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 21 through 30 of 375.00

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  Fun and Safe Car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By driver-pilot - August 12 - 5:56 am

  I got a Saab 9-3 Arc used and this car is definitely something different. You have to notice the sloped hood and clean exterior styling, a testament to Saabs new-age design. The interior is pretty roomy, but the paint can scratch off and some parts feel like cheap plastic was used. The CD changer works well as does the radio. This car drives excellently, and using the sport shifter allows you to get some pretty solid acceleration times, with the turbochargers help though! Highway performance is EXCELLENT, and the car handles exceptionally especially when the ESP control is on. We even took it up to the mountains and it handles excellently even with front wheel drive.

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  Guess Ive been lucky - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By kjsouth725 - August 4 - 2:30 pm

  Ive owned this car for 5 years and its the most comfortable car Ive ever driven. And everyone loves how it looks. The biggest negative is the cost of repair. I havent had many (knock on wood) but those that Ive had are expensive. Then again, its less expensive to than an Audi or BMW. Second big complain is that the wheels are held on my bolts, not lugs. All five need to be at proper torque for the wheel to balance. Also, the wheel hub and bolt are softer metal, so Ive already had to re-tap one wheel twice due to electric wrench happy mechanics.

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  Honest Review - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By leviphx - June 9 - 11:34 am

  I bought this car used with 63k miles on it and havent regretted it a day since. Knowing the history of these cars however, I made sure I had an independent mechanic familiar with the brand take a look at it before I made an offer (easily worth the $150 dollars). I dont want to put anyone down, but I believe that at least half of the poor reviews this car gets are due to A) Poor maintenance by/no knowledge of previous ownership, or B) Poor maintenance by current owner. Love this car and it will love you back, simple as that. And dont buy a performance (or any other) car without a thorough inspection. Tho people I suppose have been burned by a bad car regardless of their caution I guess

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  Fun to drive, great mpg - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By heilig - May 5 - 3:50 pm

  I have had some problems with this car (HVAC fan broke twice, emission control blower, front lights burned out), but all in all this has been a fun to drive, economical car. I drive between 75 and 80 MPH and regularly get 32 MPG at these speeds. Acceleration when driving 55 to 90 MPH is excellent.

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  Still Get Compliments on the Car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Harry 19 - March 27 - 7:56 am

  I did have some fairly minor mechanical problems the first year, all of which were covered under warranty--nothing since. The car still turns heads after all this time--people assume I paid a lot more for it than I did. The ride is a little stiff and the model has improved since 2003. I still enjoy it and never had some of the mechanical problems that other 03 owners seem to have encountered. I enjoy driving the car and will probably buy a 9-3 again but hope to be able to keep this one going another few years at least--I dont use it much more than 7,500 miles a year and if I can avoid any major problems expect to hold it until it dies.

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  03 Saab 9-3 linear - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By per - March 23 - 2:00 am

  this car has offered a nice contrast to the 10 year old Camry I have been driving for about just as long a time. The Saab offers a firm ride,excellent handling,only average pick uproads of Ithas plenty of gidde-up after 40m.p.h.as it wants to eat up the roads as they come at you. The brakes aree excellent and the stick 5 speed feels precise with an easy throw. However, off the line, you cant get it out of first soon enough. So far so good, I am happy with my puchase. This car has offered a nice change from the vanila feel of japanese cars. For not a lot of money-I feel I got into the sports sedan category. Lets see about reiliability

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  Saab 2003 - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Lee - February 18 - 4:00 am

  It is a very fun vehicle to drive.

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  nice car, nice rental - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By jj - February 1 - 10:36 am

  This car hugs the road! This car is sleek and beautiful! This car sucks in the snow with the high performance tires! This car loves being in the shop! (I guess it misses its brothers and sisters at the dealer). Man, I love the way this car handles and looks. But, it goes into the shop every month or two for something new malfunctioning. Tires wear down like crazy. I wish they would have taken time to fix all of the electrical kinks as they did in the styling.

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  Great vehicle! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Preston - January 23 - 1:43 am

  I love my car. It has been wonderful and only issues have been its common gnomes in the electrical work/displays (funny at times, annoying at others). Comfort is above par and makes daily long drives bearable. Turbo lag is certainly there, but as soon as it realizes that its supposed to go, it does so with awesomeness. Plenty of power and fuel economy to boot. Overall, a wonderful car for my first dive into the luxury branded vehicles.

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  A lemon? - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Saab-ing in NJ - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Are computer glitches common with this car? I loved my new Arc -- until day 2 of owning it, when I had to have it towed in because of a computer glitch that made the car barely move when accelerating from a stop. Ill never feel safe again, because Im afraid of the next computer failure. And safety was a big part of why I chose this car!