Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2002 17:33:17 +0800 From: Christian <rejewskinopsamail.com> Subject: Re: Saab 9-3 Launch Tonight!
meme meme wrote: > The one in Western Australia at Henley Saab is the Vector, Saw it last > night I liked it what did you think Christian That's the one. A "Merlot Red" Vector. Here were my impressions: Firstly, it's REALLY similar to a 9-5, especially from certain angles. Smaller, yes but when I first walked in and there was a marquee there with a 2002 9-5 Aero, I initially mistook it for the new 9-3 and I'm usually pretty good ID'ing my Saabs. It's back-end is a little more rounded than the 9-5 though, a little like a slightly less chubby VX Commodore (although, of course, much smaller). I didn't get a good look at from the front before someone popped the bonnet which sort of spoils the aesthetic somewhat! Inside was nice though... not exactly super-roomy but hardly cramped either. Everything was nicely laid out, although I imagine the Aero when it arrives will be perhaps a little more exciting in its choice of decor. Comments from a couple of people sitting in the back seat was that they didn't feel too cramped, especially considering this is a reasonably compact car. The leather/cloth combo seats from the Vector were nice. I'd sat in a current model 9-3 Aero earlier that night and, compared to these, they were much firmer and supportive (although the Aero admittedly had more side support). In terms of aesthetics I especially liked the use of what looked like brushed aluminium inlays along the inside of the door, inside door handles, around the dash and gear stick. Looked and felt very classy. All in all, very nice. If I had to find something negative to say about it, I wasn't "blown away" by the styling like I expected to be. As I said, very similar to the 9-5 but slightly smaller and more rounded in places. Perhaps this will change when I get to see it more from the front and also from a bit more of a distance. Having said that, the 9-3 Vector goes for A$56,900 and a Linear 9-5 2.0L is $61,000 (2.3L Vector is $73,000) so, given the 9-3 only looked very slightly smaller, would make the new 9-3 a pretty good buy. (Disclaimer: I'm not a car expert, motoring journalist or have any affiliation with Saab other than driving one.)
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