Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 00:11:55 GMT From: Harvey White <madynnopsametcom.com> Subject: Re: My test drives of 9-3 Linears
On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 20:17:25 GMT, in alt.autos.saab you wrote: > >"Harvey White" <madynnopsametcom.com> wrote in message >news:6tll009f0munpefq5p5i8h2k7sul9nqdscnopsamcom... >> On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 15:38:37 GMT, in alt.autos.saab you wrote: >> >> Try a 9-5, or try an earlier model year. Saab certified gives you a >> 100K mile/6 year warranty. Perhaps the earlier ones are a bit less >> GM'd up. > >I really would like to drive the 9-5, but I will not spend at that level due >to rapid depreciation issues (I tend to trade about every three years). I got an off-lease 2000 9-5. You might be able to find a 2001 9-5. I don't think the road noise at 70+ is excessive, although I will say that much of the noise can be (and is) tire noise. The price for the 9-5 was reasonable enough, all things considered. I will not be trading my car in after 3 years. I intend to drive the car (32K miles when bought) well over 100K miles. It all depends on what you want to do, and how you want to do it. I've compared the Saab with a mitsubishi Eclipse (98 model), and there's no comparison (unfavorable to the Saab) in ride, cargo capacity (except for the hatchback), sound system, ride, control, comfort, road noise, accelleration, etc... (It's what I was driving). Nor does it compare unfavorably with the '96 volvo that my wife drives. I can drive the Saab about 30% further than the Volvo without a break. We averaged over 30 MPG on a trip almost 2000 miles, and the Saab runs on mid-grade as well. >Perhaps a lease would make more sense. Also, I have read complaints of >intrusive road noise above 60 mph in the 9-5. I do not remember which model >year the author referred to. I would think that this would be an important thing to track down. > >Given its present direction, GM may end up poisoning the whole line of >vehicles with their mindless cost-cutting. Too bad to ruin Saab. I feel >gyped. Well, perhaps you're looking at something a bit too "new". Harvey > > >> >> Harvey >> >> >> > Drove two new 9-3 Linears yesterday, both automatics. >> > >> >-2003 with 17"s, too much tendency to follow road irregularities; >squirrelly >> >at high highway speeds (90 mph) >> > >> >-2004 with 16's: eliminated 95% of the tendency, and about 90% of the >> >squirrelliness >> > >> >Both car interiors seemed somewhat loose fitting, like trim parts were >> >rubbing and jiggling over the worse roads (that shuffling sound over the >> >bumps and poor patches), and weren't tightly assembled, or poorly >designed, >> >or both. The dash area seemed tight, it was aft that seemed loose. The >> >interior just felt somewhat like a flivver to me. But maybe that's just >me. >> > >> >Struts on the 03 sounded noisy, and also sounded like something was loose >> >underneath whacking the floor pan- probably easily adjusted. The strut >> >noisiness was worrisome, though. >> > >> >Decent acceleration. Gas hungry when pushed, though. Smallish fuel tank >if >> >you plan on driving somewhat aggressively, or like to stomp it, or cruise >> >over the limit. >> > >> >Steering boost was a bit too high, but not objectionably. Handling is >right >> >on for FWD. >> > >> >Loved the size both inside and out. >> > >> >Was all set to do a deal on the loaded 2003 with 200 miles. Sweet >pricing. >> > >> >What killed it for me was the tremendous road noise infiltrating the >cabin >> >(both cars) at both low and high speeds, no way could I live with that. >> >Sounded louder than the 03 Malibu rental I drove last summer. And the >> >Malibu's interior seemed better screwed in place. I was really surprised >at >> >this on both vehicles (the '04 had 11 miles on it). >> > >> >GM's cost cutters have shown their faces, and the sight is not pretty. >> > >> >After spending about 4 hours researching this car on the 'net, I really >> >wanted to fall in love with it. But the cost-cutters stole that joy from >me >> >and stole a sale from their employer. >> > >> >Next stop: the Acura store. >> > >> >
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