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Hey kids,
Well, the lease is up on my 03 9-3 Arc (prior to that I had a Viggen) and although I have to say the new 9-3ss is much better overall than the Viggen (although admittedly less cool & grin factor:) I also have to say that in my case the number of quality related issues was appauling.
Everything from horn and wiper failures, to steering pump failure, to having to replace the rad and brakes to audio system gremlins to software glitches galore, to little things like the nice 'soft touch' finnish on the cheap plastic butons PEELING OFF on more than one occasion.
In spite of that, the dealer was very good about fixing the problems - it's just that THERE WERE ALWAYS PROBLEMS. The viggin was almost as bad.
Having said that, the cars have always been a blast to drive, and I appreciate the quirkyness, and mostly the safety factor.
So now, while not having fallin in love with any of the alternatives yet(IS350, 330i, A4, G35 etc.) I am wondering (hopefully) DID THE QUALITY CONTROL GET ANY BETTER FROM THE ORIGINAL MODEL YEAR - '03, TO THE CURRENT '06 AERO MODELS? I don't want to switch, but...
More importantly, I'm considering a RAG TOP this time, which means competition from BMW, AUDI the tres cool new Volvo 'vert with the fully retractable METAL roof (smart and safe, but supposedly not high on grin factor), or the beloved Saab.
I've read the reviews, and there are pros and cons to each. Saab never comes in first in magazine comparisons, but the reviewers seem to have a chip on their shoulder about Saabs.
It's a tough call though... making a 4 year lease commitment to a 9-3 aero convertible could be just what I want, UNLESS they are still plagued with mechanical, software, and fit and finish problems, in which case I'll have 4 years of wondering why I stubbornly had to be so loyal to my non-conformist roots! (my first Saab was a 1978 99Turbo!)
So, are the '06s better built in general (no pun intended when I mention the dreaded 'General' :) and maybe more importantly, if I do go rag-top, does anyone know how the Magna-Steyr Canadian-owned, Austrian assemled units stand up to the Trolhattan hard tops?
Your feedback is much appreciated and valued as it always has been!!
E
posted by 70.49.16...
, Tue, 23 May 2006 13:33:11
, Mon, 22 May 2006 20:33:13
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