...or, an '03 Saab 9-3 'vert

[fdcg27]

I know that Saabs aren't noted for Japanese-like ability to shrug off negelect, but I'm curious as to any experience anyone has with them.
This car has about 110K, is in very presentable condition and I could buy it for less than 4K.
This would be a hip and neat car for younger son, as long as all of the entertainment value doesn't come with a lot of potential trouble.
I'm aware that some years had serious PCV problems, which cannot be wholly fixed.
I don't mind a little work here and there, but I'm not trying to buy a rolling father/son project either.

 

[229]

All of the entertainment value with a lot of trouble.

 

[The_Jeff]

4K is 3K too much.

 

[ET16]

'03s have some issues that were worked out later. '04s and up seem better.

 

[Spazdog]

I really like the way the cars drive and how sturdy they made the GM Epsilon platform.

....and that's it.

They are plagued with electrical gremlins.

My stepmother had one. About once a year it would just refuse to start. Tow it in to Saab and the technicians there couldn't start it either. Antitheft and everything checks out. It just will not turn the starter motor. Tech would come in the next day and it would start right up. Like nothing ever happened. No codes stored, nothing. Just starts and runs all of the sudden. It had a lot of other little glitches that you could live with. They would come and go with no real pattern or reason.

Window regulators failed with alarming regularity.

 

[JHZR2]

I have an '04 sedan, runs perfect. Just got done with 1000 miles in it, and 34+ mpg is easy. Runs and drives beautifully and solid. Ecotec engine with custom head is how saab implemented these cars, and the ecotec is well proven, as are the saab mods.

Can't say much bad about my Saab. I've really liked the car over 10 years of ownership (bought new).

I did have a bad window regulator, and the electronic, non-key ignitions from any manufacturer kind of scares me a bit. I like real keys myself.

 

[Vikas]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
4K is 3K too much.

Wow, that is brutal! Please elaborate on it. I was under impression that they might be little quirky but not really this bad. But your reply makes it as if I should completely ruled it out even if I came across a specimen with good condition and good price. I would not have asked this to most other poster but I know you know your stuff!

 

[rjundi]

My brothers 03 95 Aero has been a nightmare but he really likes the car. Not for the faint of heart IMHO. Seemed to be decent <110k and then turned into rolling pile of dung.