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 1 through 10 of 223.00

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  A Total Disappointment! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Saabing weekly - March 23 - 12:40 pm

  I cant wait to get rid of this car. It has been a nightmare. Lets see... transmission, engine, and computer problems to name a few. Then theres the water leakage, cheap interior materials that break,defiant trunk lid, volume controls that dont work, and seat upholstry that comes off. What about the door locks that open on their own and the incompetent/hostile/indifferent dealer/corporate network? I am so regretful that I purchased this car. I cant believe that it is considered a luxury car. It clearly not in the same quality realm as its European neighbors.

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  Cheaper is definitely not better! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Sad Saab Owner - May 23 - 10:00 am

  So you want a luxury vehicle and a 9-3 is appealing because it is cheaper right. Dont make the same mistake we have all made. I am writing this review to save you time and money. Spend the extra money and get a car worthy to be called a luxury vehcile. Saabs are different but when it comes to reliability and build quality the 9-3 is a definite NO,NO,NO... I wanted to love this car, I paid cash for it. It is a DEFINITE THAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. These problems range from rattles to weird problems with the transmission, brake noise, to things just not working. PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE. DO NOT BUT A 9-3.

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  Yes, GM ruined Saab - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By The Mules - March 29 - 2:36 am

  Look at all of the poor reviews previously submitted and you basically have my review. I purchased my 3rd Saab, a 2004 9-3 Linear and what a disappointment. I knew GM had more input in this 9-3 than the previous models, but I still bought one. Thats how loyal I was to Saab. Boy, was that a mistake. Ive lost count of the number of times shes been in the shop; brakes, radio, transmission, rattles, doors unlocking by themselves, SID going blank, key replaced, etc., etc... I wish I could tell everyone who is considering a GM...er, Saab to NOT DO IT! Stay away. Dont let the image of the old Saab cloud your decision. PS: Saab no longer makes fighter planes - havent for some time now.

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  What a scam - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By mike03870 - December 3 - 10:00 am

  i have owned a dozen cars ranging from hondas to BMWs and this is the worst piece, least reliable piece of dung I have had the displeasure of owning. The dealer, Gray Blake SAAB in Exeter, NH has been beyond terrific. Very helpful, straightforward and polite. The car is a different story. Within the first 30k miles, the car completely ran out of oil TWICE. I drove this heap for up to 20k miles with NO OIL before the indicator came on. The most frustatrating part of the ordeal has been SAABs absolute refusal at a corporate level to acknowledge this or rectify it. Just Crazy. Stay clear.

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  Saturn with a price tag of BMW - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By GK - May 27 - 8:20 pm

  What a disappointment, this is what GM does with any company they buy/own, they Saturnize it! What this car is really worth shows it depreication, 2 years and your Sat.. sorry.. Saab is worth half what youve paid for it. In one word we lost a lot of money on this junk.

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  Swedish Lemonade - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Smatti - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I hate this car. Believe the editors reviews and spend your money on a teutonic import or a Lexus. This vehicle is a GM knock-off full that lacks function and performance. My experience has been more like a "State of Intense Misery" than a state of independence.

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  The State of Dependence - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By sjames - March 1 - 2:00 am

  After years of driving second hand cars, I purchased a Saab 9-3 in the summer of 2003. I love everything about the car, except that it doesnt dependably start, has frequent electrical problems that are never fixed, and lastly, an abrasive and unempathetic service staff. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR. REPEAT. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR.

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  SAVE YOUR MONEY, DONT BUY A SAAB - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By bwmusicboy - January 29 - 11:40 pm

  I have many cars within the 11 years of driving. I had heard for a long time that Saabs were fairly good cars. I waited on my Saab to be shipped from Sweden for 60 days, it was a special order. I have had that car in the shop 32 times in less than a year. The brakes were horrible from the day I picked it up! Ive had consistant problems with the door lock system. Different random doors will just unlock at different occasions. I will lock it in the huge parking garage at night and come down some mornings and all 4 will be unlocked. It will die going down the hwy., the horn will go off while driving, the O2 sensor hesitates and hangs which has caused the car to not accelerate.

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  Noisy Car - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By eyeonizer - April 30 - 10:00 am

  This car has 16,000 miles and has been in the shop 7 times for clunks, rattles,brake and electronic problems. It is a "rattle-trap" for a car and the servicers can never figure out the problem.