A guide to decoding your VIN, with the number referring to the position in the VIN of the character
1 Geographical area
Y = Northern Europe
2 Country
S = Sweden
3 Car manufacturer
3 = Saab Automobile AB
4 Product line
D = 9-3
5 Model Series
A = Saab 9-3 with driver airbag
B = Saab 9-3 with driver and passenger airbag
C = Saab 9-3S with driver airbag
D = Saab 9-3S with driver and passenger airbag
E = Saab 9-3SE with driver airbag
F = Saab 9-3SE with driver and passenger airbag
G = Saab 9-3 Aero with driver airbag
H = Saab 9-3 Aero with driver and passenger airbag
N = Saab 9-3 Viggen with driver airbag
P = Saab 9-3 Viggen with driver and passenger airbag
6 Body type
3 = 3-door
5 = 5-door
7 = Cabriolet
7 Transmission
5 = Manual 5-speed
8 = Automatic 4-speed
8 Engine variant
J = 2.0 i, B204I
B = 2.3 i, B234I
N = 2.0 T, B204L
D = 2.2 TiD, D223L
T = 2.0 T, B204E
P = 2.0 T, B204R
G = 2.3 T, B235R
H = 2.0 T, B205L
K = 2.0 T, B205R
C = 2.0 T, B205E
9 Check character
0 - 9 or X
10 Model year
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
11 Place of manufacture
2 = Trollhättan
7 = Nystad
9 = Trollhättan, pilot series
12 Serial number
000001-999999