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 81 through 90 of 182.00

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  2006 SAAB 9-3 Aero - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By B - September 30 - 10:06 pm

  The turbo V6 has more power than you’ll ever need without sacrificing power over fuel economy. Love the buttons, once you get used to them the entire car is extremely convenient to operate. Love the white with black trim leather sport seats, extremely comfortable. Great car in the city with the blind spot pass. mirror, drivers information center up top on the dash – quick glance and your back to traffic, acceleration, compass, display rear parking sensors, and the car itself is easy to see around you. I love driving in the snow, traction control is set perfectly for ice and the tiptronic shift is easy to slow down. The car is a ton of fun driving through the mountains. Cool keys!

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  aggressive drivers beware - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By mark - September 28 - 7:36 am

  Got the car for 28k with the automatic. Car is by far the best thing going for the price. This car will get you speeding tickets for sure. I got one the second day. reaxxs rear steering is amazing when you push the car to its limits through corners.ESP actually works great keeping you out of the ditch. Brakes are incredible, zero fade. Car cruises at 130 getting 24mpg but gets a little loose over 140, the aero ground effects would probably take of this. stereo cranks as long as youre not into heavy bass, 6 disc changer is nice. Definitely worth considering. we chose this over the subaru wrx due to styling and driving comfort. I drive all over the continent and enjoy every bit of it

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  Fun, but if you like audio, avoid 06 - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By cptab - September 13 - 7:50 pm

  I found this car fun to drive. It is peppy and corners well. Great torque/power. Unfortunately, the overall fit and finish is not great. If you like buttons and knobs, youll love the 06. Though I like the heads up display on the 06, it renders the dashs radio display almost 100% irrelevant. Apparently, the H-up display was removed for 07. The 300w Infotainment system (w/o nav.) on the 2006 Aero is a joke. The power is placed towards the front which renders the rear speakers and subwoofers powerless. The bass is muddled and there is really nothing you can do to replace the system.

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  Fun to drive - pain to service - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By spidaman - September 7 - 2:30 pm

  Fun to drive, but this car has had some significant service issues. The engine was replaced because coolant was leaking out the tailpipe. The car went into "limp home" mode because of a problem with the transmission. Both of the above were fixed gratis under the warranty (with loaner Saabs included). Beyond the reliability issues, the car is a dream to drive - fun, responsive and handles all weather and road conditions with aplomb. The seats are not as comfortable as past Saabs I have owned, but still a cut above most other cars I have driven.

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  Update to 10/28/2006 Review - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By jyerka - September 7 - 1:16 pm

  Follow up to original review. Saab 2006 93 SportCombi Aero 25K miles- Still fun to drive, no major problems. No changes in acceleration, steering or braking. Warrantied service included tightening some bolts on rear door (after driving over road construction for three months, lots of vibration). Cargo space is very useful, the folding seats have saved me many times. I actually use the retractable cargo cover, when leaving valuables in the car or groceries in the sun. Everyone loves the seats, very comfortable (I am 63") I also have the Thule roof rack- low profile aero bars mounted on factory rails and Big Mouth bike racks, excellent.

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  Dont Buy! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Saab Stinks - August 14 - 6:36 pm

  Do not buy a Saab! This car is riddled w/ electrical problems! The ECM has a known defect which causes the ABS, Stability Control, Traction Control, brakes all show as failing, then the speedometer and all other dash components stop working! Only fix is to pull over and restart! Talk about dangerous. Saab knows about it and has no fix in sight. Stay clear of this junky car. Bought used 8K and have had it in the shop every month or every other month. Warranty is up in a month and so is my ownership. Time to buy a quality car. All service people at the dealer know be by name- no joke.

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  Loving my 06 Saab - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Texas Blonde - August 9 - 6:36 pm

  I got this car about a month ago, and am thrilled with it! It is a new color for 06 and I am glad I held out for it... Jet Black Metallic is beautiful! I feel bad parking next to regular black cars, b/c it makes them look bad... Very fun to drive, the turbo accelerates well, it is very zippy... It looks a lot more expensive than it was... Fuel costs are low, I think Ive only filled it up once or twice since Ive gotten it... Great stereo, the leather is a really pretty color and I love having stereo controls on my steering wheel..

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  My 2006 Saab 9-3 - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Michelle - July 29 - 10:43 am

  When I selected the Saab, I drove a lot of different cars in the 25K-35K price range (Infiniti G35, Volvo S40 & S60, BMW 325, Accord & Solara). My Saab is great for driving country roads & highways. I get an average of 26mpg and on the highway I get up to 32mgp. Great acceleration when passing other cars. You feel like your only doing 70, but when you look at to speedometer you realize that your cruising at 110, oops! I find the 9-3 to be very comfortable. But my boyfriend, who is 62 finds that there is not enough legroom widthwise across the car. When driving his right leg rests against the console. The only problem I have had is that you really need to slam the doors to shut them.

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  Wish wed bought Japanese! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By UVAGirl - June 24 - 7:26 am

  We choose the Saab 9-3 Aero over the Audi(we previously had a new A4 with reliability issues), Mercedes, Volvo, and Acura (big mistake). In the past year, weve had to trek to the dealership monthly, weekly, even daily with issues like: radio, emblem falling off, multiple fog light replacements, tires, brake pads, repeated coolant issues, and today the engine started smoking (while driving home from the Saab service dept. after they fixed the engine yet again!) We didnt pay this much for a car to be driving a cheap Ford Focus loaner all the time. To those lucky souls who havent had reliability issues yet, I say wait until your mileage gets a little higher and check back, were at 50k mi

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  Didnt settle for less - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By BILL .P - June 15 - 7:13 am

  Having gotten my fill of Mercedes (c and e class) I decided to try something different. Looked at the BMW and Audi and then test drove the Aero. Boy am I glad I did. I got the six speed, wow this car can move! And not only in a straight line either. It corners great, steering is very responsive, great visibility, great brakes and the lower front end makes you feel like your part of the road. The reputation this car has for safety was the deciding factor for me. A car that can make me grin like this and have such a great safety record is just what the doctor ordered. By all means if your looking for a sports sedan that’s fun to drive test drive the Aero, you wont regret it.