2003 SAAB 9-3 Sport Sedan 2.0L TS 6MT FWD (210 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Saab launched the 2003 9-3 lineup while it was under GM’s management, and it was supposed to be the premium version of the mundane Opel/Vauxhall Vectra.

General Motors was eager to get a cut from the European premium car market and thought Saab would be its best bet. Thus, it ordered the Swedish carmaker to produce a re-badged Opel/Vauxhall Vectra slightly adapted. Thus, it should lower the manufacturing costs but still be able to get into the premium segment. But Saab took things differently.

The Swedish management considered that they had a duty in front of its customers and reshaped the car. Even though the 9-3 relied on the same platform as its Vectra sibling, it had a completely different shape. With the Sport Sedan version, it took things even further. Its angular headlights and the lower apron made to protect pedestrians in the event of a crash gave the car an aggressive look but not scary. Moreover, unlike its predecessors, the 9-3 was no longer available as a fastback.

Inside, Saab installed its own buttons and switches. Even the infotainment unit was different than the one offered by GM. It was better but more expensive, which made the American carmaker’s officials angry. Also, unlike other carmakers, Saab had a signature feature on the inside, where the key-fob was placed between the front seats, not on the steering column or on the dash.

Under the hood, the Sports Sedan offered a choice of four-cylinder engines ranging between 122 and 210 PS (120 – 207 HP) paired with either manual or automatic transmissions.