Ask the Car People.SM


Saab 9-3 Sedan

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

You are in the Saab 9-3 Forum.

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

Join other Saab enthusiasts in Edmunds.com Saab Owners Club!

Messages Page 69 of 335

#677 of 3342 Re: Saab Sales by mmeytin

Jan 03, 2003 (3:07 pm)

This is a mixed report. Quarterly sales are up 4.9%, but yearly sales are up only 0.7% (to 37,805 units). These numbers are still below their sales for 1999 (39,541) and 2000(39,479). Of course, the redesigned 9-3 was only on sale for less than a full quarter, so I think there's a potential (particularly with Arc and Vector coming in Spring) that it will pull the sales numbers for 2003. Whether it will pull them as far as GM would want, that's another question. I wonder how Saab in general and 9-3SS in particular is doing worldwide.

#678 of 3342 Infotainment and other stuff... by code7700

Jan 03, 2003 (3:34 pm)

Anyone have any idea if the infotainment will ever do anything? In other words, when will it actually be infotainment!
 
If you look the movie at http://www.saabusa.com/microsites/9-3S/shared_files/movies/infotain_b2.mov it shows a a guy using the car with Bluetooth (said car has the [not-yet-in-the-US] navigation package).
 
I really hate how people think we American's are so far behind in GSM that we wouldn't want Bluetooth in our car. Technically, you could have Bluetooth added to any phone (TDMA, GSM, etc.) Hell, you could even have it added to your toothbrush if you felt so included.
 
I'm not sure what your issue is with CUSTOMIZE, mine works fine. If you tell the air to start in AUTO mode, it will start off with air coming out of the top and bottom vents (I assume you're using heat, since it is winter, but then again, you could be in Vegas). You can override it by selecting MANUAL in the SID and selecting which vents you want the air to come out of (front vs. top and/or bottom).
 
I think the lights flash (separate from self-leveling) just so the system can check the power going to them. If you notice when you start the car it says CHECKING or something like that while it checks out the "network" inside the car. They used fiber optic cable inside the car as I understand it, so they can do some cool stuff without having to worry about crappy copper wires. For example, if you leave the gas-cap off, or the rear seat is not locked properly, you'll get a warning light.
 
One thing maybe you guys can look at... get in the car and lock all the doors with the button. When you (manually) pull up the drivers lock, do you hear a motor? I do. But only the drivers lock unlocks. Seems that the (manual) lock is just there for display and controls the lock motor. Sort of backwards, unless mine is messed up and it is supposed to unlock all the doors. I don't know for sure. I need to re-read the manual, I'm sure it is in there, most stuff is.
 
At least the numbers are going up. 4.9 and 0.7 are still positive numbers. I think it will take time for people to see and want the 9-3... lots of people still think of the Saab is an oddball car (I was one of those people until I saw/drove the new 9-3).

#679 of 3342 A few Answers by mooselook

Jan 03, 2003 (7:56 pm)

First, thanks for the input on the speakers, Brucec35 and Dgarbari. I guess I'll spring for a pair myself.
Code7700, regarding the request about where the dealer got the info about how to reprogram, I got the impression that these guys receive training on how to work on these vehicles and that it was relatively routine. If your service guy doesn't know how to do it, here's a link to the dealership I use here in NJ. He can call them and ask!
http://www.reinertsenmotors.com/index.html
I have no clue what else can or can't be programmed. It was actually my salesman that gave me the tip about the DRL's. If you find that any of those items you listed can actually be reprogrammed, I'd like to know, cause they're all great ideas!
MMEYTIN - Regarding the dummy button above the ESP or TCS button, I understand that it's supposed to be On-Star related, whenever they get that fixed. Also, as an aside, in the owners manual, I believe they show both a TCS and an ESP button. My car has only one, the ESP, which controls BOTH the stability and Traction Control systems.
Question for Hungshy: I recall that a few hundred posts up, that you had a fender bender...mixed up a little paint. How much damage, is it fixed and what did it cost?
Finally, here's another good Saab discussion board:
http://www.saabscene.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi
It's in the UK, so if you can get past their calling a sedan a "saloon", there's a lot of good stuff there.
**-- Mooselook --**

#680 of 3342 Front End Damage by code7700

Jan 03, 2003 (8:52 pm)

I dread ever getting front end damage. Between the expensive headlights and water spray heads, you're looking at a few thousand dollars in damage no matter how "simple" your crash is.
 
It is odd how TCS and ESP are on the same button. As for the button above that, I don't think it is OnStar related, but guess we'll find out.
 
Question is, say I don't care for OnStar... if I don't get it installed, will that stop me from using anything useful in the future?

#681 of 3342 repair cost - mooselook by hungshy

Jan 03, 2003 (10:13 pm)

I got it repaird in one week. Part in 1 day but wait for washer bottle about 5 days. cost list below:
OEM FRONT COVER - $435
OEM LEFT FT COVER MLDG - $13
OEM LEFT TURN SIGNAL LAMPIN COVER - $19
OEM WASHER BOTTLE - $62
SUBL FLEX-S - $15.6
SUBL COVER CAR-S - $5
+++TOTAL ITEMS $675.6
+++TOTAL LABOR $460 ( INCLUDING REPAIR, PAINT WORK)
TOTAL COST IS LESS THAN $1200
my idea is this new 9-3 has very solid body frame. so it didn't cause the head light or water spray damage. lucky me:)

#682 of 3342 for the lessers out there by massappeal106

Jan 03, 2003 (10:29 pm)

Looking to lease a '03 9-3 Linear. Wondering what kind of a lease deal you got. Also, what are the specs of the car you leased.
 
Thanks

#683 of 3342 Crash and Phones by code7700

Jan 03, 2003 (10:43 pm)

That isn't too bad. I would have though that Saab parts would be insanely overpriced due to the low volume of cars on the road, but your costs do not seem out of line compared to the average car crash.
 
On a separate topic, http://www.saabcatalog.com lists a "Phone Connector Harness" for $15 for both the 9-3 and 9-5 (1999 models and up). I assume this doesn't include the 2003 model because it is new... If you look on there, they have two types of things, they have 1999- and 2003- (they don't end 1999 with 2002, but I assume they should).
 
http://www.saabcatalog.com/retail/images/family/big/806.jpg
 
Even if that isn't a 2003 option, what the heck is it for? It says, "Pre-wired power access. Facilitates installation of mobile phone. Dealer installation recommended." It has to do more than give you power, right? Did it tie the phone into the car in any way other than by giving it juice?
 
Speaking of add-ons, I can't believe they get $60 for the cargo apron, $45 for a side cargo net, and $55 for the floor cargo net. That is a bit steep. Does anyone know of any 3rd party companies making these things?
 
http://www.saabcatalog.com/retail/images/family/big/03-76~19.jpg
 
The only thing listed in the accessory catalog is the phone cradle mount, at $16. Still overpriced, but not that bad.
 
http://www.saabcatalog.com/retail/images/family/big/03-760~4_phone.jpg
 
Lastly, any of you live where it is cold? Is it worth getting an engine block heater (even if it will mainly be used when car is in my garage?) What about the SID timer that goes with it?
 
And my favorite, the Coreganizer... who the hell travels with pet fish in their trunk? Hah hah hah.
 
http://www.saabcatalog.com/retail/images/family/big/3076.jpg
 
Lastly, the ice scraper that goes into the smart slot... I'm not sure how useful it'll be with ice dripping into the smart slot after use, but the thing would make a nice "friend" if someone tries to car-jack you.

#685 of 3342 sales for by bigdaddycoats

Jan 03, 2003 (10:57 pm)

november and december were 2246 for the new 9-3.

#686 of 3342 code7700 by oldsman01

Jan 04, 2003 (1:48 pm)

I have a Motorola CDMA phone which is bluetooth compatible. I would be very interested in having bluetooth in my next car. The ability to use the Onstar handsfree system, while using my personal cellular provider and MIN would be great. I have Onstar in my Intrigue and used the personal calling feature a few times when I first got the car, but after the "newness" of it wore off, I haven't bothered. One problem, it uses a different MIN so when you call someone on it, they see that number on their caller ID(or hear it as callback on their voicemail) and try to call you back on it. I'd love to sync my cell phone up with the system so I could use the handsfree as the Onstar system does seem to be the best hands-free system(sound quality wise) I've used.

Messages Page 69 of 335

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement