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Comments
I sure do love this car, but I've been considering ending my lease early because of all the problems that have to be taken care of at the dealer. It's also going to keep me from getting a new one at the end of my lease, which I had planned to do until now. Am I the only one with what seems to be somewhat of a lemon?? My complaint letter to customer service hasn't been responded too, and that is also frustrating!
My complaint letter to Saab hasn't been answered...maybe they have too many to fix! :lemon:
The car wouldn't do a thing. I heard a click when I turned the key but that was it. Like I said, all electrical items still worked perfectly.
Neutral switch? What is that? I even stood on the clutch just to make sure I was pushing down hard enough on the clutch when I turned the key.
When the dealership is done with it, I will post what it was. Of course, I hope they fix the airbag light (blinking) as well.
Jeff
The reason I'm returning it and not leasing another one or buying it is because of its unreliablity, including quite often trips to the dealerships, and also the dreaded car doen't start because the clutch is disengaged syndrome (but it always starts after a few tries of releasing and reapplying the clutch).
I will be missing this car and returning it will mixed emotions - if only the sound system was better, interior had more aluminum and other luxury touches, and most of all if it was reliable and not so expensive to maintain, I would have kept it for a long long time. Oh well
It sounds like the 03 Saabs have had some reliability issues. I would be interested in knowing if these problems have been resolved with the newer models.
Last week I was leaning toward the SAAB now I'm leaning toward the BMW...
I purchased an 06 9-3 2.0T have close to 2000 miles on it with no problems at all. This car is amazing and so fun to drive. Realiabilty isn't an issue so far.
Sorry, I did not realize your car was a standard shift. The neutral position switch is on automatics and basically ensures the car is in park or neutral before it starts. Our car has been acting just like yours but I do not think you have one, may be a switch that requires the clutch to be depressed before it will start. That could be bad?
I just purchased the neutral position switch for our 2001 and will install this weekend. Hope this resolves the problems. My daughter is driving the car and it has not started a couple of time when she was out.
RGB
Thanks!
But don't get me wrong, during my years with the Saab I did like a lot of things about it, mostly the handling, look, and comfort. That's why I'm considering the new aero. And the current lease rates seem pretty good - 27 month/10K year with residual of 70% and APR of less 4% - is that good or what ?
I would buy this car (instead of leasing) if not for the lingering question about reliability, and the unknown new V6 from GM global engine platform.
I am waiting on an email with the final results, but from what they say, I had a bad cell in my battery. This, then, did not allow the car to get enough power to start the engine but did have enough to operate the electronics.
The blinking airbag light was the code that meant it was not receiving enough power. I hope that meant that they airbag would still inflate!
Now, why couldn't I jump the car after attempting that? I still don't know. Once the dealership calls or emails me back, I should have the final diagnosis.
Jeff
The clutch has to be depressed to it's FULLEST limit for the car to start.Starting the car will be impossible even if the carpeted floormat has ridden up under the clutch pedal.Don't know for certain that this is the cause of your problem...but it is a very common occurence with new Saab owners.
Get the aux input. Try here:
http://www.etadyne.com/
2004 Silver 9-3 Aero Convertible (black top)
Auto Tans'n
18000 miles
Two tone gray leather int
Multi Player in-dash CD
Condition appears to be excellent all round with the exception of some scuffing of the passenger side A pillar and the expected wear of the seats.
Carfax comes back clean.
Asking price is non negotiable $30K.
I am not getting a great price for my RX8 but perhaps it is offset by the price of the Saab.
Whatcha think?
Thanks
I am ordering the auxilary input for my car so that I can connect my ipod. It should be the same for your radio. Its around $45 throught the dealer.
I really like the car it is awesome.
is there anyway I can reset the light???
do you think I bought a lemon???
I'm very concerned with 1) safety, then 2) price, then 3) looks, and I want to spend around $25,000. Also, I'm tall and like head room and decent lumbar support.
For safety results, I've been consulting both IIHS and Safercar.gov. The IIHS site lists rear crash tests, which is very helpful.
I could buy a Subaru - dowdy, but great visibility - but it has no Electronic Stability Control which I gather is pretty important.
I could buy a Saab 9-3, 2004 or 2005 models, Arc only as Linear is so maligned, but I'm worried about reliability.
I could buy a Volvo S60 (the S40's too small) (which got strangly opposite scores from the two safety sites, namely: IIHS rated it good Front Crash, but only acceptable Side Crash, and Safercars.gov rated it 4 out of 5 stars front, and 5 out of 5 side.
I'm happy to buy a used (ideally certified, right?) model to keep the costs down, esp as I need an automatic, and would like leather seats (maybe even heated!)
The Lexus IS 250 and the BMW 325 garnered excellent safety ratings (from IIHS) only in the 2006 (and therefore too expensive) models.
What should I buy?
Two more questions: should I worry that a 2005 car sold at a Saab dealership with very low miles is not 'certified'.
Also, is there a reason to avoid buying a 'loaner', the car the dealer gave out when his customers' cars were in the shop..?
Thank you for any advice.
I have relatives in the military, but am not myself. I jsut wish there was someway to get a really good discounted price on these 9-3 Aero's. . .
Just my 2-cents.
My 2003 Saab 93 (purchased new with 13 miles) currently has 56K miles now ... and has proven to be very reliable for the most part. About the only problem I experienced was the sunroof getting stuck when opening/closing. This was fixed under warranty with the dealer. (also, Saab sends out safety recall letters every so often).
My Linear has many upgraded features: HID headlights, sunroof, automatic, infotainment system, CD player, etc. The leather seats are of high quality and do not show much wear/tear over time.
The only negatives I can think of would be road noise, poor stereo sound (for this price range, car should have been quieter and have better stereo sound), and poor resale value.
Positives: excellent crash ratings, generally reliable (at least in my case so far), great looking car, very good cornering ability, good power (175hp).
Good luck on your buying decision
I took my car in on THREE seperate ocassions--it is currently still in the shop for that and the SID flickering. They are now replacing the Airbag Module Relay, or something like that. it happens predominantly when the car is below 25 mph.
Well...they have me in a 9-3 loaner. And, low and behold, it does it, too. In fact, I decided to capture this one with the camcorder to PROVE that I am not crazy.
Has anyone heard of this happening?
Does anyone know what it is?
Is this supposed to be happening with the airbag light or did I just get lucky (or unlucky for that matter) and get the only 2 9-3 Aero's that do this?
Thanks.
Jeff
I own a 2000 93 SE with the 205HP engine and 71k miles on it. The car is a blast to drive, with very quick acceleration. To date I've had no major problems, execept the recent March recall for a new Ignition Module. I do most of the normal maintenance work myself and would like to know if any readers know how to replace the cabin air filter. Appreciate your reply.
Thanks - Bobvee
I bought a 2001 Saab 93 Aero convertible last year. Is been fantastic , but this year its having starting problems when the engine is hot. That is if stop the engine, or if it stalls and try to start it, the engine does not fire. If I leave it for 10 minutes it starts with no problems. It is getting worse, I couldn't start the car today after a fill up, stuck at the pump for 10 mins. Occassionaly the engine cut out for a split second under acceleration, very scaring with 205 BHP.
I bought the car in January and it has been in the shop 4 times for a total of just over 27 days. Saab service is poor. They do not know the car, Saab doesn't keep them informed of problems or even normal working conditions--like the self dimming air bag light, and it is plagued with electrical problems.
I have had the battery die once (after about 1400 miles), the car wouldn't start three times, and my SID has been replaced once already. And it is in the shop again for the same flickering SID problem that it has been in for before.
I now have 3400 miles on the car. Saab has refused my request to buy it back under the NC Lemon Law. Unfortunately, I have had to enlist the assitance of an attorney. The dealership is unhelpful AND I have to drive 70 miles one way to pick up the car when it is ready.
Steer clear of Saab. Since GM got their hands in them they have done nothing but go downhill. Never again.
My dilemma is that the car was towed--hs been towed three times. I live 70 miles from North Raleigh. In order for me to get up there to get the loaner, I have to ask my wife to take off from work, put our 3 year old and 3 month old in the car, and drive up there.
Then, when it is ready, I have to drive back up with the loaner.
Don't get me wrong. I have done it two other times. What I am doing, and since I now have an attoenry and am having to file a lemon law claim (I tried to work it out with Saab myself), I am annotating each time I have to do this and will see that those charges are included in the the settlement.
After four times, I just though that, possibly, they would allow me to get a car down here or bring something to me. I know that the Volvo dealerrship in Winstom-Salem does this and would hope, as you suggested about a European car, the same would be true to Saab.
But once again...GM.
However, now that the warranty is up, wouldn't you know that some new problems arose.
Firstly, after a fill-up, the fuel gauge registers "empty." Only after about 80 miles or so does it start to register the correct amount of fuel.
Secondly, the rooftop antenna bracket broke so my antenna now flops about in the wind. I don't think anything hit it because I don't see any impact marks. my guess is that the plastic bracket just cracked on its own.
Has anyone else had or heard of these problems?
The fix is a software upgrade. I had it done to mine (had to be done twice, though) and the problem went away.
Good Luck.
BTW, I think I have a partial answer to my previous post. I learned that fuel with a high sulfur content can disrupt the fuel gauge sensor. A detergent additive (Techron Plus, I think) may help solve the problem.
Thanks
I have a problem when advancing my radio presets using the steering wheel. If I listen to stations 3,4,7,8, or 11 for more than 5 seconds and hit the next button, the station will automatically go back to preset number 1. After two years this is getting to be annoying. I have been to over 5 Saab dealers in the LA/San Diego area and no one has a solution. I have had the radio replaced twice (each time resulting in different presets causing the radio to revert back to present number 1 so I know Clarion has a problem), the computer replaced twice, the steering wheel buttons replaced once and the system re-programmed three times. Some dealers say this is normal, some say Saab is aware of the problem and is working on a solution, and some say they have no idea. I tried calling Saab directly and they won't talk to me since I'm not a dealer. I wrote a letter to the president of Saab and no response.
I have had many problems with my car over the last two years. Nothing major, yet, but I am in the dealer at least once a month and have a stack of receipts about 2" thick sitting in my glove box.
Anyone have an idea on how to proceed? Anyone ever call Saab directly and get a service agent to visit them? If so, what did you say to get them to do it? This is my first and last Saab but I need it to last a little longer as it's only at 41k miles!
Thanks Everyone!
I have had my 2006 9-3 Aero (manual) since 23 January. It has been in the shop 4 times for many of the same issues. I have had in i the shop for a total of 30 days. Yes, 30 days! And I just now have 3400 miles on it.
The dealerships are NOT informed by Saab of problems with the car or even some of the features like the airbag light being triggered to dim or brighten based on ambient light--that one took 15 days and I still am not satisfied with the answer.
It has been towed 3 times for failure to start--different "excuse" each time.
The Saab Information Display (SID) flickers and they have replaced it once already. Now, it flickers when you do anything electrical; turn the a/c on, unlock/lock the doors, use the signals, use the flashers, seat heaters, etc. And they tell me it is "normal operations" for the car. What a load of BULL!
I now have a website chronicling the Saab woes I am having and have hired an attorney under the NC Lemon Law. Saab USA and the dealership--David O'Neal Saab in Raleigh, NC both claim that the car is fine and there is nothing they will do. Another load of bull.
I wish I could give you the name of my website but I would just tell you that you should "dontbuyasaab" might work in your browser.
RUN AWAY!
As for the problem returning to the first preset, you must try a similar fix. I've notice my local stations sometimes change the RDS info. they send which seems to make the Saab radio "forget" the preset. Try resaving your preset as described earlier in my message and make sure the radio information is displayed when you do it.
Good luck.