- #3220 of 3311
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Re: saab9-3 vs audi a4 long-term reliability [waterdr]
by floatsey09
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May 27, 2008 (4:20 am)
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Replying to: waterdr (May 27, 2008 3:25 am)
there are two people in my office that own later model A4's, 2003 and newer, and both of those guys have had to service their car multiple times a year in the two years i've been on the job. Plus, the dealership doing the work charges $75.00 an hour, so they're quite expensive to maintain once the warranty expires. I picked up a 2006 9-3 Aero with only 2,000 miles on it back in February. I have driven it an additional 3,000 and the only service I needed was to adjust the xenon headlights. It has done great in the snow and been very reliable. My annual insurance premium went down an additional $600 for picking the Saab for its safety compared to my last car. I recommend them over the Audi. Plus, they're a little less trendy than an A4. Everybody and their mother has an A4 or a 3 series BMW. Saabs have more of an original substance to them and they're a good blend of style, performance, safety, efficiency and originality. go with the saab.
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- #3221 of 3311
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Windshield washer question
by davem5
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May 27, 2008 (8:06 pm)
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Greetings. The dealer (one of the few remaining on Houston) replaced my wipers; since then my washers don;t work. They still do work for the headlights. Any ideas? Checked the fuse, but looks good to me.
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- #3222 of 3311
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Saab 9-3 and snow
by ph4235
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May 31, 2008 (7:42 am)
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How does the Saab 9-3 traction control system handle in the snow? Thinking about purchasing one and live in Chicago area.
Thanks
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- #3223 of 3311
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Re: Saab 9-3 and snow [ph4235]
by dhanley
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Jun 02, 2008 (2:51 pm)
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Replying to: ph4235 (May 31, 2008 7:42 am)
Well, i have a RWD car with a much simpler traction control system, and i do fine in chicago. 
But if you want to be safe in the snow, get snow tires. Period.
dave
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- #3224 of 3311
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Re: Saab 9-3 and snow [ph4235]
by floatsey09
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Jun 03, 2008 (3:47 am)
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Replying to: ph4235 (May 31, 2008 7:42 am)
hi, i live in VT and our winters are colder and snowier than Chicago winters. Plus, we have to deal with twisty roads, hills, and mountains making driving treacherous. My 9-3 aero did excellent in the snow this past winter. It was my first winter having the vehicle and I am an avid skier and went to the mountain 25 times this season. My TCS never was engaged. I did use brand new snow tires. I bought some Gislavads from the Saab dealer when i purchased the car. If you are concerned about winter driving conditions and want the added peace of mind, than i urge you to buy snow tires for your car. All seasons are not good enough for winter driving. They don't bite through even a half inch of snow, nor funnel it through its tread. Also, because saabs are FWD cars, you'll need the extra grip from a snow tire because they don't have the benefit of AWD. Believe it or not, but some people in VT are still foolish enough to think that they can get through a VT winter with all seasons because they might have 4WD or AWD, and those are the idiots that are off the side of the road as I am plowing down the highway in my little saab on the way to slopes. Snow tires can litterally save your life, and you'll absolutely need them if you try to climb the slightest of hills with a little snow on them. I recommend either the Gislavads (Swedish tire company), Nokian Hakkapolitas (top of the line snow tire on the market) or the Cooper Weather Masters. The VT State Police use those and I used to have the coopers on an old acura in college. If you don't use snow tires, you put yourself at higher risk of losing control of your vehicle, and then the TCS will kick in and it can be annoying, but effective at moderate speeds. Buy the snow tires.
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- #3225 of 3311
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snow driving
by ph4235
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Jun 26, 2008 (6:18 am)
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Thanks for the advice on winter drving witht the snow!
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- #3226 of 3311
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by bobbya
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Jun 28, 2008 (7:53 am)
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My brakes are shot after 15K miles!! Whaaa!?!
Is this normal, I'm not a crazy driver, I dont ride the brakes.
Saab 9-3 '07 rear brakes shot, rotors shot, 400.00 out the window. Front brakes are fine.
160 2 rotors
80 brake pads
160 labor
Makes no sense.
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- #3227 of 3311
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Re: [bobbya]
by shihanb
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Jun 29, 2008 (6:36 am)
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Replying to: bobbya (Jun 28, 2008 7:53 am)
The front pads went on my car at 30K miles. The dealer wanted $550 to replace the pads and rotors. I took it to my local mechanic who measured the rotors and fou nd that they did not need replacing. I saved about 300 dollars.
I wanted to use ceramics as they are much better but my mechanic insisted on using the factory replacements. I should have insisted as the ceramics are much better, and the next year SAAB uses ceramics all the way around.
Before you spend any money, check with a reputable mechanic and find out what is going on, perhaps your rotors do not need replacing
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- #3228 of 3311
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Headlights
by espana
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Jul 10, 2008 (6:58 pm)
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I purchased my 9-3 last August and I have had to change my headlights every two months. I was told that it could possibly be the electical circuits are wired as one. Does anyone have the same issue?
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- #3229 of 3311
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Re: [bobbya]
by ascoop5000
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Jul 12, 2008 (8:13 am)
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Replying to: bobbya (Jun 28, 2008 7:53 am)
I'm in the same boat. Just under 23,000 miles. Heard a hissing/scratching noise on the rear right brake only when braking. Dealership said the caliper was sticking and ruined the rotor. Warranty covered replacement of the rotor and caliper but they said I needed new pads. Out $200 and shocked that I need new pads at 23,000 miles. I don't know a lot about cars, but the new rear pads already look thinner than my original front pads. What gives? Can anyone give a quick 101 on Saab brakes?
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