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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#12 of 185 Structurally Sound: The Epsilon platform could become one of General Motors by machiavelli Jul 23, 2002 (9:37 am)
From autoweek.com By WES RAYNAL The Opel Vectra GTS looks nice inside and out, and is a good drive. The Epsilon platform should help GM's midsize cars in the States. "OPEL HAS FIRED OFF A SECOND salvo in the midsize class product offensive it began in the spring, in the form of a new and tempting sports model, the coupe-style Vectra GTS sport sedan. This exceptionally dynamic..." So begins the new Vectra GTS press materials. Exaggerated maybe, but the new Opel Vectra (and Saab 9-3 and more) is an important car for GM; or at least the Vectra rides on an extremely important platform, the midsize Epsilon platform. The Epsilon platform is a structure Opel and Saab developed jointly that some of GM's best-selling cars will ride on, including the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004 Pontiac Grand Am and the 2004 (or '05) Saturn L. Further, there will be a future Cadillac on Epsilon, as well as a few Holdens in Australia. In all, the architecture will eventually account annually for some 1.2 million GM cars worldwide—a big number in a market in which GM needs better products to become more competitive with the Primeras, Accords, Camrys and Mondeos of the world.
#13 of 185 Interesting, C&D just corrected themselves - by kevin111 Jul 23, 2002 (9:38 am)
On the Saab 9-3 "The car is based on the GM Epsilon platform that will also see duty as the Opel Vectra and Chevrolet Malibu, " Base will have 175 hp engine. Top of the line will be a 210 hp engine. Still underpowered compared to its competition. I know it is a turbo 4, but still.
#14 of 185 by machiavelli Jul 23, 2002 (9:42 am)
I guess that is part of the "Saab-ness"; having a turbo 4 instead of a V6. But I agree, it's a little underpowered. An Acura TL has 225hp base and 260hp in the Type-S, and those numbers will probably go up somewhat when the '04 TL comes out.
#15 of 185 Upon further review.... by machiavelli Jul 23, 2002 (10:05 am)
The 9-3's power is about on par with most of it's competition: Audi A4 1.8T - 170hp Audi A4 3.0 - 220hp BMW 325i - 184hp BMW 330i - 225hp MB C240 - 168hp MB C320 - 215hp The G35 and the Type-S TL have 260hp.
#16 of 185 Hmm by dl7265 Jul 23, 2002 (11:44 am)
Dont know if id want in print it will have same platform as a Saturn L . o well DL
#17 of 185 by machiavelli Jul 23, 2002 (12:32 pm)
Once again - it's not based on the CURRENT Malibu or Saturn, etc....
#18 of 185 dl by logic1 Jul 23, 2002 (6:46 pm)
wow. Clever. In fact the current 9-5 does share a platform with the L and its sales have done well for Saab.
#19 of 185 by magnetophone Jul 23, 2002 (7:40 pm)
Well one of the L's best features is its fairly compliant chassis.
#20 of 185 by dl7265 Jul 23, 2002 (8:52 pm)
yes i got that its not the current Saturn, i didnt mean to imply that, or that it wouldnt be a willing chasis. i know the VW/Audi does lots of chasis sharring.I just meant, i wonder if the general public's opinion if they read a 9-3 has saturn underpinnings, i hope that makes sense. DL
#21 of 185 fairly compliant chassis? This is a good thing? by kevin111 Jul 23, 2002 (9:48 pm)
I thought the idea was to have a stiff chassis, for better road manners? I guess having a compliant chassis would improve the ride, even if you start to hear sqeaks down the road. Also, I though the Saturn L had a rather stiff chassis? I could be wrong.