1999 Saab 9-3

Oil sludge problems have drove prices of Saabs way way down. But there is a way to buy one cheap and have no sludge problems.

Oil sludge is not a problem with the B204 engines. The B204 was in the 9-3 only in 1999. Oil problems only occurs on the B205 which were in model-year 2000-2002.

Routine maintenance parts are not as expensive as some people say. Advance Auto parts for instance has 9-3 rotors for $30. Now the direct ignition cassette ($200) and other sensors are expensive.

Things I should have asked before I bought my 9-3=

Ask about the motor mounts condition. the lower driver side seems to be a problem. Again cheap part to buy.

When was the belts last changed? 40k+ since- time for new belts.

Any play in the steering wheel?

Ask about the A/C fan and if it blows,if it doesnt or is stuck on high- the acc controller is bad. The ACC controller is a common problem and $100 part fix. You can easily swap it out yourself.

Ask if the ACC sensor fan below the radio is making noise- if it is you can fix it yourself by poping it out and putting a drop of oil on it.

Ask if the turbo pulls into the yellow under heavy accelerating. If it doesn't, something wrong.

These questions will somewhat let the seller know you have studied this car and hopefully help in your 9-3 search

The purchase of the Saab was cancelled by the seller. She was presented with the proper facts about a part that she had said needed to be replaced, a difference of $300-$400. She had quoted $85. She also found out on exchange day that the car seat had damage that she was unaware of. She didn't want to reduce her auctioned price, so she made the decision to cancel the sale to me. You should have this in your records. I'll try it again sometime.

this car is fast very nice super comfortable,but the craftsmanship is horrible. Motorwise that is. this car within the first month already died on me . So i changed the DIC on it as this seems to be the most common issue with this car, that didn't help now its looking like it is the fuel pump but all these parts cost an arm and a leg. I will only have one leg left after purchasing the fuel pump so i can't keep buying more stuff for it.

OVER ALL THIS CARS MAINTENANCE IS TO DAMN EXPENSIVE

Seller should have mentioned problem with car- like no AC,Perge valve problem,and many others,I have to spend lot of money, Not a fair deal.

Quality & Affordable. I truly love the produces care and maintenace. For the price I payed, I will give the sellers consideration and thought on my next purchase.

I bought this car for my daughter. Going in I new to check the head gasket- they always leak in any Saab, as well as the connections on the radio display often need cleaning. Seller was personable- NR on car- so I excepted to put money into it. Seller had replaced spark plugs with the wrong plugs- I recommend authorized Saab dealer. It needed tires, motor mts($306), Fuel system clean ($159), Throttle body clean ($35), Hazard switch ($151), rack boots ($792), Alignment ($89), Serpintine belt ($264), Antenna cover ($181), V.C. gaskets ($261), Seat cover switch repair ($76). I also had all fluids replaced and flushed- radiator, transmission and power steering. ($400) Total=$3300. The repairs were done at a Saab dealer- I am picky about my vehicles, so perhaps repairs were high. Repair were alittle higher than I expected, but car was solid at 10years and 151K. Luckily I bought the car for a great price. I always plan on about $2000 in repairs for Ebay cars that are older- always figure that into your bid. My daughter loves the car-her old car was a Convertible Cabriolet 2001. The car is an SE, so front and back seats are leather, heated, -everything imaginable on car. Drives like a dream- Great on gas- she gets 450 miles to a tank of gas.
I also bought a VOLVO V70XC on ebay for my son- it need repairs- Volvo parts are less expensive than Saab- both are solid cars with great safety features.

This is my 5th used Saab, but my first turbo. I love the car and assume I will get 250 thousand miles plus just like the rest. The only down is the interior quality is not as good as the older models.

Oil sludge problems have drove prices of Saabs way way down. But there is a way to buy one cheap and have no sludge problems.

Oil sludge is not a problem with the B204 engines. The B204 was in the 9-3 only in 1999. Oil problems only occurs on the B205 which were in model-year 2000-2002.

Routine maintenance parts are not as expensive as some people say. Advance Auto parts for instance has 9-3 rotors for $30. Now the direct ignition cassette ($200) and other sensors are expensive.

Things I should have asked before I bought my 9-3=

Ask about the motor mounts condition. the lower driver side seems to be a problem. Again cheap part to buy.

When was the belts last changed? 40k+ since- time for new belts.

Any play in the steering wheel?

Ask about the A/C fan and if it blows,if it doesnt or is stuck on high- the acc controller is bad. The ACC controller is a common problem and $100 part fix. You can easily swap it out yourself.

Ask if the ACC sensor fan below the radio is making noise- if it is you can fix it yourself by poping it out and putting a drop of oil on it.

Ask if the turbo pulls into the yellow under heavy accelerating. If it doesn't, something wrong.

These questions will somewhat let the seller know you have studied this car and hopefully help in your 9-3 search

First Saab for me, somewhat smaller than anticipated. The ride is quite firm and the steering is not as power assisted as desired. The 4cyl Turbo is strong from the start thru 3rd gear. Power drops significantly after 3rd. Doesn't have quite the power desired at highway speed and dealing with trucks. Hatchback is somewhat heavy and the wife has difficulty with it. ONE cup holder and is located above the stereo. Very awkward. If you only have one key you're in for a big expense. Only via Saab....you can get the fob's on Ebay but they must me programed by the dealer. Key must be programed by the dealer. Maintenance is every 10,000 miles, unusual. They do have a disclaimer about changing the oil depending on conditions. Big maintenance bucks. Pretty car and nice to Be-Bop around in but won't get another.

Best wishes....

I read a review by someone else in regards to a Saab purchased from Pristine in Florida.
I had the same experience with these guys!
My daughter and I flew to Florida to pick up the car and it was one lie after the other!
First, the car would not start.
Next, before I could get out of town, I heard the grinding of the brakes and spent almost $600 on brakes and rotors - metal to metal.
They boasted it had only 60,000 miles on it - probably so as I took it into a shop in Atlanta and the front shocks(?) were leaking because it had been in a wreck!
Another $500 dollars!
I got $250 back from them for the first deal - the brakes, etc., but nothing else.
I had to leave positive feedback for them before they would give me the $.
These guys are just buying cheap and selling to a 'buyer beware" customer.
I would stay away from them!