I am looking to buy a Saab 9-3, but I can not find information on the maintenance and cost of upkeep for Saabs. I'd like to get a feel for how expensive maintaining a Saab is and any other relevant information for a college student looking to purchase a car - with a tight budget...

The Saab 9-3 is a great car. Are you buying new or used? The maintenance costs are higher as the car ages. On average, the costs are $800-1200 per year based on 15,000 miles per year. This includes oil changes, brakes, major services and tires. Have the car checked out by a good Saab service facility. Ask to see the service records. Is there a good Saab dealer or service facility near your school, if not look for a car that can be serviced by a local facility. If you are buying a new Saab, the car comes with a 3 year, 36,000 mile scheduled maintenance program along with a 4 year, 50,000 mile factory warranty. If you are buying a used Saab, check out the certified pre-owned program. The warranty is extended an additional 2 years up to 100,000 miles. The program has great rates on financing too. If you are buying an older Saab, be very thorough about checking the service records. If the car has not been well maintained, steer clear. Good Luck!