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Saab 9-3 Sedan

3342 messages,  Last post on Mar 09, 2013 at 7:46 PM

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What is this discussion about? Saab 9-3, Sedan

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Messages Page 230 of 335

#2288 of 3342 Brake Squeal Update by sgeiger1

Feb 13, 2004 (8:44 am)

After picking up my 9-3 yesterday I was told that somehow the brake pads that were used on the 2003 had somehow made it on to my 2004. That makes no sense to me unless Saab (GM) had left over 2003s and is selling them as 2004 models... Very strange. Either way, they put new pads and rotors on the car and it is fine. No squeal and it actually stops much better then before. Hopefully this will be the last time I see the dealer at least until my 30 day check. Thanks to everyone who wrote in..... I still have not had an official response from Saab yet, so much for the 24 hour turn around time.

#2289 of 3342 To 200493aero and tamale2 by luba1

Feb 13, 2004 (8:44 am)

First to answer 200493aero, I had a 2003 9-3 SS w/17" wheels, sport suspension, (no longer available for 2004 on the ARC), auto.trans., and the engine light came on and I also lost full power. The car reverted to limp home mode. The next day the light went out and the car was fine. No codes came up when I brought the car to the dealer. I also had the stalling problems and they resolved it by raising the idle.
 
I thought this car was a blast to drive and handled very well, until I replaced it w/the Infinity G35. Unfortunately, my car was plagued with electrical and transmission problems as well, over the 7000 miles I put on it. Saab USA repurchased the vehicle back from me, under the California lemon law-no problems there. In defense of Saab, I think GM pushed the car to the market place before all "quirky" bugs were out.
 
There really is no comparison between these cars. Power, handling, quality control, fwd vs. rwd. stereo, etc. The Saab is just not in the same league as the Infiniti. Two completely different cars. I know some of you might disagree w/me, and hopefully you've had great success with your Saabs.
 
To tamale2, the Vector name is no longer available, it has been replaced by the Aero. Same car,just different name. If you can get some kind of incentive on the Saab, employee or supplier discount, its a pretty good deal, so long as Saab has resolved the quality control issues in the newer models.
 
You'll no longer hear any "saabstories" from me and good luck to all you Saabophiles.

#2290 of 3342 C & D article by laurasdada

Feb 13, 2004 (2:21 pm)

Shouldn't C & D have tested the Aero, not the Arc? Arc is luxury, Aero is sport. 9-3 might have fared better (I haven't yet read the article...).

#2291 of 3342 Brake sound by richn2

Feb 13, 2004 (5:29 pm)

drdarylj: I will say that I have never been as satisfied with any of the other cars that I had owned as I am with my 9-3. Now I know what they mean by thier commercial, most people who test drive will buy. This car is a true driving pleasure.
I will say that the very first time I had gone to my service center I was not overly thrilled with them, they seemed a little snobbish not like the Buick dealer I was going with my Regal. But first impressions are not always correct or could it have been my eval of them. After the first visit they can not do enough for me.
 
Before I had finally settled on the 9-3 I had looked at everything from the Acura, which is a terrific car, to a volvo, bmw, etc. I finally settled on the SAAB for a few reasons.
Looks - drive / performance - regular gas.
 
I was worried about how it would handle in the snow. Nothing to worry about, it handles like a charm.
Oh well enough bragging about it, just go drive on and experience the thrill.
 
Good luck with what ever car you finally select because it really dont matter what anybody else thinks it's what makes you happy.

#2292 of 3342 drdarylj by mrblonde49

Feb 13, 2004 (9:21 pm)

I love the car and I am very happy driving it each day. That said, if I were shopping now, I'd check out the TL. Saw on up close for the 1st time today. Though I'd have to go 5K more than what I spent on my Arc, and I don't know that I'd do that

#2293 of 3342 Car and Driver comparo test by lcp1

Feb 14, 2004 (12:25 pm)

This test really has me worried as to Car and
Drivers testing methods.Where did they supposedly
find a 6 speed '04 Arc in the first place.They
have the car accelerating 0-100 in app.18 secs.
and taking over 20 secs more to go from 100-120.
Huh?!They have the frt./rear wt.distribution wrong
59%/41%,when it should be 53%/43%.Most of their
other criticisms would have been addressed by
choosing the Aero,which still would have priced
under the BMW and the 3.0A4.Still wondering where they got that 6speed Arc!LOL

#2294 of 3342 unsafe, unreliable- typical of other owners? by renee_etoile

Feb 16, 2004 (1:41 am)

A history of my car:
lock system has failed 4x
break light 6x
break system 2x
gear box 3x
speedometer indicator 3x
fuel indicator twice
gearbox malfunction 3x
constant steering lock
yes, the lagging
blinking trip
malfuntioning audio
frozen buttons
faulty alarm system
 
Most of these problems coincide- the constant blinking and signals on the trip are a big nuisance. I note, these problems reoccurred after supposed repairs from the service department; at times, even on the very day I picked the car up.
 
(I've tried different Service locations, so I don't know/think they are at fault.)
 
CD system took 2 months to reinstall, and there are problems with it even still.
 
There are many times when my steering wheel will lock even while driving. This caused my car to be rear-ended in traffic.
 
The car alarm goes off by itself at any and all times during the day. The faulty fuel indicator left me bottomed without warning in an intersection.
 
my Saab: driving hazard.
 
For an average of every two weeks, I've had to bring the car in for Service.
 
I love my car, but it won't be for long if such problems consist.
 
I know that many owners are faced with problems here and there, but is my 9-3 specifically haunted with more problems than deemed normal or typical? Wanted to see what others had to say.

#2295 of 3342 renee_etoile by rsdr

Feb 16, 2004 (7:27 am)

You should return this car, it is unsafe. Here in the discussion group I remeber few people were able to return the car when they complained to saab. Minimum you might be able to do an exchange i.e get a 2004 saab if not money return, which has much lesser problems. Do update us how it went
Best of luck

#2296 of 3342 Unsafe by sgeiger1

Feb 16, 2004 (8:06 am)

Kind of reminds me of my first car in high school, an $800 Fiat X 1/9. I look back on it fondly.... It was such a fun car but broke about twice a month. A $30,000 plus Saab should not have such problems. My father is going through the same thing with his 2003 MB C 230.. It has problems way beyond the car mentioned in the above article and MB will not even think of taking it back. Arbitration is next. Good luck to all....

#2297 of 3342 3and14 and sgierger - Brake Squeal by airrich

Feb 16, 2004 (10:16 am)

Could you give me the region you live in (Southeast, Northwest, etc.) I too have brakes that squeal. I am being told it is a "regional" thing.

Messages Page 230 of 335

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