Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Jag are among my favorite cars but the X-type is not IMO as good looking as the S or XJ type.
The 9-3 is much better looking and less ostentatious.
The crash tests results are better on the Saab, which also has more safety features than the Jag.
In the long run, the maintenance costs should be lower on the Saab as well
The Jag is nice looking but its back seat is tiny and I found the front seats a bit snug. It does not strike me as an "old man's car". To me the Saab is less distinctive but quite cleanly styled, a bit more contemporary and certainly less pretentious. The Jag has a surprisingly large trunk, although the Saab's is quite adequate. If the Arc's stereo is better than the Jag's, the Jag's must be truly bad because the Saab's isn't too great. Bose would likely be a nice improvement. I can say my Arc (stock Pirelli P6 tires) tracked flawlessly in an extreme downpour with standing water on the road the other day, it felt absolutely secure. "Airy" is absolutely not a term I would use to describe it.
On other thing to consider is insurance costs. I have found the 9-3 to be a very reasonable car to insure.
Also, in my opinion, the X-type exterior lacks distinction a bit too much; reminds me of a lot of Japanese cars, even Korean like the Hyundai XG.
My car will sputter and sometimes die when it is started in the morning and some evenings.
Anyone else having this problem?
Anyone else getting a different excuse or the same excuse?
thanks
Ride comfort is another story. The 9-3 without the sport suspension still has a fairly busy ride. More so than, say, a 3-series without the sport package. It's unrefined even for a "sports sedan," and getting the sport suspension makes it significantly worse. A number of 9-3 reviews have noted this (e.g. Car & Driver, Consumer Reports).
Ride comfort is also subjective so make sure you take it for a good test drive and hit some typical roads, not just smooth highways.
Despite all this, the vehicle "feels fun" to me.
I leased a 9-3 Linear sedan the last day of May. From day 1, the radio would emit high pitched static after a few minutes behind the wheel. You can turn the radio off and then back on and it will work again for a few minutes. The working cycle gets shorter and shorter.
It's at the shop for the 4th time now. They reprogramed and replaced the radio and amp but to no avail.
Thanks
Other than that it was pretty straight forward. I am currently driving the replacement car they gave (which is what they will do for you) and love it.
Good Luck
Before I do, I'd like to know if there is any lag when heavy accelerating from standstill. I've read reviews and comments about the acceleration lag. My concern would be pulling out in heavy traffic, punching the accelerator, and nothing happening for a moment while traffic closes in, or worse.
Any of you owners experience this, and how serious is it? Thanks in advance
By the way, what fuel mileage can I expect?
I feed this car with grade 89 as the manual said.
This time I took it to the sales manager's office with the radio in all it's static glory. He called Saab legal and was told the service dept gets one more crack at it or I get a new car.
They're replacing the entire radio/Onstar system. Should take another week. Not to worry though, I'm enjoying the 9-2X Aero loaner car.
In March of this year, I requested arbitration via the NYS Lemon Law to get a replacement vehicle. My arbitration hearing was held on 6/22. On 6/29, I received notification of a decision IN MY FAVOR. After not hearing from anybody for 3 weeks I called Saab last week and was told that they would be appealing the decision. They insist that the pulling is normal, even though the pulling was clearly evident during the test drive at my arbitration hearing. I don’t understand why they are playing hardball with me. I just want my car to behave like it should.
I’ve read several posts on this forum about Saab buying back cars. Has anyone else had as much trouble as I have ? Has anyone had to defend a Lemon Law decision in court ?
My question is what changes will be made for the 2005 9-3? Should I wait for the 2005 models to come out or search a 2004 model with all the options I want?
Paul
http://media.gm.com:8221/division/2005_prodinfo/saab/9-3/
How does an ARC do with all-seasons, such as the ones it comes with? With snow tires, the 328i is pretty good in the snow, but swapping tires is a bit of a pain, and those same tires are pretty poor in the rain--i got into a pretty bad hydroplaning skid this last spring.
It's still drivable but do need to replace the problem parts.
If you have ever hear some wierd crack sound come from your steerling wheel, better send them to check up. It's not easy to catch it while doing regular oil change, need to be driven out for testing.
For this specific problem, there is a TSB out. Something about a coupling that is fixed by adhesive (!). Dealer fixed it under warranty.
Now the problem seems gone but I feel bit heavier than used to be.
Its been a while since I've been on this forum. My 2003 ARC with very minor exception has been great, this after 20,000 miles. Make no mistake, this is a very sophisticated car, and I bought in to the first year release and the annoyances that come with it. I'm here to say that those annoyances were far less than I expected, and today, my ARC is very "dialed in".
Based on performance, appearance and overall value, I highly recommend this car. Do not let any ranting on this site about the car's stereos sway your buying decision. Peace.
Arc is better, anyway!
I've searched for information regarding what, if anything, can be done with this in the US, but can't seem to find anything. The dealer assures me there isn't Bluetooth on the car, but I have read on-line that the Bluetooth is there but activated only with a Saab phone. I've also read that it requires On-Star to function.
Any help would be appreciated.
BSL
10,000 miles
Already has a new battery because, according to the dealer "SAAB batteries don't do very well in South Florida heat"
Radio won't work, onstar won't work, can't change seat memory, and now the check engine light is on
Is this car just a bad egg?
SAAB is a GM brand, and uses many GM components, I would not doubt it if SAAB's battery was shared with cars its related to, like the Malibu and the new G6. I personally do not know if this is true but its so obvious to spread the costs around, you know?
There are many GM's in florida i bet, and I have not heard of battery problems there (I'm in NY but it would be a prevalent issue on the boards).
You could play your recording back to GM and see if they deal with this dealer. SAAB is a critical brand for GM, and so they would be inclined to take action.
I hope this works out for you, sorry I couldn't help you more. I just love the 9-3, having driven it myself I loved the drive more than any other car I have ever driven.
So, if anyone interested in the 2006(?) 9-3 w/navigation and 2.8L VVT Turbo V6 with 250hp/258 lb-ft of torque? I mean to me the car seemed fast (stop and go) with the 170hp ecotec, oh man I can't wait till this little guy gets all that power! It could be known as the Mega Man of sport sedans :-D
http://www.edmunds.com/news/regularnews/articles/103106/article.h- - tml?tid=edmunds.h..wkedmunds.headlines.2.*
I have a 2004 9-3 Aero. I replaced the tires it came with and put on Continental ExtremeContact all seasons. It seems as though I lose air constantly in all tires. Every time I check them they're between 37 and 39psi. Also, whatever system the car has in place to alert me on underinflated tires is all out of whack. My question is this: do I inflate these tires to the recommended pressure found on the inside of the driver's side door (41psi) or do I use the recommendation on the actual tire itself (44psi)? Has anyone else had trouble with the tire pressure sensors?
Thanks.
"The better performers among vehicles that earn good ratings are designated 'best picks.' The Saab 9-3, which also earned a 'best pick' designation in the Institute's frontal offset crash test, is the first car to earn this designation in both front and side crash tests. It's a 'double best pick.'"
http://www.iihs.org/news_releases/2004/pr100304.htm
Perhaps this will help get the 9-3 some of the attention it deserves. One of the many reasons I chose the 9-3 was that it is the safest car available.