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, Wed, 9 May 2001 20:01:08
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>I've been reading the 9-3 board for awhile now and as the time has become >closer, I have decided to post a message...
LURKER!!! :)
>After a horrifying 2.5 yr. experience with a new DaimlerChrysler product,
Isn't that an oxymoron? :) Actually, my 9-3 SE replaced a Pontiac Sunbore. Don't ask. Apparently the air was thin that day, and my mind was clouded. I paid for it (literally and figuratively) for 4 years. The car was reliable (brakes like putty - had to be freaking re-ground annually...). But as exciting as watching dried paint crack in the sun...
>I am, as you can imagine, somewhat nervous about the next new vehicle... >and am concerned that the next one will be plagued with some of the >similar things I have spent the past 3 yrs. dealing with - poor >workmanship, fit-and-finish, paint, cheap parts, cut corners, squeaks, >rattles, obnoxious dealerships, incompetent service technicians, etc. So >in making my decision, a manufacturer's ratings in these areas are quite >important.
Well, I'll tell you about my car. Mine's a month and a half old, so I obviously can't speak to how the car squeaks once it settles. But, aside from _very_ slight wind noise from the passenger window (haven't had a chance to have the dealer look at it), mine's flawless. My dealer has been great, the overall fit and finish of my car is phenomenal - there's nothing like that midnight blue when it's clean, and the sun's shining off of it. :) I don't think, aside from some cheapish looking plastic parts inside (door handles and glove box door, IMHO), that Saab ever does cut corners.
>For awhile now I've been contemplating the 2001 9-3 SE. It's a great >looking car. I've test driven the 5 speed - fully loaded with all of >the "extras"/premium pkg. and actually enjoyed the car quite a bit. It >seemed really solid, fun to drive and I'm inclined to believe that the >Saab heritage is still alive-and-well after the GM acquisition.
I always thought it was great looking too. Then I test drove one (my car was the first Swedish car I ever drove). A week later, I bought it. :) I love the Saab 5sp. Today, I'd agree - I think GM is trying to mainstream Saab now that they own 100% of it - we'll see if that makes it better or worse.
>After reading some of the posts on here I wanted to see if I could get a >general consensus on what you guys think about this car? Likes/dislikes? >Comments? Any major differences between this and the base 9-3 (other than >the turbo, the suspension, ground effects, chrome door handles, etc.)? Do >those things justify the extra $5-6K? What about fit-and-finish >differences? Any comments on general experiences with dealerships, >service depts., etc. - what to look for pre-sale, post-sale, etc. would >be very helpful as well.
Likes:
The car is a blast, and I really look fwd to driving it.
The build quality.
The simple design touches (ergonomics).
The engine and tranny.
The leather.
The paint.
The design overall.
Being able to customize the SID, A/C etc to my needs
OnStar is an interesting time waster when trapped in crawling traffic ;)
Dislikes:
The cursed upshift light (I will be exorcising mine shortly).
The interior plastics could be better quality.
What Saab considers a design feature (keyless remote only works within close range) sucks. It should work from as far away as my VW does!
Needs more storage - you give up the best storage to have a useful cupholder.
Saab should get rid of the cupholder betwixt the SID and radio. It's the only design I've seen that's worse (read: more unsafe) than the cupholder in my wife's '00 Jetta. Do it right, or don't do it at all :)
DRLs. Get them disabled. It's annoying having running lights that are just a fuse holding your regular lights on full-strength. Do it right, or don't do it at all :)
OnStar. Too expensive for what you get. The personal calling is novel, but I predict will be a non-starter. Costs too damn much (maybe people who drive Escapades :) will pay that, but I won't).
The shark fin that will stay on my car after OnStar goes supernova.
That the tailgate doesn't come with a warning that says - watch the fin - you'll scratch it on your garage door, like all other Saab owners do. ;)
That the tailgate doesn't have an automatic light - you have to turn it on manually. <sarcasm>Very convenient when loading groceries</sarcasm>.
That there's no auto-open for the sunroof, and unlike VW, no auto close for the front windows.
I know that sounds like a lot more negatives, but... It really isn't - the likes are big things, the dislikes are generally niggling little annoyances.
>Are there going to be any major differences in the 9-3 line for 2002? I >heard rumors that the 9-3 Viggen was going to become the 9-3 Aero
>(similar to the 9-5 line) but other than that, have not heard of any >major differences.
Not that I know of. The big change appears to be in 2003. Rumor has it that 2002 will be the hatchback's swan song. Get 'em while they're hot.
Don't know.
>There seem to be some mixed feelings about this car among everyone here >so I realize I may be opening a big can of worms here... feel free to >post the good and the bad. :-)
I think most people here concur with me - that the likes are phenomenal, and generally outweigh the annoying little things.
>Some of the other cars I have considered are the BMW 330i and the Volvo >S40 SE. They are both similar in features/appointments, cost and >performance. The BMW came close but the Saab definitely has more of >cockpit/"I'm on the road and I'm driving" feel to it... I like that.
>I can deal with the missing arm rest and the cars attraction to hitting >garage doors with its hatch :-) if it means having a great automobile.
The 330 is a good car. My manager has last years 323 and loves it. But the back seat and rear headroom are smaller, IMHO. The BMW has higher quality plastic, but similar quality leather. I considered a 325 or 330. But BMW is just way too proud of them (they're WAAAAAAAAAAY overpriced by the time you option them out - and they have TONS of options). Never driven an S40. Thought about a V70 T5, as it's the only Volvo with a manual. I hate automatics, and would have detested buying a car (S40) that only offered an auto.
>Growing up, Saab always had a reputation for being a rock-solid >automobile - worthy of its inflated price and quick depreciation - and >very sensible in terms of usefulness, reliability and longevity... and my >goal here is to see if I can get an idea as to whether or not those >things live on today...
I think that's somewhat true. They can be fickle - check out the NG900 board for an indicator... I don't think it's worthy of it's depreciation, and Saab obviously has taken note off and on of it's inflated price (massive rebates offered for 6+ months anyone?). But regardless, a month after, I'm still _VERY_ satisfied with my purchase. Something I can't say about any of the other cars I've ever owned, save my 1995 GTI VR6.
>Thanks... and with any luck at all... will soon become a regular >contributor here. :-) Have a great day!
Good luck in your decision - keep us informed! Just say no to BMW ;)
Actually, I had thought (could have also been a novel diss against my manager) about getting the license place "nein-3" as in, "it's not another 3 series." :)
, Wed, 9 May 2001 20:01:08, Mon, 14 May 2001 18:07:32
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