1st Dec 2006, 05:52
I agree with the review, the Saab 9-3 is a fantastic car. I have just part-ex'd my 1.8t Vector and upgraded to the Aero. My Vector had the standard sound system in, which was OK, but nothing to shout about, my new Aero has the upgraded system on with extra speakers and that is a much better system to have & is well worth the extra. The handling is great & performance is awesome, even though I drive 35,000 miles a year I still choose petrol and wonder why anyone bothers with diesel when you could have an Aero!
1st Dec 2006, 06:08
To the comment at 16:01 Nov. 30.
Perhaps you should try reading all of the comments & also looking up the word "Naysayer" as it certainly fits!
1st Dec 2006, 11:56
Ha ha. Someone new here.
I think all these reviews, positive, negative in the middle and the naysayer issue are all written by two people just inventing cars they have to win an argument!!
These pages are supposed to be about the cars?.. So please will someone give me an honest appraisal of the new 9-3 as I am interested in one, without repeating any personal irrelevant garbage er please?
1st Dec 2006, 14:00
There are people putting in negative comments because they have their own agenda. I don't have tolerance for those who besmirch an automaker for their own profit.
Hence the word "Naysayer", and no, I do not work for Saab, any of it's affiliates nor do I profit by giving my honest opinion as a Saab owner.
I also have no tolerance for people who own competitive makes who then unfairly place negative comments about other makes that they've never owned or perhaps even driven.
If you make irresponsible or unfair comments about a vehicle or manufacturer be prepared to receive potential criticism.
2nd Dec 2006, 10:13
That is a very fair comment. Unfortunately Quality of interior materials has never been a GM strong suit (at least in recent times).
My wife's 1999 Lexus RX300 has a leather interior that still looks new (even with over 90k miles). The leather is glove soft, very comfortable & wears like iron. My Saab's leather is nowhere near as soft (however the seats are the most comfortable I ever had), but I doubt that they will wear as well as the Lexus' as they age, as the Lexus' haven't shown any wear at all!.
On the other hand, the Lexus is nowhere as enjoyable to drive, & has nowhere near the power & handling of the Saab.
There are trade-offs in every car.
I think the Lexus & the Saab are both excellent vehicles, given their different purposes.
I still absolutely love my 9-3 Convertible!
3rd Dec 2006, 06:04
I would say the quality of interior in some GM cars are first rate, using the latest Vectra, Astra and Corsa as recent examples! a shame this could not be repeated with the 9-3 considering a "premium brand offering".
3rd Dec 2006, 11:21
I would add that my observation regarding GM interiors is based on vehicles available for sale in the U.S.
I have heard that some of the vehicles you mention have nicer interiors than the US equivalents.
4th Dec 2006, 05:29
I agree with the original reviewer.
I too have had a wonderful experience with my local Saab dealer, who has gone above & beyond to take care my me & my Saab.
A truly good dealer makes all of the difference!
I do not work for Saab or GM either!
7th Dec 2006, 15:42
Sorry if my comment below fans the fire here, but while I do appreciate the engineering and concepts behind Saabs, their quality issues have always been worrying.
Merely to say that only 10% of Saabs give problems is a cop out. Saab is one of the lowest volume car makers around and if just 10% of their cars give headaches and heartaches to their owners, that is way too many examples of bad Saabs plying around, based on production numbers alone.
With Saab struggling to get past 150,000 units per year, having 15,000 cars giving issues is plain unacceptable. Can you imagine what would happen if Saab were successful in breaking the million per year production and sales rate as almost all their rivals do? That would equate to 100,000 units giving their owners grief or serious cause for concern!
Now, before anyone rants, please note that I do not currently work in the auto industry in any capacity. However, I must confess that I used to work for both Saab and GM and believe you me, some of the warranty claims and ongoing service issues encountered with Saab product is SCARY! This is particularly so in countries where climatic conditions see the mercury rising past 25 Celsius repeatedly.
Admittedly, Saab have improved much over the past five years or so, but many industry insiders would say there was a real need to.
Also, the fact remains that Saab rarely figures on most premium car buyers' shopping lists owing to their limited product offerings and, to some extent, the "stories" that have amassed over the years. As they say, it takes ten years to build a reputation, but only ten days or less to lose it.
7th Dec 2006, 19:19
Sounds like sour grapes to me.
Saabs are fantastic automobiles!
I do not work for Saab, but I've sold competitive makes for over 20 years.
I drive a Saab and will continue to do so!!!
8th Dec 2006, 07:10
In case you missed it there is a current AP news story on-line about a man in Wisconsin who has put one million miles on his 1989 Saab 900. He used premium fuel & changed his oil with synthetic regularly. They say the body still looks good, but the frame has rusted due to Wisconsin Winters.
The gentleman has purchased a newer Saab.
The million mile vehicle has been retired to a museum.
This is the Saab quality that I know & love.
13th Dec 2006, 05:42
A great story... don't think my 2005 9-3 will reach 100.000miles!.. it's just a piece of cheap, rattly, tacky plastic load of poorly built rubbish. With only 33k miles on the car should be fine, solid and trouble free, but I assure you it is not! Don't care if anyone calls me a naysayer or Nimrod.?!. this car is rubbish for the money and no way is a premium/executive offering buy any stretch of the imagination to the man off the street. How Saab manage to fool anyone otherwise is beyond belief.. my opinion, based on personal experience and fact!
14th Dec 2006, 07:24
Well, mine is a 2003 9-3 Convertible, and I have had nothing, but pleasure from my Saab.
It is not "cheap" nor is it plagued by rattles.
I should note that the GM redesign took place on the Sedans in '03, but the Convertible was the "old Saab style" until '04. Maybe that's the difference.
I won't call you a Nimrod or Naysayer because you actually own a Saab, and that is your experience.
30th Nov 2006, 16:01
Yes, Saabs are great cars... And those who comment about areas of these cars which are not as to be expected, as above for example, give equal praise where they feel justified!!
TRY reading the comments before pathetic retaliation with words like Naysayer... A word more suitable to the above author.