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20K Service on Wed. - Observations so far... Posted by Adam [Email] ![]() ![]() |
My 2001 9-3 SE (steel grey 5 spd.) is just over a year old and is getting ready to go in for its 20K mi. service...
Top 10 observations so far :
1) The gas mileage is awesome... I routinely get 32-34mpg on the highway. (I use Mobil Super+ 93 octane all of the time and change the oil with SAAB Turbo Oil 5W-30 every 3K mi.) This is significantly better than what I was getting during the first 5-10K mi... and quite different than what I was used to getting with my pre-SAAB Ford Valdez.
2) The turbo... Wow. Will never own anything other than a turbocharged SAAB again. Talk about fun - and encouragement to find the long way home from work!
3) The radio is decent but the OEM paper cone speakers are awful. Replaced those... problem solved. I highly recommend the Infiniti Kappas as a replacement. SAAB should take lessons from Lexus in this area.
4) The sunroof developed an annoying rattle when sliding it open around 11K mi. that the dealer hasn't been able to find/fix. They just keep greasing it up. It doesn't affect operation but is annoying nonetheless. Strangely, it doesn't do it when it's hot out (85F+).
5) Lots of comments on the Night Panel... everything from "That was cool" to "NEAT!"
6) I'm still on my original headlamps, turn signal bulbs, etc. - and yes, I do run with the daytime running lights on. My hood stops/bumpers are also adjusted properly and I don't drop the hood from a mile up. :-)
7) The OEM Pirelli P6000s leave some to be desired in the snow but I managed one Upstate NY winter with them and plan to again this year (thanks to ABS and TCS). They seem to be holding up very well.
8) The body and panels are still really tight... no noises or rattles at all. Took a roadtrip over to VT this past weekend and my passengers commented several times on a) how well the car handled and b) how quiet the interior was.
9) Yeah, the transmission is notchy... but I got used to it.
10) SAFETY... this car just feels safe - and - the brakes are great!
All-in-all I love my SAAB just as much now - if not more - than the day I brought it home. It seems to be very reliable... just had a couple minor quirks to fix when it was new within the first couple of months and since then has been problem free! *knock on wood*
Hopefully no surprises at the 20K service... I would guess that it will be maintenance and then business/driving as usual.
Happy SAABing... =)
posted by 24.194.18...
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