Date: 3 Sep 1999 13:01:57 GMT From: Roger Williams <rogerwnopsaml1.tiac.net> Subject: Re: What's the story with the 9-3?
Also spracht fleetfootnjnopsameja.com: > I'm about to pull the trigger on what seems to be > an excellent '99 close-out lease deal on the 9-3. > I've always had the impression that Saabs are > good cars, but a number of postings here and > elsewhere (i.e. Edmunds) have made me a little > nervous. Could anyone with experiences - good or > bad- please share their opinions on the '99 9-3. > If it matters at all, it'll be a base model 5 > door automatic (mainly because my wife can't > drive a standard). Thanks! Saabs have had a reputation as being "finicky cars" (ie, more upkeep required than Japanese cars, but less so than British cars, etc.) for a long time. Fortunately, those days are long gone, and Saab has been making very reliable cars for a very long time. The 9-3 is the model that's replacing the 900, based in part on GM's European Opel platform. However, the engineering is pure Saab. I own a 9-3 (Viggen), and I have to say, I have never had so much joy with a car in my life. Saabs also have the disinction of being rated the safest cars in accidents (fewest accident fatalities of any make) and the least stolen cars in the United States. To illustrate the point, my insurance company told me I'd only save *$30* a year if I had the Lojack anti-theft system installed (as opposed to almost $350 a year for my old Toyota Celica GT). I would advise going for the manual transmission as well, if only because it will mean getting more driving enjoyment out of your car. Once your wife learns how to drive a standard, and it won't take long for her to learn, you'll probably be glad you did. I couldn't imagine my car with an automatic transmission. I'd also be interested to hear what you've read that's scared you off. The Edmunds staff was mixed over the 9-3, but it bears noting that Saabs tend to appeal to a niche crowd. If you like it, you're probably a Saab person. The first sign you're not dealing with a Saab person is when you hear a complaint about the center console ignition! http://edmunds.com/edweb/whitmore/99Saab.Viggen.rt.html and http://edmunds.com/edweb/whitmore/99Saab.9-3.rt.html -- {}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{} \|/ {} RogerW rogerwnopsamguy.com {} 0< -- parrot.net! {} http://www.parrot.net adminnopsamot.net {} ^^^^(*)^^^^ {}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{} ^^ / \ ^^
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