People's views on a Saab 9-3 (03 onwards)

[rakeshkhakhar]

Hi all

we are thinking of buying a used saab 9-3 and was wondering what peoples views were on this car?

thanks

rikki

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Brothers wife has one as a company car.

It runs well & is fairly quick, but the interior quality is Vaxuhall standards compared to an E Class (that said, arent they based on the old Vectra floor pan?)

 

[crockers]

Just save your money and buy the Vectra - they are basically same cars....just a case of badge snobbery....

 

[ADY1983]

Can't coment on anything useful, but I do really like the look of the new saabs...

 

[rakeshkhakhar]

thanks

hi all


thanks for all your replies. basically the stuff i have read tell me there are quite a few reliability issues and the fact it has a vectra floor plan/chassis doesnt appeal.

may now consider a honda accord....any views?

 

[fuzzer]

i really disliked the 9-3 i drove. 2.2td model. Was slow and just didnt feel special enough inside.

However , honda accord i drove was infinitely better

 

[lotusmark2]

have to say the only "modern" Saab I would have would be the 9-3 cabrio Aero.
pre 2001 car are very good indeed and the 9-5 2.3 is a great sleeper car. Not that I'm biased.

As for the whole Vetra thing, do we have to go over this again

The Saab and the Vectra DO NOT drive anything like one another

 

[Gucci]

I don't think you'll get any sense of occasion with the 9-3 or the Accord....just a-b rep cars really.... C-class will make you feel better

 

[Flash]

SAAB make the best turbos. You can do 0-70MPH in second gear without any problem and it was them who developed the first turbo engined cars.

 

[lotusmark2]

and 126 in 3rd with a boxster falling away behind....on a private road obviously

 

[Shude]

...it was them who developed the first turbo engined cars.

I hope you have some facts to back that statement up mi'laddio!

 

[Flash]

I hope you have some facts to back that statement up mi'laddio!

Yep - done it myself (0-70MPH in second gear) in a convertible with the salesman sat next to me and it was him who told me to do it to as well to show what the car could do.

Only thing I found strange about the car was that the ignition barrel was located on the centre console.

 

[lotusmark2]

I hope you have some facts to back that statement up mi'laddio!

Much as I would love the statement to be true, I'm afraid this is the history

The first production turbocharged automobile engines came from General Motors. The A-body Oldsmobile Cutlass Jetfire and Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder were both fitted with turbochargers in 1962. The Oldsmobile is often recognized as the first, since it came out a few months earlier than the Corvair. Its Turbo Jetfire was a 215 in³ (3.5 L) V8, while the Corvair engine was either a 145 in³ (2.3 L)(1962-63) or a 164 in³ (2.7 L) (1964-66) flat-6. Both of these engines were abandoned within a few years, and GM's next turbo engine came more than ten years later.

HOWEVER
I'm sure most will agree that SAAB have been one of the pioneers and the driving force in turbo cars for some time (until GM got involved anyway)

 

[Shude]

Yep - done it myself (0-70MPH in second gear) in a convertible with the salesman sat next to me and it was him who told me to do it to as well to show what the car could do.

Only thing I found strange about the car was that the ignition barrel was located on the centre console.

Please check which part of your post I was quoting.

 

[Flash]

Please check which part of your post I was quoting.

Obviously I started off in first gear and easily hit 70MPH staying in second after changing up to second.

 

[lotusmark2]

Some of the inovations that Saab are responsible for...

1958: The GT 750 is the first car fitted with headrests as standard.
1962: Saab becomes the first volume maker to offer diagonally-split dual brake circuits.
1970: Saab introduces a 'world-first' - headlamp wipers and washers.
1971: Heated front seats are introduced, the first time in the world they are fitted as standard.
1971: Saab develops the impact-absorbing, self-repairing bumper.
1972: Saab introduces the concept of side-impact protection bars.
1978: Saab introduces another 'world-first,' the passenger compartment air filter.
1980: Saab introduces Automatic Performance Control (APC), and an anti-knock sensor that allowed higher fuel economy and the use of lower grade fuel without engine damage.
1983: Saab introduces the 16-valve turbocharged engine and asbestos-free brake pads.
1985: Saab pioneers direct ignition, eliminating the distributor and spark plug wires.
1986: The Saab 9000 became the first front-wheel drive car to offer ABS.
1990: Saab introduces a 'light-pressure' turbo.
1991: Saab is the first manufacturer to offer CFC-free air-conditioning.
1992: Saab unveils the 'Trionic' ignition, equipped with a 32-bit micro-processor.
1993: Saab introduces the 'Sensonic clutch' and the 'Black Panel', later to be called the 'Night Panel'.
1993: Saab develops the 'Safeseat' rear passenger protection system.
1995: Saab presents an asymmetrically turbocharged V6 at the Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany.
1996: Saab introduces active head restraints, which help minimize the risk of whiplash.
1997: Saab fits ventilated front seats and an air conditioned glovebox to their new 9-5, both world-firsts in a passenger car.

 

[Shude]

Only thing I found strange about the car was that the ignition barrel was located on the centre console.

I borrowed a saab 900 cabrio for an evening and I noticed this too. I wondered if it was to avoid key-theft by a passer-by!

 

[lotusmark2]

I borrowed a saab 900 cabrio for an evening and I noticed this too. I wondered if it was to avoid key-theft by a passer-by!

totally normal to us fools that drive Smart cars. I now get into "normal" cars and sit there for 10 seconds trying to figure out where the hell to put the key.

 

[Shude]

totally normal to us fools that drive Smart cars. I now get into "normal" cars and sit there for 10 seconds trying to figure out where the hell to put the key.

Totally normal to W124 owners too. Don't try to make out that you're somehow special .

 

[lotusmark2]

pmsl
who ever said W124 owners were normal