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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#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.
#22 of 185 by machiavelli Jul 24, 2002 (4:27 am)
dl - It would be more accurate to say (in 2005) that the new Saturn XYZ has some Saab 9-3 underpinnings. The new 2003 9-3 has NOTHING in common with any current Saturn. If anything, it would be more of a boost to Saturn than a detriment to Saab.
#23 of 185 by logic1 Jul 24, 2002 (5:13 am)
Kevin111: The L does have a fairly stiff chasis for the segment it competes in. It is a very quiet car. dl7256: I think the consumers sophisticated enough to even know what chasis is under their car are also sophisticated enough to know that while a good chasis is an important start, but not the only thing that makes a car good. For instance, dweeby teenagers show a surprising nack for tuning the old wishbone based Civics into Porsche beaters.