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Saab 9-3 Sedan

in Saab
Comments
Like many automakers, Saab has been revamping trim lines and pricing structures. Acura has completely overhauled their offerings but I don't hear anyone complaining. Volvo has revolutionized it's lineup and I don't think anyone is confused except old line Volvo owners who've been driving 240DL's since 1971.
Saab is doing what they must to remain viable and competitive with old cars until new product arrives. By 2005 you could see a whole new company arise out of the ashes like what you've seen with Jaguar.
It listed for $30,000 after the heated seats (love them!) and sunroof options. I have to say the sound system sucks for a $30g car.
Back to my option. I'm paying for 12,000 miles a year but probably will have 25,000 at the end, not 36,000. I can buy it for $16,500 - unless they are willing to deal. What to do?
There are several threads here in Town Hall that discuss leasing. There are several articles publsihed here to teach you about leasing and how to calculate them.
Saab Financial heavily subsidises their lease program so it makes terrific sense to lease a Saab. Buying a new Saab is financial suicide unless you intend to keep the car many years. And even then you are better off financially buying a slightly used Saab than a showroom fresh one.
peterson33 - Go to this thread and ask Bill and Terry about wholesale market pricing on your 9-3. Be very descriptive about your car, its condition, and your location and they'll give you current wholesale and retail numbers. From there negotiate with SFSC (not your dealer!) on a buyout price. At least you should save a few thou. mjtunis "Real-World Trade-In Values" Apr 23, 2002 9:08am
Question: Have noticed what looks like splattered carbon deposits on the garage floor below the tail pipe. Cleaned it up once thinking it might be a one time thing, but now its back. A cone shaped pattern about 24 inches long and 12 inches at its widest point. Any ideas?
I believe the 9-3 has definitely improved since 1999. I am not sure about the shift patterns, as I now have a 5 speed. BUT, I have driven a few automatic loaner 9-3's and they seem to just as "fun" if not more so because of the increase hp. I guess it is personal preference. I am not sure how you drive....
So, are you ready for the new 9-3??? Horsepower is supposed to be up and there is a possibility of a six speed manual!
Have a Saab mechanic check it out for you. Also go to http://www.saabnet.com and read some of the posts in the 9-3 Bulletin Board. You'll learn alot about Saab's there.
http://www.autoweek.com
It's two inches wider and has two more inches of wheelbase.
"A convertible will follow in 2003, with two hatchback- like variants including the all-wheel-drive 9-3X after that." What are hatchback-like variants - one may be a station wagon, but what about the other?
I have always like the looks of some Saabs. A little odd, but still attractive. The new 9-3 seems more attractive than odd.
I know some Saab people are worried the 9-3 and 9-5 will share the Epsilon platform with more pedestrian models such as the Opel Vectra and the new Malibu. I for one am not. As long as the base platform is sufficiently stiff, Saab can upgrade it to keep the Saab identiy clear.
Holding prices competitive is the obvious advantage of platform sharing. GM hopes to realize 600 million in savings sharing the Epsilon platform. Appears they will share at least some of the savings with 9-3 buyers.
I am uncertain about fwd. But that price makes the new 9-3 worth a long, hard look.
Luckily, GM points can even be used on Saab in Canada.
Some screwy state laws down here probably make it harder than in Canada. But with GM is combining the dealers in Canada, and GM already working the P/B/G combo, maybe that will be the future look here as well.
Any good sights with lots of new 9-3 pictures? I have only seen a few.
Saab is probably a little conflicted here. I am sure they want to build a buzz for the new '03 9-3 launch. At the same time, they have a summer's worth of '02 9-3s. I figure they should err on the side of getting too much data out. But then, I do not make my living selling cars.
More pictures and an article can be found at
http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/press/020516.html
the link in case you need it
Wonder if there may be good deals on the old models come August.
See I like GM as long as they put out decent product and stop trying to sell the same crap they sold in the 80's in terms of engines.
The new Malibu/Vectra looks extrememly promising, as it has OHC technology and Euro engineering. That is, assuming Detroit doesn't pervert the basic car with its typical Michigan qualities......I am already upset to hear reports that the horizontal crossbar grille trim is slated for the Malibu, the Vectra beak should be kept in tact as it is. All they need to do with this car is swap the Opel badges with Chevy badges but I am sure they will find some way in Detroit to make it unattractive.....probably will put in a 3.4 pushrod motor or really cheap interior.
For what its worth, I really do like the Alero and L-series, albeit with a small reservation or two. These are really two of GM's base current products.
The new Ecotec motor is quite good and GM NA would do itself well to put this motor in as many cars as it could. I see they are finally starting to do so. But it shouldn't have taken GM till 2002 to put a decent four cylinder in any of its cars when Honda has put solid 4's in its cars basically since the beginning of time.
I'm not against GM per se'. My family grew up on GM vehicles. What I am against about GM is overt signs of cheapness and unwillingness to match other companies in quality of driving hardware and technologies. Plus there has been that certain arrogance in their PR that has always suggested "buy us no matter what we sell" instead of just putting out product that folks want.
Also, I am not a Saab fan. I do think GM's ownership of Saab saved them from the brink of ruin. Saab has to compete with BMW so they had better have the car part down. Or they will fade away.
The 9-3 Sedan and its varients appear as though they may be what Saab has been looking for.
If these cars match their looks, GM can have a nice fwd alternative to people who want to go upscale but do not want the rwd and brassiness of the CTS. Basically you will have GMs version of the Lexi Es300 IS300 brethren.
You are right about the different dynamics. Saab will share a platform with Opel and some US models. But it will have enough engineering leeway to make the car distinctive.
From what I have seen so far, you will not be giving up too much interior space from your current 9-5 to the new 9-3.
http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/models/2003/
It doesn't say the engine is Ecotec, but "all internal components are unique to Saab".
There is no way Saab could get enough sales to justify the expense of designing its own engine. Modifying, yes, designing from the ground up, no.
Moreover, if GM decides to make the Solstice, most reports say the Saab engine will find its way into the car.
The 9-3 looks promising. Any chance you might reconsider the G20 purchase Ambull?
I gave up the 93.5 G20 for an old Saab 9000 turbo because it had more room and power. Would still be driving it if a careless driver hadn't caused me to total it.
I don't know what I want yet, so that's why I'm keeping up with the new models, although I drive so little I can't really justify a new car.
To keep on topic, I like what I've seen so far of the new 9-3. The current one doesn't appeal to me as much as the 9-5, but they're too much money for me.
A recent change in titles has me traveling far less per year than before. I figured my current L-200 would be the kind of reliable car that I would not feel bad about driving 30k per year. Now I only drive on weekends or evenings when I go out. So it might be fun to go up a class. Maybe the 9-3 is where I want to go.