Promoted back to the top – we need your thoughts, people.
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We’re helping a team from George Washington University put an ad campaign together for Saab’s possible use in the north-eastern US. I’d like to thank those of you who shared your thoughts on what hooked you into Saab a few days ago. The stories were substantial and if you haven’t visited the article yet, please do so. Ted’s story along is well worth the time it’ll take to click on through.
That post was all about providing an insight into why we identify with Saab over all, as a brand.
This one’s for all the 9-3 Sport Sedan and Sport Combi owners out there.
GWU are talking to a number of Saab owners, though not all of them have a 9-3 Sport Sedan or Sport Combi. I’m going to try and help them out with that via a few contacts from here.
In the meantime though, if you’re a 9-3 owner then you might like to chip in with a brief summary of what it is you like about the car. What drew you in when you first bought it and what draws you to it now?
From my experience in the 9-3 I’d suggest the driver environment, the practicality of the Sport Combi and the fact that it feels more like a sedan than a wagon (actually, it feels more sedan-like than many sedans) and my favourite thing about all turbocharged Saabs – the effortless driving experience you get from a lot of low-end torque.
There might be other things, too. The styling, the handling, the V6 or the screaming I4.
Regardless of where you are in the world, if you’ve got a 9-3 or solid experience with one, the please let us all know what you like about it in comments. Thanks a bunch.
I am a 9-3 owner (2003 linear): I get excited about getting into a car that will: get me safely to my destination, provide a comfortable ride (mmmm seats!), provide adequate overtaking (with 175hp/195ft*lbf mind you) while getting 28/37mpg city/hwy (5 speed), make me feel at home in a driver-oriented environment, make me feel like a pilot, give me a sense of pride and identitiy (b/c i don’t drive a BMW), provoke conversation with passengers asking about the SAAB brand, impress me with the engineering that went into it (features such as: SAHR, ReAxs, Trionic8, a brilliant looking vehicle, and a wonderful turbocharger), and just give the feeling of daily driving a new meaning: fun!
I’m not very witty word-wise, so I don’t think my input will help. But I will say why I bought my 04 9-3 Arc, and how I feel about it.
First comes safety: I considered other cars, even a number of Viggens that I bid on and inquired into. But, then I remembered that we have our grandkids in the car with us fairly often. What other “driver’s machine” gives you the all-weather safety that a Saab 9-3 gives you. None that I can think of.
Second comes stirring excitement within: I feel at home in a Saab, like we have melded into one while I’m driving it. I forgive it for it’s few vices (very few), but it forgives me when I push beyond my capabilities, and it silently corrects my errors. No other car puts me at such ease behind the wheel, but yet with a feeling of excitement stirring inside.
Third comes durability: Saabs have their quirky issues, but they can last as long as you want them to to with just a little care, like a million miles for example.
Fourth comes intelligent design: I’m thinking the Scandinavian philosophy of less is more. I’ve sat in cars with arguably higher quality interiors, however, when I see a multi-colored light show dancing about on the speedometer, all I can think is blech, what a waste. I want good looks, high quality, and well conceived features to go with the safety and driving excitement, but no flash and bling.
Please Saab, stay the intelligent course you have navigated since your birth.
I don’t know exactly when it started or why, but I absolutely love the Saab 9-3. For years I have watched (read: stared) with intrigue whenever I’ve been lucky enough to spot a 9-3 in traffic, or when even more fortunate, a dealer’s lot chock full of these Swedish beauties. Knowing this and sensing that crazy look in my eye, my wife recently restrained me from visiting the local Saab dealer to test drive a new 2008 9-3, even though we were already in the car driving that direction. Very fortunately for me, she only did it because she had a used 9-3 lined up for me to test drive a few days later for my birthday surprise! At long last I was finally driving my favorite car! All of what I had read and heard and imagined was true–perfectly responsive steering, braking, cornering, driveability, and one-of-a-kind looks. Looks to die for, that is. And seats you could live in. Not to mention that big spontaneous smile I couldn’t wipe off my face for hours.
Lucky for me, that “Saab smile” got to stay when I was finally able to find a great deal on a black 2004 9-3 Aero a few months later! We flew to Ohio from Florida and relished every minute of the road trip back. The 9-3 is brilliant in snow and feels made for it. It was equally brilliant this afternoon on dry pavement with all four windows down and the Florida sun shining through the open sunroof. I can’t count how many times I’ve had a hard day at work but quickly forget all about it and can’t stop smiling while driving my Saab home, only to tell my wife (again and again) that there can’t be a better car in all the world. And she’s driven it enough to believe me.
The turbo’s effect on real-world driving totally surprised me. Not only does it provide great acceleration at low and high speeds (usually without downshifting), it also “fills in the gaps” of almost all day-to-day driving situations. I am fascinated by the way the turbo kicks in just after upshifting, when normally-aspirated cars seem to hesitate for a moment until the RPMs build again. And despite the great all-around sound quality (and I mean that, considering the center speakers in the front) of the 300W 10-speaker system, I’ll take the delicious whine of the turbo any day, as I often do!
Features I especially like (other than the obvious ones such as the turbo, leading safety features and ratings, killer looks, unique Saabness, etc.) include the sumptuous two-tone leather sport seats, the best cornering of any front-wheel drive car I’ve driven, the comfy sliding middle armrest, the sleek nightpanel mode, air-conditioned glove compartment (which the owner’s manual says is for keeping chocolate cold, only adding to the car’s personality), intuitive features like the key fob automatically unlocking all the doors if the driver’s door has already been unlocked (instead of having to push it twice like other cars I’ve had), the different-color-of-red rear lights, the monstrously-huge wiper fluid tank, gorgeous wheels, intelligence of the car’s electronics–I could go on and on…
Thinking of all the cars I’ve owned or driven, some have more big V8 power, more prestige, more luxury, more electronics, much higher sticker prices, but the 9-3 is by far my favorite, and hands down the best car I’ve owned. Not everyone will agree it’s better than a ’94 Camaro Z28, a new BMW 328i, or a host of other cars, SUVs, and trucks I’ve driven over the past few years. Yet for me, it clearly is, and the years it took for the chance to drive and now (fortunately) own one were well worth it. Viva la Saab!
I could tell a whole lot, but it would not be useful for advertising. Unless it was for a competitor…
Well, from where I should start with my story? …
I will make it sort and simple.
I from Saudi Arabia Saab is not fames here, whereas the like of Toyota, Nissan, GM, BMW, bens, ford, and so on ….
the first time I seen a Saab was the year 2005 when I found the first Saab in my life when I really fell in love with from the first look it was a used Saab 2003 9-3, the price was cheap no one knew about it, no one knew the value of the car I was wandering that beauty is worth more than what people here were bidding, I bought it, it was one of the most successful decisions in my life.
Since then I began the journey of exploring the Saab identity , yes Saab identity, any old Saab I see I just recognize it’s identity as an appearance, and the spectacular driving trust built between the driver and the car.
So what hooked me was the identity of a Saab (performance, fuel economy, easy to handle, and the beauty)
Since then what I’m expecting is to buy only Saab in the future as it doesn’t lose it’s identity.
Regards,
Motasim,
The drive. It is just nimble and quick. Sure you won’t win that many 0-60 races, but you can have a blast in the country side or even tearing up a highway.
The looks are one of kind and I was drawn to Saabs for that reason. They just stand out as different and especially down in Texas where you don’t see many.
They are safe, quick, distinctive and also fuel efficient which is very important these days. I find myself wondering how Saab did it. I have achieved 33mpg consistently and I’ve even hit 35mpg. Yet much smaller compact fall right in the same area and the 9-3 is larger and more powerful.
Its considered a midsize car, but its on the small size which is perfect for a young guy like me (20). I don’t have kids and I rarely use the back seat but it comes in handy. As trends continue and cars continue to grow larger, the 9-3 is the perfect size for me. And the seats feel great.
I love just driving with the windows down so I can really hear the turbo scream
Please clarify your call, Swade: All 9-3s, or just NG9-3? Two very different cars.
Why we purchased a 9-3SC ?
Because we are familiar with this make since 1973. Of course there are brands of a more brilliant image here in Germany. It´s not necessary to mention them. Worldwide they are known. Saab isn´t also the make which has a protruding technical standard in relation to German or other brands. But our first love regarding a car had been the Saab 99. So it had started and until now the story didn´t end. Twice we had other cars, Ford and Audi A6. But we always came back
To tell a detail. During the five years we had been owner of the Audi, a very convenient car, much more than a Saab 9-5, I got to know internet-sites dealing with car-brands. For the first time I had some looks to remarks concerning Audi. Although we had thougt our Saab-history would have been finished I began to be interested in Saab-sites, our old love. I studied more and more Saab-stories and forgot Audi.
After seven Saab now we are driving the 9-3 SC Vector 1.8t Automatic modified to 195 hp by Hirsch Performance. The best Saab we ever had. Quick, not too big, easily managable, comfortable for long distances and even capable to initiate emotions to us as aged Saab people while we are looking at this car and comparing it to it`s competitors. In our opinion on the whole the Saab 9-3SC is unique in it`s character.
Ive got two 03 SSs, both linears, both 5spds, one 20t, one 22TiD, both coming up on 100Kmiles.
Start with the shape. Walking up to the car, just looks good from every angle.
That “key” that wont fit on a keyring easily? So fars been working well. Great system, no onstar needed.
The engines? The t, the T, the Aero? (Havent driven a V6 yet) Theyre all top-notch, maybe too much! The clutch system/trans feels perfect, and the automatics Ive driven were impressive as well. The ReAxs rear axle is way underrated.
The TiD? Its not 0-60, but 30-90? Whoa. Yea, its noisy at idle, smoky on cold cold starts. Sometimes reminds me of my first 3cylinder. But it gets 34-46 mpg and is a hoot on roadtrips. Thats 600 miles on a tank. Huge missed opportunity, SaabUSA!
Thanx for selling me one, however. Delivery in Trollhatten and then 4500 euromiles…unforgetable trip! (PS dont ask! I have. They wont do it again.)
The interior? Great instruments and lighting. These cars are excellent at night, at speed. The seats are very good, but I wish they were perforated, cuz theyre just too hot in summer. Ive seen this feature on lesser cars. Love the sunroof, though the deflector is a little noisy. Best cupholder in the industry? Maybe. Dosent drip on the radio. Brilliant. Great utility with the fold-downs and the pass thru. You can fit 10ft conduit inside. Still a hatch would be good.
The bad? Not much really. Seen one bad window regulator, a bad AMP1. Theyre both up for another set of tires soon. Used to the Mobil1 oil changes. The diesel rarely has EGR/TechII issues because of the crap Dfuel here(in winter). No problems when a higher % of bioD used. Airbag light only when real cold, steering lock malfunction only when real hot.
All in all, mine have been great and most of the ones Ive dealt with have been very good. Im sure there are some horror stories out there, but any brand will. And nowhere near the ones BMW, MB, Audi/VW, Volvo have that I see.
We´ve owned two 9-3´s. Previous was 20006 Sport Combi 1.8t Vector w/ sport suspension and BSR software. Present, 2008 9-3 Sport Combi TTiD Aut.
What I like:
*Safety! Which actually contains all the following
*Performance, especially if the weather is bad and driving condition difficult. Still very pleasant and easy to drive. One of those things my Wife likes the most. She says that there´s not many cars she´d like to drive alone on a dark, cold and slippery winter morning for 100km to get to the University.
Performance contains good chassis, excellent brakes, terrific engine with great mileage.
*Ergonomy. Everything is so easy for the driver. Great to drive at night. Best driving lights available (This is very important!!), good headlight washers, front window washers and wipers. The Nightpanel (Important!), it´s something that makes other make drivers envy. Very comfortable!
Excellent seats for a long trip. Like it´s always been with Saab.
* Saab Automatic Climate Control. It really works in our climate. From -30degrees celsius to +30 degrees. No need to touch the controls if you don´t like. It´ll maintain temp and keep windows clean of fume.
And mainly message to Saab: What I don´t like, basically everything on central console between AC controls and center armrest. Hand breake lever for example has been offline installed on both of our cars, makes it look and feel cheap. Difficult to keep the surrounding of gearlevel clean. This Should have been be copied from 9000/9-5.
And on TTiD, window washer container is difficult to fill up without spilling the fluid over drivinglights and cables!
It’s different in a good way. It rewards it’s driver when he is driving it the right way. Sometimes it is difficult to drive when you aren’t used to it’s behavoiur, but you learn…
It’s intelligent in every way, the safest car around when you crash and it gives all the help to not do so. WIth ergonomy that is logical, seats that doesn’t wear you out, with handling that is superb (for everyday use, mayby not on the track, but that is not a good future for a car that is used in traffic), and with acceleration where you need it (overtaking).
Saab for intelligent people
2006 Aero Sport Combi, 6 Spd Manual.
What can I say, this car is under rated and one of the best kept secrets around.
Complaints? Very few. Don’t like the way the rear seat leather is puckering, and so far I have not received any satisfaction from the dealer/SAAB Canada on the issue.
Issues? Amp failure in the rear fiber optics connection. 3+ weeks for the part (and without the superb BOSE stereo). Major problems? None at all, and reliability right in line with my Mercedes.
Service? Regular, and way less than Mercedes or BMW on average.
What drew me to the brand? I’ve always liked them, they are different and quirky. Styling is not always mainstream. It screams “I’m not a BMW” yet the power, convenience, handling (well almost … darned good for a FWD), the availability of a manual transmission in this body style, and comfort are 1st class. A friend of mine got a 9-3 SC 2.0t and I was impressed with the car, particularly the utility of the SportCombi, and the versatility of the 60/40 split and ski pass thru.
The turbo 2.8 V6 was not my first choice, I wanted the 2.0t, but couldn’t locate acceptable colour/interior choices with a 5/6 spd manual. This engine is spectacular! Any concerns I had disappeared. Power to do what you want, when you want, and if you are conservative, 38 mpg on a long highway drive!
Winter use? As a regular skiier, the versatility of the SportCombi is awesome. With 4 snow tires, this thing pulls and stops like a tank. I can’t wait for the XWD version…
Message to SAAB: I know about the marketing decisions to streamline the 9-3 lines, but why the heck can’t North America get an Aero package with a 2.0t (with or without E85), or better yet bring in the diesel with this trim level. That would give you in an instant, a recognizable, sustainable brand, with eco-friendly power options. Combine that with XWD, and that would define my replacement for the current 2006 Aero – bring me the diesel Aero option.
Marketing: OK, I understand the heritage, but start playing up the virtues of the car – comfort, convenience, luxury, reliability, affordability, fuel efficiency, and it’s NOT YOUR NEIGHBORS BMW! An aircraft it is not. It’s a neat tie in, but don’t make that the sole focus of your advertising.
Alas, I rant !
I own 2 already and look forward to my next one!
Over the past decade I’ve been fortunate enough to drive and in some cases own a broad sampling of the competition: bmw 325i, audi A4 2.8, VW GTI, Jetta 1.8T, bmw 740i. These were the rides of my wife and other family members. But I’m a Saab loyalist. I started with a 900SE turbo coupe, moved onto a 9-3SE and purchased a 9-3 2.0T 60th anniversary edition last August. The interior build quality of bmw and audi is a notch above Saab. I’ll get that out of the way because in a driver’s car, it’s not the top priority and it is often the trump card used by German car loyalists to knock the Sweeds.
Having driven these higher end turbo saabs over the past decade back to back with the competition, I firmly believe that Saabs are the most under rated cars of all time.
In 1997 when I owned the 900SE turbo 5-speed coupe my brother owned the Audi A4 2.8 Quattro. That was the year when the A4 bested the 328i. The A4′s interior was extraordinary, it had all-wheel drive and was great in any weather condition. It was smooth on rough roads. It was no where near as fun to drive as the saab. The 900SE turbo could overtake unsuspecting porches going up a hill or on a highway. The suspension was simple, tight and not supple at all, but it held on like glue to any twisty road I threw at it. It was not an A4, but it was plenty posh. At the time, I didn’t understand why the 900SE never received the press it deserved. Complaints about turbo lag and built quality not up to that of the A4 was all you could find.
This is a pattern repeated in all generations of Saab cars. You either know how to drive them, or you don’t. It takes some work to understand the driving dynamics of these cars. If you didn’t know how to shift to keep the revs and boost up in a saab 900SE, you might think the cars is slow. Many automotive journalists didn’t get it and most still don’t.
It’s a learning experience, that rewards in spades and that’s why I keep coming back. There is nothing I’ve thrown at a similar generation Audi and BMW that the Saab couldn’t match. Doing it with a turbo takes more thought and planning, which to me makes the driving experience more exciting. It makes you a better driver.
Occasionally I run across a review of the recent 9-3 2.0T Six speeds or Aero models written by a someone who gets it–usually a smaller online publications or personal reviews. It’s amazing to read one of these articles back to back with a review say from Edmunds. It’s hard to believe you’re reading about the same car.
Before purchasing the 2007 Saab 9-3 2.0T 60th Anniversary edition with 6th speed, I drove the 2007 GTI. The GTI was a blast to drive. It was fast and nimble. It was solid and felt safe. I loved the interior. I even liked the fact that the press drooled over the car. Why even look at anything else? Then I drove the Saab. The driving dynamics are almost indistinguishable. The powertrain is as similar on paper as it is on the road. Both have nimble multi-link suspension setups. Both have six speeds. The GTI shifts better, but the Saab has a slight edge on torque. The interior quality is tie. With the GM incentives, Saabs are never sold for list price and my Saab was 5000 off sticker, making it the same price as the GTI.
How can it be that the GTI is car of the year when the 2.0T 9-3 isn’t even mentioned anymore. I didn’t even bother driving the Aero because the 2.0T’s performance was on a par with the GTI and I didn’t feel like I’d ever need more than that. I’d rather have the extra 5 miles per gallon than the .5 seconds 0-60.
With the same performance as the GTI and vastly superior looks, there wasn’t any reason to leave the brand. The only area where the GTI bests the Saab is in engine smoothness, but not power. Both have almost no turbo lag.
Now more than ever I’m astonished by the lack of praise for the 9-3. The GTI and 9-3 are as similar on paper as they are on the road. Forgive the paranoia, but I almost get the sense that people don’t expect the Saab to preform so they don’t push it. Journalists still write about turbo lag, even though it’s virtually eliminated in these current engines.
So, I’ve had it with searching for validation. I know what these cars can do and I know I’m having more fun than the guy in the 325i. I’m not one of the crowd and this car suites my personality. I’m sure that when the XWD comes out, the press will say it’s not up to par with the 330XI, but if I wanted BMW, I’d buy one. So few people understand what they’re missing. Maybe it’s poor marketing. Saabs are born from Jets, but the car is more than good enough to stand on its own. I understand the history and as a history buff it’s a bonus, but market the car for what it is–the only choice that offers everything you want in performance sedan without being mistaken for anything else on the road.