Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans Saab 9-3 Saab 9-3 Sedan
3311 messages, Last post on Nov 23, 2009 at 7:26 AM
You are in the Saab 9-3 Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
Join other Saab enthusiasts in Edmunds.com Saab Owners Club!
|
Saab is a high performance sport car. Super fast and fun thanks to its jet inspired, the most efficient of its kind turbo-charged engine, providing exceptional overtaking performance. In fact, the limited (MY99-02) 9-3 Viggen's engine is nearly 12 percent more efficient at producing horsepower per liter of engine displacement than the 2001 Porsche 911 Carrera. More importantly, the Viggen is a full 52 percent more efficient at producing lb.-ft. of torque per liter of engine displacement. No other competitors come close in performance (not even a BMW can keep up with a Saab on the open highway) Although many Saab owners are conservative in nature, those who are more adventurous fall in love with their Saab's performance when it comes to overtaking or passing ability. The pure and smooth acceleration of the turbo rush is a marvel to be discovered for any car enthusiast. Saab cars are also extremely safe and undoubtedly one of the safest cars on the road that money can buy. Winning the Top Safety Pick - Gold Award from American IIHS for the past 3 years. As for reliability, just last December a salesman from Wisconsin retired his million mile 1989 Saab 900 SPG to a museum. Saab Cars USA quickly followed with a campaign to give a free new Saab to any U.S. customer who covers the distance of one million miles (or more) in a Saab that he or she originally purchased new. Drive a Million Mile, Get a FREE Saab If you have never owned a Saab you have never experienced the fun and joy of driving a high performance vehicle. Don't take my word for it, schedule a test flight at your local dealer then come back and post your experience on this forum. A very happy and satisfied owner of '02 Saab 93 SE Convertible and '02 Saab 95 PS. Saaber is a Saab enthusiast or owner
|
|
|
Replying to: autoedu (May 17, 2007 2:35 pm) I'm sorry, but "high performance sports car" reserved for porsches, (newer) vettes, ferarris, m3's, etc. Those owners aren't missing out by not having driven 9-3's. For some time i had both a bmw and a saab, both had almost exactly the same hp/torque ratings. The bmw out-accelerated the saab in 80% of situations, and outhandled it in as near to 100% of them as i can figure. One time when i had been driving the bmw for a few months, i drove the saab down a windy road i drove a lot. I slowed down by about 20% from my usual speed and nearly ended up in the weeds on the first turn. I had not remembered how badly the car understeered. I know you're enamored with highway passing, but "no competitor comes close" doesn't even apply in that area. Any car saab puts out is going to get roasted by a 335i, g37, c350 in passing tests. Agree on safety, but one million-mile car does not reliability make. That demonstrates longevity. |
|
|
Somehow US consumers are less educated about Saab, in Europe Saab is very well-known as reliable, safe and high performance vehicles. I don't think any four-door sport sedan out there can outperformed or outhandled a Saab. "No competitor comes close" ... might be an overstatement, but those that are in the same league as Saab are few and rare. Take a look at the Saab Performance Team http://www2.saabusa.com/performancedriveteam/default.asp And Saab Aero Performance Series http://www.saabusa.com/saabjsp/aeroperformance/index.jsp Don't take mine or anyone word of how good or bad a Saab is. I encourage you to do the research, take a test flight, see the Saab Performance Team if you have a chance and see for yourself what a born from Jets vehicle really is. Also go to You Tube and search for Saab You'll find a great archive of videos with Saab outperforming Ferraris, and even video of Saab outruns motorcycle Have fun and enjoy your test flight!
|
|
|
Replying to: autoedu (May 17, 2007 7:23 pm) *rolls eyes* http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/10384/2005-saab-9-3-aero.html
|
|
|
Replying to: dhanley (May 18, 2007 3:59 pm)
|
|
|
Replying to: saablcp (May 21, 2007 8:07 am) In any case, i was responding to the claim that the 9-3 will blow away any 4-door car in performance... While i think as a package saabs are pretty good values, the idea they're going to torch any other 4-door car is weird.
|
|
|
Replying to: dhanley (May 22, 2007 4:11 am) According to Top Gear BBC's reivew of Saab. "Don't mind BMW or Mercedes, Saab Aero does 40-70mph faster than Porsche 911 Turbo." Everyday driving condition is not how fast you can accelerate from 0-60mph. The heart, glory and joy of Saab is power and performance in everyday driving 40-70mph, 50-75mph etc. This is where Saab does it better than any cars, even better than Porsche 911 Turbo (that means BMW and Mercedes stand no chance against Saab in highway passing situation) For the car enthusiasts the sheer overtaking power of Saab is truely special. Why Saab a BBC's Review Watch the last minute of the video!
|
|
|
Replying to: autoedu (May 25, 2007 12:06 am)  Or where it gets beaten around the track by the honda civic and almost every other car tested? That is in the video too, ya know. How does having almost the worst track time tested fit into your "performance" argument? Here's the top gear power board with the 9-5 test: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Laps note that many of these tests were on a wet track, some even "very wet" or icy. But the 9-5 was o na bone-dry track. You've also got your sole fact for the car wrong. It's not faster than a 911 turbo 40-70, it's faster when doing the pull *in second gear* . A 911turbo ( as well as a 3 series ) need a 2-3 shift ~60mph, so you can't even do a 40-70 test in second. But in an automatic or if you shift, that won't be the result. But lest you think i'm just trashing, saab is on my "next car" list. I think it's comfy, safe, has some nice features, and is priced well.
|
|
|
Replying to: dhanley (May 25, 2007 5:49 am) Most of the video is about Saab is a car and jet is a jet. A car can never outperforms a jet...well that's a surprise. He is not trashing the car by making Saab vs Jet comparisons. No matter how you explain/twist it, Saab does 40-70mph faster than Porsche 911 Turbo period. If Saab can do this kind of pull in second gear, look like a Porsche or Corvette has a lot of catch up to do once a Saab is shifted into its 3rd or 4th gear The most impressive fact? Saab gives you this kind of performance with a 4 cylinder engine, front-wheel drive in a sedan form. As for the Power Laps tests they clearly state their results as... "These lap times do not offer entirely reliable comparisons between the cars - the conditions are far from controlled." Again the heart and soul of Saab is not 0-60mph tests or racetrack time. This is not practical real-life driving performance or situation. Cars are driven by people not racetrack driver. Hop on the freeway, and if the situation is truely necessary, Saab can overtake any cars, even Porsche or BMW, surely and safely. |
|
My husband and I are looking at a 2003 9-3 Linear with upgrades of 17inch wheels, 6 cd changer, power moonroof, power driver seat and electrochromatic rear view with 36,000 miles on it for $14,900. If we get it we will get the 4 year 60,000 mile warranty for another $2500. It is a lease turned in EARLY. After doing my research I was really looking for a 2004, because of all the electrical issues with the 2003's. But this car looks and drives fab, however I have done the research so while my heart is saying buy, my mind is saying no way. Thoughts??
|
|
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2009 Saab 9-3
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
