Hey,

As part of my car shopping process, I went and test drove a brand new '05 SAAB 9-3 sport sedan today.

It was awesome. I really loved it. It was fast, comfortable, fun, and quirky enough that it's satisfys my need for something "different" when it comes to cars. EX: Has anyone seen the ignition?

So anyway, it's a strong possibilty for my next car. Tomorrow I'm going to test drive the final two, the Volvo S40 T5, and the MINI Cooper S.

I'll let you know which one I decide on. The Cooper S and T5 have big shoes to fill though, I loved the SAAB.

 

i also drove a 9-3, but found it had way too much turbo lag for my tastes

 

The Aero looks nice, but not sure if I like their performance... i don't think it performs anywhere near the preciseness (?) of a MCS. The AT was real
sloppy too... and for a near-lux sedan at that price, not sure if I want a
4 banger.

The turn signal lever feels real rubbery too....
but, they are good looking cars and do turn heads. I think it would be
a good lease car for the commute.

 

I thought the performance was very good, but I haven't test driven a MCS yet to compare.

Auto tranny?...I'm getting the manual.

Also, I'm not leasing it, I'm gonna buy it...that way I can mod it if I chose to, etc.

 

I should've been more clear, the AT on the non-Aero one was sloppy.
The Aero's MT was.... okay.

The way those depreciate you *might* want to consider leasing the car
even if you are going to mod it. Just keep the stock parts and put it back
to stock when you return. :smile: I would seriously get the Aero over the
other ones.

Hope you like the MCS... you still get the state of independence with
the MINI's.

 

I agree.....in just a few short hours I will be behind the wheel of a MCS. That will be the true test.

I have to admit though, the level of prestige the Saab has over the MINI is appealing to me.

 

Prestige? That matters? Maybe you need a Porsche instead.

 

I've driven Saabs dating back to the 96 models (shaped like a pregnant cigar) in the 1970s. My "second" car is now a 900 series I got when my dad could no longer drive. I haven't driven a 9-3, but assume they also have the general Saab feel.

I will cede that they feel solid, but that's what I also don't like. The shifting and clutch seem especially stiff and "not sporting of them". I have seen the design and sorta like it. Unfortunately the new Malibu looks like it stole the back end concept from Saab.

When I had my Mini in for service last Friday they gave me a BMW 325XI for the loaner. It had all the light and fast handling fun as a Mini but with so much more BMW wonderfull. I need to research other models, but until then a 300 level BMW would be my pick over a Saab. To each their own though.

 

I couldn't bring myself to owning a 3 Series, they are just so...common. There is nothing quirky about them at all. I like quirky, quirky is good.

The 3 Series is the luxury car segments equivalent of the Toyota Corolla. The magazines love it, but every fifth car on the road is one, and they lack that special "feeling" that sets some cars apart from the rest.

The 3 Series is a great car, but not for me. (and yes, I have driven it, and did consider it though)

 

This shows regional differences. In the Northern midwest where I live Saabs are much more common then BMWs. I'm aware too that lots of pure BMW folks don't like the 300 series design. The last one I'd driven was a friend's 2002 in the 1970s. I was easily impressed since I'd forgotten how nice they handle.

I went to the Saab USA site to look at the 9-3. I think the looks are nice especially compared to my 900 series. If you get one, though, I suggest you start a class action suit against GM. I think they must have stolen that Saab's rear when designing their new Malibu. Eh, don't go Malibu on us though.

If you like the feel of the shifting and clutch, and find it drives nice, maybe it is best to stay away from those white bread Corolla 300 series.

 

I traded in my 2001 Saab 9-3 for the MINI..


The saab is a big comfortable car with tons of room.. not nearly as much fun as the MINI..

btw.. the trick is put in reverse before you attempt to take the key out..

 

GM owns Saab, so i guess they would be allowed to steal their own design...LOL

 

As the previous owner of a Saab 9-3, I can say it is a solid, boring
car with ample space. A nice family mobile. Just two things to
consider: 1. Make sure you change the oil according to manufacturer's
recommendations, and keep the records. Saab has admitted that sludge
build-up in the turbo has caused problems in the past. 2. Resale value
sucks.

The Aero is indeed much faster and fun to drive. I got a loaner when my 9-3 was towed in because the ignition pack went out at 30,000 miles. (Common problem, I was told - hope they got it fixed). The Aero is pricey, though.

 

I second everything said so far in this thread! Everybody's pretty much on the mark

First off - the 9^3 is not a sports sedan- it's a sedan. It's a little sporty, and it feels nice, but it's not even close to being outright Zesty like the MCS or MAYBE a 3 series. It's FWD- and the MINI is the only car I will ever buy with FWD, sorry. It's just not as fun. It's very roomy and comfortable - I had a '00 9^3 and enjoyed driving it- it was our road trip mobile of choice in high school. It had none of the punch of our MINIs though. Even traffic is fun in the MINI

My opinion? Save some bread and go with the MCS. Enoy driving 1000x more. Drive with a friend if you want to go long distance

PS: I just drove to Las Vegas in the MCS and she drove like a beauty- I have 0 regrets (and I would have if I got another 9^3).

PPS: I have a close friend who still has a 9^3 and has successfully tuned it way beyond what we're capable of doing in our cars (turbo mods are much easier, engine is larger, etc). His car hot laps the track extremely quickly. However, his dad owns the Saab dealer in town, so he gets his mods cheap without losing warranty

 

I'd forgotten that, KRG. Dang GM to heck...pardon my Swedish. I suppose suing oneself could cause warts but I wish that on GM. So they acquired a good line but it didn't seem to help their sinking bottom line. You've gotta feel bad for their employees if not their decisionmakers.

It's funny that in Europe so many cars we consider exotic sporty cars are basic family cars there. My first such shock were Mercedes taxi cabs in Germany. Possibly first time European visitors are shocked we use exotic Luminas for cabs.

 

yeh, to make it even worse, the 9-3 shares the same platform as the Malibu...


but even before that, that rubbery turnsignal needs to go.

 

It's very disappointing to see Saab assimilated into the big three. I have very fond memories of driving my ex's '93 limited edition turbo 900. I haven't liked any of Saab's post-1993 designs until the new 9-3 convertible came out. The '93 900 Turbo was basically my dream car until the new Cooper arrived on the scene, but I never would have actually bought one due to the subpar fuel economy.

 

chrisnl- yes, I agree. That new 9-2 (Saaburu) wagon is a joke too...

 

For all the people saying they've owned 9-3s before, and they were boring family sedans.....was it the NEW '03+ 9-3 or the old bloated looking hatchback '9-3? The two cars have nothing in common, the new one is far sportier.

 

Kyle- what do you drive now? Im kinda shocked how you think the
new 9-3's are 'sporty' cars. Don't tell me you drive your mom's
hand-me-down camry or something. j/k.

the Aero does okay, but I preferred the TSX over the 9-3's, to
tell you the truth.

 

Kyle:

The only real question is...

have you driven the MINI yet???

 

I don't think the TSX has the "prestige" of the Saab, though...

 

I'm not saying the 9-3 is a sports car in any way, I'm just saying it's a "sports sedan" imo. I drive the TSX every day, and to me it feels like a "nicer" Accord. The Saab felt more precise imo, as did the Volvo.

I'm not looking for a performance car, and I think that's what some of you were assuming. This car is going to be a commuter car for me to drive an hour back and fourth 5 days a week. I want luxuries more than I want speed. I also want to be comfortable. I still look for quirkiness above all else, which I why I was drawn to the MINI.

My current car is a joke. It was not a hand me down, I got it brand new, but it's a lowly 2003 Saturn Ion. So as you'd imagine...EVERYTHING feels sporty to me.

 

So you drive a TSX everyday but now want a "nicer" Malibu? You have to agree with me that the TSX's shifter feel and clutch is FAR better than what
you felt with the 9-3's MT, right? The steering is much more nimble feel
and handling refined. The TSX's NA 4 banger even feel punchier than the
9-3's turbo motor off the line.

I don't really care for the TSX, but that car was far better than the
9-3Aero in terms of performance...hense, noway would I pay that kind
of money on a 9-3Aero.

I think you'll feel more luxury from an Avalon than the 9-3...imho.
I like the 9-3Aero for its looks but it sure is expensive for what you
get.

 

I owned the older gen 9^3 (the ancient one). I rode in the new one and liked it a little bit more, but wasn't blown away.

Could you get into a slightly used 9^5? They've got more Saab character in my opinion, and the "Frost Blue" (I think it's the name) is awesome

My dad just sold a 9^5 after 5 happy years. Great reliability and a good, solid car. Plenty of quirk in 'er too.