Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1998 19:02:22 -0700 From: Justin VanAbrahams <jvanabranopsamnet> Subject: Re: '99 Saab 9-3
frzrdrnopsam00.com wrote: > > Hello, > > My wife & I are about to lease a 1999 Saab 9-3. I probably > should have done this before, but : > > Do any of you have any comments on this car? Maybe -- how it > performs, maintenance suggestions, how is it compared to older > Saabs, any known defects.... > > The lease financing seemed to be a very good deal compared to > other vehicles in the price range - or even vs. the lease program > on the 9-5. Does naybody have any info on this?? > > Thanks a lot. I don't own a 9-3, but I have driven a couple of them on test drives. They are *definitely* better than the new-gen 900 that they replace, but they really aren't the same car that "classic" 900s are. I find the 9-3 to *feel* a little squishy in the handling department, but I'm used to my SPG, which has *firm* suspension. The car is pleasant enough to drive, and I actually think the perform very much like early (1986-1992) 9000s - both the engine and the handling. I do notice some turbo lag on take-off that isn't there in my 900s, but is there on 9000s, which also lends to the feeling of similarity between the two cars. Reliability should be good... the '96+ 900s were generally very reliable, and the engine & tranny in a 9-3 is almost a ten year old design now, and I'm sure all the bugs have been worked out of it. If it's a lease, I wouldn't sweat it... The 9-3 is faster and safer than a comparable BMW or Audi, and a heck of a lot cheaper (and safer and faster) than a comparable Mercedes. The one thing you might wanna keep in mind is the 9-3 SE this year will have a 200hp engine, replacing the 185hp model of 1998 and early 1999 - it might be worth waiting to get that extra 15hp - but price might also go up... -Justin
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