Overview & Reviews

The base model gets restyled 15-inch alloy wheels, while the SE version gains performance enhancements and increased horsepower. The sporty 9-3 Viggen offers even more power, and is available as a five-door or convertible in addition to the coupe. All engines are now LEV compliant and GM's OnStar "Telematics" System becomes optional across the model lineup.

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

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

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 59.00

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  S-hameful A-utomobile A-lways B-roken - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Used2LoveSaabs - December 25 - 3:50 pm

  I bought my Saab used in 03 with 52000 miles on it, expecting to keep it for 10 years. The car has been a constant repair nightmare and all issues are apparently well known problems with this model. The worst issue has been the engine completely blowing at 96,000 miles due to "sludge" build-up. It cost me about $7,000 to replace mine. I have been stranded twice due to DI cassette failure and twice for serpentine belt failure. I have also had to replaced the AC compressor. Do not buy!

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  Reliable for the first 50,000... - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Peterz - September 26 - 10:26 pm

  The car was fine for the first 50K, after that everything that could go wrong did. I maintain the car religiously, keep it in a garage and still it is a headache. For the past 12 mos my repair bill average $550 a month (three towings so far), including turbo for $1900, fuel pump assembly $550 and (yes!) a driver seatbelt for $470 (and I use a solid local repair shop not the dealer that charges a first born).

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  Fun Fun fun - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Legin - May 28 - 9:23 pm

  I have had nothing but good experiences with my Saab, sure, a few minor things have worn out, but you have to expect some maintenance. Its fantastically fun to drive and if you can stay off the turbo it is possible to get over 31 mpg on the highway.

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  Love em or Hate em - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By BDCT97 - August 17 - 11:50 pm

  We bought our Certified Used 2000 9-3 in 2004. Phenomenal dealer service but, constantly in for repair. As most Saab owners its the car you love and hate. Few cars have the sport, luxury and utility, (hatchback) of the car and 30mpg is easy on the highway. We have logged 99k and are thinking of trading. I drove a 05 9-3 Arc and its seats arent as nice and although it has 210 hp, somehow my 2000 with 185 hp seems just as fast. I still havent made up my mind to keep it but Ive been given an offer on an 05 Volvo S60 AWD and hands down a nicer car than the 05 9-3. Ill miss the Saab service, but as often as they see me, they didnt offer a great deal on the 05 9-3, Volvo did :)

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  2000 Saab 9-3 - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Zach - May 27 - 2:56 am

  I bought my 9-3 SE with 56k, and a year and a half later I have 85k. It turns out that the Cat. converter was mounted too close to the oil pan, thus overheating it, boiling the oil, and causing the infamous sludge problem! Ive had my car in the shop 3 times to have it brought back to life after losing oil pressure while driving - not good. The oil screen clogs with sludge and is expensive to remove and clean. This makes the engine work harder and I had to have the timing chain replaced - it was too slack. My last saab 9000 is now 15 years old and still going, I thought another would be a good buy, but I was VERY wrong. Stay away form the 00 and 01 9-3se

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  A good car but not as good ... - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Stardog - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 9-3SE conv. for almost a year now. Theres a lot I like about it and some things I dont. Its a great all-season car with front-wheel drive and heated seats. With the rear windscreen and heated seats I can easily have the top down on a sunny 45F day. Acceleration is good. The trunk is roomy. The fit and finish on the car doesnt measure up. There are LOTS of squeaks, rattles and windnoise. Various gauges dont work and the Saab emblem on the trunk fell off. The foot well is very crowded. For the price it doesnt measure up in comfort and luxury but its a good car and fun to drive.

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  Fun to drive, but... - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By MUY - April 14 - 10:00 am

  The car is fun to drive, but interior details are cheap. At any given point in time over the last 3 yrs, something on the interior is broken. These are always small (back seat light, seat adjustment knob, gear shift knob) but annoying. I also had to replace the tires after only 19,000 miles. No help from the dealer in getting warranty relief, they claimed it was my alignment. Which brings me to my final issue, dealer service stinks. They dont even provide free coffee or a carwash, let alone a loaner car.

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  Mine suffered from oil sludge - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By 2000 9-3 Conv SE 2dr - February 11 - 3:36 am

  I bought my Saab 2000 SE Turbo Convertible as a Certified Used vehicle. After having the car for 2 months, the engine completely blew (as well as the Turbo and catalytic converter) because of a known issue with this 2000 model -- oil sludge. I fought and fought and fought for MONTHS with Saab corporate to fix my $15,000 used lemon. Saab Corporate kept insisting that I PROVE the vehicle had proper maintenance (i.e. oil changes) throughout its life. BUT I had JUST bought the vehicle from a Miami dealer as a CERTIFIED USED vehicle. That, by definition, means the vehicle had a proper maintenance throughout its history. Saab eventually replaced engine, turbo and now the car is fantatic!

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  Love - Hate My Saab - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Lisa - January 21 - 7:10 pm

  My main objective for purchasing the 2000 Saab convertible (new) was the safety features and reliability reputation, having been stranded with previous used cars numerous times. Sadly, I have been stranded 6 times in this car, the first after owning it less than a year. In addition to normal regular maintenance, the DI cassette has gone twice, seat belt replaced, water pump broke, AC compressor (broke again within 4 months) to name just a few items. I love the look of the car and used to enjoy driving it but no longer have the confidence that I will get to where I am going safely. I would not buy another Saab after my experience. My repair shop jokes about how frequently they see me each year

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  Great car, rims and tires suck! - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Risalaw - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Solid car BUT: The window buttons are in the worst, most uncomfortable place to get to. But thats minor compared to the tire and rim problem. I am on my second new rim, and six new tires. THIS IS NOT A CAR FOR NYC! I write this now, because at first i thought it was just my fiance or my driving. then I thought it was bad luck, then i thought it was the tire company, until finally a letter arrives today that there is a class action lawsuit for all those saab owners who have rims like a tin can and are going through tires like underwear! So, if you are going to buy this car new, do whatever you have to to put after market steel 15 inch rims with new tires and then youll have a solid car.