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Comments
Did you get the manual or the automatic? Either way, how do you like the transmission?
Were you able to get much off the list price? What kind of finance rate did you get?
Sounds like an amazing ride.
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.
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.
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!!!!
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.
Very few (if any) modern cars have it. I highly doubt you will find any in the new 9-3.
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
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.
>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.
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.
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.
If you made that move, how did you make it work financially??
http://www.4car.co.uk/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=211&id=4424
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
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.
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.