Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 09:04:58 GMT From: werdna_dejanewsnopsamejanews.com Subject: Re: Saab 9-3 or a BMW 328i
In article <36FFFBB2.BC3A56D6nopsamracle.com>, Elanchelvan Elango <eelangonopsamracle.com> wrote: > I'm considering buying a new car in the next few months. I'm caught up > in a debate with myself whether to go for a 1999 BMW 328i 5-speed or a > 1999 Saab 9-3 5-speed Turbo. I made the same decision a month ago. It actually came down to the Audi A4 2.8 Quattro, BMW 328i, and Saab 9-3 SE HOT. I eliminated the Audi because it didn't accelerate fast enough, and the rear seat had too little room. BMW and Saab both have/are: - FAST. _Road and Track_ timed the BMW at 6.6s 0-60. Saab was 6.8s. - Very high quality, with good fit/finish. - Roomy interior - Responsive, precise steering - solid, rigid chassis - Good fuel economy. Saab is 19/27, BMW is 20/29 - Nice ride - Great brakes - Similar reliability - Slightly notchy shifters BMW Pros: - Prestige -- the car is very "rich" - Quieter interior - More refined ride/acceleration (rear-wheel drive, better weight distribution) - Standard traction control, cornering brake system - Maintenence is free for the first 3 years. - Lots of high-tech options that simply aren't available on the Saab - rain-sensing wipers - auto-dimming rearview mirror - GPS - park distance control - xenon headlamps - rear side-impact airbags - automatic transmission (You can't get a HOT Saab in automatic) - 4-window one-touch down buttons (Saab has one-touch down on only 2 windows) BMW Cons: - Very high theft index (carsafety.org has the 3 at an index of 200) - Higher insurance costs - Significantly more expensive than the Saab. Add the Premium package (adds leather, moonroof), heated front seats, and a folding back seat (an option!), the BMW comes to: 33675 invoice, 37945 list. The Saab w/heated front+rear seats: 30725 invoice, 32795 list. Saab Pros: - Individuality -- the car has a lot of "character" - Exclusivity -- there are a LOT more BMW's out there than Saab's. The Saab's distictive look can be a plus or a minus, depending on who you are. - Cargo space: 22 cubic feet, since it's a hatchback. - More exciting ride/acceleration (Not as isolated from road as BMW) - Very low theft index (carsafety.org has the 900 at an index of 10) - The Saab has its share of unique features, and they're standard: - Headlamp washer/wipers - Active head restraints. - Side airbags in seats, not doors, to guarantee positioning - Split wide-angle mirror. - Rear seat backs fold down 60/40 to give 50 cubic feet of cargo space. Saab Cons: - Torque steer and slight turbo lag. - Required maintenence every 10K (and one at 1K miles) - Depreciation significantly worse than BMW. This is partly because of the Saab's turbo, mostly because The Unwashed Masses aren't all rushing to buy Saabs. Here are residual %'s, from the Automotive Lease Guide, as listed by cars.com: Period: 2yr 3yr 4yr 5yr 9-3 SE: 59% 50% 43% 37% 328i: 67% 59% 53% 47% I decided to get the Saab. Basically because: 1) Those extra BMW features would have pushed the 328i into another price range altogether--one which I didn't want to venture into. (For personal reasons, I wanted to stay below the $36,000 "luxury tax" level.) 2) I have a very high appreciation for the distictiveness of the Saab 3) I don't like to drive a car that has the "rich" connotation of the BMW 4) The Saab's hatchback is super-practical. 5) I like the turbo effect. I enjoy applying the concentration required to modulate the power of the 9-3 to properly launch the turbo. I mean, I already prefer a stick to an automatic---it makes sense that I'm happy with an additional (slight) challenge... And the torque steer is moderate enough to qualify it as merely "spice" to add to the excitement. 6) I'm planning on keeping my car for 12 years, minimum, so depreciation doesn't matter to me, while insurance and maintenence do matter a lot. -- Andrew -----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==---------- http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
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