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 1 through 10 of 182.00-
Great So far - 2006 Saab 9-3
By Lovin it - November 9 - 5:13 amGot this car about a month ago and I can say I am very satisifed so far. It is a little smaller than what I am used to but the gas mileage improvement is more than worth it in this $3/gallon gas world. The performance is awesome for a wagon, the stereo sounds great and it is pretty luxurious inside. I liked the Aero better but it wasnt worth the extra dollars. It feels great on the highway and the only turbo lag I have found is in first gear. If you keep the RPMs high enough, you will never notice.
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Great car, but no Acura - 2006 Saab 9-3
By 1saabowner - October 31 - 3:20 amI currently own a 2005 Acura TL 5AT with navigation. My wife traded in her 2001 Lexus ES for the 9-3 Aero with everything, for about the same price as my TL. I really like the seats on the 9-3, which are slightly more comfortable than my TL. However, we werent impressed by all the hard, black plastic throughout the interior, especially when compared with the TL. Acceleration is good throughout the RPM range, but the normally aspirated TL is better. The Saab does shine in safety, with a BEST PICK side rating (1 notch above TL) and GOOD rear impact rating. Not a bad choice, but we like our TL a lot more.
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My Jet - 2006 Saab 9-3
By Islah - October 25 - 2:46 pmI saw the Combi in 07 and i fell in love with the car, it looked like a Red jet coming from the other side, It looked beautiful and since then i was trying to buy this car but they seldom come out for sell, used that is. I finally bought the car last week, and in love with it. cant stop thinking about it. I didnt know, driving a car could be this much fun. I also have an 02 525i, and it delivers its own fun, but the sheer driving pleasure that this car provides is out of the ordinary. There is plastic all around is because the car needs to be light on its feet like Acura RDX.
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Could be better - 2006 Saab 9-3
By CP - October 10 - 4:43 amIt is a great car, but have had problems with steering wheel locking and key not working car at all,this has happened a few times, they said nothing could be done about it .. problem for that year? Have had electrical quirks, and had to have key reprogrammed. It has speed unreal, can go so fast in seconds. Seats are extremely comfortable, and the gas mileage has been fantastic. It is like the car that keeps giving in the fuel department! The quirks are annoying to say the least for such low mileage, but if I had not had a problem with the above mentioned, the car would rate a 10 in my book hands down.
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A Great Driving Experience - 2006 Saab 9-3
By Jake - September 5 - 8:30 amI love to drive this car. I look for any excuse to get out of the house and always take the long way home. The car drives like a dream. I gave my 2005 Saab 9-3 Arc with automatic transmission to another family member for this car with 6-speed transmission. What a difference! As good as the Arc was, this car makes me feel like Im driving again. The subtle differences with engine, suspension and tuning make a huge improvement in the driving experience.
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The best car! - 2006 Saab 9-3
By Susan - September 1 - 2:43 pmI was looking at another cadillac when I saw the Saab. I was attracted to the looks and when I drove it, it was so smooth that I changed my mind in the middle of the deal to the Saab. I absolutely love everything about this car and will buy another one in the future!
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Back to Saab - 2006 Saab 9-3
By Ted Pusey - August 17 - 11:16 pmThis is my first Saab since my I owned a 1984 900 Turbo and I can only say theyve gotten better. I traded-in a Mini Cooper S for my 9-3 SportCombi Aero and my new Saab is more fun to drive. The performance of the new 2.8L V-6 is all I could ever want. This car measures and stacks up favorably with the competition at much less cost
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High Value Alternative - 2006 Saab 9-3
By IL Owner - August 17 - 3:50 amRecently bought the car, with just a couple hundred miles in, I really like it. Low torque steer, good cornering stability, quiet ride, and decent economy.
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Disappointing - 2006 Saab 9-3
By psbob - August 17 - 2:26 amI have had three SAABs and am currently still driving my 89 900S. What an utter disappointment. I know on paper this car is much better than previous models. Sitting down in the car, my first impression was that I had lost my best friend. The car has none of the charm that my other SAABs have had. It felt like a gussied up cavalier. None of the materials in the car seemed first rate. With the current financial problems (and I see why, it doesnt feel like a SAAB SAAB) coupled with the not so nice feel of the car, guess I wont be bringing home the next one. I drove the new S60 and it felt more like a SAAB than this car.
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More Bang for Your Buck - 2006 Saab 9-3
By JD - August 10 - 1:40 amMy wife and I drive a BMW 325Ci an Audi A4 Quattro and recently leased a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero (manual). This car is awesome, easily the best of the bunch and the others are pretty good. The Saab offers better performance, more interior comfort and space and respectable gas mileage (28.5 mpg on a recent highway trip). The best features of the car are the V-6 engine and the upgraded seats that the Aero model offers. The engineers who put the engine together have created one of the most useable and powerful engines I have ever driven. In particular on two lane highways you can pass quickly and in confidence.
