What's the meaning of "9-3"

[manxaero]

Hi all, I'm new around here. I recently purchased a 2007 Aero 2.0T, 6spd manual, and it's beautiful!

I have been asked a few times now, "what does the 9-3 stand for?"

Well I really honestly have no idea!! For that matter, what does 9-5 stand for?

I'd love to know, just so I can answer the question next time around

This is my second Saab, I had a convertible Aero Hot a few years back too, gorgeous car.

Anyways, I'm sure I'll have lots of questions to ask in due course.
regards,
Steven

[Dappah]

beautiful car, man! do you have any plans for it?

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[nordwulf]

All Saab models start with a 9. When they made the first Saab car, their latest airplane was the 91. So they named the first Saab car the Saab 92.

After the 900 and 9000, Saab wanted something different and aimed at BMW. The 9-3 competed with the 3-series and the 9-5 with the 5-series. At least that's what I remember from a while ago.

[Dave T]

There were exceptions. The Saab 600 was sold only in some Scandinavian countries. It was built by Lancia for Saab based on a minimally modified Lancia. There was also the Saab Sonett 2 seater.

The 9-3 name probably came out because Saab was about to have more than 2-3 models. There was the Saab 90, 900, and 9000, as well as an ambulance called the 90000. Of course, the Saab 9 was an unused name as well as a Saab 900000 and 9000000. I don't think any company would ever name their car the 9000000.

In the 1999 model year, the 900 had a mid-cycle update and renamed the 9-3. Later, there was the Subaru built 9-2X and Chevrolet built 9-7X.

[manxaero]

beautiful car, man! do you have any plans for it?

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Yep, drive it

Nothing major in terms of moddifying etc, just needs a few bits, rear discs and wheel bearings need doing.
Otherwise, it's beautiful how it is.

[GeoffR]

All manufacturers have model designations, Saab are/were no different.
There were never more than a couple of models in production at any one time, in fact in the mid '80s there was only the original 900.
In 1985/6 the 9000 came along and there were two production models. In the 90s the original 900 was replaced by the "new"900 and then the original 9-3, visually very similar to the New 900.
The 9000 went from the original 9000 to the 9000CS which was replaced in 1996/7 by the 9-5.
The final iteration of the smaller Saab was the 9-3 Sports Saloon, known as the 9-3SS and the 9-3 Sport wagon or 9-3SW.

You can easily wind up a 9-5 owner by saying that you have a Saab Aero, many 9-3 owners seem to forget that there is also a 9-5 Aero.

[Dappah]

Yep, drive it

Nothing major in terms of moddifying etc, just needs a few bits, rear discs and wheel bearings need doing.
Otherwise, it's beautiful how it is.

absolutely haha. great buy!

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[RoccoH]

Well, 9-3 means 6. But to be honest it is 9³ so that means 729 which is of course much better than 6.

So even though 9-5 only means 4, it is in reality 9⁵ which means 59,049 so this shows the 9⁵ is a much better car than a 9³!