An underestimated car... Saab 9-3

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by Seemund

Buick = very reliable car. Didn't you see the JPower reliability chart?

Still, when was the last time you saw a new Buick? I certainly haven't seen one.

[tite681]

I just traded in my 02 Buick Rendezvous for my SI. That car was a nightmare. I will never buy another GM car again.

[Z1 Performance]

We recently turned in our 2006 Audi A4 Avant 2.0 (wagon) and just picked up a 2007 9-3 Aero sportcombi (wagon) in black that we absolutely love as our winter daily driver. The wagon really comes in handy for the business :)

While I can't speak for the standard 9-3, the Aero does add a sweet 2.8L turbocharged V6, a tasteful bodykit with lowered sport-suspension and a few other extras.

The one area that the Saab really suffers compared to the Audi is interior and ergonomics - Audi is always on top of their game and the A4 interior was comfortable, quiet and beautiful. The 9-3 is very plain in comparison.

[e60.deluxe]

Originally Posted by Seemund

Buick = very reliable car. Didn't you see the JPower reliability chart?

no, but i saw the JD Power "takes problems per 1000 vehicles 90 days after purchase with no specification to how big the problem is" chart

i wastn aware that JD Power did anything to actually test reliability.

[volvo9]

Originally Posted by KameraBoy

no i dont think it'll break down in three years lots of aabs run forever, the record for the most miles on a car is held by a saab if i remember correctly and trust me the miles are well above 1 million.

A Volvo holds the record. Google Irv Gordon, his car has over 2 million miles on it and he put them all on. I saw his car in person a few years back, it was on it's original engine with one rebuild.

Too bad the new ones aren't that reliable.

[rmfa]

Originally Posted by friedk

You can get MUCH better for 35k.

It received last place in the 35k motor trend sport sedan comparison test.

8th Saab 9-3
7th Volvo SR60 AWD
6th Cadillac CTS
Fifth Audi A4
4th Acura TL
3rd G35
2nd IS 350
1st place BMW 330i

"Complaints focus on a sometimes harsh ride quality, turbo lag and a sense of quality far short of its German and Japanese competition." -Edmunds

"GM gene splicing means the 9-3 shares mud blood with the Chevy Malibu and Opel Vectra. Such corner cutting doesn't win points in this group." - Car and Driver

"the brakes, which only engaged at the bottom of the pedal stroke and produced a 198-foot stopping distance, good only compared with a garbage truck's" - Car and Driver

"Body roll and structure flex distracted us with vibrations through the seats and floorboards. Over bumps the 9-3 stepped heavily with hard impacts that sent quivers through the body." -Car and Driver

This just shows you that you can't go off of perception alone. If someone read the original post, they would be inclined to buy and be very unhappy with a Saab.

[MBK]

Originally Posted by rmfa

This just shows you that you can't go off of perception alone. If someone read the original post, they would be inclined to buy and be very unhappy with a Saab.

my view is one has to go off of perception and data, not just perception or data alone.

[rmfa]

Originally Posted by MBK

my view is one has to go off of perception and data, not just perception or data alone.

We are agreeing with each other...

[MBK]

yah!!!

[TheSni]

I was thinking about Saab's today and wondered why I didn't see a lot around... My initial impression from looking at the specs was the same as the OP. Good thing I searched :) I'll stick to an Audi or BMW

[shutter13]

no doubt id prefer a new 3 series over the 9-3... but my impressions were that the saab is a nice little car and performs pretty well and i think it just has a nice look to it, inside and out