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2. While hatches are clearly popular middle market cars in Europe, the upper market is still either sedan or station wagon. Audi, BMW and Benz make hatches for the European market, but these are clearly entry level for them (middle market for the buyer) offerings.
3. GM makes middle market hatches already under the Opel brand. Opel is infinitely more important to GM and it is also struggling to regain profitability.
4. There will be a Saab 9-3 sport station wagon, which will compete with the BMW, Audi, and Mercedes station wagons.
5. GM's plan for Saab has to include its plans for Opel (and Fiat/Alfa Romeo for that matter). GM clearly wants to place Saab as its upmarket European offerings. Those with memories of Saab as an independent company may be disappointed that Saab no longer makes a middle-market car. But GM would be silly to concede to that thinking. Product overlap and competing against onesself do not help the bottom line. If Saab cannot make it where GM is placing it, then it makes more sense to GM to kill Saab and concentrate on Opel.
When we discoverd we were going to be parents back in '95, one of my fears was that my evil wife would instantly turn into a "soccer mom" and demand an SUV or Minivan to replace her fun,fun,fun Nissan Sentra SE-R. Luckily, she is (although evil) an intelligent and sensible woman and a green '95 900s became her new car.
The hatch was awesome as we hauled home new televisions (in the box!), assembeld gas grills and of course lots of baby stuff (including a second child!) throughout the years while getting 24+ mpg locally.
Unfortunately, 2001 saw us spend a few $$$ to keep the Saab going and I decided it was time to move on after almost 7 years and 83,000+ miles. I had hoped she'd want a 9-5 wagon. Alas, the "soccer mom" gene proved too powerful and for Christmas we bought her a Lexus RX300. Oh, well, at least it's not a horrendous behemoth like her sister in law's Expedition (oh, yeah. They really need that. It's bigger than their garage!).
Anywho, the new 9-3 looks like a handsome little devil and it will be on my list in a couple of years. Although, I'll probably hold out for the X...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Thanks in advance for any comments.
9-3 Pics
I did the build your own on the British site in August, and there was a cloth seat. Now that the build your own is up on the US site, there is no cloth option at all.
In fact, the car is so loaded that build your own is kind of boring. Pick your color, select the sports chassis, and you are done.
I think the release date is early October, but there was no firm date given.
Comments appreciated. Thanks
Thanks again
No lease prices yet.
Like Volvo, Saab is the Swedish branch of a US company. In my mind Volvo has always been the solid conservative Swede and Saab the more fun Swede.
Audi is awd, BMW rwd. Similar prices, but probably attract a different driver. The 9-3 is a nice alternative to both.
Provided the 9-3 is optioned well and priced right, and, with a well equipped 9-3 starting at 25k -- your example is a fully loaded 9-3 afterall -- I think the price is right, the 9-3 should do well.
It is already off to a flying start in Europe. The Japanese do not have much of a following in Europe. There are, of course, high end Peugeots and Alfas and the like in Europe which are not sold here. It will be interesting to see how the Saab does in NA. I have my money on well.
I too think Saab will do very well with the new 9-3. For someone looking for non-BMW entry level lux, I think it will be the best thing out there.
The much maligned Fiat buyout agreement actually has an out for GM if Fiat declines below certain sales and production levels. If GM does not rescue Fiat, I do not think Fiat will stand a chance. A Corolla is a good option for a would be Fiat buyer.
I am glad GM took the write-off for Fiat in the third-quarter. Now GM Europe can concentrate on making Opel and Saab as good as they can be. The 9-3 is a great start.
I have heard great things about the ride.
I can't wait to see Arc and Vector this spring as that is more in line with what I will want but this was impressive none the less.
The looked great though!
NICE F'IN CAR!
That little manual shifter poking out of the console......the grab handles.....even the wierd center key location (a Saab tradition)........... DO ME!
inside and out, very tasteful and stylish....cabin looks tight and comfy like a BMW3.
My only styling gripe is that the side character line is a bit too pronounced IMHO. If the shape of this car is telegraphing the approximate shape and size of the upcoming epsilon cars like the Malibu, hey good job! "right size" cars. This size of car is just about right for most sedan users. Maybe a couple inches wider would be nice, or is it just a taller looking car that deceives the eye in terms of useful width.
It looked like the back seat was maybe snug and also too low.....gauges are too small....otherwise, dash is fabulous.
"THEY REALLY OUGHT TO HAVE PUT THE GAUGES IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH THOUGH".
Interior plastics and layout looked FABULOUS through the looking glass.
The base linear with 5 sp was priced around 26......good deal if you can live with a 4cyl. A good deal in comparison to some androgynous, confused looking Camry, which would cost more with the same equipment. This trim and equipment level....watch out Accord and Camry.
The auto they had had the Launch pkg and other goodies and was around 32g's I think.
VERY VERY NICE......good, now folks of German lineage like myself can drive a car that looks German instead of something woefully and undesirably SCANDINAVIAN. Imagine that....a Saab that looks more tasteful German rather than SWEDE.
Let's see...9/3, Mazda 6, Maxima, ummm......
Ultimately, the a4 is probably still a bit better looking but the new 9/3 is pretty much equal with the BMW3 now in terms of style.
Handling is truly great for a FWD. Actually better than Audi A4 FWD. Audi's 1.8T is also inferior than Saab's.
I was very impressed. I drove a fully loaded 9-3 with Launch Package and Touring Package (it basically had everything you can get at this time). First and most importantly I love the way it drove. Its got slightly more interior space than the BMW, the rear seats easily fold down, and its got an on board computer that's second to none. Its one of the safest cars, 8 airbags, great gas mileage, large trunk..and it looks good.
Here's what I didnt like, when you include everything, i was quoted $33,285 (which the dealer tells me is $1500 over invoice. Knowing foreign cars usually dont go this low over invoice I was skeptical. After I learned GM bought Saab, it made more sense). Anyway, there is no memory seats, the passenger side seat is not automatic, the Linear is the only one availbe now with the smaller 175HP engine (which for me is fine, but the 210HP is coming in Jan for an additional $3k). There is a cheapy cloth armrest and doors (the rest of the car is leather), and the rear leg room is about the same as the BMW (which is not much). These are all minor things but they really bug me. The Infiniti G35 is the sam price and has all of that stuff...but it doesnt dirve as well.
I think its worth a test drive, because how a car drives is strickly personal. You can basically pay for all the other bells and whistles.
Ive never owned a Saab, can anyone comment on the quality, realiabilty, and/or resale value. thanks.
http://www.autointell.com/news-2000/April-2000/April-04-00-p2.htm
Saabs are among the safest vehicles you can find out there.
The heat is spreading now..... Saab 9-3 will be a hot car.
So far the local Saab dealer does not have a manual and sport suspension combo. The dealer says they want to order some, but are caught up in the backlog okidokie mentions. I might ask to drive the manual tester and the loaded automatic tester with the sport suspension.
My current car does not come out of warranty for another year and a half. But I recently sold my Miata (wife got an Escape and we only have a two car garage), and really want a driver's car. If the 9-3 lives up to its press, I could order a manual in December or so. If delivery is slow, I would not mind much, as January and February are not driving months in Chicago anyway.
I would love to hear more if you get the car.
oldsman : Saab makes great 4 bangers though it won't be quite as smooth and quiet as the shortstar. Only a test will give you an accurate picture.
The engine is controlled by electronic throttle by wire, managed by the state of the art Saab's Trionic engine management. No wonder it is so smooth and refined.
That's as best as a 4 pot can get.