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Comparison to A4 Posted by Bill Homer [Email]  (#3427) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Bill Homer) on Wed, 5 Oct 2005 14:48:24
In Reply to: What to look when buying a Saab, Enam, Wed, 5 Oct 2005 14:48:21 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
My wife's car is also a 1996 Audi A4Q (manual), I have had a few SAABs, currently driving a 1994 9000 CS Turbo manual. I have never owned a 9-3, but have driven one. Here's my opinion.
RIDE:
There are very few cars that can match the ride quality of the A4, which has fully independent suspension and one of the most sophisticated front end suspension setups ever manufactured. The downside of this is the ridiculous maintenance requirements which have fortunately been covered under warranty and recent recall work - the front lower control arms (four of them) have all been replaced twice, I also replaced the tie rod ends at a fairly low mileage. With some better tires than the OEMs, the car is nimble, handles great, short turning radius for urban adventures. There is a very different feeling of control and responce with Quattro vs. front wheel drive.
The 2000 9-3 has a more primative suspension setup, front McPherson struts and rear solid beam axle on trailing arms. There is slop in the handling due to many rubber bits, but there are aftermarket solutions for clamping the steering rack and inserting polyurethane bushings in the front control arms - apparently it needs them. The SAAB has a lot more understeer built in by design.
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION:
The SAAB 4-cylinder turbo engines are superb, especially vs. the V6 Audi. Despite its lower displacement (size), the SAAB produces more horespower and a LOT more useful low-end torque compared to the Audi, which is fairly gutless until it reaches about 3800 rpm where the shorter intake runners get switched in. Maintenance is also much easier on the SAAB, no timing belt to replace (SAAB uses a "lifetime" timing chain, should last at least 200,000 miles), thermostat is accessable (vs. Audi's burying it behind the timing belt), one front oxygen sensor in plain view vs. the Audi's two buried in a hard to reach location. If you haven't done the timing belt on you Audi, you are in for a real treat - you must remove the front bumper and move the radiator and support structure out of the way to access it - it's well over a $1000 job at a dealer. Audi V6 engines like to spring leaks, some of which can be a real pain to track down or repair (i.e need to remove timing belt yet again for access to the front cam seals). My SAAB, which has a 2.3 liter engine vs. the 2.0 in the 9-3, gets significantly (>30%) better gas mileage while generating gobs more torque, similar weight for both cars.
The Audi manual transmission is excellent, shifts like butter. The SAAB's linkage is a bit loose. Both are reliable. Audi's rear differential likes to leak, seals were replaced, leaking again. Don't know much about the automatics for either brand, but I know that the 9-3s automatic is much more reliable than earlier SAABs. I do not want to guess what a clutch replacement will cost on the Audi.
AIR CONDITIONING:
Both cars have issues with their A/C systems. All 1996 Audi A4s have or will have leaky evaporator cores, which require removal of the entire steering wheel, dashboard, console and both airbags to access - around a $1500 job. From what I have read here, there are issues with the 9-3s A/C system as well, but I do not know the specifics.
UTILITY and GENERAL:
I am sold on hatchbacks like the 9-3, which are making somewhat of a comeback in new cars such as the Malibu Maxx and Mazda 6. You can carry small sofas, washing machines, etc. without borrowing or renting a truck. The Audi is more of a entry-level luxury car, the SAAB is a bit more spartan, but can be luxed out depending on the model. The black bumper rub strips on the SAAB are practical, the Audi's body-colored bumpers get trashed in urban parking.
posted by 136.182.2...
, Wed, 5 Oct 2005 14:48:24 <-- Viewing This Message
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