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Saab 9-3 Sedan

1235766

Comments

  • simon97simon97 Member Posts: 5
    I thought the 175hp was great. I currently have a '00 328i approx 195 hp and I couldnt notice much difference. I think Saab prides themselves on making the most efficient 4cyl around. I agree wil rgc2200 that there is no noticable turbo lag. having said that, Im going to wait until Jan to see the Arc. Myguess is that Im either gonna get that or another bmw.
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    Anyone buy(or lease) a Saab at GMS pricing. I am eligible for GMS pricing due to my company's large fleet business with GM and according to the GMS website, the price on Saabs is invoice less any key market advertising. The question is are dealers willing to sell one at that price as GMS pricing participation is optional and I've heard of some Cadillac dealers refusing to sell CTSs at GMS pricing. Drove by the dealer this afternoon and they have a black 9-3 right out front. Not sure on the equipment level of it, but I may just have to stop by for a test drive Saturday. The launch package would be nice, but I could like with one that just has the Touring package(climate control, auto dim mirror, Zenon headlights) and either take or leave the automatic transmission. Heck, rowing ones own gears is not only fun but saves you $1200.
  • shades80shades80 Member Posts: 53
    Black/Char-every option package on the initial Linear..thought of waiting on the Vector/Arc but after i drove the Linear with all the upgrades twice with that 195 pd ft of torque..no reason too..power everywhere..strong pull off the mark..taut controlled ride..suspension is compliant and with the 17's a little stiff..but i like it like that..5 spoke rims are beautiful..interior is sharp and driver oriented..bi-xenons are great..thank you saab for building a great drivers car..i also notice people looking at my car and are not sure what it is..looks german with a little is300..get a lot of double takes...any questions about the car..i will be glad to answer..
  • logic1logic1 Member Posts: 2,433
    Great! Glad to hear from you. I like the black/Char and the Dolphin/Grey. So, far, I have only seen a black and red in person though.

    Did you get the manual or the automatic? Either way, how do you like the transmission?
  • shades80shades80 Member Posts: 53
    Got the sentronic-auto...tranny is nice and smooth..power everywhere..turbo is seemless..this is my first car with a turbo..had no idea what it would feel like...tell you the truth feels like my old rwd car with a v6...break in is 1800 miles..will take days to figure out all the diff functions i can program on the computer..very comprehensive..a lot of fun...really pleased.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Wow, an owner. Congrats! You will get lots of questions.

    Were you able to get much off the list price? What kind of finance rate did you get?

    Sounds like an amazing ride.
  • shades80shades80 Member Posts: 53
    Got 4.9 for 60 mos...got 500 off msrp..got fair value for my trade...
  • logic1logic1 Member Posts: 2,433
    That is a good deal. Thanks for the details.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Sounds pretty reasonable.

    I think when I tested a Vibe they offered 3.9% for 48 months when they just came out.

    New model so you can't expect deep discounts. Even the CTS is selling very close to list right now and it's been out for months.
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    Did you drive one with the manual? Practically speaking the auto would make more sense due to my mosty city driving, but with manual cars becoming more and more rare these days, I'm tempted to consider one if I go the 9-3 route. Not to mention it is fun rowing your own gears. What is the redline on the Saab engine?
  • shades80shades80 Member Posts: 53
    Will check on the redline...still trying to get through the three manuals...need auto for the other peoples in my home...you know wife and all..but that is ok with me..the suspension is so tight, there is very little body lean..i got the tire/wheel-sport chasis upgrade..the standard 16's might be a bit softer...my set up will be like the vector but with the smaller engine...again, power is everywhere..turbo is seemless..go and drive it.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    I heard GM will be introducing a turbo charged 2.2L Ecotec, I wonder how it will compare to the Saab version. We love the Ecotec in our Alero, very nice engine.
  • bigdaddycoatsbigdaddycoats Member Posts: 1,058
    Turbo 2.2 used in what model? I thought I heard that too, but can't remember where. Performance ION?
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    yup... performance ION and I think the upcoming Cavalier replacement. Also heard they will offer kits to turbo charge any Ecotec. Nice to see GM finally has some nice 4 bangers even though the technology mostly came from GM Europe.
  • rghesselrghessel Member Posts: 122
    When Navigation becomes available on the new 9-3 (reportedly for model year 2004), does anyone know if it will be touch-screen based?
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    Isn't the GM "Ecotec" 2.2 based on the same design that the Saab fours are?
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    Does anyone know if XM radio is available on the 9-3 or if it will be? I have an aftermarket system in my Intrigue, but would love to have a car with it integrated into the audio system. Cadillacs and most other high end GM models are offering XM for 03 so it would make sense for Saabs to offer it as well.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    It may be. I always thought the Ecotec was a seperate GM project with Lotus though. Maybe I'm wrong?
  • logic1logic1 Member Posts: 2,433
    Saab's 4 is based on the ecotec, but has many proprietary features. I do not think the Saab turbo or engine management system would work with the ecotec without substantial modifications.
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    Spent some time on the Saab website and configured several 9-3s that would be acceptable to me. While I would like a sunroof and the sport suspension/wheel package, I could live with a 9-3 Linear with touring package(climate control, auto dim mirror, etc) with or without the automatic. On the website they have a finance calculator and for a 36 month lease at 15K a year with 2K down, the monthly lease payment actually came out to a bit less than what I pay a month for the Intrigue. While I'll own the Intrigue when I'm done paying for it, the truth is I'll probably be ready for something new then anyway. If the weather clears tomorrow, I may venture out for a test drive. The more I look at this car on the website and in reviews, the more I like it.
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    Lotus did most of the development work on the Ecotec family of GM engines from what I understand.....

    HOWEVER

    Saab uses their own engine management system and has made other independent tweaks which supposedly bring the performance up a notch.

    Think of the Ecotec as being the solid foundation and then Saab has enhanced it to a higher level.
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    How well do Saabs do in safety test and in the real world? Looking at the specs, the new 9-3 comes standard with loads of safety features but I'm curious how the car would hold up if the inevitable happened. The reason I ask if that friday night I was nearly involved in an accident in which someone pulled out in front of me. I was able to avoid the accident but it had me wondering what would have happened had the crash happened. I've typically favored larger cars for this very reason as no anount of safety features in the world can overcome the laws of physics. Coming from an Intrigue which is about 195 inches long and about 3500 lbs, I'm a bit concerned if I go to something smaller as the 9-3 is several hundred pounds lights and only about 182 inches in length.
  • yugoboyyugoboy Member Posts: 161
    I think saab has a real winner here, i am very interested in the new 93 however i have a great dislike for turbo engines. When i was shopping around for a new car about a year and a half ago i really wanted a saab, but after test driving my friend's 2002 95 aerowagon i was very unimpressed by the engine, or mainly should i say the turbo lag, it was so long and painful i couldn't imagine dealing with that amount of lag on a daily basis, although i loved the rest of the car inside and especially outside.

    My question is how bad is the lag on the new 93's, if it is non existent this car would be at the top of my list, it has killer look's!!!!
  • wishnhigh1wishnhigh1 Member Posts: 363
    oldsman...look around the net for SAAB safety. In my opinion, SAAB has a better foundation for safety than any other car, including volvo...and possibly rivaling MB for structural rigidity and protection in collisions. They do well in crash tests as well as real world collisions.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Saab's are about as safe as you can get in a car. I would expect the crash tests to be all in the good or 4-5 star category.
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    Local deal now has a blue(not sure what they call it) on the lot next to a black one and the blue looks absolutely fabulous! If this rain would ever stop, I really want to get by there and take a test drive. The black one has the multi spoke wheels and the blue has the five spoke so I'm guessing the black one has the launch package and the blue one does not. Thats okay, the touring package(climate control, auto dim mirror, bi-xenon lights) is all I really want. The heated seats would be nice, but in TN I can live without. My only concern is how well the base audio system sounds. Hopefully a test drive will soon answer that question.

    yugoboy, I'm a little concerned about the turbo fours lack of power as well as I've always owned cars with 6 or more cylinders. However, every report that I've read thus far says that turbo lag is virtually non existant in the new engine. 9-3 owners, feel free to chime in.
  • rghesselrghessel Member Posts: 122
    Can someone explain what 'torque steer' is? It's frequently mentioned in reviews of Saab cars. (I understand 'turbo lag'...but I'm not really familiar with this one...).
  • wishnhigh1wishnhigh1 Member Posts: 363
    go ahead and take it out in the rain. They handle wet conditions really well.
  • bigdaddycoatsbigdaddycoats Member Posts: 1,058
    is the pulling of the steering wheel from side to side during fast acceleration. This can be a characteristic of front wheel drive cars with a lot of engine torque. Past Saabs, especially the Viggen and Aero, have been criticized for this. Although some people actually like it.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    I remember testing a Escort GT back a number of years ago and it was really bad in that car. It's the main reason I got a V6 Cavalier instead.

    Very few (if any) modern cars have it. I highly doubt you will find any in the new 9-3.
  • shades80shades80 Member Posts: 53
    Ive also have only driven 6 cyclinder cars before..with my 9-3..195 pd ft of torque is the key for off-line performance..mid range is strong..chasis is tight...turbo lag is not there but i have never driven a turbo prev so im not sure how bad it can be..this car rocks...really sporty looking..only gripe is lack of lateral support on the buckets...i think only the vector will be getting the sport seats..also b sure to check tire pressure..mine was over inflated and made around town driving harsh..i correctly the pressure on the 17's and the car got more compliant..
  • glxwagon4moglxwagon4mo Member Posts: 121
    I think the 5-spoke is probably the 17 inch wheel package that's being offered right now. Apparently, the Linear's that are being built until the end of the year will wear the 16 inch multispoke wheels that will be std on the Arc. Eventually, the Linears produced beginning 01/03 will carry a 5-spoke (?) 15 inch wheel as std

    Drove a Linear with the 5-spd manual and Launch package the other day: The steering was great, but felt like it had just a tad more power-assist than a 3 series Beemers. The suspension was firm, and IMHO was a nice compromise between soaking up the bumps in the road and remaining flat in the corners! Absent (?) turbo lag and non-existent torque steer ! -- granted I'm not driving the car like Jeff Gordon would, but the there is definitely a difference from what I recall when I drove the 9-5 sedan and wagon last year. I'm wondering if this will also be true with larger engine???

    The ergonomics are typical Saab -- I thought the seats were great and provided enough lateral support for the corners. The new key is neat, but I can see that being an expensive replacement if you lose it! The new onboard computer seems a little excessive, but is fairly intuitive. Still has the neat, but fragile looking cupholder.

    Overall a great car and worth a look for those shopping for the usual candidates (ie BMW 3 series). One of the major downside to the car is the historicaally poor resale value of Saabs when compared to BMW's. Therefore you're probably not going to get as good of a lease deal. Also the dealer networks are smaller compared to other Luxo brands.

    George
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Wouldn't be surprised to re-sale get better over the next few years. BMW will likely be better for a long long time, but if Saab makes more vehicles like this new 9-3, word will spread and demand will rise.
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    I've never met anyone who "likes" torque steer, some just tolerate it more than others.

    glxwagon4mo, I don't thing an equally well equipped 3 series can be had for what a 9-3 Linear runs so while resale may not be as good, the initial price isn't as high either. According to the Saab lease calculator on their website, a 36 month lease with 15K is very attractive. I know real world numbers might be a bit higher, but using that as a starting point, the lease looks pretty good.
  • wishnhigh1wishnhigh1 Member Posts: 363
    You havent read any of my posts! In a SAAB, I demand my torque steer! SAABs aint fun to drive unless they drive you too!
  • phoenexiusphoenexius Member Posts: 30
    dindak

    >Very few (if any) modern cars have it. I highly doubt you will find any in the new 9-3.


    Have you driven the 240-hp altima? Torque steer almost put my test drive into a building.


    As said eariler torque steer is caused by unequal torque going to each of the front wheels.

    I have heard that you can help the torque steer on torquey saabs with replacement drivetrain/suspension/steering parts. (link I found http://www.abbottracing.com/2002/tuning/9-3/viggen_story.htm)


    With the great steering feedback it is easy to control in my '01 9-3 (185hp). But applying power coming out of corner with the new 9-3 should be awesome.

  • phoenexiusphoenexius Member Posts: 30
    The saab is a better car than you're intrique.

    The saab can compete with the A4,S60 and almost with a BMW 3 series. The Intrigue will put you in the rubarb if you try to put it through the paces like these near-luxury sporty sedans.

    The standard options on the Saab are far greater than what comes on the intrigue.

    I will repeat the safety factor, the old 900/9-3 (same model from 1993-2002) was designed specifically so that a moose will not kill you. I know of no other passenger vehicle in the world that took specific consideration for this. Braking distance is less than the intrigue, etc.

    Anyway, now that Olds is dead you can move into a proper driving car or stick with the run of the mill North American piece of steel on wheels.

    My father is an oldsman too. 88 and Aurora. I'm trying to get him into a better car, Infiniti G35, Saab, BMW, Audi, whatever.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    Ever driven an Intrigue??

    Tractions control, Precision control system, ABS / 4-wheel discs, 215hp twin cam shortstar. The car is still a top performer among cars in it's class.

    Calling it a "run of the mill" car tells me you (like many) know nothing about the car.
  • pholliephollie Member Posts: 45
    Has anyone tried to sell or trade an old model Saab for a new one? I've got a 2001 base 9-3 half way through a 4 year lease. But I sure would like to try the new one.
    If you made that move, how did you make it work financially??
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Often times if you go to the same dealer, and stick with the same brand of vehicle, they will wave any early termination fees on your lease. Ask your dealer.
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    I appreciate your imput on the Saabs, and I'm sure it is a step ahead of the Intrigue, but I don't quite buy your "run of the mill North American piece of steel on wheels." This type of attitude is what turns me off on cars like BMWs and MBs. You might want to drive an Intrigue before you lump it in with the majority of the mundane American(and import) sedans in it's price range. I've put the car through some pretty serious paces and certainly know it's limits. It's not M3 territory, but certainly better than the majority of the car's in it's price. If I drive the 9-3 and really like it(and can get a decent deal on one) I may do. Otherwise I'm hanging onto my "run of the mill" Olds for another year or so and will probably do a Cadillac CTS once the new V6 is available.
  • yugoboyyugoboy Member Posts: 161
    Boy oh boy is saab ever making things interesting with this new 93, look's like it is already a huge hit, based on initial demand!!! I couldn't even imagine and awd 300hp saab, it's almost to good to be true!!!!


    http://www.4car.co.uk/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=211&id=4424

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,698
    Some have stated that the 16" wheels are going to be on all Linear models through the end of the year. I did in fact see a completely option-less 9-3 at the dealer here, and it did have the 16" wheels on it.

    My question is, if these 16" wheels are essentially standard right now, isn't the $2,695 launch package sort of overpriced? That only includes the sunroof, body color trim, a power driver's seat and the 6 disc changer?

    Any thoughts?

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2024 Corvette - 2024 BMW X5 - 2023 Tesla Model Y

  • phoenexiusphoenexius Member Posts: 30
    I have driven an intrigue and I don't deny that the W platform is very good in its class. How many cars has GM put on that platform (ummm.. Regal, Grand Prix, Intrigue, Century, Impala, Monte Carlo)

    A few weeks later I got into an new Aurora. It is not only higher class, but handles sooo differently.

    I feel that the Aurora, CTS, LS, 300M are real european near/luxury sedan competitors. (putting aside any quality issues)

    I believe that the intrigue and 9-3 are in a different class, period.
  • dindakdindak Member Posts: 6,632
    The platform the 9-3 is sitting on now will be shares with at least 2-3 other cars in the coming years. New European inspired 04 Malibu due out in the spring is next. Platform sharing is the way all makers are going now. So long as it's a good one, who cares.
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    No argument that the Intrigue and the 9-3 are in different classes. Thats why I'm considering a 9-3 as a move up. The Aurora is a better car than the Intrigue, but it also costs more. For someone who wants a smooth ride and nice interior, it's the way to go. For someone who wants some luxuty but also wants a car thats fun to drive hard, a more sporting luxury sedan is the way to go.

    breld, I'd be curious to learn that as well. I'm particularly interested in a 9-3 Linear with the Touring package($995) and maybe the heated seats. Both Edmund's and KBB pricing sites don't list any restrictions on the base 9-3 and mentioned that the launch package is standard right now. KBB has a different package which it says will be available 01/03 so I would guess this is when some launch package features become standard and the base price increases.
  • oldsman01oldsman01 Member Posts: 1,203
    That will be interesting to see the next Malibu if it is based on the 9-3 chassis. Sure will be a big improvement from the current car.
  • logic1logic1 Member Posts: 2,433
    Not an 'if.' GM has confirmed on multiple occasions that the next gen Malibu and Grand Am will be built on the Epsilon platform which bases the 9-3 and Opel Vectra.
  • wishnhigh1wishnhigh1 Member Posts: 363
    does anybody know if the 2003 SAAB 9-3 has been in any crash tests yet, whether domestic or international?
  • regfootballregfootball Member Posts: 2,166
    the no options 9-3 i saw at the dealer had 16" wheels and a price tag of about 26,5.
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