Would anyone buy a Saab 9-3

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Would anyone buy a Saab 9-3 2005-2009?

Guy in town who just sells saabs for 1/2 the price of a Toyota. Just wondering about issues...
 
Well, unless you're a SAAB enthusiast then, I'd stay away from them. They can be quirky and trouble prone in certain areas such as electrical. Many folks like SAAB's quirks & idiosyncrasies. And they certainly have their following though, IDK that I'd call it a cult following.

At one time, SAAB was considered a reliable vehicle but, only compared to our problematic domestic vehicles(not all domestic cars were a problem) of the 70's, 80's & some of the 90's & 00's.

SAAB(not to my knowledge) was ever as reliable as even the least reliable Japanese vehicle, when these Japanese vehicles were all in their hayday of reliability & engineering.
 
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I had a late 80s 900S in the late 90s that was as much hobby as daily driver. Definitely unique compared to domestic and Asian cars. Not sure how much of that SAABness remained in the latest cars. If you don't DIY and like cars a bit different probably best to stay away. Having the SAAB guru close by would be a plus.
 
The new ones are Gm Opel chassis?

If you like a project and how it drives theen maybe. Stay away from asymmetrically Turbo v6. and don't put ILSAC oil in it. Ever.
 
Stay far away from them. They're cheap for a reason. I know someone who owns one and it's nothing but problems. Windshield wipers don't work because they used plastic in the linkages and the wiper module is broken as well so it only works at one speed. Parts are impossible to come by and stuff like oil filters are slightly more expensive than other filters ($14 for a frame at Walmart). Other modules regularly go out like the headlight leveling system and those modules require a VIN programming. Nothing but problems.
 
Originally Posted By: clarkflower
Would anyone buy a Saab 9-3 2005-2009? Guy in town who just sells saabs for 1/2 the price of a Toyota. Just wondering about issues...

They are not the quirky earlier Saabs. They are simply GM clones of Malibu/Aura/G6 etc. Epsilon world-platform GM cars. GM standard engines too. I don't think the issues are any worse or better than other sedans of that time era.

Originally Posted By: boom10ful
Stay far away from them.
You're talking about the earlier pre-GM days. When GM owned them, they became clones of popular GM cars of the day.
 
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They are fantastic cars. But, there are some things to be on the look-out for:

The front CAT is adjacent to the oil pump pick-up, so they can coke the pick-up if they have been in commute traffic (stop & go) with a lot of idle time ... The fix is to drop the pan and clean all. Not that hard.

The Traction Control Computer can be fritzy. If it goes bad you will see the speedo go to zero and the dash will flash all the warning lights. They can be rebuilt by a shop in Boston. Once done, they are good for another 20 years.

In-tank fuel pumps can go at around 100,000 miles. Replace as a maintenance item.

You can get CEL due to misfire from the Direct Ignition Control (DIC). About $250~$400 to replace. I'd just drive it until it can't be cleared to pass SMOG tests, then replace. The misfire is seldom and not a big issue. The DIC uses the ionization potential across the plug gap to predict detonation/ping and will adjust timing accordingly, so they run happily on regular gas, but run harder and faster on premium ... Always use the OEM listed plugs. Sticking Champions in there will cause all sorts of issues ...

Join a Saab forum like Saab Central and you can get all the advise you need
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The chassis is still in production in China as an electric vehicle now. The previous workers at Trollhaten are still making spare parts and components
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I'd buy the one that was basically a WRX but the rest are just quirky cars like others have said.
 
Originally Posted By: Reddy45
I'd buy the one that was basically a WRX but the rest are just quirky cars like others have said.


That would be the 2005-2006 92x.
 
Originally Posted By: Spartanfool
Originally Posted By: Reddy45
I'd buy the one that was basically a WRX but the rest are just quirky cars like others have said.


That would be the 2005-2006 92x.



I was really confused the first time I saw one of those
 
Funny you should ask. IN BRIEF

Spied a 2002 9-3 SE for sale which my friend's son bought. Had a new steering rack and other larger repairs.
"Sonny" repaired all the cosmetics AND replaced the timing hardware (gears, chains) and totally got his money's worth.
He's selling it now with 200,000 miles on it for $500. Pretty car. PM me for pictures.

I have a niece who wants her "first car". She lives in Denver. I think a $500 car in good shape is just what the doctor ordered.

I'm working on it. Heck, I'd drive it. Parts are all available via FCP Groton, eEuroparts, AutohausAZ and others.
 
The 9-3 was completely designed under GM control of Saab, while it's an Opel underneath it keeps some of the Saab weirdness(which some does make sense). A friend of mine drives a ratted out 98 9-3, since he does drive to Tijuana quite a bit it keeps him from getting broken into or being car-less. I also knew someone who wrenched on Saabs on the side but hated the GM-era cars(anything that isn't a 900 Classic or a 9000).

I don't have much experience with them but you should be able to find most things from Worldpac via Advance Auto or RockAuto. Saabs did use a unique ignition system so use only OE-speced plugs and Bosch ignition cassettes only. I'd be more worried about the electronics, it's common fr the trip computer displays on those to go out.

The GM-Saab parts swapping and badge-sharing with Chevy and Subaru didn't really happen until the mid-2000s before Saab ceased to exist. It's safe to say people who wanted geeky cars switched to the Prius then.
 
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I had a 9000 turbo that I think was early 90's and was an enjoyable car to drive. Internet tech support for DIY repairs was invaluable at the time. I also drove a 9-3t more than a few times that I also liked, but both cars were 5MT vehicles which adds to the enjoyment factor imo. The 9000 turbo lunched the trans at over 300k miles and I was rear-ended in the 9-3t that ended it's life. The guy that rear-ended me was taken off in an ambulance while I had nothing more than minor bruising from the seatbelt.

Originally Posted By: Kira
I have a niece who wants her "first car". She lives in Denver. I think a $500 car in good shape is just what the doctor ordered.

If she does get that car, these guys do pretty good work as a Saab specialist if she needs it. http://www.milehiauto.com/
 
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