Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002 03:02:14 GMT From: "Melanie Rose" <mrose1nopsamrr.com> Subject: 2001 9-3 detuned
I got antsy and leased a new 2001 9-3 SE before the lease was up on my 99 9-3. So with two cars I did a bit of shootout. I had 2500 miles on the 2001 so it should have been fairly well broken in. In the back of my mind I knew that my 99 was quicker. While the 01 has TCS and a lot of other goodies plus 20 more hp, it is not as fast as the 99!!! While my friend and I didn't use a watch (watching out for smokey), we did take several runs in each car side by side (not drag racing...testing). At about 30mph the 99 began to pull away. The only prob the 99 had was spinning the wheels. I tried the 01 w/ & w/o TCS, but no difference. The 99 definitely has more turbo grunt. Am I out of my mind or did they detune the boost in 01? I rather disappointed, and while aftermarket exhaust and airfilter may help, it seems unnecessary? Also, I was told by the dealer that they couldn't disconnect the shift light like they had done for my 99. Sounds like BS to me but am I uninformed? Interested in any comments. G