Overview & Reviews

The base convertible has been dropped for this year while all other models get two new colors. The OnStar telematics system and traction control are now standard.

• Comfy interior, versatile hatchback model, torquey turbo motor, quirky personality.

• Controls not always intuitive, offbeat image, severe torque steer in SE and Viggen models.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 66.00

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  2 Much Fun - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By minimyzr - January 3 - 11:06 am

  What a pleasure to drive! I looked at all of the soft-tops - from Mercedes to Mustangs and this one...well is the very best value. Good solid engineering, simply designed for a serious driver, and loads of fun without the usual concerns of convertible vulnerability. I am now a lifer, albeit wish I were one earlier. FYI: Blind spots can be virtually eliminated with small concave mirrors attached to outside mirrors.

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  My Little black Dress that i just can help but love - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By osvsct - January 1 - 1:45 am

  Well to start of it is a 2001 Saab Viggen and i adore this car. Yes as with most cars stuff has broken or has gone wrong but nothing that if u know how to use the internet can easy be fixed for a cheaper price. well this is my Second Saab 9-3 and my first Viggen. I love the car for its low stance its after market rims and the most important that tiny coke bottle displacement engine with its shop vac sized turbo. I dont drive it hard cuz it gets noticed more going low and slow witch is what i like (less speeding tickets) but out on the high was its stable, flat and has more than ample power for passing. but like all Turbo engines the best bet is to change your oil every 4000km with synthetic

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  Best Car I have ever owned...awesome - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By Saab2001 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Great Car! It is the best car I have ever owwned. Trully awesome.

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  Fun. Practical. Unique. - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By John D. - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Base model has power to spare and turbo is a rush. Car merges practicality (safety, mileage, storage capacity) with pure fun. Car offers unique styling and near-luxury for the price of a boring Japenese family sedan.

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  VROOM with ROOM - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By goosaab - April 22 - 12:30 am

  Excellent car, VERY stylish. Good handling and comes with enough space to actually be useful. Highly recommend it. The cars looks better than most in its class.

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  Fun, But look out! - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By DooleyW - January 29 - 10:00 am

  The Viggen is a joy to drive, just know that gear selection is very important as turbo lag can put the unwary in precarious positions in a hurry. Watch out for the expensive wheels, they are easily bent. The wheels are not cheap to replace. In 20,000 miles of city driving Ive had to replace 4 wheels. If you buy a Viggen, for Gods sake, get plastic impact covers for the fog lights and the headlights, it costs more to replace one headlight than the entire windshield. Performance-wise the car is a joy but requires much of the driver. The Viggen doesnt suffer so much from torque-steer as it does an exceedingly light touch when hard on the gas.

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  Pretty Happy - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By DCISCouts - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 9-3 in October of 2001. We got no snow, so I didnt get to test out the TCS. I love the exhilerating performance!!

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  Stalwart - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By bcollier - July 18 - 2:26 pm

  After 8 largely trouble-free years I felt its time to give this car its due on Edmunds. Its best features are the fun factor - great responsive motor and handling, classic styling (the newer cars have become too homogeneous), and reliability which is surprising for Saab. There have been a couple costly part replacements, but over time thats to be expected. Its certainly been more reliable than our 05 Toyota Sequoia. After 8 yrs my eyes have begun to wander to possible replacements (e.g., M3), but the Saab keeps running strong, and if I "traded up" I suspect Id miss the Saab more than Id like the newer car.

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  i LOVE THIS CAR - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By TOYOTAMAN28 - February 17 - 2:00 am

  BUY ONE, YOU WONT REGRET IT!

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  Best car I have owned - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By Darkcloud - January 17 - 8:36 pm

  I have 96K miles on my 9-3 and have not had any problems. The car has been completely trouble free. The engine has plenty of power along with excellent gas mileage. A shame Saab did away with the hatchback. The newer models look more like every other cookie cutter car. Love this car so much we sold our Volvo and purchased another 2001 9-3