A couple of things you said got me curious (I also have the sliding armrest and have not experienced the problems you mention in the same way).

You said that when it is slid forward it blocks the parking brake and window switches. That is true, but do you have it slid forward when you are not driving? I have just got in the habit of sliding the top back when I stop (since I don't need to rest my arm on at that point). That way I have easy access to the parking brake handle. As for the windows, I guess I don't use the switches all that often while I am driving and have the the armrest slid forward.

As for it being too high above the stick shift, I would agree, but I don't use the armrest when I am shifting (since your arm is doing a lot moving at those times anyway. I tend to use the armrest when I am cruising on the highway for an extended period of time (at which point I am not really doing any shifting). I guess I have just become used to moving the armrest without even thinking about it. It could also be we are different heights or one of us has longer arms which make the height less/more of a problem (I am 5'10").

As for the stereo quality, it is the (cheap) speakers and not the stereo itself, as others have said. I ended up replacing the dash speakers and installing door speakers and an amp. I agree, though, that the 9-3 should have come with better stereo equipment standard. The up side for me, though, is I learned a lot installing the amp and speakers.

You will get used to the stalks. They are a bit different from other cars I have driven, but I see very little similarity on this from car brand to car brand. After six months with my 9-3, I was to the point where I can find any of the controls just be feel, even on the stalks. I have begun to appreciate that Saab makes each control a slightly different shape and feel so you can find it by touch without looking.

I came from an Acura Integra to my 9-3 and I dealt with the same "learnig curve" at first, but now that I am familiar with the 9-3, I really like it...a lot! Give it time. It may grow on you.

Mark

posted by 129.33.49...

• Armrest - disappointed, and SAAB ergonomics, Sam, Wed, 24 Apr 2002 20:55:55
  • Re: Armrest - disappointed, and SAAB ergonomics, Kevin, Sat, 27 Apr 2002 19:00:23
  • Just curious, Mark Anderson, Thu, 25 Apr 2002 17:39:32 <-- Viewing This Message
  • The ergonomics are mixed, Atul, Thu, 25 Apr 2002 14:42:58
  • Re: Armrest - disappointed, and SAAB ergonomics, Ray L, Thu, 25 Apr 2002 14:10:21
  • Re: Armrest - disappointed, and SAAB ergonomics, StanleyB, Thu, 25 Apr 2002 08:22:42
  • first time I have ever heard, nickR, Wed, 24 Apr 2002 22:18:15
    • The shock! The horror!, Banya Fosse, Fri, 26 Apr 2002 20:06:10
    • even the autowriters, John A., Thu, 25 Apr 2002 11:05:13

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