Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 16:56:20 GMT From: "N. Williamson" <Spudman27nopsamcom.invalid> Subject: Re: Help me with my 2002 9-3 SE purchase
bergizzynopsamail.com (Izzy Berg) wrote: > Hello Saab Aficionados, > > I am strongly thinking about jumping into a 2002 Saab 9-3 SE. For the > past eight years I have been a VW / Audi man. The new A4 is > excellent, but more than I am willing to spend these days. Odd, we're looking from Saab to Audi A4/VW Passat for her next car; albeit 2 years down the road. Mainly due to dealer availability in my area. Have you seen the new Passat W8??? Wow. Ooops, sorry... > > The deal Saab is offering is just amazing. I am a real fan of all the > safety features and the look of the car (exterior, interior could be > much better). See if they'll give you one for a weekend test. Saab has the most overall comfortable seats I've ever been in. Note the support up high on the back - incredible. Lots of road noise though -at least the 900 series- and having spent some 8+ years in the Chicago area those expansion joints might become irratating after a spell. > > I plan on keeping the car 5+ years and I am religious about keeping up > maintenance. However, here are my main concerns. > > 1. Reliability: I have read mixed things. Problems with the engine > at 50k. I understand newer models have improved. Can someone shed > light on the last few years? I can't stand being at a dealer every > month even if the cost is covered. Consumer reports indicates a rise in the 900/9-3 series over the past few years. I think they are probably right. We have a '94 900S, V-6, automatic that we bought as a demo with 2,200 miles on it. Just got it back on FRI from it's 125,000 mile service. I think the reliablity on our particular car has been average to below, but it was one of the early ones of the new body design. However, it has never stranded us. We get a loaner from the dealer during our services and the fit/finish issues we had seem to be resolved with newer materials and fit. (window edge seams/trim etc) > > 2. Service: Tends to be very expensive. Especially in a big city > (Chicago?) I really wonder about the cost of service. People scream that European automobiles are sooooooo expensive to maintain. I feel it's not *more* expensive, it's just the folks that own them do the prescribed services whereas most american car owners only take the car in for an oil change and when a problem arises. My friend had an Olds Cutlass he maintained according to Olds/GM. He spent way more in routine service than we did for either of our cars (Saab 900 & BMW 525). Here's another perspective as it relates to our cars. Saab service calls for a complete flush of all fluids (save AC) at 60K intervals; brake, coolant, tranny, eng oil (DUH!). This will be performed if you take the car in and just have them do the service. OTOH BMW (nor the 5 VW's I've had) do not. But, BMW dealers *recommend* the same fluid flushes. Consequently in service price quotes it is not included so cost may seem lower for BMW. It boils down to the depth of the service for various marques. If all were equal, the service costs would be close I think. > > 3. Resale Value: I have seen this talked about numerous times on Saab > mailing lists. The value of this car just does not hold like an Audi > or even VW. If I purchase and the car ends up not being my cup of tea > it will be painful to get out. It *is* shocking to see how fast they depreciate vs other makes. > > 4. New body style: Kind of makes me uncomfortable that a new style > will be here this year. However, the Saab hatchback look is rather > classic. > > I am comparing this against a VW Passat 1.8T. The more insight and > comments the better. > > Please let me know your thoughts. > > //Izzy -- ********************************************* Why is it all the sensors seeking intelligent life are pointed away from earth? *********************************************
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