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Saab 9-3 Sedan

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#3265 of 3306 Re: Gas mileage by saablcp Oct 27, 2008 (6:55 am)
Replying to: nbond (Oct 26, 2008 3:28 pm) Apparently the E.P.A. opted to test all the Saab models with the sport mode engaged on the Automatic Transmissions.Net result was city and highway averages well below what the average driver can expect to acheive. My 2008 2.8L. V-6 Aero is rated at 15 m.p.g. city and 24 hwy.I never do worse than 20 on my morning commute (avg. 35 m.p.h.)and my last trip of over 100 miles was 31.3 at an avg.speed of 71 m.p.h.
#3266 of 3306 Re: Reliability? [saablcp] by andyv1 Oct 27, 2008 (11:54 am)
Replying to: saablcp (Oct 27, 2008 6:46 am) I was replying to someone who wondered if he should buy a SAAB.. I understand my tire issue., I found it odd that this would happen on three separate occasions.. three different tires.. Also, the brakes going out so early. I have been driving for over 25 years, (new cars). Never had problems like this. I also have many friends who drive SAABS, and everyone of them has complaints. Personally, I would buy a Honda before I ever bought a SAAB again.. Just giving my opinion... Thats all it is. Was asked for advice and gave it. Try not to take it personally...relax It's not like you built it..cranky.
#3267 of 3306 Re: Reliability? [iburgess] by saabpinion Nov 11, 2008 (1:29 pm)
Replying to: iburgess (Oct 26, 2008 12:19 pm) My honest opinion: Get the car because you enjoy driving it - not because you're looking for a cheap car to own. Look, reliability has gotten dramatically better for Saabs. Sure, you'll hear the occasional nightmare story about some catastrophic failure that nobody can seem to fix, or at least can seem to fix for less than several thousand dollars. But that's not the issue here. Saabs are very, very expensive to own - just in terms of maintaining them. Case in point. I, like other posters here, had to have my rear brakes repaired at 10,000 miles. Yup - you got that right. Rear brakes were spewing brake dust ever since I bought the car. I spent $600 to replace just the rear brakes - why? Because Saab has stringent requirements on rotor wear as well - necessitating that both usually be replaced simultaneously. Now, you could probably go to a place other than your local stealership to get them fixed for less - but it will still cost you. When I complained to GM customer service that the brakes should have been covered because of abnormally rapid wear, GM said "tough" - that's the price you pay for owning a Saab. So, I say to you - Caveat emptor.   Saabs also have another annoyances. Compared to other "luxury sport sedans," the Saab I've owned has a lot of rattles and hums from cheap plastic parts. It also has a lot of road noise because it is not as well insulated as other luxury cars (try a Lexus, for example).   That said - Saabs are fun to drive, and from a cost standpoint, are cheaper than other cars in their class - AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. So - if you want to drive a very fun car that costs less, UP FRONT, than an Audi or BMW, this is a great choice. But if you do so, be prepared for outrageous repair costs on routine items - items that seem to wear a lot more quickly than in other cars - especially the damn brakes. The 3 year maintenance plan is supposed to deal with many of these issues, but in reality - does little to mitigate your costs. So be prepared. Replies to this message: hydrasports (Nov 11, 2008 5:49 pm)
#3268 of 3306 Re: 2007 Saab 93 rear brakes [andyv1] by mppaul2 Nov 11, 2008 (2:17 pm)
Replying to: andyv1 (Oct 14, 2008 1:28 pm) I just had rear brake pads replaced on my 2007 9-3 Aero at 16,416 miles. $257.00 dollars later..but it is a fun car to drive...I still like it
#3269 of 3306 Re: Reliability? [saabpinion] by hydrasports Nov 11, 2008 (5:49 pm)
Replying to: saabpinion (Nov 11, 2008 1:29 pm) I agree with you, fun to drive but other than the front seats a cheap interior with rattles. I have the 2.0T with the 5sp now over 35K still lots left on my brakes. The turbo 4 is the reason to buy this car; great little motor quick up to 90 mph with amazing gas mileage. Now if I could only get that "click" out of my suspension under warranty. I posted a message to the community? Does anyone know the fix?
#3270 of 3306 Reliability by dbodek Nov 24, 2008 (7:14 pm)
I have a 2003 9-3 Arc with the 6-speed. I only have 49k on the car and have found my car to be trouble-free. Other than some factory recalls and having to replace the battery and tires (at about 40k) the car has been a low cost to maintain. I also want to add that I still have the original brake pads on both the front and rear. My dealer says that they show very little wear but I largely attribute that to how I drive the car. Also, I get about 27 mpg around town and 30-31 on a trip. So far my SAAB 9-3 has been one of the best cars that I have owned and I plan on keeping it for another 5 years if I can. Replies to this message: iburgess (Nov 25, 2008 4:04 am) georgehughes35 (Dec 03, 2008 8:19 am) iburgess (Dec 08, 2008 7:32 am)
#3271 of 3306 Re: Reliability [dbodek] by iburgess Nov 25, 2008 (4:04 am)
Replying to: dbodek (Nov 24, 2008 7:14 pm) Thanks for this, and to all others who also contributed to answering my post. I did buy it! So far, I am very pleased. CHEERS! Replies to this message: georgehughes35 (Dec 03, 2008 8:19 am) iburgess (Dec 08, 2008 7:32 am)
#3272 of 3306 Re: Reliability? [iburgess] by georgehughes35 Dec 02, 2008 (8:43 pm)
Replying to: iburgess (Oct 26, 2008 12:19 pm) We bought a 2006 9-3 Sportcombi Aero with all options except the roof rails. It is the fastest best performing car my wife and I have ever owned. She wanted a wagon and it had the 5 star IIHS crash test ratings. Consumer reports said run away based on availability but many people, here in fact, said not to put too much stock in CR. I now think these people were mistaken. It was late November/Early December 2006 so we got a fantastic deal. Negotiated via email. Previously we owned a 2000 Honda Accord EX-L that had no issues but regular maintenance and tires. My Mazda protege lasted 12+ years. My wife had 2 Nissans and the engine on both seized at 7 years.   I love driving the SAAB. No question. Great heated seats, powerful turbo, no turbo lag. Very tight stiff ride on the aero trim with those wheels and low profile. I feel every seem in the road and some of them feel painful to me but my wife simply thinks that's 'European'. Fuel economy with the turbo 6 cylinder is pretty poor, at least the way I drive it. The computer says we get around 18 mpg with mostly city driving.   Reliability. I know people hate to hear this but lots of little issues in 2 years. 3-5 months in a sensor failed (Or so they said) and the AC would not turn on. Then the Traction Control kept disengaging. This happened twice. It seems to be fixed now. The passenger front side window motor failed leaving the window half open at 20 months and had to be replaced. The hinge with a star shaped screw was loose on the passenger front door and made this load popping sound when opened and close. We could see it was loose. They fixed that. 2 months later it is not happening on the driver side front door.   I think the 9-5 has better visibility which is more important the older I get. Not sure I would buy one new as it has not been redesigned in many years and I think it is about to be refreshed.   Would I buy the SAAB again? I am not sure. I can not say definitely yes. I just read CR latest reviews a few weeks ago and I thought they had recommended the 9-3 at this time, either the 08 or 09 model. The CR review and predicted result on my 2006 was spot on. Maybe SAAB has resolved the issues I have had. Also I have had no major failures and everything has been under warranty. I guess I am not looking forward to being out of warranty on this car.
#3273 of 3306 Re: Reliability [iburgess] by georgehughes35 Dec 03, 2008 (8:19 am)
Replying to: iburgess (Nov 25, 2008 4:04 am) Ooops, didn't see you already bought. OK, well for the next person who evaluates..... Replies to this message: iburgess (Dec 08, 2008 7:32 am)
#3274 of 3306 Re: Reliability [georgehughes35] by iburgess Dec 08, 2008 (7:32 am)
Replying to: georgehughes35 (Dec 03, 2008 8:19 am) Thanks anyway. I too do not know how much attention to give CR, but they do now list the 9-3 as a recommended car. Thanks again. CHEERS!

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