Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 18:58:32 GMT From: Harvey White <madynnopsametcom.com> Subject: Re: My test drives of 9-3 Linears
On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 15:38:37 GMT, in alt.autos.saab you wrote: Try a 9-5, or try an earlier model year. Saab certified gives you a 100K mile/6 year warranty. Perhaps the earlier ones are a bit less GM'd up. Harvey > Drove two new 9-3 Linears yesterday, both automatics. > >-2003 with 17"s, too much tendency to follow road irregularities; squirrelly >at high highway speeds (90 mph) > >-2004 with 16's: eliminated 95% of the tendency, and about 90% of the >squirrelliness > >Both car interiors seemed somewhat loose fitting, like trim parts were >rubbing and jiggling over the worse roads (that shuffling sound over the >bumps and poor patches), and weren't tightly assembled, or poorly designed, >or both. The dash area seemed tight, it was aft that seemed loose. The >interior just felt somewhat like a flivver to me. But maybe that's just me. > >Struts on the 03 sounded noisy, and also sounded like something was loose >underneath whacking the floor pan- probably easily adjusted. The strut >noisiness was worrisome, though. > >Decent acceleration. Gas hungry when pushed, though. Smallish fuel tank if >you plan on driving somewhat aggressively, or like to stomp it, or cruise >over the limit. > >Steering boost was a bit too high, but not objectionably. Handling is right >on for FWD. > >Loved the size both inside and out. > >Was all set to do a deal on the loaded 2003 with 200 miles. Sweet pricing. > >What killed it for me was the tremendous road noise infiltrating the cabin >(both cars) at both low and high speeds, no way could I live with that. >Sounded louder than the 03 Malibu rental I drove last summer. And the >Malibu's interior seemed better screwed in place. I was really surprised at >this on both vehicles (the '04 had 11 miles on it). > >GM's cost cutters have shown their faces, and the sight is not pretty. > >After spending about 4 hours researching this car on the 'net, I really >wanted to fall in love with it. But the cost-cutters stole that joy from me >and stole a sale from their employer. > >Next stop: the Acura store. >
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