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I drive a 2002 9-3 SE with premium, and I LOVE the car. For me it's the perfect combination of performance, utility, stealth, and sex. I had some work done at the dealer last week and I got a 2003 9-3 linear as a loaner. This was the first time that I have driven a 9-3 SS for more than 10 minutes at a time.
After driving the 9-3 SS for 5 days (they kept it over the weekend for additional repairs after scraping the bumper against the wall!!!!!!!!!!), I have put my finger on what I feel is the essential difference between the two: violence. From the way the boost kicks you in the back (incredible) to the way the suspension deals with rippled pavement (poorly), everything about the OG 9-3 is more raw, more visceral, more violent.
The refinements made in the 9-3 SS make the car more modern and more appealing to mainstream buyers, to be sure. The lpt engine in my loaner, despite giving 30 bhp to my car, accelerated fairly well, and I can only imagine that the 2.0T and Aero engines are even better. The suspension is more composed than my car, and cornering is more flat. The interior materials, though not up to Audi standards (who is?), are not as bad as I expected from reading these forums. Interior volume has increased nicely, and the new seats were comfy during a 4-hour stint behind the wheel.
Despite all of these (mostly) positive changes, the bottom line is that, when compared to my OG 9-3, the 9-3 SS is a more sedate machine. Ive heard similar comparisons from 9k owners when talking about 9-5's (I've owned neither car) and I understand completely. When it's time to replace my OG 9-3, I will likely buy a 9-3 SC (Aero, hopefully), but I will miss the violence that lurks right below the surface in my OG 9-3.
posted by 146.145.221...
, Wed, 13 Jun 2007 20:00:51
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