The 2003 was the first year of the 9-3 sedan. The 2003 Linear "Launch Package" (loaded) was the vehicle used for the product rollout. Some people have these versions of the 9-3 and have no problems, and some have had nightmarish experiences. You should only buy a 2003 if you can have access to all the service records and see what all has been done to the car, how many times serious issues have been looked into, etc. I would venture to say you'd be taking less of a risk with a late 2004 or 2005 but obviously you're trying to save money. If you do buy a 2003 see if you can find one that comes CPO (certified pre-owned). This way if there are issues you aren't left with major repair bills should something go wrong out of warranty. You'll pay more up front but have less risk overall.

Have you checked to see that insurance rates for a 9-3 is that much cheaper for someone your age? You may find that you don't end up saving that much by trading the g35C that's already paid for other than the cash you gain in the difference in relative values.

 

Living in MA, don't think a 9-3 will save you anything on insurance. You will pay what you are paying for the G35.

As for the Linear, they are cheap b/c they are only 175 hp and normaly don't come with the options of the ARC or AERO. If you are coming out of a G35, you'll def want the 210hp ARC/AERO. I would also opt for a 5/6 speed. The car is a different animal with a manual trans.

The reliability is comparable to any other car. There are lemons and cars that only go in for maintenance. I would recommend a 2004 onward. 2003 was the first year of the model so it had it's share of bugs.

The gas mileage is superb. I drive with a very heavy foot in stop and go traffic and average 25 mpg.

Good luck.

 

Yep - gas mileage is about 25mpg in city driving. Black is nice - gonna be tough to keep clean in MA during the winter - find a touchless car wash. You should test drive the 06 models maybe the aero with the V6. Sounds like you want used though - definetely go with the 210hp version if you do that. There are also some posts on here about MA saab dealerships and some issues so you may want to search those out as well before you go looking. Maybe some bad reviews of Village Saab - I think that was it. Hope you enjoy your saab - might be a good idea to line up a dealer in your area if you are going to buy from a private seller - have them look it over well before you buy.

 

we get slammed on insurance, but for my perfect driving record at my age I should not be paying 3k a year for an 04 G35 coupd.

NFirst, why are used 03 9-3 linear turbo sedans so cheap? I am seeing them loaded on ebay with 40k miles for $16k. Next big question, how is the reliability? Also how does it do on gas mileage? Thanks guys for taking the time to read all that, I look forward to your replies, thanks in advance.

I pay about $380 every 6 month for my insurance..
Why is used saab so cheap...Well let me ask you this..why is used infiniti q45 and m45 so cheap? I can buy used 2003 Q45 for about $25k brand new..$60k
93ss... 2003..$15k..brand new..$30k... hmmm..:roll:
Saab has a poor resale value...that's all..

Reliability..hmm.. Some says bad..some says..good... I think overall reliability for 93ss is the best among European cars..

Gas mileage... It's like V6 power with gas consumption of 4 cylinder..

P.S. ... With the folding rear seat..you got a more room than two G35 coupes trunk space..

 

C'mon guys and gals. There isn't a single source (J.D. Power, Consumer's Report etc. etc) that says the 2003 9-3 SS is anything but worse than average for reliability. Don't mislead him, it's not fair.

That said, if the car has had all it's recalls and stuff fixed under warranty and you can get a CPO car, a launch package car is a heck of a deal. It's safe, it's spacious, it handles decently, it looks great. Spend less than a grand for a BSR upgrade an you still have a great car that will give you good fuel economy too. It's cheap enough that I think it might be worth the risk. It will still rattle more than the Infinity...guaranteed, but the Saab is a young thinking person's car, the Infinity is an old man's car.

 

C'mon guys and gals. There isn't a single source (J.D. Power, Consumer's Report etc. etc) that says the 2003 9-3 SS is anything but worse than average for reliability.

Last time when I bought a consumer report for used cars..Only SAAB had the white to half-red circles out of ALL..I mean ALL the European Cars..
Audi = Black Circle..
MB= Black Circle..
BMW= Black Circle..
Etc..Black Circle..

If you don't believe me..Buy your own Consumer report for Used cars and check for yourself:nono;

 

Cosumer Reports

Check this out Linky
Select Free Preview
Select Reliability History

Hey what do you know! It's the 9-3! Free preview.

Mostly Red Dots! = Less than 2.0% of Problems.

 

Check this out Linky
Select Free Preview
Select Reliability History

Hey what do you know! It's the 9-3! Free preview.

Mostly Red Dots! = Less than 2.0% of Problems.

That's What I'm Talking about:cheesy:
Nice link YellowMenace

 

Look lets be completely fair to this guy on here and I shall nail it in the head for him. You really want to look at 2004 and on models that are used. '03s were generally a bit buggy, excellent car, just that a good portion of owners had to take car in for various issues that were fairly serious if it was on another car but for saab I deem that to be normal. Car is very expensive to repair on own without a warranty so try to get into something from 04 on with CPO or finance a brand new one. Last thing, the auto-trans is turning into a bit of a problem over the long-haul from wat some owners have been complaining about, especially from 2003 so I'd recommend getting a manual. Goodluck and do choose the 93, it is an excellent car.