I am just recently purchasing a 2003 saab 9-3 linear with 88.5k miles.
I know saabs have their problems but most of the common ones have been worked out of this car already.
What i'm asking is do you know anyone who owns this car (specifically year 2003 please) and how reliable was it?? How many miles should i expect to get out of this car???
Anonymous
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The 2003 9-3 was the first year it was produced. It was a new design based on the GM Opel division, although Saab re-engineered the ecotec engine with a Mitsubishi turobcharger giving it over 200 hp for the small 2.0 liter engine. The engine was a good design, as it solved the oil sludge issues from earlier versions of the car. The tranmission is sourced from Aisen and is also quite reliable.
Where the 2003 Saab 9-3 falls down is with nigling little problems which if you can put up with them, will just be annoying. For example, there are electical problems which will stop the stereo from working from time to time. The connector to the then newly designed heads-up display disconnects sometimes, making it go black until it is reconnected (not a major repair, but it is hard to access and recoennect better with electrical tape). Pixilation (failure of heads up displays) is fairly infrequent but sometimes occurs. Sometimes the security system will malfunction, and then the immobilzer needs to be replaced before the car will start.
As you can see, there is a laundry list of things that are problematic on the elctrical in 2003. Overall, however, it is not a bad car if you can fix some of the thiings yourself. If you are not mechanically inclined, some things you can let go and delay fixing - others (like the immobilzer) will need more immediate attention. By 2005 the problems in the elctrical were worked out. I own a 2006 and never have had any electical issues, or any problems to speak of and I am approaching 60,000 on the car.
I would say buy the car knowing these things can and will go wrong. Be prepared to either fix them yourself or have to spend some money. The cars can go over 100,000 miles easily even with the electrical issues - but they are a pain in the neck at times.
Anonymous
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RE:
How reliable is 2003 saab 9-3 linear?
I am just recently purchasing a 2003 saab 9-3 linear with 88.5k miles
fabbozzi
2003 Saab 9-3
Anonymous
They are pretty reliable as long as you 1. get it inspected at a certified SAAB MECHANIC, have them check for sludge 2. keep your OIL CHANGED, with SYNTHETIC oil...Trust me this makes a huge difference. The main issues with the '03 is that it still can have an issue with engine sludge if the oil isnt changed regularly. A certified Saab mechanic can check for sludge by dropping the pan. If it runs and drives good, its probably ok but you may have to have the oil pan and everything cleaned out periodically to keep sludge out, but dont let that deter you, they are great cars. Not to mention half the cars now days have sludge issues. Aside from that, there will more than likely be little quirks that are not serious and not expensive. and make sure you keep up with general maintenance. I have loved and driven Saabs all my life, my 1999 has almost 300,000 miles and I can count on 1 had the problems Ive had, Its been very reliable.
saabnut9000
My parents have an 04 9-3 Linear that they bought new and it has about around 100,000 miles and they have had no problems at all with their car. Saab had most of their engine problems between 1999-2001 on their 2.3l engines that they "improved" but in reality they really botched and they has major sludge problems. 2003 and later models had the problems corrected. As for reliability it mainly depends on how you take care of your car. One of the biggest mistakes people make is using cheap oil and filters. Stay away from Wix and Purolater filters, I have always used Fram and K&N oil filters. As for oil I use Castrol GTX and I use Lucas oil additive at every oil change, and I change mine around 2500-2800 miles. It is very important especially on turbo charged engine to not go over 3000 miles because contaminates are a turbos mortal enemy