to be a Saab guy forever. Im 20 and I am in love with my Saab, I have never had any major issues. Just little things here and there. I highly reccomend the 93
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fun to drive, but needs some improvement - 2003 Saab 9-3
By skyking444 - April 29 - 10:00 amThis is a fun car to drive. It is my first convertible and my wife and I are having a lot of fun driving up the coast or even to the grocery store!
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Holding On to Rattlebox Junk - 2003 Saab 9-3
By KnottingMooF - April 25 - 6:20 pmI only wish I had the foresight to read review sites such as this before making the worst car purchase in my auto-owning history. I wont reiterate what everyone else has said about electrical, rattle, peeling dash and overall gremlin nightmare about this car. GM has replaced the engine three times under extended warranty. Because of the new engine and all the time and money Ive put into this car, Im holding on until my warranty runs out and the car dies on the side of the road. Its very interesting to see all the high reliability marks if you scroll back to 2003 when the car first hit the road. Except for one person who had high mileage early on. Everyone else scores it a 1!
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State of Independence - 2003 Saab 9-3
By Finkle - April 23 - 10:00 amI have owned this car for two months now. I love it. It has plenty of power in any gear. The exterior styling is gorgeous. The leather seats feel like butter. The car handles great at any speed. SAAB has done a excellent job designing and building this car.
