I agree with the various posters here that the aspherical driver's side mirror is a great addition to the 9-3. I've got one, and it was worth every penny of the $125 I paid for it. Prior to getting it, I used a small aspheric stick-on, but the full size Saab one has a much better view to the far side. The image of a car in a small stick-in is so very tiny...

However, I also find the 9-3 to have poor visibility out the REAR window, for a few reasons:

1) The bottom of the rear window is fairly high up, so the view of what's immediately behind is partially obstructed.
2) The damn rear headrests block a significant portion of the window when looking through the inside rear view mirror. (I now drive with the rear headrests removed unless someone will actually be sitting in the back seat.)
3) Looking out the back window, it is impossible to see exactly where the end of the car is, which is particularly a problem when parking in tight spaces.
4) The rather extreme angle of the hatch glass seems to distort the view out the back window, such that objects in the window are actually further away than they appear. Frequently, I'll be backing up when parking and swear that I'm only a few inches away from something, but when I get out and look, I'm a couple of feet away.

Maybe it's just me. Does anybody else notice these issues?

The rear window view did improve noticeably when I had lowering springs installed, but I would hardly recommend that as a reason to do the springs. (The improved handling is reason enough for that.)

Happy driving,
SteveH
2000 9-3

• Rear visibility, 9-3 Hatchback, Gopal Reddy, Wed, 11 Apr 2001 03:48:00
  • Re: Rear visibility, 9-3 Hatchback, Lawrence, Sat, 14 Apr 2001 21:38:23
  • Re: Rear visibility, 9-3 Hatchback, Gopal Reddy, Sat, 14 Apr 2001 02:03:07
  • for $2.00, I solved this one on a tip I got here., John A., Wed, 11 Apr 2001 11:53:24
  • Aspherical mirror, p/n anyone?, jd, Wed, 11 Apr 2001 09:48:37
    • Or use stick on aspherical mirror, Bill D, Wed, 11 Apr 2001 11:15:52
    • Driver's side aspherical mirror is Saab P/N 48-18-050. N/M, REM in Seattle , Wed, 11 Apr 2001 10:35:23
      • Re: Driver's side aspherical mirror is Saab P/N 48-18-050. N/M, bob, Wed, 11 Apr 2001 15:35:29
  • There are a few blind spots on the vehicles however its a SAAB n/, Capt. Ron, Wed, 11 Apr 2001 08:12:36
    • Re: There are a few blind spots on the vehicles however its a SAAB n/, Savage, Wed, 11 Apr 2001 10:23:26
      • About REAR window visibility, SteveH, Thu, 12 Apr 2001 22:35:02 <-- Viewing This Message
        • How did you remove rear head rest???? Thanks. n/m, matt, Fri, 13 Apr 2001 10:37:10
          • There's a release button at the base of the posts (n/t), SteveH, Fri, 13 Apr 2001 23:46:20

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