2003 Saab 9-3 Review

Name: 2003 Saab 9-3 Review
Brand: Saab
Rating: 4.4 (380 reviews)

Price: $12,250

+39

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Price & Payment

5 cars

$5,443 avg. price

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Appraise My 2003 Saab 9-3

Saab 9-3 model years

Saab 9-3 for Sale

Saab 9-3 types

Convertible
Sedan

Edmunds' Expert Review

by the Edmunds Experts

Pros

Sharp handling, frugal yet powerful engines, generous passenger room, class-leading trunk space, excellent audio systems.

Cons

Some turbo lag at lower speeds, not as vaultlike as some of its European competitors, front-wheel drive also a slight disadvantage.

What’s new

The 2003 9-3 is an all-new design from top to bottom. It rides on a new platform, has new engines and an interior that's considerably more modern than the previous version.

Edmunds says

A much improved 9-3 in a category that demands excellence -- whether it's enough remains to be seen.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near New York, NY

5 listings

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2003 Saab 9-3
SE Convertible
$12,250
- 50,614 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 4cyl automatic
- Vantage Auto Collection (7 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
- Trip Computer
Close
Located in Moonachie, NJ
2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible with super low miles and that's ready for a new owner! Such a rare car that drives beautifully. Finished in hazelnut metalli...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: YS3DF78KX37006214
Stock: C23R35445
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 12-04-2024
2003 Saab 9-3
SE Convertible
$3,995
- 114,712 miles
- 2 accidents, 4 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 4cyl automatic
- Virginia Auto Trader Co (209 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
- Trip Computer
Close
Located in Arlington, VA
2003 SAAB 9-3 Front with powerful 2.0L (121) DOHC MFI high-output turbocharged engine and driven only 114712 miles! Fully loaded and much more! CARFAX...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (20 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: YS3DF78K837013906
Stock: 2056
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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Vehicle overview

This fully redesigned version of Saab's entry-level sedan marks the first use of GM's Epsilon global vehicle platform in North America. This means front-wheel drive and a stiffer chassis, but unfortunately it's expected to be coupled to a shape that lacks the eccentricity of Saab designs of the past.

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Saab 9-3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.4

380 reviews

5(64%)

4(20%)

3(11%)

2(4%)

1(1%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 2.0T

Jaime Perez, 04/17/2016

2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Great car! This car is bulletproof if properly maintained. I stayed on top of maintance and the car never let me down. At 230,000 miles I drove the car cross country coast to coast all the time without any fear of breakdowns. I even cruised at triple digits out in the desert with no problems. Engine still strong at that mileage. Frequent oil changes highly recommended to prevent sludge …

first sight fell in love, still loving strong

whasaab, 09/22/2013

2003 Saab 9-3 Vector 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

At first, I was very hesitant about buying this car because I read many unsatisfying reviews on Saab. However, bought 2003 9-3 vector in Feb 2013 under 6k, looked new inside and out, one owner and no accident. Checked with Saab if the car had any mechanical service done. All the recalls had been taken care of and no other mechanical issues. After 8 months putting over 10k still feels …

Objective 2003 Saab convertible review.

geek, 10/02/2009

2003 Saab 9-3 SE 2dr Convertible (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Quiet (yes a convertible) solid feel, comfortable seats, highly responsive engine, reasonable few blind spots, good MPG. Some odd features but not annoying and something Saab is noted for. The torque steer nonsense you read about is something that average drivers will never notice or care about. This is nice riding and driving car, that was a great purchase. It has all the options …

Loveable but complicated!!

merashad, 06/14/2011

2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

I love the car for it's design and drivibility. The car responds well if maintained. The complicated portion of the car is its electrial and quirky engine light. One day the car is fine and the next, the electrial system can just quit without warning. No, mishaves to complete shut off. If you are looking to purchase this car you'll need to have on hand about $1500 due to abrupt …

See all 380 reviews of the Saab 9-3

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2003 9-3 Highlights

Type:

Convertible

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$39,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$206/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Key safety features on the 9-3 include:

Alarm
Stability Control

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested

2003 Saab 9-3 Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

For sale near New York, NY

2003 Saab 9-3
SE Convertible

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2003 Saab 9-3
SE Convertible

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Vehicle overview

Saab 9-3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 2.0T

first sight fell in love, still loving strong

Objective 2003 Saab convertible review.

Loveable but complicated!!

2003 9-3 Highlights

Safety

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2003 Saab 9-3 Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Edmunds says

For sale near New York, NY

2003 Saab 9-3SE Convertible

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2003 Saab 9-3SE Convertible

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Vehicle overview

Saab 9-3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 2.0T

first sight fell in love, still loving strong

Objective 2003 Saab convertible review.

Loveable but complicated!!

2003 9-3 Highlights

Safety

Related Used 2003 Saab 9-3 info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Other models

Join Edmunds

2003 Saab 9-3
SE Convertible

2003 Saab 9-3
SE Convertible