Discussion
...a nice man will be delivering a shiney new 9-3 Vec. Sport...and I'm quite looking forward to it now. Last Saab was 3 years ago, before company-cardom got in the way of a wonderful relationship with my 9-3 Coupe (SE, lpt).
So, why the Saab? There were choices a-plenty on the list from HQ, the more realistic of which included:
Ford Mondeo - er, no thanks.
BMW 3-series - see Mondeo
Audi A4 - have one, getting rid of one, won't have another one
VW Passat - Company cark park looks like a VAG dealership...and previous experience with VW dealers made the Audi lot look like saints
Merc' C-class - ordered one, lease company moved the goalposts (i.e. price list)
Honda Accord - I am not 50 yet
Vauxhall Vectra - I'd rather walk
Peugeot 407 - I'm not an estate agent
Sundry 4x4s, Korean taxis and a Fiat Doblo van (really) - I'd rather take the Mondeo...actually, let's see that Doblo again?
Anyway, the gist of it is that I shall finally be back in a Saab again and that is A Good Thing!
So, why the Saab? There were choices a-plenty on the list from HQ, the more realistic of which included:
Ford Mondeo - er, no thanks.
BMW 3-series - see Mondeo
Audi A4 - have one, getting rid of one, won't have another one
VW Passat - Company cark park looks like a VAG dealership...and previous experience with VW dealers made the Audi lot look like saints
Merc' C-class - ordered one, lease company moved the goalposts (i.e. price list)
Honda Accord - I am not 50 yet
Vauxhall Vectra - I'd rather walk
Peugeot 407 - I'm not an estate agent
Sundry 4x4s, Korean taxis and a Fiat Doblo van (really) - I'd rather take the Mondeo...actually, let's see that Doblo again?
Anyway, the gist of it is that I shall finally be back in a Saab again and that is A Good Thing!
skyrocketship said:
...But got a 9-3 SS now and have not seen a car I would change it for yet...
That's always reassuring to hear!
It should be interesting - I have specced the Aero suspension and investigations (AFTER ordering the car) have yielded mixed reviews (some say it's too harsh...), however, I prefer a harder ride and, ultimately, just about anything will be an improvement over the A4!
We got our Vector Sport last October, seemed strange to begin with in comparisom to the 9-3 2.35dr. but now love it to bits, still very much Saab under the skin.
Congrats and enjoy your new toy
Oh and unless it's already been done get it Hirsched makes the car a lot more responsive, not that it was bad to begin with.
Congrats and enjoy your new toy
Oh and unless it's already been done get it Hirsched makes the car a lot more responsive, not that it was bad to begin with.
saf said:
Oh and unless it's already been done get it Hirsched makes the car a lot more responsive, not that it was bad to begin with.
Did test drive the Hirsched diesel, and it is a stunner...but unfortunately I cannot sneak the conversion past the company car storm-troopers, too bad.
Driven all of about 10 miles (the car was delivered at midday), and immediate observations are:
1. Aero (Sport Chassis) upgrade is not as harsh as I was led to expect, and not as crashy over poor surfaces, either. Absence of body roll after the A4 is great!
2. Stereo really does suck, even with the 13 speaker upgrade I have..tweaking to bass/treble helps (needs the treble cranked right up), but this is NOT a premium quality system - disappointing.
3. Economy is way off the Audi (sub 30 mpg average), but it only has 35 miles on it, so I'm reserving judgement until it's run in.
4. Material quality (as expected) cannot compete with the Audi, but I knew that. However, I do not think it feels a durable as the old 9-3, either. Time will tell, but I cannot imagine the 9-3 SSs racking up 200k miles in the same way that the ealier shapes do.
5. Power delivery is much more linear than the A4, and the car is noticably quieter/more refined in terms of engine noise.
6. It looks fantastic in the sun
7. Brake pedal can be depressed to the floor with little effort - both the cars I test-drove did the same; anyone else experience this?
8. Clutch is VERY light, almost uncannily so - I'm sure I'll get used to it.
9. Steering; hmm..odd this one. Reasonably direct and responsive, but something I cannot put my finger on - I need to do some more miles before I can make a qualified comment.
10. Did I mention it looks good?
>> Edited by t0ny99 on Thursday 11th May 14:38
>> Edited by t0ny99 on Thursday 11th May 14:43
Good stuff and well done on the acquisition.
Your observations broadly follow mine. As you have seen though, I have questioned the hardness of ride on my Aero - but then we do have some of the worst roads in the country in Yorkshire.
Steering is very impressive on the 9-3SS though, very chuckable in bends and the 4 wheel steering seems to work nicely indeed.
I concurr on the quality of materials, but think many car manufacturers only make money because they use loads of recycled plastics nowadays.
They do look good in the sun!
Your observations broadly follow mine. As you have seen though, I have questioned the hardness of ride on my Aero - but then we do have some of the worst roads in the country in Yorkshire.
Steering is very impressive on the 9-3SS though, very chuckable in bends and the 4 wheel steering seems to work nicely indeed.
I concurr on the quality of materials, but think many car manufacturers only make money because they use loads of recycled plastics nowadays.
They do look good in the sun!
TUS 373 said:
Good stuff and well done on the acquisition.
Your observations broadly follow mine. As you have seen though, I have questioned the hardness of ride on my Aero - but then we do have some of the worst roads in the country in Yorkshire.
Steering is very impressive on the 9-3SS though, very chuckable in bends and the 4 wheel steering seems to work nicely indeed.
I concurr on the quality of materials, but think many car manufacturers only make money because they use loads of recycled plastics nowadays.
They do look good in the sun!
I was talking with an Aero-driving buddy of mine today (also Yorkshire based) who says the same as you - we wondered if the damper ratings have been revised for this suspension package?
Then again, although it rolled, floated and pitched like a barge, the A4 low-speed ride was crashy and jarring; maybe I was expecting a fundamentally harsher ride in the Saab and, in all actuality, it's just an incremental step. Anyway, it's still softer than our Smart...!
Steering is impressive, don't get me wrong, but there's a sensation I cannot nail down just yet...maybe it's just because the gearing is different to something I have been driving for 3 years, maybe I was just over-anticipating what the 9-3 would be like.
Not sure if recycling is to blame for the Saab's material quality - perhaps they are just different! Plastics are just that, plastic, and SHOULD be recovered where practical - but I feel I shall miss the tactile quality of the A4's interior.
I do like the design of the 9-3SS interior. I have the full leather option in parchment - it looks great...except...for those black plastic door handles. If ever an after market option with a better quality surface was called for, this is it.
Getting mine serviced next week and want them to check over all the suspension so I will report back anything they observe/do. I do not know for sure, but I'm guessing that with the sports chassis option - you get everything the same as the Aero in terms of dampers, springs, anti-roll bars and bushes. Is that the case?
Getting mine serviced next week and want them to check over all the suspension so I will report back anything they observe/do. I do not know for sure, but I'm guessing that with the sports chassis option - you get everything the same as the Aero in terms of dampers, springs, anti-roll bars and bushes. Is that the case?
surprised to hear that about the brakes (somewhere above) - the brakes on mine are awesome, really really good - just had the front disks skimmed and all pads replaced and it stops really well
I find the suspension to be harsh at slow speeds, but at faster speeds its great, no body roll at all, it feels very poised, with the great brakes, decent mpg I am really happy with it (at the moment anyway) - thats after 3 months and 10k miles.
the only downside is I agree, some of the interior plastic could do with not being plastic, one or too bits are really cheap and nasty - and in mine the stereo is rubbish, but I will be sorting that out soon
I find the suspension to be harsh at slow speeds, but at faster speeds its great, no body roll at all, it feels very poised, with the great brakes, decent mpg I am really happy with it (at the moment anyway)
- thats after 3 months and 10k miles. the only downside is I agree, some of the interior plastic could do with not being plastic, one or too bits are really cheap and nasty - and in mine the stereo is rubbish, but I will be sorting that out soon
Few miles over the weekend, with the following observations:
1. Despite reports, the suspension does not cause the CD to skip!
2. Brake work fine, but feel is poor - very spongey, and the ability to press the pedal to the floor has not gone away with bedding in. I think I will call the dealer.
3. Fuel consumption is up to about 33 mpg average ...let's hope it keeps improving with miles!
4. I am getting used to the stereo, but 13 speakers is definitely quantity over quality (my old 9-3 was equally poor - a Saab trait?)
5. Perhaps it's unfair to be comparing this to the A4. Saab's ethos is different to the German brands; leave Audi/BMW/Mercedes to compete with each other.
Edited to add:- A whole week of ownership, and:
6. Steering in the straight-ahead position is slightly vague and perhaps overly light, but that's being particularly critical
7. You can fit a 3m length of drainpipe in, and close the boot (with one end in the glovebox)!
8. 470 mile round trip at the weekend returned fractionally under 40mpg, good mix of driving, but largely 85mph cruise. Hope to see it improve.
>> Edited by t0ny99 on Wednesday 17th May 16:35
>> Edited by t0ny99 on Tuesday 23 May 09:58
1. Despite reports, the suspension does not cause the CD to skip!
2. Brake work fine, but feel is poor - very spongey, and the ability to press the pedal to the floor has not gone away with bedding in. I think I will call the dealer.
3. Fuel consumption is up to about 33 mpg average ...let's hope it keeps improving with miles!
4. I am getting used to the stereo, but 13 speakers is definitely quantity over quality (my old 9-3 was equally poor - a Saab trait?)
5. Perhaps it's unfair to be comparing this to the A4. Saab's ethos is different to the German brands; leave Audi/BMW/Mercedes to compete with each other.
Edited to add:- A whole week of ownership, and:
6. Steering in the straight-ahead position is slightly vague and perhaps overly light, but that's being particularly critical
7. You can fit a 3m length of drainpipe in, and close the boot (with one end in the glovebox)!
8. 470 mile round trip at the weekend returned fractionally under 40mpg, good mix of driving, but largely 85mph cruise. Hope to see it improve.
>> Edited by t0ny99 on Wednesday 17th May 16:35
>> Edited by t0ny99 on Tuesday 23 May 09:58
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