Overview & Reviews

All 2008 Saab 9-3s benefit from an exterior refresh. Notably, all body trim is monochromatic this year. A more significant development is the January 2008 arrival of an optional all-wheel-drive system for 9-3 Aero sedans and wagons. These AWD 9-3s get a more potent, 280-horsepower version of the turbocharged V6. In addition, Saab will offer a limited-edition version of the AWD sedan and wagon called the Turbo X. Only 600 will come to the U.S. and they'll be identifiable by their black exterior paint, 18-inch wheels, lowered suspension, larger brakes and unique interior trim. The Turbo X sedan gains a rear spoiler. Other updates for 2008 include a 5-hp bump for front-drive Aeros and minor changes to the standard and optional equipment lists.

• Quiet ride, accurate steering, responsive all-wheel-drive system, supportive front seats, available in three body styles.

• Subpar interior materials and build quality, too much body roll on Aero model, ride can be choppy over bumps.

User Reviews:

Showing 51 through 60 of 78.00

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  08 9-3 Aero Sportcombi XWD - Great car! - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By simul8guy - November 17 - 12:36 pm

  Contrary to some of the criticisms in the Edmunds model review, this car is a great looking performer thats very satisfying to drive. Its amazing how quickly you get to 70 without pushing the go pedal very far. Great ride on the highway, this car is a cruiser! Ive been getting doubletakes in this car that Id never get in most of the other non-descript cookie cutter designs out there. The Sportcombi is very versatile without the typical station wagon look (I think it looks better than the sedan). With the incentives currently available on the 08 model this car should definitely be on your short list.

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  First 90 days: Good, but not great - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By Ric in ATL - August 31 - 9:53 pm

  Picked up my 2nd 9-3 in April. It replaced my 05 Linear SS. I loved it & so I was sure Id love my 2nd 9-3. Unfortunately, my Aero hasnt lived up to expectations. Its seen the Service Dept. way too much, mainly Bose radio & sound system issues. Im now on my 5th visit to fix the problem. I missed most of my 3mos. XM Free Trial. Im unimpressed with build quality and the materials in my Aero. I already have several squeaks & rattles. The plastics look and feel cheap, and Ive already worn a hole through my floor mat. All in less than 90 days. Mechanically, the car is great & fun to drive...when I actually have it. The premium leather is a nice touch, but $1500+ is tough to justify.

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  Back to Saab - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By SAAB 4 Life - August 8 - 8:50 pm

  This is a fantastic car. As a owner of 2000 Saab (that I still have) I wanted to purchase another one just like it. After making a mistake and buying a VW Jetta 2.0 turbo that burns oil (look up vw oil consumption on any search engine) I went to a fantastic dealership in Florida (jacksonville) and picked up my Laser Red 93. I am getting 33 mpg with 4 people and a trunk full of luggage running 80+. Cant say enough about this car. Its just like the old one fast, reliable, smooth. I could go on and on.

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  First Two Years have been Great - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By jp - June 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 2T Sedan for 2+ years and its been great. Comfortable, even with two car seats in the back. Fully loaded for vacation there is plenty of room. The car gets ~24 mpg in the city (worse when my wife drives it) and ~34 mpg on the highway at a comfortable 65-70 mph. Leather interior is easy to clean when the kids spill food/drinks. So far reliability has been impeccable...knock on wood because servicing will be pricey on this car. Useful speed warning feature as you can pass 70+mph easily. We bought a 2nd Saab (2009 2T Sedan) when it looked like Saab was going under. Look forward to 2013 redesign although not in the market. Wish Saab would remove some features and sell for ~20K.

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  a very special car - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By K28 - March 7 - 10:33 am

  I never though id own a Saab in my life, until one day when i randomly decided to drop by the dealer and take a look at the 9-3. After taking a test drive i was sold and bought one with the turbo 6...Ive been very happy ever since, i am always fascinated when i get behind the wheel, its really fast, fun to drive and at the same time its the most comfortable car ive ever driven. No car has ever made me feel this good!

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  hot to trot !! - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By kellee - January 12 - 2:10 pm

  This car is an absolute dream!! People comment on the beautiful lines, especially with the top down. Peppy, fabulous European design, interior is very functional and roomy. Drove the BMW M3, Audi A-4 convert., Volvo and more. This is the best, for the money, that I drove. Sporty, peppy and a real cutie. The A/C takes NO time to cool down and that is key in Texas!!

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  Uncomfortable Seats! - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By NOVA SAAB 9.3 Owner - December 21 - 8:23 pm

  Maybe I just got a lemon. The seats on this otherwise wonderfully fine convertible are HORRIBLE. I really dont know what to do and I grimace every time Im about to get into the car. Just for this reason, I recommend nobody consider this car.

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  Blast to Drive - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By Garry Neel - December 19 - 6:50 pm

  Ive owned a 9.5 Areo in the past (which I loved), but this is like nothing Saab has ever offered. Quality is outstanding, not one problem so far; performance is amazing, especially for the price. The six speed manual transmission really adds to the true sports car feel and driving experience/control.

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  Earned Respect - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By saabtech - October 26 - 6:14 am

  I had never planned on buying a Saab and in fact all I could remember at the time was how ugly the older Saabs looked. A friend of mine had a 2005 Saab 9-3 and the first time I rode in it I was truly surprised. It was far from the hatchback design of the S900 and it was quick and had nice fit and finish. This began my passion for these cars. I have driven a 2005 9-3 2.0T a 2006 9-3 aero, and two different 2008 9-3 2.0T. All the cars I had were great although I did experience less than stellar performance in the Pirelli and Continental tires that they were putting on the cars until 2008 when the TMPS sensor option was included. I have been very pleased with the reliability of all the cars I owned and feel that the 2008 and up Model Years to have the best long term reliability. This is why I went ahead and purchased one after my lease on my first 08 9-3 ended. The overall fuel efficiency of this car is excellent and seems to beat many other makes for the power output that it gives. I worked for VW and Audi and have driven many of their cars and just don’t feel that their 2.0T has as much power as the 9-3. Even though the 2.0T for Audi and VW has been rated very high I know internally that there are still issues with oil consumption and slug in models that this engine has been used in, and that’s why I would never purchase anything containing their 2.0T. The new styling in 08 really for me was a winner. I had appreciated the older design, but wasn’t a fan of all the plastic rubbing strips and trim that was visible on the outside of the car. I was happy to see that the facelift was focused on the outside and left the interior relatively untouched. The only thing that I wish had been standard on the 2.0T is visible sports exhaust, and xenon option. I really enjoy the interior and the only thing I would have like to see is a little less plastic and more leather covered surfaces like on the door handles and the front panel that surrounds the radio and instrument cluster. The leather I’ve noticed stays in good condition if you maintain it, however if you don’t after about 100,000K the driver’s seat gets pretty rough looking. In older VW models that have leather it holds up much better probably due to several seemed portions on the seat bottoms rather than one large piece that tends to get stretched like in the 9-3.

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  You need to drive it. - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By Frank - October 9 - 5:50 am

  As one who has owned many cars, the Saab 9-3 2.0t is by far the best car Ive owned. As stated the steering is so tight, I can almost make a turn with my knee. The acceleration for a 2L I4 is wonderful, as my first ticket would attest. The Getrag transmission is slick and smooth. I laugh as I see yet another Camry, Accord or Maxima as they are seen everywhere. This is unique, different and that makes it even more palatable. The front-end and rear-end style is dramatic without being off-the- charts. If you’re well over 6’ (I am 6’5”, you will fit nicely and that says a lot about their engineering. YOU need to drive one; its the only way to fully appreciate it.