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Saab 9-3 Coupe (2002 and earlier)
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Comments
What you have done is raise the amplifier setting on the car. This about triple's your wattage, which will give you a much fuller sounding stereo.
The "start volume" is not the volume when the stereo is turned on, but rather the "gain" on the harmon kardon amp. Big difference. Many Saab owners complain about their stereo, but few know that the amp setting is set at less than one third of the power (a setting of "30" is tops).
Enjoy. I must say, except for a little more of a bumpy ride which my old bones can't take, the 9-3 is very similar to the 9-5, a very enjoyable car to drive. Love the hatch!
smu1976: I did the trick today, and it actually does work. It was extremely annoying actually setting the start volume, as it cranks up the stereo to obnoxiously loud levels, but what a difference it makes turning it up to 30. Thanks for the advice!
Gary
"I would recommend Vinny. He has always found a cost
effective way to repair my SAABs. He is trained as a SAAB mechanic
and works mainly on SAABs.
Glen Cove Foreign Cars
77 Roslyn Ave
Sea Cliff
11579
(516) 676-1544 "
thanks
wineknow
standard with SE models. I just saw a 2000 SE with automatic tranny with cloth seating.
Could it really be an se or was just mislabeled.
someone please help b4 i pay too much for this car.
I litterally missed the lemon law by ONE service appointment. Saab has told me that they are only willing to give me a coupon towards the purchase of a new Saab. That's not acceptable to me because I can't afford a 95 and I refuse to ever drive another 93. So no luck with Saab.
Several of these problems are common - it is not unusual for me to go to the dealer and hear someone else with a similar complaint. My service department is pretty good - it's the car that is awful.
Thanks for the opportunity to vent - I would recommend NOT buying a 93 as many of these issues will show up on other 93's (just ask my coworker sitting accross from me who also owns one!).
Jake
For those considering a 9.3 - drive it. Put it in sport mode and step on the gas. Hit some curves then slam on the brakes. Ahh - this ain't no GM.
My only problems so far - heater got stuck on hot mode when the dial broke off in my hand. Dealer fixed it. There is a squeek noise coming from the back that I have not pinpointed. If I can't fix it, I'm not buying it.
GOod luckj, but I think 16,500 is too much. Also, the squeaks will never go away and the a/c controls WILL keep breaking (from my experience).
Jake
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
If you have a story to share, please send it to Edmunds' PR director: jfallon@edmunds.com. It is helpful for you to include your e-mail, phone number and city/state of residence when you respond. Deadline for submission on this one is March 6. Thanks for your participation.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
Cap cost - 28226
Cash reduction - 2000
Lease term - 36
Lease factor - .00049
Residual - 47%
15k miles per year
Payment - $356 a month
I haven't done any negotiating yet, but I wanted to find out what room I might have. I appreciate any suggestions. Thanks ahead. L
While you're waiting here for feedback, I'd like to direct you to Edmunds' True Market Value New Vehicle Appraiser and National/Regional Incentives, Rebates, and Lease Program information.
Hilltop- Glad to see you've found your way to our Ask Lease Questions discussion on the FWI board. Car man should be able to offer some good information. Have you had a chance to check out Edmunds' Leasing Advice?
Hope this is helpful. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your purchases. Thanks!
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
rarrieta: I don't know about any $5500 incentive, but you can get this car for near invoice. I think Saab is offering 0% financing as well. I'm not sure of the terms. Check out Edmunds for the invoice price and saabusa.com for current incentives.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I have done some more research and I am pretty sure I can get the cap cost down another 1k which would still give the dealer a profit with dealer lease cash and hold back. I would then eliminate the cash reduction and have a similar lease payment (a little bit more). My out of pocket expenses would be a little over $1200 for the various lease inception fees including the first month's payment.
This is my thinking anyway. Wish me luck. L
i just feel that if i pay the $460, sooner or later those lease rates will drop as saab tries to unload these models.
the current saab incentives are coming to an end now and march will have new offers, has anyone heard anything?
what do all of you think?
with 12k/yr, 3400 down, and 297 per month, with my GM supplier discount. After reading these recents posts, i feel gyped.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Preparing for my negotiation and trying to get a sense of where the dealer is coming from. I am in the Wash DC area if that matters.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Also, please note that the Edmunds.com base TMV new vehicle prices do not take into account Manufacturer-to-consumer incentives or rebates. So be sure to check Edmunds' Incentives and rebates for any necessary adjustments. Others here may have more to add. Good luck with your purchase, and please keep us posted. ;-)
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
it's only been two days, and so far the car is ok, just what you expect from a new car. Will see how the car rides after couple of thousand miles.
i live in florida and i'm looking forward to hitting the turnpike or I-75 one of these days.
The cool thing about the car though is that it turns heads in my black neighborhood. it's differnt from everybodys honda, nissan, toyota, bmw's and mb.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I am curious if you were able to work down the out of pocket. My research shows the same wiggle room that they should have - based on living close to invoice.
>The $356 includes everything - taxes too.
- is this for Manual, no premium package?
> $359 only has 12k miles per year (base)
is that for Metallic Paint, premium and service ?
I drove it today but didn't stay to bargain, seems that you could probably get the cash out of pocket down.
Here in CA they want 3599 cash and 279 + tax for Manual, no premium, no service included.
I want to put down 2500 cash and 299 a month for the premium package.
I will go back to drive the manual version tomorrow.
I am from CT but now living in CA.... good luck with the deal.
The Saab is ahead of Passat and Volvo for me right now.
aak
Manual - $27207,$1200 inception (first payment included)- $363 a month
Auto - $28151,$1200 inception (first payment included) - $378 a month
I ended going with the automatic since I have been caught in traffic a lot lately. I went with the midnight blue, but black, red, or white would have knocked down the cap cost another $400.
I think I got a pretty good deal. Obviously, if you buy the car versus leasing it, you can get the purchase price down even more, but this was as low as I could get the dealer to go on the lease yesterday. If anyone thinks I have more room to negotiate, let me know - the paperwork won't get started until tomorrow. This is my first time leasing a car, so any advice is greatly appreciated.
The Saab lease deal on their website until the 28th is $299 base manual with 12k for 3yrs, $2k down or $359 base manual with 12k for 3 yrs, no money down. The premium package is adding about $1700 to the price and metallic paint $400.
Good luck with your negotiating AAK. Let me know how you do.
L
I too need to go drive the Automatic today for the same reasons. Then I will test drive the one with the Premium Package Manual. I will then make clear I am not going pay 3599 down with 279 payment for the Manual no package (the published deal here).
I have one last question, since I will probably buy it at the end of the lease, what is the residual/buy out price at the end of the paperwork you have been doing.
I leased my last car because I could write off this lease (Maxima SE loaded) but it drives too soft - almost bouncing on the turns. But this time, I need to keep the initial cash flow down so I think buying the lease out, is a used car where you know exactly how it has been treated and maintained.
The deal here is 13966.00, do you remember what you are getting.
I redrove the Passat last night (dealership opened later) but they don't have the great lease deal. The VW did seem peppier out of the gate with the automatic, so I will have to see if the Saab is the same. Mercedes coup and Lexus IS300 were fun to drive, but no lease deals and too small.
I like to drive Manual cars, but sometimes in traffic it is a pain.
Any ideas what service costs at 50, 60,75?
I hope they can give me something today to show me about this.
Keep in touch and I hope everything goes well.
aak
To aak2002- In addition to the feedback here, you may want to check out this FWI Lease discussion. Our FWI host, Car_man, is very knowledgeable in that area. Also, you can look for manufacturer recommended service costs in Edmunds' Maintenance Guide. Good luck, and please keep us posted on your purchase.
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Station Wagons Boards
My buy out option is $14835, auto. I will also be writing off the lease to my business, but I won't do the buy out at the end. Too many cool cars coming out in the next few years.
As for the manual versus the auto - I have driven a manual Mazda MX-6 for the past 10 years and have loved it. I had every intention of leasing the manual Saab, but after a lot of traffic this week, decided to test drive the auto too. I was pleasantly surprised. It was still really peppy, especially in sport mode. Plus, I didn't have to look at that annoying shift up message on the instrument panel.
Anyway, hope this info helps. Sorry I can't help you with maintenance above 36k. Good luck. - Lori
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Needless to say, I could not bargain too much. I got a little better than the national deal plus the add-ons. They just wouldn't budge here - probably worth at least 500 to get the car I wanted. I refused to pay deposit, but they said they could not move the bank aqc. fee of $595.Is this true?
I am putting 2k down, plus first and fees. Seems like the West coast prices are still about 500 bucks higher. I got close to under invoice.... I think they have sold quite a few of those out here in CA, so they were not as hungry for the business.
I have jury duty this week, so couldn't go totally nuts besides I am still exhausted from bargaining $4.5k off invoice my other car a few weeks back for my significant other.
I decided that I couldn't miss out on the fun and with the stick...so I went with it... added the premium package - but have to wait for the car - as it is still on a boat, my current NS (non Saab) lease ends tomorrow, so the dealer said they would loan me a 9-5 until it comes in...hope it's soon, my birthday is next week.
By the way, good news... I talked with two friends today who own 99 9-3's and they both have had no problem still love the car every day.. both live in NH. One friend, just last week bargained his residual down from 16 to 14k and said they financed it....I think his lease was $269.00/m but higher rate, I cannot remember.
Anyway, time to decide what accessories... I cannot wait. I am thinking about a jaunt down to Hearst Castle to take the car for a spin.
Any clues on how to get ride of new car smell ;-) it makes me sick.
Last thing I have to figure out is how to connect my iPod for MP3 playback... it would be cool to have a connector from the stereo out on the dash. This could be handy for phone use too - just a simple input.
Thanks for the pointers, I will take my lease questions there...
ak
I have a 2000 9-3 SE and it's awesome. No problems at all with just regular dealer maintenance. Definitely go with the stick.
ipod connection can be handled with a mini FM transmitter that plugs into the headphone jack. get it at radioshack. works pretty good.
good luck
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
C-ya
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
As to your valued qualities in a car, both have all of them, but the MB has it better too. Just my opinion. And in case you were wondering, I have a Saab, not a Merc.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I currently own both: a new C230 with 100 miles and a '95 900S with 58K miles (yes, very low mileage).
My mother told me that if I couldn't say something nice about someone, that I should say nothing at all. So here's a "something nice":
The Saab is that it has a very large trunk. This is quite useful for carrying heavy repair tools, such as those that are required for replacing two clutches, or for an engine rebuild. Its also good at carrying a defective battery off to recycling, it will even hold two mufflers and all those cheap plastic pieces, such as three sun visors, the glovebox lid switch and the headlight switch. Its semi-slab sided design is also quite good at keeping you awake while driving, particularly when crossing bridges and other exposed roads that can have crosswinds.
Its a bit early to say, but I suspect that the C230K won't give me all of these opportunities to watch the TV in my local dealership's waiting room.
-hh