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Saab 9-3 Sedan

3311 messages,  Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 7:26 AM

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#11 of 3311 exlegend by mstssc Jan 11, 2002 (9:41 pm)
You are very welcome.
#12 of 3311 9.3 Owner by peterson33 Feb 01, 2002 (6:27 pm)
Actually, I'm leasing and have the option to buy at the end of the year. If you are considering one you should notice on a test drive that the car is not small. It is narrow. It has more headroom than most cars - even with a power sunroof. The trunk is huge and the back seat can fit a 6 foot person for a couple hr ride.   It listed for $30,000 after the heated seats (love them!) and sunroof options. I have to say the sound system sucks for a $30g car.   Back to my option. I'm paying for 12,000 miles a year but probably will have 25,000 at the end, not 36,000. I can buy it for $16,500 - unless they are willing to deal. What to do?
#13 of 3311 Leasing Saab's 93 or 95? by mbabcock1 Apr 23, 2002 (9:46 am)
I've heard that Saab is a great car, but that is loses its book value quickly. With that in mind, is a lease crazy (assuming that you would be paying MUCH MUCH more in the end if you were to buy out the lease)? This kind of goes with PETERSON33's message.
#14 of 3311 NO!! Leasing is the smart thing to do by bretfraz Apr 23, 2002 (10:49 am)
With new Saab's, leasing is perfect due to the fact that they depreciate so quickly. As long as you lease from Saab Financial or a finance company that meets or beats SFSC's residuals and money factors.   There are several threads here in Town Hall that discuss leasing. There are several articles publsihed here to teach you about leasing and how to calculate them.   Saab Financial heavily subsidises their lease program so it makes terrific sense to lease a Saab. Buying a new Saab is financial suicide unless you intend to keep the car many years. And even then you are better off financially buying a slightly used Saab than a showroom fresh one.   peterson33 - Go to this thread and ask Bill and Terry about wholesale market pricing on your 9-3. Be very descriptive about your car, its condition, and your location and they'll give you current wholesale and retail numbers. From there negotiate with SFSC (not your dealer!) on a buyout price. At least you should save a few thou. mjtunis "Real-World Trade-In Values" Apr 23, 2002 9:08am
#15 of 3311 99 9-3 vs 02 9-3 by eckdar Apr 24, 2002 (10:56 am)
Just sold my leased '99 9-3S and leased a new '02 9-3SE. Seems like Saab(GM) added 10% more luxery and took out 20% of the fun. Dare I say the '02 is more Buickesque. I do appreciate the more quiet ride, better radio, electric seats, etc, but when I want to drive the car a little hard, the '02 isn't as fun. Even though it has more torque and hp than my '99 (185 hp version, not the HOT), it doesn't act like it. Wondering if the gear ratios have been changed. Engine noise is very isolated now, good when just cruising, but a negative when "driving". JMHO.
#16 of 3311 SAAB quality by dindak Apr 24, 2002 (12:07 pm)
One thing that has impressed me about SAAB is how much the quality and reliability has come up in the past 5 years. I would not hesitate to buy one, especially in Canada where you get Saturn service also (Saab is sold at Saturn Saab Isuzu dealers here).
#17 of 3311 Eckdar by GBrianK Apr 25, 2002 (7:21 am)
GM has helped make some changes.... I believe the difference you are noticing is not in the transmission, but in the T-7 control module. Saab has made some major modifications since the T-5 (what you had in your 1999 9-3). If you will notice, the fuel economy has come up about four to five miles per gallon on the highway and two or three in the city. Tires are the second modification made (relates directly to the noise). Saab went from 205/50R16's (9-3 SE) to 205/55R16's. These tires are not as performance oriented as the others (due to the increase in height of the sidewall), but this was done to remedy the issue with bending rims. Since the rims can handle both the 55 and 50 profiles, you can change the tires back....
#18 of 3311 GBrianK by eckdar Apr 25, 2002 (11:11 am)
You could be right about the T-7 vs T-5 control module, but whether control module or gear ratios the result is the same.. less fun. On the tire size, my 99 was the base model so only had 195/?R15's (Michelin). My 2002 is both significantly more quiet, and handles better than the 1999. Haven't noticed much difference in fuel economy, but then I have less than 1000 miles, should improve as the car gets broken in.   Question: Have noticed what looks like splattered carbon deposits on the garage floor below the tail pipe. Cleaned it up once thinking it might be a one time thing, but now its back. A cone shaped pattern about 24 inches long and 12 inches at its widest point. Any ideas?
#19 of 3311 Soot from the exhaust? by GBrianK Apr 29, 2002 (6:59 am)
Sounds like when you are starting the car, soot is being shot out of the tailpipe. This happens to me as well...   I believe the 9-3 has definitely improved since 1999. I am not sure about the shift patterns, as I now have a 5 speed. BUT, I have driven a few automatic loaner 9-3's and they seem to just as "fun" if not more so because of the increase hp. I guess it is personal preference. I am not sure how you drive....   So, are you ready for the new 9-3??? Horsepower is supposed to be up and there is a possibility of a six speed manual!
#20 of 3311 in my case... by wonderwall Apr 29, 2002 (5:15 pm)
saab's low resale value is fine with me. i can't afford a new one, but i can easily buy a two year old one. that may be what i do next time around when i pay off the jetta.

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