Overview & Reviews

A new wagon body style called the SportCombi has been added to the Saab 9-3 lineup for 2006. Additionally, Aero models get a new, more powerful turbocharged V6, which packs 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Linear and Arc trims have been merged into a single base 2.0T trim, and the Aero's old 210-hp turbo four is standard on this model. Finally, all 9-3s now come with body-colored door handles.

• Handles well for a front-drive car, frugal yet powerful engines, generous passenger room, class-leading trunk space, excellent crash test scores.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 182.00

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  9-3: a noisy ride - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By tennisman - March 28 - 3:26 am

  Wont be buying another Saab; after living with the excessive road noise and poor stereo for 2.5 years, its time to get a quieter car. Wears me out on a long road trip. Awful stereo, with no bass in the back parcel shelf. All bass is in the doors, which makes everything rattle that is in the door pockets.

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  Love my car! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By jcp - March 13 - 3:36 pm

  Great car. Fun to drive. Good mileage compared to similar luxury sedans. Leather seats are firm and comfortable.

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  Saab 9-3 Aero w/ Manual Transmission - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Ben - March 11 - 12:26 pm

  If you like to drive slowly, then dont buy this car... just test drive it and you will understand what I mean. All my life the cars I have driven have to be at 5000 rpm or higher to enjoy any real power. This car gives you power at 2000 rpm through 5500 rpm. It is strong, fast, responsive. I get 28 miles per gallon (with 75% freeway driving and 25% city driving). If youre looking at the Saab 9-3 Aero, you are probably a very unique person who doesnt like to have what everyone else has, thats why I bought mine.

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  Great Value @ 60K Miles 9-3 Aero - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By John L - March 9 - 2:53 pm

  Just hit 60,000 miles on the 9-3 Aero after 2.5 years - bought new. Mostly highway miles in the desert heat. Just replaced brake pads at 57,000 miles - first time the brakes required any maintenance - be careful - no squealers to alert that your brakes need replacement. Coolant tank replaced twice. Only other problem - unable to start - dealer fixed a switch that had "popped open." Car is worth the money and is fun to drive - quick, comfortable and reliable. Getting 25 mpg on highway and about 22 mpg combined city and highway.

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  Worth considering strongly - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By divyesh - February 9 - 2:30 am

  I purchased this car last year. I have been searching for a small sporty sedan for a while. This has been as close to perfect a choice for me as I have found to date. I traded in a VW Passat for this and dont regret it yet. This car is worth a serious look. There have been no major problems so far at 15,000 miles. Minor problems include: a 6 disc cd changer that jammed and had to be replaced, many of the parchment interior body panels were slightly discolored on delivery, and there are a few rattles predominantly in the door panels (a bit disappointing for a $30,000 car).

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  Better than the reviews by CR, Edmunds - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Mike - January 31 - 5:46 pm

  A very understated car. It almost looks like a combination of the positive characteristics of bmw and volvo, along with Saabs traditional design. Handles well, I like the fact it takes REGULAR GAS! You cant get that on any other european car. But I believe my mileage is more like 20-22 city 25hwy. The interior could be a bit larger, stereo and controls could use a little work. Moving flexible armrest on the center consule can be annoying. I think that the reports about the reliability being poor are not fair. Look at mercedes, bmw, volvo, volkswagen, audi, they are all about the same or worse. I previously had a 900 which ran over 165K, with no major concerns. These are good cars

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  Great alternative to many SUVs - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By UH2L - January 11 - 2:16 pm

  Ive owned the 2.0 T manual trans., my 3rd Saab, about a year. It has been almost perfect. Some latches have needed lubrication, but no other issues. Ive averaged 28 mpg with about 40% highway miles. Sound system is more than sufficient, the car feels stable at speed with a great compromise for ride and handling. Even if you dont like this car, its worth buying just for the safety and efficiency! You dont need a Subaru; theyre not efficient because of the 4WD and unless you drive in really bad conditions, all you need is the stability control that the Saab has standard. Controls can be a little confusing but seats are amazing. This car is a steal and holds lots of stuff.

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  Details, details, details!!! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By CMC - December 14 - 9:16 pm

  Bought used in 08 w/20k miles. Has everything but nav. After 16k miles/12 months, car feels like development stopped at 85%. All the pieces are there, just not fine-tuned the last 15%. Strong drivetrain performance (2.0t w/5-speed auto), but average gas mileage (mid-20s on highway). Steering is light/fast, but ominous popping/clicking noises from front end when turning at low speed. Smooth road ride is exemplary; rough road ride is jittery/harsh. Seats are comfortable/durable; rest of interior has too much brittle plastic. HVAC/radio too button-intensive. Interior squeaks and rattles are starting. Well-designed conceptually, but execution lacking. Resale value plummeting even after 3 years.

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  Best car ive ever owned! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Metodi - December 12 - 10:40 pm

  This Saab is incredible! Enormous fun to drive, very comfortable, very beautiful car. The Swedes definitely put their heart into this particular design. No problems yet with drivetrain, engine is strong and the turbo sure adds to the fun, step on it and you may not know youre doing 100 already! We lived in Germany for 9 months - our Saab is Autobahn tested and believe me, its passed every test, up to 235 km/h. The aerodynamics of the car are hardly matched by any other auto maker, its quiet and its very steady! I would buy this car 10 times over!

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  Fantastic car! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By lansen - December 11 - 5:13 pm

  I own five Saabs from a 1968 V4 to my 2006 9-3 SportCombi Aero. The SportCombi is my favorite: fantastic power and torque (I can take an S bend near my house in 6th gear and have to downshift in the others); outstanding ride and handling; excellent ergonomics; and Im glad to see Saab offering a hatch again and the SportCombi is close to the name of my 1974 Saab CombiCoupe hatch!