saab - great alternative?

csejl · Sep 17, 2003

Before I got my 04 330Ci I seriously considered getting a new 9-3 vector. I loved its new exterior design, turbo charged engine, uniqueness and rarity. I did not like its interior design (cheap looking and no navi until 2004), 0-60 time and the fact that it was the first year model.

Those Saab owners love to talk about how BMW owners drool over the new 9-3 when they see one. Their sales more than doubled this year thanks to the new line of 9-3s. We often talk about G35s and Audis but what about the new Saab? What is your opinion?

bahnstormer · Sep 17, 2003

the 0-60 is weak, but i do love the exterior...i'm really impressed with saab right now, but they overcharge for thier product. too pricey b/c they are rare

csejl · Sep 17, 2003

exterior

csejl · Sep 17, 2003

interior

csejl · Sep 17, 2003

They don't make that many so it's hard to get a discount but I don't think they are overpriced at all. A lot of options come default unlike BMWs.

mallards · Sep 17, 2003

nice car but i would stick to NA engines ...

Ben

j2azz · Sep 18, 2003

They depreciate too fast... Curious if they got rid of the torque steer that was so common in their cars (like my 96 Saab 900 SE). I did seriously consider going with a Saab 9-3 Vector as my next car, but decided to splurge the extra 20k and get an M3 [rolleyes]

hehe

ODDferkOUT · Sep 18, 2003

I've loves Saabs since I was a little kid. Albeit they're quirky and a left field choice, they are actually good cars. As long as you don't put into account that it's a GM car. [;)]

ODDferkOUT · Sep 18, 2003

j2azz said:

That version of the 900/9-3 was notorious for it's torque steer. Mainly because it was based on the Opel/Vauxhall Cavalier chassis which was wobbly and unbalanced to begin with. Supposedly the new 9-3 has been corrected in that aspect. But eh, turbo in general=torque steer... [:(]

bahnstormer · Sep 18, 2003

no no turbo doesn't equal torque steer...fwd + torque = torque steer
u never get torque steer in rwd =] that's the other reason i don't like
saabs, fwd sucks

ODDferkOUT · Sep 18, 2003

My mistake...

I meant to add teh FWD to it. [:D]

PuShAkOv · Sep 18, 2003

They are too quite. They have no exhaust note at all. However I always liked their "stealth" look.

mikev · Sep 18, 2003

bahnstormer said:

Ummmm Fwd sucks does it. now pop quiz where are saabs made????? Yes you fat hairy dumb looking guy eating a pie. "ummmm americia" awww im sorry timmy that was you last life you loose [hatchet]

the correct answer is sweden. and for extra credit what do they have a lot of?? yes its snow and hills. now what would you pick on a snow/ice covered hill front or rear wheel drive??????

Kirby · Sep 18, 2003

I'm just posting in a "me too" on things already said. My boss has a 98 9-3 Turbo that I have driven a fair amount:
1. Torque steer is really bad - FWD + Turbo = Bad Torque steer
2. In my opinion, FWD can never be a real sports car.
3. Depreciation is terrible.

The commercial says "People who test drive a Saab usually buy one." Not me!! Didn't even consider it when I was looking at BMWs.

Tigas Bud · Sep 18, 2003

mikeV,
I'd rather drive the other Swede, Volvo in the winter and have it be an older RWD model. Had 240s and 740s and loved swinging the tail vs. that FWD drift on snow and I not knowing when the SOB would turn in the direction you point it.

RWD or AWD are the only way to go, had torque steer don't want to see it again. Only recent Saabs worth having are convertibles and Swedish air force jets. Although either it or the 'vette would be the only choice I were at GM and got the discount.

MrElussive · Sep 18, 2003

Guys, the new Saab 9-3 is real sharp. But 4-cylinder engines usually lack low-end torque...to counter this, Saab made the turbocharger kick in real early and they tried their best to eliminate turbo lag, as well as torque steer. The reviewers say that torque steer is completely non-existant in the new 9-3. I think the Saab 9-3 is a great car, but you can tell where they cut costs (i.e. no navigation system, 4-cylinder motor, FWD, etc.).
To clear up the issues that have come up: torque steer is not present in the new 9-3. And the new 9-3 is FWD because Saab believes in FWD and the weight distribution is poor...most of the weight is in the front. All FWD are only FWD not because they are better than RWD in the rain/snow...but because if that particular car (with most of the weight in the front) was RWD, it would be a complete disaster. Having owned a FWD Jetta, I can tell you that I HATE the characterestics of FWD and I don't think I could ever own another FWD car again.

xmas63 · Sep 18, 2003

I just drove a brand new 9-3 Vector a few days ago. I think the exterior is not bad looking (at least relative to all previous Saab 900/9-3 models), the interior was comfortable and clean-looking, but the acceleration and handling was significantly less than what I thought it might be, and does not at all compare to a 3 series. I don't know what the specs are, but it was way slower off the line than a 330 (and I would guess a 325), and the steering and suspension felt pretty average.

I'm not dissing the car---I think it's an decent car and a good value---but I just don't see most BMW owners "drooling" over it. I think that it is a car worthy of compliments, and most BMW owners will have enough class and decency to compliment a SAAB owner on what a fine purchase they made (common courtesy), but drooling? That almost sounds like a SAAB owner who has some regrets about not getting a BMW and is trying to convince himself that his car is superior and that he made the right choice.

bahnstormer · Sep 18, 2003

mikev said:

Ummmm Fwd sucks does it. yeah now pop quiz where are saabs made????? Yes you fat hairy dumb looking guy eating a pie.is it apple? "ummmm americia" awww im sorry timmy that was you last life you loose [hatchet]

the correct answer is sweden. yeah, using GM/Opel p\global platform that was partially developed in america... and for extra credit what do they have a lot of?? yes its snow and hills. there are lots of hills and plenty of snow in america too lol now what would you pick on a snow/ice covered hill front or rear wheel drive?????? i'd do what all europeans do. have a set of winter tires, summer tires and a set of studded tires. when were u last in sweden?

latest road and track says it well

saab opens the door to bmw performance but doesn't enter.

csejl · Sep 18, 2003

latest road and track says it well

saab opens the door to bmw performance but doesn't enter.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's funny.

I agree with most of you and that's why I went with BMW even though it was significantly more expensive - I could've gotten 9-3 vector at invoice price. There is no comparison between the two when it comes to handling and acceleration. I just thought it is at least worth mentioning and get your opinion on it.

mikev · Sep 19, 2003

Tigas Bud said:

mikeV,
I'd rather drive the other Swede, Volvo in the winter and have it be an older RWD model. Had 240s and 740s and loved swinging the tail vs. that FWD drift on snow and I not knowing when the SOB would turn in the direction you point it.

RWD or AWD are the only way to go, had torque steer don't want to see it again. Only recent Saabs worth having are convertibles and Swedish air force jets. Although either it or the 'vette would be the only choice I were at GM and got the discount.

if you can't control FWD in the snow then you son should stay home when old man winter comes!!

saab - great alternative?

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