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You all are right on the head. Mazda is small, high-revving compact that is in no league even close to a SAAB. As a realtor, image is important to a certain degree. The Mazda has little (if nothing) in the way of that. Navagation is also important for me, as I would tend to use it several times per week. It'd be a huge time saver. The outgoing Protege had the reliability of that of Honda, have talked to several owners-all say nothing breaks.
I believe the Mazda 3 drives better, tighter, and is more responsive than the 9-5. It truly is as fun to drive as the 9-3SS loaner I had last week. I'm not so much bored with my 9-5, but it seems to be loosening up--something I would have NEVER expected out of this car for at least another 50,000 miles, if even that. I mean, this thing rattles and clanks worse than a friend's '88 Acura Legend with 250,000 miles.
These are my issues with my 9-5: (keep in mind this vehicle has been meticulously maintained)
-RPM fluctuation at cold start up. Car idle nearly drops after it starts in the mornings, almost every time. Also stumbles when starting it when engine is warm. Gas noise from underneath the car (rumbling). Dealer says "programming fault. This will help problem not totally fix problem, SAAB is aware and working on a solution." This has been going on for at least a year now, about my 3rd complaint.
-Engine was ticking one night, checked oil; found barely a trace on dipstick. Added 2 quarts, still low. No oil leak was found. Vehicle blows black smoke after warm starts. This has been occuring for the past 25,000 miles. HIGHLY embarrasing! Dealer says "Black smoke is normal, rich oil mixture." Yeah right, I think this thing is burning the oil. There is blow-by on the top engine cover, they deny it.
-Driver's window clanks when 1/2 down. 2nd time around on this. "R&R door panel, reinstall window guide seal." Still clanks like the day I brought it in for service.
-Driver's leater seat is seperating from seat frame. Second time around on this. Dealer fixed this satisfactorily.
-Headlights dim while driving accompanied by clicking from fuse box. "Normal condition, rear defogger turning on and off" the dealer tells me. Wow, they must think I'm a real idiot.
-Sunroof rattles in two different places. Drives me insane. "R&R switch cover panel. Relocate wiring so cover will snap into place securely. Road test. Sunroof tim still rattling. R&R sunroof opening trim, install felt tape under mounting points of sunroof trim." Nice attempt guys, but it's the same rattles I've had.
-Trunk lid hinges won't pull trunk lid back. Replaced gas springs, everything's good here.
-Front end makes noise over bumps, almost sounds like breaking plastic. "Dry bushings, loosen subframe, replace sway bar bushings." Oh wow, you mean to tell me that these bushings only last 15,000 miles? They replaced them (so they say) at 29,000 when I complained of similar noise.
-SID had a streakly line through bottom left corner, no pixels were missing though. "Replaced SID, internal fault found." Yeah okay, but the new one has more streaky lines than the original! What the hell?
My issues are knee deep really- but I truly love this car. It's just a little odd when you find a $20,000 compact car that drives, corners, and feels better than your $40,000 luxury car, with features not offered in the luxury car.
I'm loving not having car payments. If I were seeking payments, I'd try a new Aero or 9-3SS Arc or Aero. But it is *slightly* appealing to have a brand new car for $3,000, plus giving up my SAAB. I sure would miss the turbo.
...I really don't know if I could bring myself to do this...
posted by 65.58.6...
, Wed, 4 Feb 2004 14:17:58
, Wed, 4 Feb 2004 05:27:48
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