[fenderbender]

As some of you know, I started another thread asking if I should purchase a 98 E36 BMW 323is. A good many said it sounded like a good deal and was what I was looking for.

Today I checked back into the used car dealer and it was nowhere to be found. But I did see an 03 Saab 9-3. I looked inside, it was nice, just as nice as the BMW, heated leather seats, nice dash, sunroof.

So I started to consider it. It's black with the nice wheels, I think it's a vector, since it has a 6 speed manual.

I test drove it today. Wow I was left impressed, I've never even considered a Saab before. And now I was driving one?

So what do you all think? I really like the looks of it and the inside and the whole driving experience. The only downfall is FWD.. But I think I can look past it.

Oh and it has 92,000 and they're asking $9500 for it. I figured I'd offer them $8500 and see what happens.

Any info is much aprreciated. Like the last thread, performance accessories, reliability, and maintnence are topics of interest for me.

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[Quickening]

I do love my Saab 9-3. But I wouldn't touch a 2003 9-3 with a 10 foot pole. Most have electrical problems all over.

With that many miles, I'd be scared of things starting to go very wrong, even my 2004 is running into problems that have since been fixed. Luckily I have the 100k warranty so everything is covered.

 

[Joevette]

was that the first year of the newer style?

 

[DuSpinnst]

Yes 2003 is the first of the 9-3 SS.

Be wary of them (2003's), they are electrical issue prone.

 

[fenderbender]

How bad are the electrical problems? What's most prone to failure and how much would it cost to repair?

 

[AndrewGS]

Want a nice Saab? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rare...226690750QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160226690750

 

[fenderbender]

Want a nice Saab? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rare...226690750QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160226690750

Ehh, it's not bad, but I'm not a big fan of that style, plus the buy it now is higher than the one I'm looking at.

See if you can find me an 03 or up with the performance package and a manual loaded under 100k for under 10k.

 

[fenderbender]

bump

 

[CobaltSScrazy]

bump

buy an 04 CTS with a manual or an 05 preferably with the HF 3.6.

If not, and you cannot find one in your price range, consider a 04-06 GTP G6 with the 3900 and 6speed manual, nice car in sedan or coupe and nice power and manual.

Otherwise, I'd look at an Ion RL quad coupe or maybe an 04 GTO (best interior at GM in 04, grand am exterior styling) with a 6speed and the 5.7 LS1 350hp.

CobaltSS

 

[fenderbender]

I wouldn't be able to find any of those for under 10k most likely, and Im definatly not going to drive an Ion. I love Saturn and all, but not Ions...uck.

 

[Quickening]

I don't know what specifically goes wrong. But check out saabcentral.com and such for more specifics. Before I started my search for a Saab I was told to steer clear of the 2003's. And also automatics. The older automatics have a high failure rate.

O and Saabs cost a ton to repair. I'm scared of whats going to go wrong when my warranty is done for. I have 25k left, but lately I've been driving all over Texas the miles are adding up quickly. :/

 

[fenderbender]

I don't know what specifically goes wrong. But check out saabcentral.com and such for more specifics. Before I started my search for a Saab I was told to steer clear of the 2003's. And also automatics. The older automatics have a high failure rate.

O and Saabs cost a ton to repair. I'm scared of whats going to go wrong when my warranty is done for. I have 25k left, but lately I've been driving all over Texas the miles are adding up quickly. :/

I'm looking on the site now. Do you know of any performance parts or accessories for the 9-3? I can't seem to find a thing.

What all has gone bad in yours so far?

 

[CobaltSScrazy]

I wouldn't be able to find any of those for under 10k most likely, and Im definatly not going to drive an Ion. I love Saturn and all, but not Ions...uck.

get an LS1 Fbody. 2000-2002 were problem free powertrain wise. They CAN be had for 10k. How do I know? I looked into it myself as I thought about getting one, so at least in Michigan, they can.

CobaltSS

 

[Uzzy]

Saab = Electrical Problems

I would never touch one that I wasn't leasing and I'd really liked my dealership. (Which I do, my friends work there, but I can't afford Saabs, just Saturns )

 

[DuSpinnst]

Saab = Electrical Problems

I would never touch one that I wasn't leasing and I'd really liked my dealership. (Which I do, my friends work there, but I can't afford Saabs, just Saturns )

Only 2003's.

My 2007 has had no issues, 18k miles in 1.5 years of use. Goes back when I pick up the Corvette in a few weeks.

 

[Uzzy]

Only 2003's.

My 2007 has had no issues, 18k miles in 1.5 years of use. Goes back when I pick up the Corvette in a few weeks.

2007 Saab, brand new Corvette...get me a job where you work! Pleeeeeese

 

[fenderbender]

How bad are the 03s really? I've read customer reviews and it seems they only major problem was the auto transmission(not a problem for me) and the sunroof seems to stick. I assume since it has 92000 miles that a good bit of the service has been taken care of already. I Kelly Blue Booked it at $13,500 retail value, so $9,500 seems like a steal, plust I probably wouldn't give more than $8,500 anyway.

 

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

How bad are the 03s really? I've read customer reviews and it seems they only major problem was the auto transmission(not a problem for me) and the sunroof seems to stick. I assume since it has 92000 miles that a good bit of the service has been taken care of already. I Kelly Blue Booked it at $13,500 retail value, so $9,500 seems like a steal, plust I probably wouldn't give more than $8,500 anyway.

I think the main issue was a litany of electrical faults and software issues that happened on the 2003 model. But, pretty much all of these have been corrected under warranty. I wouldn't mind such a model.

 

[Uzzy]

I think the main issue was a litany of electrical faults and software issues that happened on the 2003 model. But, pretty much all of these have been corrected under warranty. I wouldn't mind such a model.

Not if you ask the Techs that work on them. They would never drive a Saab (none that I know do) and always tell everyone considering one, to consider something else. "Over Engineered, Under Tested" is the most simplified reason for why they hate them so much.

 

[fenderbender]

I'm still debating. If only I could find an 04 or if I could find a nice 328is with low milage.......