03 Saab 9-3 Vector....Reason NOT to buy? Test driving in the am...

[BAM6I4]

Yep, just looking for the quick and dirty, looks sweet and price seems right. 03 9-3 Vector, 6spd, 2.0 turbo, 85k miles.

What do you guys see with these cars and are they easy/reasonable to repair?

Thanks

[MRVW00]

I'm kinda local to you.

I sell 4-6 of these a month, and love them! The biggest issues I've seen has been rear wheel bearings, fuel sending units, key fobs turning into mush, and the interior parts flake worse than any VW's on their worst day.

Mechanically a great car and a fantastic value for the money.

[chdavis]

For a myriad of reasons, do not buy.

[TDIBUGMAN]

My 03 9-3 is about to hit 225K. Sure, he leaks a little oil. But it doesn't consume any, and pulls like an ox. Yes, the interior is a bit beat, and its got battle scars all over from NYC traffic.

The Vector was the predecessor to the Aero trim that came later.

Far, far better cars than people gave them credit for.

[Voodoo.T]

For a myriad of reasons, do not buy.

Useful

'03 was the first year of the new platform and body style. Some would say buying the first version of anything may not be the best idea, but I'm sure at this point any car that's almost 10 years old would need something, sooner or later.

My only gripe with the '03-'07 is the embedded fiber audio system. It makes upgrading the stereo extremely difficult. Something to keep in mind if you like to do those sorts of things (I do).

I have basically the same engine, and while I miss the old 2.3T from my 9k and Viggen, the 2.0T is a good motor. Enough grunt to keep me entertained, while pulling 32mpg's on a road trip.

[BAM6I4]

Thanks for the input guys, am I right the believe that most of the underside of the car is GM-ish? Parts should be reasonable? Any issues on locating parts due to Saab being gone?

Is $6500 out of line for this car?

And what's the thing about the audio system?

[Boogety Boogety]

Top nine reasons you shouldn't, and one why you whould:

1.- It's a Saab. Run.
2.- It's a Saab. Run.
3.- It's a Saab. Run.
4.- It's a Saab. Run.
5.- It's a Saab. Run.
6.- It's a Saab. Run.
7.- It's a Saab. Run.
8.- It's a Saab. Run.
9.- It's a Saab. Run.
10.- But for $65, you can make money selling it to a junkyard. You did skip a decimal point, right?

[MikeSAABt]

Thanks for the input guys, am I right the believe that most of the underside of the car is GM-ish? Parts should be reasonable? Any issues on locating parts due to Saab being gone?

Is $6500 out of line for this car?

And what's the thing about the audio system?

Someone else can chime in as I haven't shopped 9-3's but coming from recently shopping similar year 9-5 aero's that sounds way high.

[SebTheDJ]

Uneducated TCL chiming in.

[Remedy]

rule#1

[KeiCar]

Rule #1 is a HANDSOME looking car. I would buy if the price is right.


Was the stereo that used fiber optic cable one of a certain trim level or option? Or did all "Vector" models have this radio?

[robhurlburt]

Was the stereo that used fiber optic cable one of a certain trim level or option? Or did all "Vector" models have this radio?

all models of that year had it. i think it changed in '07

[S0RRY]

Top nine reasons you shouldn't, and one why you whould:

1.- It's a Saab. Run.
2.- It's a Saab. Run.
3.- It's a Saab. Run.
4.- It's a Saab. Run.
5.- It's a Saab. Run.
6.- It's a Saab. Run.
7.- It's a Saab. Run.
8.- It's a Saab. Run.
9.- It's a Saab. Run.
10.- But for $65, you can make money selling it to a junkyard. You did skip a decimal point, right?

How many Saabs have you owned? Or is it just the one New Beetle Convertible?

[SuperGroove]

So, where would one buy parts for an '03 Saabs?

I'm actually curious.

[Air-over-water]

So, where would one buy parts for an '03 Saabs?

I'm actually curious.

GM?

[swa5000]

Top nine reasons you shouldn't, and one why you whould:

1.- It's a Saab. Run.
2.- It's a Saab. Run.
3.- It's a Saab. Run.
4.- It's a Saab. Run.
5.- It's a Saab. Run.
6.- It's a Saab. Run.
7.- It's a Saab. Run.
8.- It's a Saab. Run.
9.- It's a Saab. Run.
10.- But for $65, you can make money selling it to a junkyard. You did skip a decimal point, right?

I had an '03 9-3 Linear for a few years. The '03's have a bunch of little things that later models don't have (like tie-down loops in the trunk). It made it to 94k miles before being T-boned by some lady in a Hyundai.

I loved that car, but it wasn't perfect. Tons of interior rattles, a blown speaker, a failed transmission at about 53k (watch out for coolant in the transmission fluid), a failed SAI pump (the newer ones don't even have one), a failed O2 sensor at 90k, failed window regulator, and a couple of other minor things that I can't remember at the moment.

With that said, I truly loved that car. If the price is very good, I say go for it. Otherwise, look for a 2007+. They're significantly better cars. My brother has one and it's been impeccable for more than 40k miles, except for a sticky passenger side window.

[01tj]

With that said, I truly loved that car. If the price is very good, I say go for it. Otherwise, look for a 2007+. They're significantly better cars. My brother has one and it's been impeccable for more than 40k miles, except for a sticky passenger side window.

And dirt cheap for a newer car because of the wonderful deprecation of Saabs. I would have no trouble picking up a used Saab at all. You'll be able to find parts on the net and from what I have read they are just as reliable as any other GM

[GolfVIDriver]

So, where would one buy parts for an '03 Saabs?

I'm actually curious.

^^^

For all of you wondering why we are saying don't buy one, here is your answer.

[01tj]

So, where would one buy parts for an '03 Saabs?

I'm actually curious.

First few pages per google

http://www.saabpartscenter.com/partl...?siteid=215722

http://www.saabusaparts.com/

http://www.thesaabsite.com/

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/saab~rep.html

http://www.allsaabparts.com/

http://www.autosparepartsusa.com/Saab.html

http://www.genuinesaab.com/

[S0RRY]

^^^

For all of you wondering why we are saying don't buy one, here is your answer.

Same place you buy parts for any model that's no longer being produced?

TCL logic = don't buy a saab because the parent company is out of business, Pontiac G8 and GTO are darlings.

[Kuatro]

For those who have chimed in with all the negativity… have you or do you own a Saab(s), regardless of year make and model and have you experienced the problems/issues you post?

To the person inquiring about the Vector… it’s no different than any other car. It’s just another machine which is welded, glued and screwed together by a company who acquired a sum of components from the lowest bidders. It’s just that the boys and girls in Trollhattan did a better job welding, gluing and screwing it together than anyone else.

If you like it, you have inspected it, it’s in good shape, well maintained, the money required isn’t an issue for you, then get it.

[Air-over-water]

^^^

For all of you wondering why we are saying don't buy one, here is your answer.

[MikeSAABt]

So, where would one buy parts for an '03 Saabs?

I'm actually curious.

Idk... used parts manufacturers? Where do people get parts for '03 audi's?

I don't get this logic, we're talking about a car they made for going on 10 years before the company was folded. Plus it's not a low volume thing, we're talking about oodles of noodles here.

My mom drives an '04 9-5, better tell her that saab going under is retro-active and all evidence her car was ever made will soon be wiped from human memory!

[SuperGroove]

Idk... used parts manufacturers? Where do people get parts for '03 audi's?

I don't get this logic, we're talking about a car they made for going on 10 years before the company was folded. Plus it's not a low volume thing, we're talking about oodles of noodles here.

My mom drives an '04 9-5, better tell her that saab going under is retro-active and all evidence her car was ever made will soon be wiped from human memory!

I got Audi parts from the dealership and local parts warehouses. Since my car was so old (a '93 S4) a lot of parts had to be ordered from the dealership.

[zaYG]

Not very quick, not that fun to drive, the seats are god awful.

Buy an 02 or earlier 9-3.

[KeiCar]

I'm kinda curious now. Say for about 5K (which is my budget give or take for my next car), what kind of nice Saab can you get for that price or less.

I don't want older then a 1995. I would like something on the sporty side, like the Aero or Linear.

Oh, and just what is the difference between the Aero and Linear models? I know there a step up from the base model. Which is better and what comes with them?

Edit: Found this:

2.0Turbo, Yum So where does the turbo fall within the range of the Aero and Linear?

Edit #2: Damn that exterior is nice. Damn that interior is frightening

[MRVW00]

Thanks for the input guys, am I right the believe that most of the underside of the car is GM-ish? Parts should be reasonable? Any issues on locating parts due to Saab being gone?

Is $6500 out of line for this car?

THEY ARE. "GM" is stamped ALL OVER the car.
Parts are cheap.
ZERO PARTS ISSUES.

$6500 is too much! I'm a dealer, I buy '03s in the 3500-ish range all day long.
For $6500, I can get you a nice '05 right this minute.

For those who have chimed in with all the negativity… have you or do you own a Saab(s), regardless of year make and model and have you experienced the problems/issues you post?

THIS.

I'm a used dealer, that's recently started to specialize in SAAB's. I'm just selling them that well, and LIKE selling them. Needless to say I "own" 6-8 per month, and never have to deal with the issues other than above. I do MORE work to Honda's...

[J-Tim]

If it's got all the receipts and maintenance records since day dot, most definitely do it.

Very comfortable, parts are everywhere and it's not a difficult car to work on.

Play "Oh, but Saab is dead... blah blab blah" card when negotiating the price and enjoy.

[J-Tim]

So, where would one buy parts for an '03 Saabs?

I'm actually curious.

Same place, where people who work on their cars buy parts... it's called Internet.


God, people are stupid.

[Iroczgirl]

Same place, where people who work on their cars buy parts... it's called Internet.


God, people are stupid.

I agree.

You'd be surprised what your local Autozone, Napa, Carquest etc stocks for an '03 Saab.

Heck, if I can find a fuel pump for a 1940 Lincoln V12 at any of these suppliers, then you should be able to find some parts for your Saab.

[mike02467]

I'm a used dealer, that's recently started to specialize in SAAB's. I'm just selling them that well, and LIKE selling them. Needless to say I "own" 6-8 per month, and never have to deal with the issues other than above. I do MORE work to Honda's...

It's pretty obvious why you like to sell SAAB's

You can get them for NOTHING at auctions, and make huge profits.

[MRVW00]

If you only knew...

NOTHING is cheap at the auctions right now. Ask JROD.

I went to buy a '06 9-3 Aero last week at the sale for $7K....spent $9....

I'm not a car dealer 24/7. I'm a consumer and car enthusiast just like you too.

[mike02467]

If you only knew...

NOTHING is cheap at the auctions right now. Ask JROD.

I went to buy a '06 9-3 Aero last week at the sale for $7K....spent $9....

I'm not a car dealer 24/7. I'm a consumer and car enthusiast just like you too.

Really, $9 for a 9-3 aero? Will you sell it to me for $100? Thats a 1000% profit for you!!!

[VarianceVQ]

"Vector" was a cool trim name. They should've kept that.

[J-Tim]

"Vector" was a cool trim name. They should've kept that.

They did.