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2008 Saab 9-3 – new owner review
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2008 Saab 9-3 – new owner review

March 25th, 2008 · 20 Comments



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“Saab 9x” has been a regular in these pages for some time now.

His beautiful black NG900 featured in the Saab Pride of Ownership competition and looked fantastic in the Garden of the Gods. Earlier this year, though, it came time for the 900 to make way for the new kid in town – a 2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Sport Sedan.

I’ve been saying since june last year that the 2008 Saab 9-3 is one heck of a great package. More and more people are now getting to find this out, which is a great thing. GWU students, please take note……

——

I wanted to share a few thoughts of my new ‘08, 93. I’ve had it for about six weeks. To begin, it’s fair to say that the fun hasn’t relented.

Saab 9-3

I first saw the car in the dealer’s pre-prep lot, with protective plastic on the hood (and, I believe, on the trunk). Anyway, I had a “Transformers”–a fun movie–moment, where the car was picking me, rather than me picking the car. What a weird feeling. The odometer had 8.4 miles, reflecting, in my mind, the drive from the factory to the shipping port. It was perfect. I didn’t even want a test drive. The deal closed fairly quickly, despite the sales manager trying not to negotiate.

Saab 9-3

As the owner, I can’t resist being greeted by the “eyebrow” L.E.D. lighting. Very sexy! Saab needs to continue this type of feature, or a variation on that theme, in all future models. The door handles (albeit, BLS’s) feel sturdy and sincere, like a firm handshake. I thought I’d miss the Saab-specific (curved) handles of my ‘94 900S, but the 93’s feel much better, in a “grown up” kind of way.

Saab 9-3

I haven’t configured the one-year of free OnStar(tm), as I’m not a fan of the technology, which I’m boycotting – to my detriment – over the lack of bluetooth.

XM radio is a nice option when I have guests, but during solo trips I prefer plugging into the mp3 jack (to get my fix of Brazilian jazz and jazz fusion). And, actually, I don’t miss the lack of IPod integration, as I find the devices (IPods) “too proprietary.” (I just want to “drag and drop” my files/music – or go “command line,” without being forced to install and register for ITunes).

The front seats are higher than my 900s’s and they don’t go back as far either, such that I’m forced to sit “properly” (not all low and “gangster” like in my 900S).

The sliding armrest felt funny initially, but now I enjoy being able to put it in different positions. The scent of leather wafts throughout the cabin, along with scents of the other materials, creating a wonderful kind of car “parfum,” inspiring images of what must be a cool, clean, Swedish factory. The scent is more special than just, “new-car smell.”

Black-on-black themed, 17’s, and the “cold-weather” package. A great combination, on several levels. It reminds me of the Turbo-X “look”; the “ice-block” language seems a bit more articulated and the heated seats (a feature Saab pioneered, right?) get things off to a comfy start when it’s cold.

The cabin is quiet and calm. Engine noise and vibration are difficult to notice, at best. That’s got to be GM’s influence (along with the door handles). Impressive and much needed. Thanks, GM. It’s good to see Saab become more sophisticated and refined. Getting away from the “rag-tag,” rough-hewn approach, like, say, a noisy subaru or a truck, is oh, so refreshing.

Saab 9-3

Accelerating is intoxicating; staying at speed, effortless. Finally, I understand and appreciate what “right-sizing” means. Smarter engines, not bigger, can get the job done. That Saab can make such a spirited car without monstrous engine proportions is a feat at which to marvel.

I’m almost at 2,000 on the odometer. It’s such a smooth car and is so refreshing to drive that the miles seem to accumulate rather quickly, and do so drawing little, if any, attention to the issue. Literally, I have difficulty comprehending where all those miles came from.

This is one heck of a car. Saab did a great job. It solidifies my feelings that not only is Saab a great brand, but it’s also the only one for me.

–Saab9x.

Saab 9-3

Tags: Saab 9-3 SS MY2008

20 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Mike C.No Gravatar // Mar 25, 2008 at 11:19 pm

    Good looking car, good luck with it. It is refreshing and uplifting to read the positive comments for the Saab brand.

  • 2 Andrew BaculyNo Gravatar // Mar 25, 2008 at 11:24 pm

    Saab9x,
    Glad to hear you like the car! I absolutely LOVE the new styling Saab has implemented, and I believe, although I was a fan of the old style door handles, I can get used to this newer style since it is probably more appealing to those not yet seduced by Saab’s…what’s a fitting word..existance? They’re more mainstream and there is not anything wrong with them, for that matter.

    Also great review! I was impressed with the writing…reminded me of the people who put descriptive effort in their college writings of this sort! You should write more car reviews. Seriously. (Definitely reads better than some of the stuff I’ve read in current auto publications.)

  • 3 Tim in DenverNo Gravatar // Mar 25, 2008 at 11:58 pm

    nice write-up, 9x.
    cool story (I can’t imagine buying any car without a test-drive…)

  • 4 zippyNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 1:21 am

    Great review, you sound like a kid on Christmas morning! :D Do Saab offer some kind of iPod integration kit and can you get Bluetooth as an after-market addon.

    I had a call from my local dealer the other day asking me if I wanted to take another spin in the 9-3. I noticed there are some ok deals at the moment for leasing so it may not be too long until a Snow Silver 9-3 with black leather interior is sat in my parking stall. Then again XWD interests me so I may just wait.

    Have fun!!

    Tim in Denver, 9x must really love Saabs if he is willing to to the no-test drive thing. There are cars I would buy without a test drive as well, an M5 being the top of that list. ;)

  • 5 KroumNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 1:39 am

    Tim and Zippy: some of us even put deposits on a car not only could we not test drive, but did not even know how much it cost.

    Saab9x, congratulations on your new Swedish babe! Take good care of her and she will love you long time. ;)

  • 6 The FopNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 2:16 am

    Zippy – if you win the lottery you may come to regret the “M5 without a test drive” idea. Drove the new wagon a few weeks ago and while it was technically very impressive there is no way I could have lived with it every day. That much power needs AWD (or even better, XWD…). Spent about 50% of the time watching the TC lights flash while I got nowhere. Amazing car, great noise at high revs once all 10 cylinders got going properly, but not well suited to UK roads.

  • 7 MarcusNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 2:26 am

    Great pics of Memorial Park! Glad to see another Coloradoan in love with Saabs!

  • 8 jc7222No Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 3:27 am

    Saab9X,
    Congrats on the purchase. I understand the ‘Bumble Bee’ calling. I am being chosen by a car that the cube has not even made yet… the next 9-5 Aero. About the only thing that I am waiting on is the pics and info on whether or not it will have a manual option (no manual no sale). While I want more hp I would even settle for the 250hp in my ‘02.
    Well it is good to read from owners of the 9-3 as that will probably be my default if they mess up on the 9-5 although the 9-3 would be up against a few more competitors for me.

  • 9 Tim in DenverNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 5:39 am

    9x – you’re not hiding your grin very well…
    (I’m just jealous…) :-)

  • 10 MarkoANo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 6:40 am

    Congrats 9x! Good write-up! Good to hear that theres someone else who seem to like sliding armrest. I find it very useful and neat feature. So easy and comfortable to use, you can adjust it while driving without effort. Many review complain that its just stupid cheap feature, but maybe it´s just that they did not quite get it.

    And I agree about cabin noise – it doesn´t exist. Even in a diesel version it´s very modest. I have huge problems understanding why these cars do not sell any better??

    I´ve offered my TTiD SC for tester to my (non saabisti) friends and most of them have been quite impressed (or very polite..).

    Black looks very smart. Just like Turbo X, just without umm.. opinion dividing rear diffusor. And two liter Saab turbo is one of the sweetest engines in it´s class. Powerful and inspiring. And its always nice to know that there´s like 50hp extra (Hirsch) hiding under the bonnet should you ever want to upgrade it.

    “This is one heck of a car. Saab did a great job. It solidifies my feelings that not only is Saab a great brand, but it’s also the only one for me.”

    I could have said that!

    So everyone, if you have possibility, please go and drive one. Gotta love it! Gotta have it!!!

  • 11 MarkoANo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 6:45 am

    Tim – “cool story (I can’t imagine buying any car without a test-drive…)”

    We ordered our TTiD in september 2007, first tester came in finland at february 2008. So I really trusted what Swade wrote about the car and that engine…

  • 12 moNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 10:18 am

    is it true that the 03-07 door handles on the 9-3 were built for a truck to tie a latch on them and pull the car from a ditch if the car was stuck? someone on the gm forums said that and the new ones he wasn’t sure about if they were up to the same standard.

  • 13 Beren ErchamionNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 1:05 pm

    I’m with you on the “talking to you” thing…I knew as soon as I sat in mine that I had to have one.

    beren

  • 14 AbsNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 1:53 pm

    9x,

    After about 3K on the odo, you may get a sense of vertigo once you get settled in the cockpit and before you fire up the engines (corny jet refs. I know).

    I do not know if its just me, but for a while I had a sense of moving, or flying just sitting in the seat of my 07′ 9-3 A.I. I chalk this up to the excitement and emotion my body preps itself before (or after) driving my SAAB–its that fun free flying feeling. Its a little wierd, but its like your body is going through withdrawls of not driving.

    I have not driven any other car that relayed the same experienced, nor will I ever….until I pilot a Turbo X maybe…

    Congrats on the New Car! Do not go to crazy with the Saab Accessories like me now. J/K!

  • 15 CT PeteNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 8:39 pm

    Our ‘05 convertible was very solid – no rattles and shimmies – and stayed that way for 40,000 miles. Our new ‘08 has that same solid feel, but with significantly reduced road noise. Its good to see that the 9-3 keeps getting better.

  • 16 eggsngritsNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 10:28 pm

    9x: whoa! Great read! I’m very happy for you.

    So, what happened to the 900? It looked pretty freakin’ good in those pics…

  • 17 TedjsNo Gravatar // Mar 26, 2008 at 10:48 pm

    Hey 9x – what audio system option did you get in your new 9-3?

    I find that the system in my ’07 SportCombi Aero tends to overpower the door speakers at times with low frequency sounds at times – just interested if you had the new Bose system or the standard system in your vehicle and what your overall opinion of it was.

    Glad to hear that you are enjoying your new car!

  • 18 SantanuNo Gravatar // Apr 12, 2008 at 6:28 am

    9x, thank you for the writing, I absolutely love the ice sculpture inspired backlights in 2008 models. I am so glad more people are waking up and discovering Saab. I have enjoyed every second in my 2006 9-3. I think Saab has the most beautiful engine hum of all cars I have sat in; kind of suppressed growl. Makes my tame commute feel lively every morning. Love the wedge shape and totally agree with you on right-sized engine part. It is only 2.3 ltrs, but passing, accelerating (and speeding) have been a blast. Enjoy your 9-3.

  • 19 BillyNo Gravatar // Nov 2, 2008 at 8:52 am

    The nice thing about the 2.0 is that you have a true SAAB engine! Not a GM V6……… congrats!

  • 20 ShiftyNo Gravatar // Nov 7, 2008 at 7:45 am

    Like Zippy, I am wondering if Bluetooth and ipod intregration kits are available aftermarket? I love my new Aero, stick shift of course, and would like to give it all the bells and whistles it deserves!