Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 16:09:05 -0400 From: "Stryder" <strydernopsamcom> Subject: Re: Why I sold my '99 9-3, and why a buyer should beware
While I don't doubt the fact that you find the 9-3 less comfortable than your previous SAAB I'd like to add my voice to the thread and throw in my impression of the new model. I'm a relatively new covert to the SAAB communty and just got my '99 SAAB 9-3 two months ago. One of the reasons I went with the SAAB was one of the few cars that I was interested in that easily accomodated my 6'4", 200 lb. frame - and that was after test driving several SUV's and sedans. I was especially pleased that the head rest was so adjustable in terms of height going up several inches so that I can actually rest me head back while driving (something I could'nt do in my wife's Saturn SC2). Now, I must say that using the Saturn SC2 as a benchmark is probably not a good starting pointing point because I am pretty cramped when riding/driving it. I'm also sure there are cars out there that have more legroom than the 9-3; but to me the car fits like a glove and I have no complaints. Now, I could also have the head rest adjust improperly and for that I thank you for your post. I know have another reason to open my owners manual and find out the "correct" setting for the headrest. <nospamplznopsamnet> wrote in message news:3813BE85.F2EC1B41nopsamnet... > After 14 months and less than 5500 miles on the odometer, I decided to > sell my 9-3. Nothing wrong with the car mechanically or cosmetically- a > beautiful bright red 5 door that blasted like a rocket out of a dead > stop and handles the road like surgery, and in most cases was a joy to > drive. It was a replacement for my second Saab, an 89 900 T that was > itself in excellent condition. So why, do you ask, am I so happy to be > rid of this gem? > > One reason. The headrests. Saabs oh-so-special whiplash protecting > design introduced on the 9-3 and the 9-5. I have no idea how > successfully the design works in the 9-5, but for a tall driver the > headrests are a nightmare of discomfort on the 9-3. In fact, it is also > a disaster for a short driver, a fact affirmed by Consumer Reports. The > headrest forces a short driver's, or passenger's, head forward, > resulting in a highly uncomfortable riding posture. In a driver 6' or > above, the headrest does not extend enough to protect the head properly. > To make matters worse, the lower lip of the headrest, part of the new > "safer" design, sticks a tall driver or passenger right between the > shoulder blades. I would hate to think the damage this "safer" design > could inflict on a tall rider in the event of a rear-end impact of > significant force. Drivers and passengers in height ranges between these > extremes must carefully adjust the headrest to find a comfortable > position as well, but at least a comfortable and safe position can be > found. I was fortunate and did not have an accident in this car to test > these headrests, yet the discomfort became too much to tolerate. > > In addition, for tall drivers, there is significantly less driver leg > room in the 9-3 when compared to the pre- and post- 94 900's. Saab > dealers were unable to help me modify the seat position to give me and > my husband more room. Part of the loss may also be in the side to side > dimensions of the driver's compartment. > > So I would urge taller drivers to give the Saab a thorough test drive, > giving a lot of thought to how the headrest and leg room feel to you. I > feel that this headrest design is a significant error for some drivers. > A similar positioning of the headrest in the Volvo S40 and S70 are not a > problem. > > Now we are driving more comfortably and happily in an Audi. If anyone > lives in the US in the St Louis area, that 9-3 I once owned can be > gotten for a steal, I would imagine, after sitting for more than an > month on the lot at Parktown Imports. For most drivers, the discomfort > we had with the car would not be an issue. As I began, there is nothing > wrong with the car at all. And I assure you, I have no interest or > connection with Parktown. I just hate to see a good car sit on the lot > like that. > > Estrid- former Saab enthusiast, 1984 to 1999.... >
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