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Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 08:48:19 -0500
From: "Walt Kienzle" <wkienzlenopsam.com>
Subject: Re: My hopes for the new 9-3


I own and have driven several cars with over 200 hp that could potentially have traction problems like you mention. Since you are driving courtesy cars (from the dealer, I assume), they probably include the tires that came from the factory. Factory equipment tires are typically different (meaning "cheaper") from the ones that you purchase from a tire store. At a car convention I attended, the Goodyear representative was very diplomatic in explaining that the tires they sold to Ford were "different" even if they were the same model name, size and traction rating, without offending the Vice Presidents and other members of Ford management that were there. Its possible that some better quality aftermarket tires could remedy the traction issue. Your reports of build quality are disappointing. I didn't think anything could have less storage space than a 9000 with a passenger airbag and thankfully there aren't any Peugeots, any other French cars, or Diesel Saabs sold in the US. Walt Kienzle 1991 9000T 1990 Ford Taurus SHO "Lee Marshall" <leenopsamvespamenigma-it.com> wrote in message news:umc284sdje5pe0nopsam.supernews.com... > As some of you may be aware from reading my posts elsewhere in this group, I > am the (mostly) proud owner of a '97 9000 Aero. Due to some ongoing problems > with my car, I have been fortunate to have been able to test most of the > current Saab range as courtesy cars. Although to be honest, I have not been > too impressed. > > I have found that the build quality across the whole range has been totally > sub-standard for the market in which Saabs compete, especially compared to > my 9k. > > The current 9-3 has typically great engines, apart from the awful 2.2 Turbo > Diesel. This is without doubt the worst diesel car I have ever driven (maybe > excluding a Peugeot 106 1.5D), although the engine was quite powerful the > noise and vibration (particulary through the clutch pedal) was unacceptable. > The 2.0 LPT is the best engine in the range, the full blown turbo being too > powerful for the chassis. The sound system on the coupe was exceptional > though. > > My current courtesy car is a brand new 9-5 Linear 2.0 LPT, but this too has > many faults. Again the build quality is poor (particularly the lid on the > cubby hole between the front seats). There is also a general lack of storage > space, the door pockets are far too small and there is only one cupholder, > albeit a very nice one. However the main problem with the 9-5 is again the > chassis. Even with the base 150bhp engine, you can lose traction pulling out > of junctions and going around roundabouts. I admit my 9000 doesn't have > wonderful traction but it is better than 9-5, even with 75bhp more. I have > also found the 9-5 to be "loose" and prone to lift-off oversteer, not nice > in a car this big. > > I have high hopes for the 9-3, although being based on the new Vectra > (Epsilon) platform isn't going to help (if past experience is anything to go > by). If Saab can improve the build quality and find a way of taming 200+bhp > I sure it will sell well. My other immediate concern for the new 9-3 is a > lack of what Saabs usually have, excess power. The new 9-3 is going to be a > heavy car and I think the new Aero will not have the power to compete with > it's main competitor, the BMW 330. It seems to me that Volvo is taking the > lead in the Swedish power stakes, and that can only be bad for Saab. > > Sorry if I have droned on too much about this, but this has been burning > away inside for some time. > > I welcome your counter-comments! > > Lee > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.384 / Virus Database: 216 - Release Date: 21/08/2002 > >

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