Saab 9-3, 2003, Kouvola

Could this be a near-ready boy-racer mobile, just lacking a bit of tuning, or the next trusty car for a Saab enthusiast? With a little repair work and know-how, this could become a steady and reliable daily driver for owner number three, one that won't clog up motorways or leave its driver stranded at the roadside.

The car is powered by Saab’s own 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with chain drive and a five-speed manual gearbox. The car came to me in 2022, when it had covered just over 340,000 kilometres. The odometer now shows a respectable 400,397 kilometres. The reason for selling is the car’s limited use and my lack of know-how and skills for larger servicing and repair jobs, which at this mileage are now inevitably due.

The first service and repair work after I took ownership included replacing the known weak point of the balance shaft chain guide with a new one, and fitting an auxiliary light with a rocker switch. When the auxiliary light was installed, the headlamp units were replaced with refurbished ones. In autumn 2022 the cam cover gasket was renewed, and in summer 2023 the seal on the vacuum pump that had been leaking engine oil. In summer 2024 the throttle body was replaced. For added comfort, cruise control has also been retrofitted and Saab’s own AUX lead fitted to the radio. The car has an engine block heater and an interior power socket.

The car’s first owner kept the service book well up to date, but as the second owner I have filled it in less, as I have had oil changes and other repair work carried out by Saab enthusiasts and local workshops. I have still kept the oil change interval at around 10,000 kilometres, and worn parts have been replaced as and when the inspector has noted them. In summer 2026 the battery was renewed and the right front lower control arm was replaced.

The car has mostly worked without fault. The most urgent issue at present is the timing gear, which will probably need attention as the timing chain makes noise when the engine is cold. In addition, the air-conditioning compressor is most likely already broken, probably even before the car came into my possession - though the lack of air conditioning has not bothered me. When repairing the air conditioning, the evaporator should be disinfected, as the car’s original owner smoked and used Wunderbaums inside quite heavily. The extra smells have nevertheless decreased significantly from the original thanks to two interior cleans and ozone treatment.

Time has taken its toll both inside and out. The chassis itself is in good condition, but there is some surface rust here and there. The interior is, at first glance, in good shape apart from the driver’s seat, which I have tried to patch up as best I can. In addition, the driver’s side window works with varying success - the motor and regulator are fine, but the window does not seem to be properly attached to the regulator, which causes it to bind in places and not move at the touch of a button. There are a few small cracks in the lower lip of the front bumper, visible in the photos.

The car comes with two sets of wheels on Saab’s original rims. Summer tyres are Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance tyres on 16-inch rims, good for probably one more summer. Winter tyres are Nokian Nordman 7 studded tyres with good tread on 17-inch original Aero rims. One key is included; the badly worn plastic casing and buttons were replaced with a new one in summer 2025.

The car has never left me stranded and has taken me reliably all over Finland, the Nordics and the Baltic countries. With a little restoration work, there is still plenty of car left in it for a long time to come.

Country of import: Sweden

First registration date in Finland: 9.7.2004

The vehicle must be collected within 7 days of the auction ending unless otherwise agreed - Huutokaupat.com.

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