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Saab 9-3 Reliability?
wayland1985
Member Posts: 7
I'm looking to buy a new car for myself. I'm looking into the honda civic si and a subaru impreza wrx. My neighbor brought up the fact that she may be selling her 2003 SAAB 9-3. I love the looks of the car, and it's definitely going to be in my price range. However, I have reserves about buying it.
She's had a few problems with it, on several things. The radio has had issues, along with the steering wheel controls. Also, the moonroof proved faulty, all of which were fixed under factory warranty.
Things are fine now, but being the first model year, with a warranty running out, I was wondering if I should just skip on this option. It's an extremely expensive vehicle to fix, and with all of the fancy equipment in it, I can only imagine other problems.
What are your opinions on the 9-3's reliability?
She's had a few problems with it, on several things. The radio has had issues, along with the steering wheel controls. Also, the moonroof proved faulty, all of which were fixed under factory warranty.
Things are fine now, but being the first model year, with a warranty running out, I was wondering if I should just skip on this option. It's an extremely expensive vehicle to fix, and with all of the fancy equipment in it, I can only imagine other problems.
What are your opinions on the 9-3's reliability?
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I'd say Saabs typically have first year problems, but in my experience the repairs tend to last. My 2000 9-5 for example needed a new timing chain and later a serpentine belt. But it now has 120K on the odometer and, when I bought a new car, I kept the Saab because I enjoy driving it, it seems to enjoy being driven in New England winters, it doesn't look its age and shows every sign of making 200K. (and it's long since paid for). So I'd say, offer a low price for the 2003 and put away a little repair fund, just in case. Remmeber you have the advantage of knowing the car's history. The repairs mentioned seem irritating but not the sort of thing that dumped the owner at the side of the highway.
On top of that I am employee and still they didn't care.
Customers have every right to be dissatisfied with a poor vehicle or poor dealer performance whatever the make, but some reports need a little context, I think. We own two Saabs and a Honda, and I agree that the Saabs require somewhat more attention than the Honda. That said, Saabs have personality, are fun to drive and don't look like they should come with a "My First Car" sticker on the bumper.
Also, Saabs don't need brakes every 20K. I have 40K on mine and the dealer reports they look good for another 10K. The missus just had her brakes done after 55K. The dealer quoted $600, but the local Goodyear guy just down the street did 'em for $400 (pads and rotors). I wouldn't ask Goodyear to put in a new tension adjuster on the timing chain, but I have no qualms about having them handle a Saab brake job.
My impression is that the quality of Saab service increases in direction proportion to the number of dealers within reasonable distance. Mine is 10 minutes away and there are three others within about an hour. Competition is the customer's friend.
But Saab's can do inexplicable things. There was the time my emergency flasher light just fell, untouched, through the hole and into the dashboard. My clumsy efforts to retrieve it succeeded in turning the flashers on. Then I couldn't get them off, much to the amusement of the neighbors ...
On the other hand, after 120K my Saab doesn't have a single rattle or squeak. Neither does hers with about 60K. Not even the sunroofs.
But everyone is entiled to their opinion and there are plenty of good and fun cars out there. Good luck finding yours.
We bought a certified 9-5 Aero and then another certified 9-3. We test drove other cars but returned to Saab. We were surprised they were much more reliable than the 2001 Saab we bought new.
As far as the 9-3 reliability is concerned Model Year 2002 is the safest bet. 2002 is the last model year for the old style hatch and 02-03 for the convertible. 2002 is the most refined 93 of the classic body style. For 03 or newer I would go with the 9-5 instead of the 9-3
9-5 2002 onward are extremely reliable, in fact the 9-5 wagon made Edmund's top list for lowest cost to own vehicle(avoid the V6 if possible, it can be a money pit)
The maintenance will cost you more than the bond,
the car rattles, makes noises and squeeks etc.
the brakes are bad, the engine and gearbox mountings fail, the serpentine belts and timing chains brake, the car is just a nightmare. And to top it all, Saab garages doesn't care about the customers, they are a bunch of snobs and think you owe them something, they will help you if you pay them thousands, this is the LAST!!! Saab I'll ever drive. Actually, I will go so far to say, this is the last General Motors product that I'll own. Rather buy Mercedes or something French like Peugeot which is good quality. No, I made the biggest mistake ever to buy a Saab
I bought a 2002 CPO 9-3 SE at 42K. I am still driving it. It has 70K now. It didn't have any rattle noise. It had much fewer issues than my 2001 9-3. I guess it is a better car. All pre-2003 9-3 had much better leather seats.
I heard many bad 2003 9-3 stories. People told me 2005 and up 9-3 are much better.
This happened once with a ford pinto where ther entire shift lever came out in my hand, but who would expect it from a SAAB :mad:
We would not buy a SAAB again. It's a part time job keeping this car on the road and the quality level is miserable. Seat belts fall apart. SAAB Logo on hood completely worn away, driver passenger visor fails and good luck finding a replacement part. We have replaced two DI Cassettes and even though they were recalled in a number of early 2000 vehicles SAAB would not provide any relief. Also car is undriveable without snow tires in the slightest bit of snow.
When driving it home, the engine light came on. Turned out to be a smog pump and was replaced under warranty with no issues.
When taking it in for an oil change, I mentioned that the door handles were fading and the sun roof squeaked. They sent me home with a loaner and fixed everything. including finding a cracked coil spring. They replaced both under warranty.
Then one day a headlight went out. I drove it to the dealer and they replaced both under warranty.
Overall, my experience has been great. While it has been to the shop more times in 18 months then my Suburban saw in 6 years (lol), they have always taken care of everything.
I am glad to have a CPO car, BTW. Anyone looking for a used Saab, I would strongly recomend not buying private party and instead buy one from a dealer so they can certify it.
I put LOTS of miles on the car (around 19k / yr)
I have to say I love the performance of the car but I didn't expect the car to need so many fixes at a relatively young age (4 water pumps, both dashboard displays on fritz, driver seatbelt retractor doesn't retract again soon after it was fixed by the dealer, brakes replaced sooner than expected, onstar analog service was discontinued, etc.). We have grown weary of dealer when last year said strut was leaking after service check. We got it checked at another shop to check and there was no leak!
I definetly expected the car to hold up better. My honda went up to 150K in 10 yrs, got much better gas mileage and didn't need anything other than recommended maintenance. :confuse:
Saab is by no means a fragile car though. It was heavily abused and in disrepair when it came into my hands. It had also been under water for a day or so and had to be "cleaned" in 2005. I suspect that a car of that year that hadn't been submerged would be in much better condition.
Anyway, for someone with experience with cars I would recommend a Saab. Otherwise I would go with something common with cheap parts and easy to fix.