1981 Saab 9-3: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

5 builds left the factory as a 1981 9-3, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 1 main configurations
  • 42 vehicles built
  • 3 for sale right now

Which 9-3 is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your 9-3

What YS3FB79Y-A means

YS3 FB79Y · A
YS3
the World Manufacturer Identifier Saab registered — the manufacturer and plant group
FB79Y
together encode the 9-3 line — Convertible, 2L 4cyl, Front-wheel drive — as Saab filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
A
in position 10 — model year 1981
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
4 rare configurations — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific 9-3?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.