Saab 9-3 Saloon (2002 - 2011) 2.2TiD Vector 4d (6) (2003/53) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Trying to be different - good option instead of Merc or Beemer. I put 75k thousand miles on it in just under 5 years.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Wife and kids loved it to drive about - but too small inside for a family - boot poky.

Would you buy this car again and why?

No - I have recently parted with it for a BMW 525 touring - mainly becuase I need the space - but I would have considered a SAAB had they not gone defunct - feel sorry for anyone who's bought one in the last 2/3 years.

What are you likely to buy next?

Aleady bought a 2005 BMW 5 series touring for the space - but I do miss my old friend - that just got too long in the tooth too early.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£9,500

When did you buy the car?

May 2007

Did you get a good deal and why?

I traded my old Mercedes 220 Kompressor flying machine which was showing it's age and getting very thirsty - so ended up paying £5500 from a screen price of £9500 - which was ok at the time.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

To be a little different.

What was the dealer like?

The mian dealer was good at the time - the car came with a full no quibble 12 omnth warranty whihc was just as well as after three months turbo needed replaced - would have cost around £1600 otherwise.

What's it like to drive?

Fabulous to drive, cornered like a go-kart - comfortable on long journeys.

What's it like to park?

Easy - good all round visibility.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Apart from turbo - mechanically the car was faultless - I wasn;t really aware of what teh car was when I bought it but oce the 12 onth period was over I used an independent SAAB specilaist in Edinburgh who is a SAAB nut and he explained the engine adn underpinnings were basically made by IZUZU and put together by SAAB and is indestructable - inside was a different story the trim was nicked from the Vauxhall parts bin and everything started to fall to bits until this year when nothing worked anymore - cupholders wont open, CD player packed in, bonnet opener stopped working etc etc -.

What's most practical about your car?

Diesel engine is fab - even after a relatively hard life still regulary returning 45 mpg.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

My favourite thing about the saab was the driving postion - so comfortable.