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Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 13:18:52 GMT
From: jim andrews <jimandrewsnopsamintexas.com>
Subject: Re: 2002/1 9-3 versus loaner 2000 9-5


In article <ac09vs$m19bc$3nopsam34476.news.dfncis.de>, davehinznopsamcop.net says... > Someone who looks an awful lot like jim andrews <jimandrewsnopsamintexas.com> wrote: > > At similar pricing, does anybody have any thoughts on the general > > pros and cons of a 2002 or 2001 9-3 as compared to a 2000 9-5 > > loaner with 7k miles? I like the *look* of the 9-5 better (it's > > the 4-door sedan) compared to the 9-3 hatchbacks, but even then > > it's a close call. For what it's worth, I've never owned nor > > even driven a Saab . . . and yes, I'll drive before buying! > > Hi, Jim. I have a '99 9-5, and when it was in for it's 30,000 mile > checkup, was loaned a 2001 9-3. I found the 9-3 to be quicker (185HP > vs 170HP, and the 9-3 is lighter also), but the ride was considerably > less comfortable over less-than-perfect roads. > > When I bought, the biggest deciding factor was, to be honest, rear seat > legroom. I knew it'd be a Saab, I knew it'd be a '99 (3 year lease > return), but other than that I was wide open. After I borrowed the loaner > 9-3 for a day, I'm glad that I got the 9-5. The 9-3 isn't a bad car by > any means at all, but depending on what's more important to you, well, it > depends. > > What are you expecting from the car? Thanks for the quick reply, Dave . . . Right now I drive a 2001 Honda S2000. I love the car, but we have a baby due in August, and practicality is rearing its ugly head. A back seat is required, and four doors would be nice. I'll also be making a longer commute to work in about a year, so I'd like a car that is more comfortable in daily traffic than the hard-as-a-rock S2000. However, I'd like at least *some* hint of that car's awesome performance. (I'm not considering the 9-3 convertible, though. I put the top down on the S2000 all the time, but road noise is a real issue even when it's up. If I'm gonna buy a car that purports to be in the "near-luxury" class, I just don't want that noise.) So, there's not a whole lot of things I have listed above that really differentiate between the 9-5 and the 9-3, are there? I like the idea of the 9-3 quickness and utility, and I like the 9-5 looks. (I think the 9-3 looks great, too, so who knows?) Is the price on the 9-5 (just under $25K) out of line for a loaner with 7k miles? I must admit I like the balloon payment option here in Texas on a 9-3, which starts at $299/month for the base model. I tend to swap cars fairly often, and need to come to terms with that (ridiculous) compulsion! jim andrews

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