1999-2002 Saab 9-3 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Saab 9-3. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Saab 9-3.

1999-2002 Saab 9-3 Review

Saab's updated compact, near-luxury 900 series was offered with a new name for 1999. The new front-drive 9-3 series came as a 4-door hatchback or a convertible in base and plusher SE trim, accompanied by a base 2-door hatchback. All models used turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines, with a five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. With manual shift, SE models had a 200-horsepower engine, while others were rated 185 hp. Manual-transmission models had a numerically higher axle ratio for stronger standing-start acceleration. Standard safety features included antilock braking, front side airbags, and Saab's front Active Head Restraints--claimed to minimize whiplash injury. convertibles had a power top with glass rear window and defroster. During the initial model year, a high-performance Viggen 2-door hatchback joined the lineup, with a 225-hp, 2.3-liter turbocharged engine (manual shift only).

Year to Year Changes

2000 Saab 9-3: Because General Motors owned Saab's car-making division, GM's OnStar satellite-based assistance system became available in 9-3 models. Four-door hatchback and convertible versions of the high-performance Viggen joined the 2-door hatchback body style. SE editions now had the previously optional 2.0 High Output Engine, which got a boost from 200 to 205 horsepower. The Viggen engine also gained 5 hp. All SE models got new lower-body skirts, the 4-door added a special sport suspension, and a standard rear spoiler went on the convertible.

2001 Saab 9-3: Traction control and GM's OnStar system became standard this year. The lineup included base 2- and 4-door hatchbacks, uplevel SE 4-door and convertible, and the high-performance Viggen in three body styles. The base-model convertible was dropped. "Generation 2.6" OnStar added a voice-activated Internet connection to access web-based information, as well as voice-operated phone and e-mail functions. Traction control was designed to apply brakes and retard the throttle to restore traction when a front wheel began to slip.

2002 Saab 9-3: The 185-hp base-level models were gone from Saab's "junior" line for 2002. 9-3 was redesigned for '03.

1999-2002 Saab 9-3 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Turbo-engine performance

Brake performance	Rear visibility

Cargo room (except convertible)	Rear-seat entry/exit (except 4-dr)

Rear-seat room/comfort (convertible)	Build quality (convertible)

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Compact Saabs deliver sporty driving in a space-efficient, if somewhat quirky, package. Overall acceleration is good. Base models are responsive but calm. A manual-transmission base car accelerated to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, and averaged 19.4 mpg even in hard driving. High Output models are slightly faster. A 4-door averaged 21.3 mpg. Viggens react with serious spirit. On the downside, the turbocharger does not yield extra power until the engine reaches 3000 rpm or so, and "turbo lag" (delay after flooring the throttle) makes smooth driving difficult. Unruly steering-wheel tug occurs when pushed hard, too, unless front wheels are pointed dead-ahead. Handling is sporty, responsive, and predictable, with good cornering grip. SE models (and Viggens) ride quite stiffly. High-performance tires transmit a lot of irritating thump and jiggle on small, sharp bumps. Base models have softer tires and should be noticeably more compliant and comfortable on any road. Braking is swift and powerful. Relatively narrow and tall, hatchbacks have fairly ample space for five, plus cargo room that rivals a wagon. Convertibles seat only four, with very limited rear leg room. Rear visibility is so-so in hatchbacks and awful in top-up convertibles. Gauges and controls are well-located. The floor-mounted ignition switch is a longtime Saab hallmark. Sadly, so is the SE's obstinate automatic climate-control system. Detail finish is good and materials are classy. A test convertible suffered excessive body flex over bumps, but other Saabs have felt rigid and mostly rattle-free.

Value for the Money
All models have their charms, but are compromised by turbo-engine performance. Saab loyalists are likely to love the quirky 9-3, but a Volvo S70 sedan or V70 wagon might be a more prudent choice for near-luxury motoring in the Swedish mode.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Saab 9-3 SE 4-dr hatchback	Rating

Performance	7

Fuel Economy	5

Ride Quality	5

Steering/Handling/Braking	6

Quietness	5

Controls/Materials	6

Interior Room	7

Room/Comfort (rear)	6

Cargo Capacity	7

Value within Class	4

Total:	58

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1999-2002 Saab 9-3 Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: The A/C compressor may fail to engage or fail to disengage due to a faulty thermo contact, which is now available separately from the compressor. (1999-03)

Automatic transmission: A recall was issued to replace the shift-lock solenoid that prevented the transmission from shifting out of park. (1999)

Brakes: If the brake-fluid reservoir cap is not installed properly, fluid can be sucked out of the reservoir through the cap's check valve. (1999-01)

Climate control: There were several problems with the HVAC controls ranging from stiff controls to ticking motors to loose knobs and broken spindles. New parts were being installed under warranty. (1999)

Oil consumption: A banjo bolt in the crankcase ventilation system should be replaced to prevent oil from possibly entering the combustion chamber (causing emissions) or starving the turbo bearing. (1999)

Wipers: The rear wiper may get loose or fall off unless thread-locking compound is applied to the hold-down nut. (1999)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$775

Alternator	$410

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$1,100

Brakes	$745

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$830

Constant Velocity Joints	$1,290

Exhaust System	$775

Radiator	$700

Shocks and/or Struts	$1,455

Timing Chain or Belt	$655

NHTSA Recall History

1999 w/manual front seats, made March 4 - October 17, 1998: Failure of "Easy Entry" cable in front manual seats can cause seat fore/aft adjustable mechanism to be unlocked, reducing the restraint capability of the safetybelts in a crash.

2000 9-3 convertibles: The fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. Dealers will install a bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump.

2000-02 w/B205/B235 four-cylinder or B308 six-cylinder engine: Overheating and burnout of isolated gated bipolar transistor may occur, most often at engine start-up.

2001: Airbag alert labels may not be permanently affixed.

2001-02 Sedan and Convertible: Some fuel pump retaining tabs were damaged during production; over time, fuel lines could loosen from pump, resulting in leakage.

2002: A loose tie rod could result in a sudden reduction or total loss of steering control.

1999-2002 Saab 9-3 Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1999
9-3 Convertible	$6,400-7,100	$5,600-6,200	$2,800-3,100
9-3 SE hatchback	$4,800-5,500	$4,000-4,600	$1,800-2,100
9-3 Viggen	$7,500-8,300	$6,800-7,500	$3,800-4,200
9-3 hatchback	$4,000-4,600	$3,300-3,800	$1,300-1,500

2000
9-3 Convertible	$7,300-8,200	$6,600-7,400	$3,600-4,000
9-3 SE	$5,800-6,500	$5,000-5,700	$2,400-2,700
9-3 Viggen	$8,200-9,100	$7,400-8,200	$4,200-4,600
9-3 hatchback	$4,700-5,400	$3,900-4,500	$1,800-2,100
Viggen Convertible	$10,000-11,200	$9,000-10,100	$5,200-5,800

2001
9-3 Convertible	$9,000-10,000	$8,100-9,000	$4,700-5,200
9-3 SE	$7,000-7,800	$6,200-6,900	$3,300-3,700
9-3 Viggen	$9,500-10,500	$8,600-9,500	$4,900-5,500
9-3 hatchback	$5,600-6,300	$4,800-5,400	$2,300-2,600
Viggen Convertible	$11,500-12,800	$10,400-11,500	$6,300-7,000

2002
9-3 Convertible	$10,300-11,500	$9,300-10,400	$5,500-6,100
9-3 SE	$8,200-9,100	$7,400-8,200	$4,200-4,600
9-3 Viggen	$11,000-12,500	$9,900-11,300	$5,900-6,800
Viggen Convertible	$13,000-14,500	$11,800-13,200	$7,500-8,400

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1999-2002 Saab 9-3 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	2-door convertible	2-door hatchback	4-door hatchback

Wheelbase, in.	102.6	102.6	102.6

Overall Length, in.	182.2	182.2	182.2

Overall Width, in.	67.4	67.4	67.4

Overall Height, in.	56.0	56.2	56.2

Curb Weight, lbs.	3140	2990	3040

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	28.3	46.0	46.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	16.9	16.9	16.9

Seating Capacity	4	5	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.9	39.3	39.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.3	42.3	42.3

Rear Head Room, in.	37.9	37.9	37.9

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	33.0	34.1	34.1

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Base engine was a 185-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, while the SE got a High Output 200-horsepower version (205 hp in 2000). Viggens benefited from a 2.3-liter turbo four that produced 225-230 hp. Viggens came only with 5-speed manual shift, but other models could have an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. The 185-hp 4 cyl was gone from the lineup for 2002.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

Turbocharged dohc I4	2.0 / 121	185	194	5-speed manual: 19/27 4-speed automatic: 19/25	5-speed manual: 19.4 4-speed automatic: --

Turbocharged dohc I4	2.0 / 121	200-205	209	5-speed manual: 20/27	5-speed manual: 21.3

Turbocharged dohc I4	2.3 / 140	225-230	258	5-speed manual: 19/28	5-speed manual: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: Sweden

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1999-2002 Saab 9-3 Review:

Saab 9-3

Saab 9-3 Road Test

Saab 9-3 Reliability

Saab 9-3 Prices

Saab 9-3 Specs & Safety

Saab 9-3 Photos

Saab 9-3 Full Review