Overview & Reviews

For 2004, the 9-3 convertible has been given the same full makeover the sedan received last year. The convertible is available in Arc and Aero models and equipped only with the 210-horsepower engine. The highline Vector sedan has been renamed the Aero, and the midlevel Arc sedan now comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, rather than a six-speed. Bi-xenon headlights are a stand-alone extra on all 9-3s, while rear parking assist is now available as a non-package option on the sedan. The Sport Wheel Package for the Linear and Arc now includes a tire-pressure monitor.

• Balanced ride and handling characteristics, frugal yet powerful engines, generous passenger room, class-leading trunk space.

• Some turbo lag at lower speeds, interior lacks upscale look, not as vaultlike as some of its European competitors, front-wheel drive a disadvantage against rear-wheel-drive competitors for performance fans.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 223.00

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  Worthless OnStar - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By spaman - September 5 - 5:56 pm

  Had the car for two months. If you live in the Northeast, you must buy snow tires. Car would not go forward without them. The OnStar does not work. The problems is the system is analog only and the towers now send digital. I cannot use the phone feature so contacted Saab who will not do anything about it. They keep putting the blame on the dealership and the dealership on Saab. Radio is cheap and not modern. Must keep the button down for memory seats to work. The car is overpriced for what you get. I will not buy another Saab. Saab does not care about their customers.

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  Unreliable! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Unhappy Saab Owner - September 2 - 5:33 pm

  Bought the car used towards the end of February, problems started within 3 months of owning. Some of the problems I experienced: fuel pump breaking, the radiator needing to be replaced,the security system failing not once but twice, battery dead, and the transmission failed at 60k AND 66k. Not only that but in the summer I got into my car and notice the floors were soaked. A pipe had backed up into my car, flooding it and ruining the electrical box under the seat. I brought it to Saab and they fixed the problem or so I had thought. The car is still damp and smells like mold. This car has been in the shop more than I have used it in the last 10 months!

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  Watch Out!!! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By cedar - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Had for 3 months,no problems..now its one after the other. Have a noise coming from the front axle that the dealer still cant diagnose have been in 7 times still with no success. I have had the parking brake lock on me 4 times, twice i had to get it towed from roadside assitance because of this. I know roadside assistance phone number by memory(not a good thing) There also is a door rattle that the dealer has "fixed" twice with no success. Not what you would expect in a $30k auto. Buy the TSX unless you want to be disappointed.

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  Love my Saab - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Tony - July 21 - 10:36 am

  Nicely weighted and agile handling. Its a fun car to drive through the twisties and is a true 4 season vehicle (Ive been driving it all winter). The manual shifting option is a must to get most out of the engine. Convertible operation is effortless and quick.

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  80% Fun, 20% Headache - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Marshall H - November 3 - 5:43 pm

  Excellence: Good looks without being flashy. Superb power delivery, very smooth for a small displacement turbo. So quiet inside you forget its a convertible, comfy seats. Acceptable: "premium" sound system is mediocre at best. Tires break free pretty easily when accelerating from a stop into a turn, but with FWD kind of expected. Unacceptable: Spotty build quality results in buttons and interior surfaces paint rubbing off. Electrical gremlins are a constant threat. Complexity of common tasks like resetting oil life monitor is way more difficult than it has to be. Saab-ness: Saab is often different just for difference sake. Like the "night panel" function.

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  DRIVER SIDE MIRROR EXPLODED - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By JenniferJimenez - July 20 - 6:23 am

  I was driving vehicle hit bump and turned black. Left brake light indactor states is inop. But brake light operates.

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  Electrical issues - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By tonyb - May 7 - 7:10 am

  Overall, I love the car, but problems with electrical. Latest is left blinker wont go off. 1100 at the dealer to fix.

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  Not as bas bad as the reviews suggest - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By annonymours - February 18 - 11:33 pm

  This is the 3rd saab Ive owned and the first since GM took over. All my Saabs have been good to me as far as reliability goes. Ive never had any problems and have only had to replace tires in addition to routine maintenance. My only complaints about my 9-3 is that for the price, it should have more performance/HP and the interior material quality is noticeably inferior to my older 2000 9-5 wagon. Braking and cornering on this car are excellent. Acceleration is not, but it handles well at higher speeds and on the highway. You can probably get more out of a car for the same price, but it won;t look as good. As for the reliability of my saab 9-3, I have no complaints.

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  The Perfect Performance Package - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By mrwarmth - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This has the driving dynamics of a hotrod, yet the sophistication of a premium sedan. The engine is a monster torque mill that moves the car along much faster than its 210 hp/torque rating would suggest. Best part is - there is no torque steer, yet the steering is responsive and sharp. The ride is a little knobbly on harsh surfaces, but never uncomfortable. The car is poised and secure even in extreme turns with bumps. It holds a line like a limpet. Brakes are fabulous - they are "right now" when you need them to be, but progressive and easy to modulate otherwise.

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  Nice Car but a Quality Concern - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By jmklwck - October 18 - 2:00 am

  To date the problems have been 1/2 dealership and 1/2 car. It took 9 days to install OnStar, 4 trips to finally fix the cold weather starting problem (software issue), and then the recall of the front axles. I am more concerned about the creaks that are beginning to develop, headboard, seat, and intermittent out of the blue stereo electical miscues. Hopefully the GM portion is rearing its ugly head. I still love the car but its tough driving with your fingers crossed. If you have multiple dealerships in your area then Id support the purchase.