Welcome to the Saab family, Zippy!
I like sharing Saab purchase stories here. It’s always good to hear about someone who’s weighed and measured the contenders and made their choice. It’s especially pleasing for me to bring you this story.
If you’ve been hanging around here a while, you’d know there’s a guy here from Canada called Zippy. He’s been a long-time watcher, a 9-5 hater (just the Dame Edna look, not the car itself) and I’m pleased to say that as of last week, he’s also - finally - a Saab owner.
Zippy claimed a lack of eloquence in his email to me. Garbage. There’s no way on earth I could sum up his thoughts better than the way he did himself:
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At the bright old age of 44 and after 26 years of drooling at every Saab I ever saw drive by, I am now the proud owner of a 2004 9-3 Arc 2.0T with a manual transmission and only 49000km on the clock. And to think I was almost tempted by a BMW a month or so back. This car was such a good deal I couldnt pass it up! I have a road trip to the US this weekend and can let you know how that blast down the I5 to Oregon went after it’s done, but here are some initial impressions.
Positives?
Turbo, turbo, turbo. Remember the cartoon Saab used as advertising for the 9-3SS? Thats me, brings a big smile to my face every time.
Handling. Imagine approaching a hairpin curve in third gear and half way thru the curve give her a little gas. She held the line and by the time I had exited the curve I was doing 60kph. Saab needs to keep ReAxss as it totally blew my mind.
Economy. I am getting 28mpg driving around town whereas my Ford Focus with 80bhp less only managed 25mpg on a good day. The 9-3 can be an economical 2litre sedan on one hand and a fire breathing dragon when you want it to be.
Styling. This is easily the best looking compact executive car there is. Period.
I can honestly say the only thing that is difficult to get used to is the steering. It is very light with not an awful lot of feel but with all those positives I am sure I will get over it very quickly.
Thats it for now.
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Following are a few photos that Zippy sent through. They’re not big, but they will enlarge a little if you given them a tickle with your mouse.
Comgratulations, Zippy!!
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Congrats Zippy! welcome to the gang:)
Now it is only me left to get a SAAB 9-3 as soon my leasing deal runs out next year for my Opel Astra.
Dont ask my why i leased a Opel Astra, it is nothing to be proud of
Beauty! I think you’ll enjoy that road trip….
Congrats Zippy. Except for the color and slightly more miles, that’s exactly what I’ve got. I know you’ll enjoy it. Your initial impressions are right on.
Congrats, Zippy! That 9-3 is a beauty! Can’t say
i’ve ever seen that color - is it considered a rare import?
Enjoy that Oregonian road trip! Take loads of photos along
the way!
Nice buy, Zippy.
But I’m not sure why there’s such antipathy against the good 9-5.
It’s the most authentic (i.e. true to heritage) Saab currently on sale. My neighbor’s M.Y. 2002 provides a more comfortable ride than Cadillac’s latest CTS. And more interior room than the Caddy, too.
Perhaps in this homogenized market of Japanese sedans quirky uniqueness is no longer seen as a good thing - even to the Saab enthusiast.
By the way, Dame Edna rocks
Actually, I stand corrected on the interior volume point - according to their respective sites - the Caddy CTS has a little more than a cubic inch of extra interior volume over the 9-5. I don’t know how that’s possible… smaller front seats?
Congrats, Zip! I knew you’d come onboard.
Lucky you. I’m still looking for a nice OG9-3 3-door.
excellent assessment!
congrats!
had i known how fun and sexy, yet practical, the current-gen 9-3 is, i wouldn’t have waited this long to get one.
i think saab is the most misunderstood brand and, thus, is the most under-appreciated brand. perhaps, gm can fix those issues, once it gets its financials back in order.
Thanks to you all. Just got back from a one hour drive. Where did I go? Nowhere, I just wanted to drive.
BSR BSR BSR (repeat)…
What took you so long to join the fold? As someone here said, BSR or Hirsch, and you will never look back!
Hate the 9-5…it is awesome, old school and very powerful especially in 07 Aero trim
06 -08 models are quieter than <05
I also have a 06 9-3SC2T more refined handling, handling smoother, profile of tires has something to do with it I suspect.
When you let loose on a 9-5 for power and touring with thoose seats, especially if they are ventilated
the 9-5 is really nice.
Brian - So you hate awesomeness, old-schoolosity, and power?
:p
glacier blue! You will have no problem finding your car in a parking lot — and get rid of that ugly front plate bracket!
Jeff,
My comment was to Zippy mentioning not liking the 9-5 in the above article? I probably would not have bought 07 9-5 Aero if I did not like it!
Zippy - rare colour combination in Canada, is it a big T or little t…if a little t then BSR or Nordic tune it or something the extra horses will amaze you even more.
Congrats.
Its a T, Brian. Just had to have the “left dipped beam” replace whilst I am here in the US. A whole $43 including labour at Kuni Cadillac Saab in Beaverton Oregon and that included the free car wash.
A very swanky dealership with five, yes FIVE, Turbo Xs on their lot. Four SC and one SS. All automatics which is a crime IMO but as the guy at the dealer said to me “Americans dont like sticks”. One guy at the dealer LOVED the glacier blue paint as well!