2003 Saab 9-3 - READ ONLY

185 messages, Last post on Nov 04, 2002 at 6:21 AM

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What is this discussion about? Saab 9-3, BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Sedan

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#2 of 185 Well a couple of folks over in the UK believe it might be by andys120 Jul 19, 2002 (8:47 am)
a 3-series competitor. See the letters section of the new CAR magazine. I doubt that any true Beemerhead is going to accept a fwd as a real competitor no matter how good the performance.
#3 of 185 by magnetophone Jul 22, 2002 (6:26 am)
The letters were indeed interesting. If the performance were there, I'd get the new 9-3 over a 3-series any day! One thing I'm worried about though - doesn't the 9-3 look almost as big as the 9-5 now? Won't that cannibalize the latter's sales?
#4 of 185 by logic1 Jul 22, 2002 (7:04 am)
The 9-3 should be a legitimate performance car. Whether it is a direct competitor for BMW is another question. The FWD/RWD difference looms large for many buyers. Where I see the new 9-3 making its biggest impact is against the Lexi/Acura/Volvo/and non-AWD Audis. Magneto: There is an article in TheCarconnection today where a Saab exec attempts to explain how the new 9-3 will not hurt 9-5 sales. Basically, he claims the additional luxury options on the 9-5 will suffice. The article did not even say when a 9-5 will be on the new Epsilon platform. I do not see how the new 9-3 cannot hurt 9-5 sales.
#5 of 185 by machiavelli Jul 22, 2002 (9:55 am)
The new 9-3 is not longer than the old 9-3, but it is slightly wider and has a longer wheelbase, so it is roomier inside than the car it replaces. The 9-5 is still slightly larger inside, and comes with the V6 instead of the 4. I guess the 9-3 will somewhat cannabalize the 9-5, but probably no worse than the Volvo S60 cannabalizes S80 sales.
#6 of 185 Issues with the new 9-3 by kevin111 Jul 22, 2002 (2:30 pm)
I agree that it looks great, from what I have seen so far of this car. Looks gorgeous in Black 1. Will have reduced understeer than previous models but still an issue 2. Will be underpowered compared to competition (175 hp and 200 hp engines offered???!!!!) 3. Brand identity and uncertainty may still be an issue. Also, the chasis is based off the Chevy Malibu platform (Car and Drive and Road and Track). A Maxima can blow away this car for a much lesser price!
#7 of 185 by magnetophone Jul 22, 2002 (2:44 pm)
Um it's not based on the Chevy Malibu. it's based on the Epsilon platform which is also going to be the basis of future Opel and Alfa Romeo products, as well as "POSSIBLY" the 2004 Chevy Malibu, which, if it will, is going to be a rebadged Opel Vectra.
#8 of 185 by machiavelli Jul 23, 2002 (9:07 am)
Kev - the new Saab 9-3 has nothing to do with the current Malibu. It's based on the new GM Epsilon platform, which it will also share with Opel/Vauxhall, and future Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Saturn models.
#9 of 185 Just posting what I have read by kevin111 Jul 23, 2002 (9:24 am)
I believe it is in the June version of Car&Driver, and Road&Track. Read it for yourself - "Based on the same platform used by the Chevy Malibu". I could not believe it myself when I read it. I had to do a double-take.
#10 of 185 by machiavelli Jul 23, 2002 (9:30 am)
They mean it's the same platform as the new Malibu - the GM Epsilon.
#11 of 185 You very well should not have believed it by logic1 Jul 23, 2002 (9:37 am)
You can find about 15 different sources, autoweek.com being the most recent, that say the new Saag 9-3 will be built on a modified version of the new Epsilon platform. The base Epsilon platform will be used for the next generation Malibu, Grand Am and possibly a Saturn. The Epsilon platform in any form has no relationship to the platform used by the current Malibu.