I have a Viggen coupe, but test drove the 2000 9-3 SE. I had a 96 328is for three years prior to the Viggen so I am very familar with the BMW 3 series. I also looked at the 2000 328 and 323 before buying the Viggen. I love BMW's but was taken back by the value proposition of the SAAB. A stripped down 325 is no way to go in my mind - especially relative to a new 9-3. Overall you get more performance and features out of the 9-3. I think the BMW is only superior in handling and only better in dry conditions. The SAAB blows the doors off the BMW in the rain.

As far as interiors go I am biased because of the Viggen's ultra comfy seats. My wife always comments about how much more comfortable the Saab is compared to our old BMW. The interior of the BMW is outdated an uninventive. It also costs extra to get a stinking CD player which is bogus.

I think 28K is a good deal on the 9-3. As much as I like BMW's the price can be prohibitive and their finance rates don't help.


BTW - I saw a comment about BMW's maintenance costs earlier - BMW now has $0 cost maintance for the first 50,000 miles. That makes a big difference given the costs to maintain one of these fine automobiles.

• help in buying a 9-3 se, riddddge, Mon, 16 Oct 2000 15:30:19
  • 9-3/325i - the real story, chris g., Tue, 17 Oct 2000 08:20:01
    • Have to disagree here SAAB is safe!, Coolknight, Tue, 17 Oct 2000 09:59:23
      • SAAB is safe!.. NOT any more buddy, Karel, Wed, 18 Oct 2000 23:18:38
      • funny how when you don't like test results they are invalid, chris g., Tue, 17 Oct 2000 10:58:12
        • Re: funny how when you don't like test results they are invalid, David Mills, Sat, 21 Oct 2000 16:34:44
        • You are right that the only valid test is the EuroNCAP, AdamB , Tue, 17 Oct 2000 17:38:39
        • Decisions, Roger (NAWC), Tue, 17 Oct 2000 14:21:08
        • Re: funny how when you don't like test results they are invalid, Anton, Tue, 17 Oct 2000 14:05:07
          • wrong - go to iihs web site -they lumped them together, chris g., Tue, 17 Oct 2000 14:25:30
            • HAHAHA....it's like saying the WV Lupo, AdamB , Tue, 17 Oct 2000 17:41:03
            • girls, girls...stop fighting, they are both safe cars..., Richard P., Tue, 17 Oct 2000 15:14:55
              • Re: girls, girls...stop fighting, they are both safe cars..., David Mills, Sat, 21 Oct 2000 20:06:36
        • no kidding!, Scott R., Tue, 17 Oct 2000 11:41:21
          • Re: no kidding!, David Mills, Sat, 21 Oct 2000 20:10:59
  • Made similar decision, sam, Tue, 17 Oct 2000 06:35:38
  • Re: help in buying a 9-3 se, MPY, Tue, 17 Oct 2000 00:44:07 <-- Viewing This Message
  • i did the same excercise, joshua harrison, Mon, 16 Oct 2000 18:45:23
  • Re: help in buying a 9-3 se, n8, Mon, 16 Oct 2000 18:39:36
  • Re: help in buying a 9-3 se, Erik, Mon, 16 Oct 2000 17:28:42
  • Re: help in buying a 9-3 se, Erik, Mon, 16 Oct 2000 17:27:12
    • Re: help in buying a 9-3 se, riddddge, Mon, 16 Oct 2000 18:23:16
      • Re: help in buying a 9-3 se, Erik, Tue, 17 Oct 2000 13:42:53
  • Need to drive an SE first..., Richard P., Mon, 16 Oct 2000 16:35:50

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