Globe and Mail review the Saab 9-3
I feel a little confused about this Saab 9-3 review at the Globe and Mail from Canada, and I’m a little ashamed to admit that. I’ll tell you why shortly.
Much like The Most Glowing Saab 9-3 Review I’ve Ever Seen, this review is very positive about the 2008 Saab 9-3. Actually, it’s incumbent upon me to remind you all that around 90% of the reviews of the Saab 9-3 have been very positive, but I digress.
Here’s a few selected quotes:
The Europeans tend to put forward models that are just one step ahead of the pack, and the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan is no exception. This is one of the most driveable and nicely engineered four-door “saloons” you’ll find….
….As far as drivetrain refinement is concerned, the new six-speed transmission is superbly designed: unbelievably light clutch action, well-spaced gear ratios and reverse located to the left, out of the shift pattern, so there is no ambiguity during gear changes. I’ve rarely driven a manual gearbox sedan with this level of refinement.
Now that’s something you don’t read everyday!
Not far from where I live there’s a freeway access ramp that is basically a huge circle, with a slight elevation change and a sneaky little decreasing-radius turn at its end. Although it’s part of the highway system, it wouldn’t be out of place on a racetrack….. I can hustle around it in a Porsche 911 Turbo at about 100-odd km/h before things start to go hinky. Although it’s a four-door sedan, the 9-3 Sport would be right on the 911’s tail. It was comfortable at 85-90 km/h time and again.
In terms of all-round handling and balance, the 9-3 Sport Sedan is on equal footing with the likes of the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.
And therein lies the source of my shame.
You see, I’ve driven the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and I’ve driven BMWs and Audis and whilst I regard the Saab higher than either of them, I just put that down to me being some sort of freak. We read from every publication not named Globe and Mail that the Saab handles like a wet sponge compared to the German competition and therefore we assume it must be so.
But I still rate the Saab higher. I still rate it as a more interesting drive, if not quite as well finished. And yet I find it hard to trust this review because he’s put the 9-3 on a par with the Germans. I should be waving flags and shouting it from rooftops and instead I’m suspicious. Shame on me.
The Saab isn’t as precise as those cars. That’s my recollection. But I’d still prefer to drive one eight days a week.
——
Interestingly, our author finds the styling to be a major flaw in the vehicle. And yet he loves it. Just goes to prove my theory that you can do one thing badly, earn forgiveness and even more loyalty and love for the things you do well.
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I agree with you Swade, although it is great to read such a glowing review, the 9-3 simply does not handle better than a 3 series bmw. Personally, I prefer the 9-3 to the Audi A4 from a handling perspective, haven’t had a decent stab at the new one yet to comment on that one though.
The gearchange thing is interesting. It’s almost like it varies from car to car. I read another review in Autocar who hated the Turbo X gearchange, but then said it was superb on another 9-3 in a seperate review ( I believe it was of the TTid).
Even I’ve noticed differences from car to car in the 9-3, anyone know why? Surely if there is a difference it should be almost invisible to the end user on the same model car?
I’m glad the reviewer liked the car, but I’m a bit puzzled that he finds it’s styling to be boring and ugly. I think it looks stunning!
The only 9-3SS I’ve driven was a 1.8i Business (Opel derived 122hp engine), so I can’t really comment so much on how it handles, but having read numerous 9-3 reviews, I can’t recall to have read a single review that says the 9-3 is on par with the Germans in terms of handling. Well, not the FWD version at least.
Wow, I can understand that styling is very subjective, so that’s ok to disagree on. Good stuff on the technology front.
BMW’s current styling is so fussy, Volvo’s styling is better than ever, but still bland, in my opinion. Who makes better-looking cars? Jaguar? The list is very short.
From the article: «I especially like the aircraft-style flow-thru ventilation arrangement.» I was telling the Misses recently how I like the ventilation of the 9-5 because of the way it can be adjusted so precisely.
I HOPE GM IS READING. THIS IS PART OF WHAT MAKES A SAAB A SAAB!
There’s a difference between roadholding and handling. Handling is a question of balance.
I find that my 2002 9-3 handles better than any BMW/Audi I’ve ever tried (and that’s a whole lot of them). This is especially true on real-world roads, as opposed to racetracks and Southern California where many auto reviews are done.
In my eyes the pinnacle of current automotive styling would either be Volvo, Audi, Alfa Romeo, or Jaguar, at least in terms of high-end cars. During that sweet spot when Saab’s lineup consisted only of the pre-facelift 9-3SS and the 04-05 9-5, I would have added them to that list as well.
The Dame Edna-refresh on the 9-5 and the wannabe-Acura with Malibu doors and Audi-ripoff headlights refresh of the 9-3SS really killed Saab’s visual appeal as far as I’m concerned.
Just compare these:
http://auto.nonstop.com.ua/wall/wall/2803-Saab-9-3-Aero-Sport-Sedan-3.jpg
http://img2.netcarshow.com/Saab-9-5_Sedan_2004_800×600_wallpaper_01.jpg
To their replacements:
http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2007/06/13-new-saab-9-3/New-Saab-9-3-Saloon-2-lg.jpg
http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/09/saab9506_02.jpg
I mean they’re nice looking, but they’re just not beautiful the way the ones they replaced were.
Had the 9-3SS come with an Audi-quality interior and more power back in 2003, I think it could have been a real cash cow for Saab. Even as it was they’re still as common as A4’s around here.
You guys are giving BMW way too much credit. One of my friends has a 3-series, and that thing has NOTHING on the 9-3 in terms of roadholding. You’ve been reading too much crap from Car and Driver!! It’s time to reverse the brainwashing and trust your own senses!!!
Alex, I’d like to believe you… but that second link takes me to a Corvette…
haha, it was supposed to be one of these:
http://images.automotive.com/stock/300/SAAB/9-5/2004/4SA.JPG
I got my TTiD yesterday and I´ve been all smiles since
Anyone not familiar with the marvels that modern diesel-technology can produce should give it a go. Not to mention that it is just sooo damn good looking.
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