Comments on: Saab 9-3SC vs Volvo V50

By: Bengt

Bengt — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:41:33 +0000

Marko:
The park heater is standard and it is very nice have when winter is comming. This morning it was -4 celsius here but since I set the timer yesterday all ice had melted from the windows.
Swade, you didn’t see all variants of swedish climate when you visited this summer

By: MarkoA

MarkoA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:32:33 +0000

And also it seems that there´s some difference because the steeringwheel on ´07 vibrated quite badly after coldstart of the engine. Of course it´s possible that something was wrong with that car, but I don´t think so because it was tester at the dealers, with 7500kms on clock.

Anyway, I really loved the way the diesel engine pulls on lower rpms. TTiD must be a real blast!

By: MarkoA

MarkoA — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:28:08 +0000

Hey Bengt, did you get fuel operated park heater in your diesel car? I´m not sure about the other markets but at least in finland it´s a standard on diesels and according several diesel owners, it´s very comfortable help during cold wintertime.

By: Bengt

Bengt — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:41:43 +0000

MarkoA:
About the noise:
I can’t compare the 2008 diesel engine noise with 2007 because I have never tested the 2007 diesel. Of course you can hear that it is a diesel but I have no problems with it and I can’t feel it much through the steering wheel.
About the ethanol consumption:
It is not only the friend I have mentioned that have problems with ethanol consumption. It is a known fact that actual consumption figures differs a lot compared to figures published by the car manufacturers. I am a little worried that both SAAB and at least Swedish government are happy just by the fact that it is an ethanol car and not bothers about the ethanol consumption figures at all. I feel that it must be better for the environment if a car consumes 90 l/10 km instead of 130 l/10 km no matter if it is ethanol, diesel or gasoline. A CO2 emission from ethanol is not better for the environment then CO2 emissions from the other fuels. The good part with ethanol is of course that 85 % of one liter E85 fuel minus production emissions minus transport emissions etc consumes CO2 while growing but I am not convinced at all. I think that SAAB, in their environmental work, should focus more on reducing the E85 consumption and, instead of increasing the power (and consumption) when running on E85on the same engine, offer smaller engines with same power (and less consumption), if you understand what I mean.
/Bengt P

By: MarkoA

MarkoA — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:41:15 +0000

Good review. Very nice to hear someone who actually has owned Volvo and thinks like you just described! Exactly how I felt after testdrive of V50. Though I thought V50 was not sharper on turn in, maybe Saab is bit more on the softer side but will corner hard without any problems and signs of understeer what V50 does a lot.

There´s no comments on rough diesel engine noise. Maybe they have upgrated sound insulation on TiD engine also? When I test drove ´07 TiD I felt that engine was rather noisy at idle. Also it was possible to feel it through the steering wheel. Still this doesn´t make it a bad engine. I love diesels and I´ll be getting one myself pretty soon if everything goes as I´ve planned.

Those consumption figures for towing caravan sound horrible. Regular petrol engines do get something like 12-15 l/100km which is also very much, but 18l/100km is freaking crazy. Compared to diesel which can easily hold it under 10l/100km. And diesel torque will make towing much more convenient experience. If there´s heavy load, TiD will give maximum torque already below 2000rpm.

T5 engine is wonderfully tuned piece of machinery. I´ve driven it few times and I cannot say a bad word of it. Well, maybe fuel consumption. But it´s still reasonable considering the performance.

That black 9-3 Vector looks killer! New look without bumper or sidestrips makes the car look more sleek. And missing roofrails also has an effect of a coupe to me. It´s the windowline that lowers down (and bottomline raises) makes the car look so good.

So congratulations once again! Great choise!

By: Speed King

Speed King — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:45:53 +0000

The Saab looks so good. Since the T5 is supposed to be the top motoralternative for the V50 it would be more accurate to compare the engine against Saab 9-3 aero V6 with 255 horsepower. In that case I would choose the Saab 10/10 times….

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:29:49 +0000

Just like to add…attended the motor show in Sydney over the weekend.

The exterior is impressive though i noticed little change in the interior.

Mostly this is good but my quality pet-peeves are as follows:

Tacho does look a bit cheap as does the hard plastic fascia around the instruments.

The lid at the rear centre console isn’t secure enough, easy to wiggle it side to side at the hinges.

Rubber matts in the console are also a cheap touch, remind me of taxis.

Too much hard black plastic in the centre console. Cheap cheap cheap and boring.

and my No1 peeve on the interior which unfortunately reminds me of (look away everone..DRUM ROLL) A HOLDEN.ala.VH/VK…………THE WOBBLING INDICATOR/ACTUATOR STALKS ON THE STEERING COLUMN. IN AN OTHERWISE NICE CAR I THINK THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND A BIG DISSAPPOINTMENT THAT SAAB /GM COULD NOT DO AWAY WITH THIS RUBBISH. THIS TYPE OF ISSUE SHOULD NOT BE IN A CAR OF THIS PRICE IN 2007.

I won’t go so far as to say it ruins it for me but it comes bloody close.

By: j

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 12:14:56 +0000

Don’t sweat the horses, Bengt.
The 6spd manual box will allow
you do go faster than most
cars on the road, whether you
have 150hp or 250hp.
Enjoy!

By: gryphon

gryphon — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 11:02:52 +0000

The Combi really stands out in Black. Nice choice. The V50 from olvov is also a good car, but I agree with your review – I’d have to go with the SAAB 9 out of 10 times.

By: Kaz

Kaz — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:11:02 +0000

Congrats on the new vehicle.

Nice car. The combi is such a good looking vehicle!

Nice review too!