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Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 20:17:25 GMT
From: "Bob H" <iamafigmentnopsamurimagination.net>
Subject: Re: My test drives of 9-3 Linears


"Harvey White" <madynnopsametcom.com> wrote in message news:6tll009f0munpefq5p5i8h2k7sul9nqdscnopsamcom... > On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 15:38:37 GMT, in alt.autos.saab you wrote: > > Try a 9-5, or try an earlier model year. Saab certified gives you a > 100K mile/6 year warranty. Perhaps the earlier ones are a bit less > GM'd up. I really would like to drive the 9-5, but I will not spend at that level due to rapid depreciation issues (I tend to trade about every three years). Perhaps a lease would make more sense. Also, I have read complaints of intrusive road noise above 60 mph in the 9-5. I do not remember which model year the author referred to. Given its present direction, GM may end up poisoning the whole line of vehicles with their mindless cost-cutting. Too bad to ruin Saab. I feel gyped. > > Harvey > > > > Drove two new 9-3 Linears yesterday, both automatics. > > > >-2003 with 17"s, too much tendency to follow road irregularities; squirrelly > >at high highway speeds (90 mph) > > > >-2004 with 16's: eliminated 95% of the tendency, and about 90% of the > >squirrelliness > > > >Both car interiors seemed somewhat loose fitting, like trim parts were > >rubbing and jiggling over the worse roads (that shuffling sound over the > >bumps and poor patches), and weren't tightly assembled, or poorly designed, > >or both. The dash area seemed tight, it was aft that seemed loose. The > >interior just felt somewhat like a flivver to me. But maybe that's just me. > > > >Struts on the 03 sounded noisy, and also sounded like something was loose > >underneath whacking the floor pan- probably easily adjusted. The strut > >noisiness was worrisome, though. > > > >Decent acceleration. Gas hungry when pushed, though. Smallish fuel tank if > >you plan on driving somewhat aggressively, or like to stomp it, or cruise > >over the limit. > > > >Steering boost was a bit too high, but not objectionably. Handling is right > >on for FWD. > > > >Loved the size both inside and out. > > > >Was all set to do a deal on the loaded 2003 with 200 miles. Sweet pricing. > > > >What killed it for me was the tremendous road noise infiltrating the cabin > >(both cars) at both low and high speeds, no way could I live with that. > >Sounded louder than the 03 Malibu rental I drove last summer. And the > >Malibu's interior seemed better screwed in place. I was really surprised at > >this on both vehicles (the '04 had 11 miles on it). > > > >GM's cost cutters have shown their faces, and the sight is not pretty. > > > >After spending about 4 hours researching this car on the 'net, I really > >wanted to fall in love with it. But the cost-cutters stole that joy from me > >and stole a sale from their employer. > > > >Next stop: the Acura store. > > >

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