Saab 9-3 Viggen: Great Sports Sedan For Less Than $10k?

This week I had the pleasure of driving a 2000 Saab 9-3 Viggen, a Swedish beast of a sports sedan!! Originally intended to battle the best from Germany cough cough the M3, it still stands to show us that the Swedes know a thing or two about a fun driving experience!
Featuring a 2.3L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine, and only offered with a manual, it has all the ingredients of a sporty driving experience!
Perfect? It is not, but it does offer a rather balanced package, and an affordable one as well. With just over 150k miles on the clock, this bad boy was recently picked up by its new owner for about $6,200! This is a ton of vehicle for that money, especially in this market and especially considering its rather modern drivetrain!
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Drive my car!

[@Reoniz]

Are you a fan of Saab?? Driving this Viggen helped make me one!

[@SeanGriffith7]

It’s a fun little car hahaha

[@Reoniz]

@@SeanGriffith7 it sure is 🤪🤪

[@slapstra1970]

I love my 2000 Viggen!

[@Reoniz]

@@slapstra1970 sweet! 2 door, 4 door, vert? Color??

[@houseking9211]

I've been in a saab family my whole life, my grandpa bought a 900 sedan while my family was in germany for his military service, and we've always had them since. Including both grandparents and parents, we have 6 lol. I've got a 2002 9-5 aero sedan, it's stage 3 and makes 285 hp and a very noticeable 325 ft lbs. The 9-5 aero has same engine that was in the viggen, but has a bigger intercooler stock, and I/my dad put a full exhaust on it (3 inch downpipe 2.5 inch catback with single high flow cat and single high flow muffler with no resonator). 250k miles and still going strong.

[@richardcurrie7211]

I think the one you drove wasn’t getting full boost. I get wheelspin in 2nd with mine on sticky Michelin pilot 4s. It won’t rev and howl to the moon like my 6 speed 911 996 C2 does, but in most circumstances, from a rolling start and in typical passing situations, the Viggen will eat the Porsche’s lunch. Not on a racetrack or at deeply illegal speeds, but the Viggen has POWER at 2k revs, whereas unless you are launching the Porsche, you need to wait for revs to sweep past 4k to begin to get moving. I love both, but have to say the funky, playful quirky charm of the SAAB is more endearing than the uber serious German.

[@Reoniz]

Wow that's an awesome setup you've got! I think the tires may be the big difference, this was still sitting on the off-brand all seasons that the previous owner put on there... should do a good bit better all around with some proper rubber. 😎

[@elroyfudbucker6806]

Saab supposedly reduced the torque in 1st & 2nd gear in an attempt to reduce wheelspin.

[@cconnon1912]

Stomping on it in second gear and get wheel spin without using the clutch. Steering is also an issue with the powerful front wheel drive car.😂 because of its low rpm range the 230 hp is deceptive because this is a much faster than that car than that number would reflect. Especially at highway speeds. 50-100 mph was unexpected and would scare people.

[@garudaspeaks]

I just bought a 2002 Saab 9-3 viggen hatchback coupe. It has an oil leak from IDK where. I have an appointment with a Saab specialist to look at it. I will say this, I agree with the gentleman: it’s an experience to drive, second gear is awesome!

[@drplando14]

I miss Saab. I still have my 2011 9-5. Runs like a champ

[@jimistheman9732]

FYI - The VIggen/OG 9-3 came with a cupholder / coinholder insert in the console compartment. There's one missing in that car. FWIW, Europeans, especially Swedes, don't believe in eating/drinking while driving, so they don't really care about cupholders. The ones that are there are add-on "because Americans".

[@elroyfudbucker6806]

Saabs are quirky & different, but not weird. Also, very well engineered.

[@hellcraftofficial17]

I grew up with Saabs, mainly my grandparents cause my mum didn’t have a car when I was younger. It was a 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible S and let’s just say that nan was a very speedy and fast driver when she had that, she would send the wheels spinning and just take off. It was in the same blue colour like that viggen, we nicknamed it cosmo because the colour was a called cosmic blue when they bought it. She sadly had to sell it after repairs started getting expensive and bought a weaker a 2006 Saab 9-3 linear which she hates but grandad kinda made her buy it. She doesn’t drive like she use to due to medical conditions but I usually drive her around now and I definitely have a heart for Saabs even tho my personal car is a modified Peugeot 207 GT. I want to buy that Saab back one day and hopefully I will. (Sorry if I went on and on a little 😅) honestly love the video! Good job

[@Reoniz]

Loved hearing about your background with Saabs! You gotta get yourself one forsure!!

[@KingCast65]

You're a good presenter. 12 SAABs in my history mostly C900T including SPG and my first Viggen with Abbott tune and exhaust and rescue kit and short shifter. Lightning blue. $3,500. Goes with my '88 535is.

[@mikeolson7557]

Great review/POV! I truly miss Saab, they really had character. Not only were they great driving cars, they had the best most comfortable seats.

[@lething931]

Saab 9-3 Viggen, defently underrated!

[@Reoniz]

Most definitely!!!

[@massimolettuce]

In Europe, the 93 is being sought after thoroughly: 20k euros for decent units.

[@Reoniz]

@@massimolettuce oh wow, maybe I'll tell my friend to export this one!!

[@massimolettuce]

@@Reoniz keep me informed 👀😂

[@Reoniz]

@@massimolettuce hhaha gotchu!

[@user-pb2ne6fu2d]

A few inexpensive mods would make it a M3 challenger...

[@sassansalamat9412]

Nice car & it looks familiar too. I will add impressive hp from such small engine for being a 22 year old!!

[@Reoniz]

Hahah 😅 definitely some solid power for its era!!

[@kjkkjk6537]

Saab Viggen engine power is 230 hp but this is enter in increase up to 500 over! Factory forged engine has potential of power!

[@scottyjoe22]

I have a 2001 Viggen, runs fine, fun to drive, a lot of little stuff breaks though.

[@marknelson5929]

What of the 'little stuff breaks' you mention?

[@ianmoorcroft3689]

Not a fan of saab, like the older bmw, but an interesting review thanks

[@Reoniz]

I appreciate your thoughts as always 👍👍

[@dohduh167]

I have a 2000 lightning blue 2 door viggen and a 2001 red convertible viggen. I'm in Thousand Oaks. Fun cars. Care to check them out?

[@Reoniz]

That sounds super awesome! I very well may be interested, I think the 2 door is even sweeter than this 4dr 😎

[@tuffunny]

review the saab from Drive My Car challenge

[@Reoniz]

That's up next!!

[@juanmuller6519]

2000 had 230hp and koenigsegg is Swedish cheers.

[@jERRYKIEFER]

Thanks for giving Saab some love, you don't buy a Saab, you join a cult....

[@jimistheman9732]

Yeah, it's not a light clutch and you have to give it some gas to spin the turbo - it's not a Honda. You need to get used to how they move. But it's also comfortable, cool, luxurious, and unique. Or you can drive a Honda.

[@ThePrissy11]

Great car. Not loving the color. I thought Viggen meant it didn’t eat meat😆

[@Reoniz]

Lmaooo 😂😂

[@richardhoulton4016]

They were quick for the time, but an understeering, torque steering, mess. Good value and “eclectic” buy now though.

[@Reoniz]

Well said !! 😅👍

[@MostGenericUser]

That they are. You can do some suspension/bracing mods to help but I think they should have been sold with an lsd from the factory. If I still have mine when it's time to do the clutch again I'll be installing one

[@Reoniz]

@@MostGenericUser an LSD would definitely be beneficial!!

[@barenekid9695]

Fragile engine in that car.