Date: Tue, 02 Jul 2002 23:44:32 -0700 From: John Yuen <jyuen1nopsamell.net> Subject: 2003 9-3 in the Bay area.
Called B&B this afternoon and was told that the 9-3 will be shown at the Fremont Marriott this evening at 6:15PM so I drove over to take a look. Event start at about 6:30 with a short presentation and then the car was unwrap (in was covered up). We get to sit in it, look under the hood but the battery have been disconnected so we can't try out anything that require power. General impressions: Looks just like a baby 9-5 More side by side room than the current 9-3 A bit more leg room for the rear passenger. Sliding armrest similar to the 9-5 Glove compartment is still small (about same as current 9-3 but with AC vent) Decent size storage compartment under armrest Seperate cup holder in front of armrest Showcar does not have the butterfly cupholder in dash yet. Hidden cupholder under the rear middle seat. Tech info: Linear only (with special launch package till Dec) in Oct 2002 Arc/Vector end of March 2003 175HP linear 0-60 around 7.8sec Linear gets 7 speakers 150W stereo Arc/Vector gets 13 speakers 300W stereo Nav sys won't be available till 2004 In dash 6 disc changer standard Optional 6 disc changer in trunk XM radio ready Bluetooth ready We may see the convertable at the end of 2003 (as 2004 model) Wagon type body sometime in 2004 No decision on a Viggen/Aero version, if yes won't appear till at least 2004. Depending on how the Convertable is shaping up when my lease is up (Jun 03). I'll either get a vector then or extend my lease till the 2004 shows up. I was looking at a 9-5 aero but there were just enough new toys on the 9-3 to grap me. Regards John Yuen
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