Date: Mon, 5 Jul 1999 14:43:55 -0500 From: "earth mood magic" <earth.mood.magicnopsamdnet.att.net> Subject: My Experience with the Saab 9-3. Is My 9-3 A Lemon?
I have to, unfortunately, add my own, very disappointing, and frankly, frightening experience with my '99 9-3. After weeks of research and questions, I decided to get the 9-3, because the overall feeling from enthusiasts and the media was that Saab had, by in large, been making great strides in quality since the GM take over and the cars had improved accordingly. At under 700 miles on my new 9-3 and in just 5 weeks, here is the list of things that have happened: 1. FAULTY POWER STEERING PUMP. Grinding noise on hard turns. Dealer thought problem was related to a faulty power steering pump, which was indeed found and replaced. I hadn't even been aware of that, because it failed to fic the problem 2. FAULTY HUB AXLE. Dealer did discover that this was the source of the grinding problem all along and replaced. Unfortunately, in the way to have it diagnosed twp more problems began. 3. FAULTY STRUT. Squeeking noise coming from any bumps or road irregularities was diagnosed as a faulty pump after a day hunting. Said dealership/mechanic, "It took so long because this kind of problem doesn't show up on new cars. You might expect it from an older one, but not a new one." Additionally, the part took over a week to arrive and has still not been replaced. 4. FAULTY BRAKES. After warming up, when sitting in traffic or at a light for a minute or so, I noticed my foot slipping - certainly, not a safe situation - due to the brake pedal sinking 2-3 inches. Supposedly a slight sinking of "a quarter inch" (dealership/mechanic) is normal (funny how none of my other cars did that), but admitted 2-3 inches was not normal. I'm still in between services, but the work done thusfar has made the brakes unsuitable for emergency stops. Far too much braking is now necessary to come to a complete stop. If this the "normal" action of the brake, I know I wouldn't have chosen a Saab 9-3. 5. FAULTY SUNROOF. A recurring loud squeeking sound upon opening. Not life-threatening, but unacceptable in a $30,000+ automobile. This all, as I said before, in under 700 miles and within 5 weeks of purchase. To the dealship's (at least the garage's) credit, aside from a complete lack of loaner cars (which were tauted as a benefit of Saab ownership), which added 45 minutes to an hour onto each service call during MY business hours, they have been helpful and supportive, not to mention forthcoming about the workings of my Saab. So the blame, in my case, firmly rests with the manufacturer itself - Saab. All this has been reported to Saab customer service, of course, who will not declare this Saab 9-3 a lemon yet. I am, however, very aquainted with the laws of my state, and know this Saab 9-3 has already fulfilled a large portion of the legal requirements towards declaring it a lemon in my state. I wish to state here, firmly, that this was my dream car that I chose over all others available to me - not to mention a car for which I made considerable financial sacrifices. To say the least, I am disillusioned and, frankly, a bit frightened that I have made a very expensive, long-term mistake in judgement. I seek the help and advice of any other Saab 9-3 owners.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
