Overview & Reviews

Saab changed the car's name to the 9-3, giving it a mild exterior freshening to boot. Around midyear, a high-output version of its 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder (making an amazing 200 horsepower) becomes the standard engine in the uplevel SE five-door and SE Convertible models equipped with a manual transmission. All SEs also get new five-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels. All five-speed manual 9-3s get revised gearbox ratios and a numerically higher (4.05-to-1) final drive ratio for better off-the-line feel. A revised 9-3 interior headliner provides more padding for increased protection in the event of a crash. And five-door SE variants add an integrated driver-seat armrest and a centrally located cupholder that swings out from the instrument panel.

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

• Controls not always intuitive, offbeat image, spotty build quality.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 89.00

• 

  Fun and quick, reliable and great mpg! - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By nott-me - June 25 - 11:23 pm

  I have had the car about 2.5 years and total of 36,000 miles. Fun to drive, turbo is great! I have the 2 door version, and the trunk area will swallow anything with the seats folded! Repairs are usually happen like clockwork every 10,000 miles on my example but worth the upkeep in enjoyment and uniqueness. I have 124,000 on the odometer now.

• 

  Great Car, some problems - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By TRudd - January 13 - 9:10 pm

  I bought this car with 50,000 miles on it from a dealership and was the 2nd owner. A day after I bought it, the head gasket went out. The dealership paid for labor, I paid for parts ($300). Needless to say, this should not happen with a car that has 50,000 miles on it. After the repairs, I havent had any problems... yet. I love this car, a little more interior noise than my Honda Accord - but much more fun to drive, better looking, and gas mileage wasnt all that different (28 mpg/hwy with the Saab; 28-29 mpg 97 honda accord 4 cyl).

• 

  5 years and counting - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Egospoon - May 2 - 10:00 am

  80K miles and no substantial problems. The air venting directional thingy froze up and the info display isnt comprehensible any more, but really thats it. Love it.

• 

  Run, dont walk, away from this car. - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Cambridge - April 18 - 3:20 pm

  Extremely expensive to repair! When buying, I would strongly suggest you have all the records for repairs and maintenance. Prior to buying, I had a reputable mechanic review the car and it appeared to "look" good but he was honest - "without records he was guessing." A car that has documentation on repairs and maintenance is extremely key. Bought this car used from a dealer without documentation and have spent nearly $1500 (in a calendar year) on items that should have been repaired or replaced as apart of routine maintenance. People swear by this car but thus far this has been a giant albatross. Would never buy another. The plus - I found a good mechanic.

• 

  Could Have Been Better - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Westportviggen - February 3 - 2:00 am

  I have a grey 2001 5-door Viggen . I am generally happy with the car. The car is a great start to a true performance car. It has very nice power and handling atributes. It rips out of those second gears turns with incredible power. I havent driven any other front wheel drive car that can spin tired out of a turn at 50+ mph. BUT IT COULD BE BETTER!!!!

• 

  Precision Piece of Machinery - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Edan - June 26 - 10:53 am

  This is my second Saab, but my first GM built one. I have had it for roughly 10k miles now. In that time Ive been plagued by problems. Including a front end shake at high speeds that I havent been able to pinpoint or solve at the cost of thousands of dollars. Otherwise, its got a lot of go and decent gas mileage. The newer Saab hatchback doesnt compare though to the older ones. Also the ride quality is fairly poor, my moms base model Camry from 1995 is much smoother and quieter on the road. If you like to do your own maintenance, then this is a good car for you. If not, it will just bum you out.

• 

  I love these cars - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Pat - April 21 - 7:50 am

  In October of 04, I bought my first Saab, a 99 9-3 S sedan. for 8 months, I loved this car. Then one June night, I was rear ended by a drunk driver at 40mph while I was at a stop... this car saved me from much pain. Since then, it has been replaced with a 99 9-3SE HOT. The AC Compressor binded, shredding the serpentine belt. $1200 dollars later, all is well. Its a joy to drive, gets a lot of looks, and people assume you paid so much more then you did. Rule of thumb is, this car breaks down less then most, but when it does it hurts the wallet. If you cant foot a 1000 dollar bill bi-annually, then this is not the car for you. I love it to death. Drives great, looks great, worth it.

• 

  Bought new; now 11 years old - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By john - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Car requires capable mechanic - not most reliable on the road after 50K. Ignition cassette crapped out at 70K ($600 for T5), seals blew at 80K ($1800.00). Im at 88K miles today. However, gobs of fun to drive (w/5 speed). Ive installed many handling fixes (1999 base version I thought was poor) and its great fun now. I recently drove 2007 BMW 328i wagon, 2010 MINI Clubman, 2010 Audi A3, 2010 Jetta Sportwagen, and 2011 VW GTI and decided to keep Helga. None improved on the room, comfort or dramatically in handling to my old SAAB - so what if $2K yearly on repairs?; its still cheaper than buying/leasing $25-$36K cars above. An enigmatic car, right for me.

• 

  99 9-3 Still going strong - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Chris Kreger - November 1 - 11:06 pm

  Just rolled 200K and the car still moves. Gets over 30 mpg highway and averages 26+ mpg. 3 daughters learned to drive in this car, wife drives everyday and refuses to give it up. Oil changes every 4-5000 mi w/synthetic, one tune up, one timing belt, and repair to drivers window. Car still looks good and currently no thoughts of replacing it.

• 

  GM influence shines through - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By bybyby - April 30 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 99 convertible (4 year lease turn in) and thought I was buying a cream puff. However, I had to replace part of the front axle as well as numerous other little things that shouldnt be happening on a car with only 40k miles. The car goes down the road great. But beware that late model Saabs are laced with GM DNA and it shows. The build quality and fit and finish is not there and is not like the Saabs of old. Although these cars are still built in Sweden; the Detroit influence (cheap and unreliable) comes through. Saab is forced to used some GM Euro parts and it shows in the car. Its a real shame what GM is doing to this once great brand of car