USED Saab 9-3 Saloon (02 - 12)

My car

I have driven this as a company car for 2 1/2 years now and 50k miles and it is still a fairly good drive - if I can keep it out of the garage. I've had to get it repaired with: steeling lock (twice), ignition (3 times), wheel bearings, EGR valve (twice), swirrel valves, gearbox linkage housing, ECU problems (3 times) etc, etc. The Sat-Nav and infotainment is also a joke. It takes 11 seconds to do something after you press a key. This can be something as simple as dialling the last number! I had an A4 before and no problems and I will be going bmw next. I'll never get another Saab.

My car

I was persuaded by my wife to by this model (2005- 55 plate) but the longer we have had it the less impressed we are with it. The build quality is not a match on the older cars. My Saab 95 (1999) is better built and overall superior.

This cars performance I can say is good and thats about as much as it has going for it. The ride I can only compare to my old ford escort (1980's) its noisy in the cabin unless on a smooth motorway, the radio is utterly useless. Its done 18k and the back discs and pads need replacing. The display occasionaly disappears, I have to top up the water more frequently than any other car I have owned. I for one will not be buying another Saab. And buyer beware I bought this car from a dealer 12 months ago for £11k and can only get £7500 part ex at best ! so its depreciated £3k in 12 months even with such a low mileage.

My car

Swapped my A4 for a 55 plate 93 which i have owned for a year and a half now and have have mixed reviews. Picked it up when it was a year old with 14k on the clock, on the way home from the midlands to sussex went into limp mode on the M40 something to do with the ECU going. 1 month later the Air Intake valve got stuck and again went into limp mode, this time took them 2 weeks to fix. I have the whole multimedia pack in the car 1) Sat Nav - good but likes to turn itself on and off. Have had it changed. 2) Problems with the sound system 3)Bluetooth - apparently this is only to connect your lap top too??? not the phone. 4)In car phone, you have to remove the sim and insert it in to the boot, ok for long journey but not practical when popping to the shops. Have had to change the tyres a few times now and they have to be specially ordered by kwik fit???

It also has the tiptronic gear box which is great, especially for long journeys but there is a lag at lower speeds.

Good points, its quick and a great on long drives. There is a slight roll on corners but acceptable. Its very easy to drive and the boot is of good size. It does not have the same road presence as a BMW or Merc but definatly makes up on the toys front.

Now looking at the new C Class as a replacement.

My car

I have owned this car now for 2 weeks, having sold my BMW 5 Series, and am so far very impressed. The 9-3 driving experience is excellent. Its pacey when needed and feels rock solid, and while I'm not a rally driver, the steering seems good to me.

Fuel economy is not quite as good as I expected - I've done 325 miles and the computer is giving me a reading of 37.6mpg some 13mpg short of what Saab say this car will do on average.

Appearence wise, the excessive chrome frontage is not for everyone, but overall I think the car looks fantastic... the twin exhausts and standard 17" alloys really finish it off a treat, and even with the clear rear lenses and big body kit it still manages to look sleek rather than boy-racer.

Having read through a lot of the reader reviews, I was a little anxious as to what the Saab's interior was going to be like. I don't know if they have changed it for the '08 model or not, but the finish, in general, is excellent. The leather sports seats are superb (much better than those in the BMW 1 series I was driving while waiting for this), the dash is well laid loud out and easy to use, everything works and the multi CD player is great. I just hope I can say the same in 12 months time!

Overall, so far so good very impressed with my 1st Saab. Well done.