Those who complain of major failings with handling likely have an organic defect in their front end suspension such as a bent tie rod, blown shock or dented wheel rim is contributing mightily to the car's poor overall handling. I have recently lived through such problems caused by driving over incredibly rutted throughways in Illinois (east of Effingham on I 70) at high speed. There the pavement is full of nearly speed bump sized frost heaves and ruts which simply did a number on my 9-3 at 70 MPH over several miles. You really have to punish these cars to bang them up but it can be done with enough blunt force trauma to the suspension. I suspect the dealer involved with the poor handling 9-3 has not adequately diagnoses the ailments and may have offered only an alignment.

Even with marred handling due to the suspension's compromised geometry, the car still handled safely at speed though it certainly handles much better after the warranty work was completed. Yes, camber steer is still is present but is not that much worse than that found in the 9-5 AERO I drove as a loaner. My 9-5 SE has hardly any camber steer but then its steering is not as precise as 9-3 or 9-5 Aero. If you can accept that the 9-3 is compormise of attributes and is not free of minor annoyances, you will find it easy to live with and fun to drive.

• Whats with you guys?, nick , Wed, 7 Feb 2001 22:46:20
• Test driving a 9-3, bob, Wed, 7 Feb 2001 17:06:47
  • Re: Test driving a 9-3, bob, Fri, 9 Feb 2001 08:46:16
  • Great Car!, Sabrina, Thu, 8 Feb 2001 11:30:38
    • I'm with you, Sabrina, John A., Thu, 8 Feb 2001 11:49:43
      • vail police dept, joshua harrison, Thu, 8 Feb 2001 13:13:37
        • bingo!..........eom, John A., Thu, 8 Feb 2001 13:34:40
      • Me Too, Schu, Thu, 8 Feb 2001 13:00:12
  • just buy the Saab, bob, John A., Thu, 8 Feb 2001 11:28:23
  • Re: Test driving a 9-3, Tomi, Thu, 8 Feb 2001 06:28:46
  • Well..., jd, Thu, 8 Feb 2001 00:00:14
  • Re: Test driving a 9-3, paulO, Wed, 7 Feb 2001 20:14:56
  • Re: Test driving a 9-3, DeanS, Wed, 7 Feb 2001 19:37:57
  • freakish, dangerous? that's insane..., modest mouse , Wed, 7 Feb 2001 19:36:19
  • Re: Test driving a 9-3, Dan Wyman, Wed, 7 Feb 2001 19:09:03
  • Re: Test driving a 9-3, rfellman, Wed, 7 Feb 2001 18:46:48 <-- Viewing This Message
  • drove both, Dave, Wed, 7 Feb 2001 18:40:07
  • Re: Test driving a 9-3, Mark Anderson, Wed, 7 Feb 2001 17:48:55
    • To keep things clear..., LDH, Wed, 7 Feb 2001 19:38:10
      • Re: To keep things clear..., Schu, Thu, 8 Feb 2001 07:26:57
  • Re: Test driving a 9-3, anthony, Wed, 7 Feb 2001 17:44:53
    • Try the SE, OnOrder, Wed, 7 Feb 2001 18:00:06

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