I understand that the 9-5 costs more and should therefore be "nicer." Among other things, a six-cylinder; ventilated seat and HK stereo ... and is larger.

I think the 9-3ss is disappointing in its price range, and for a company that is trying to build awareness and market share the emphasis should be on exceeding expectations, not cutting corners. In this day and age a $30,000 car should not have an interior that looks like that in a $20,000 car, should not have numerous squeeks and rattles at only 12,000 miles, and should have a stereo that is at least fit to listen to (the rear speakers in my Linear with Launch look and sound like they were lifted from a clock radio; I wasn't expected an HK sound, but at least something decent). Yes the car handles well, looks good, and is safe -- but so is a lot of the competition.

My 9-5 exceeded my expectations, which is why I leased the 9-3ss on faith. Rather than exceeding my expectations, it disappointed, even for its price range. When I first got it I wrote to SAAB complaining about the stereo, and they said (in effect) "pound sand" -- that they weren't intending to do anything to remedy what is clearly an grossly inadequate system.

That tells me that the GM philosophy is now in control, and future SAAB's are mostly going to just be badge-engineered GM products (hence inferior quality). The upcoming 9-7 TrailBlazer, for example. (At least the 9-2 SAABuru starts out with a quality product underneath).

I was so happy with my 9-5 that my wife got a 2002. I thought that I would be driving SAAB's from now on. However after the 9-3ss and SAAB's refusal to rectify the stereo I am done with SAAB. When the lease runs out I will look at Acuras, Lexi etc.

posted by 68.229.94...

• 2004 9-3 Arc or 9-5 Arc????, cindy, Sun, 21 Mar 2004 06:19:55
  • Re: 2004 9-3 Arc or 9-5 Arc????, Cornwallis, Fri, 2 Apr 2004 14:17:59
  • Re: 2004 9-3 Arc or 9-5 Arc????, robert240, Tue, 23 Mar 2004 11:01:40
  • Re: 2004 9-3 Arc or 9-5 Arc????, Tom, Mon, 22 Mar 2004 18:37:27
    • like Ton, have both.., chris74, Tue, 23 Mar 2004 04:20:40
      • Re: like Ton, have both.., Amos in Arlington, Tue, 23 Mar 2004 07:57:59
      • Re: like Ton, have both.., Tom, Tue, 23 Mar 2004 07:52:24 <-- Viewing This Message
        • I'll still drive them..., chris74, Tue, 23 Mar 2004 15:09:43
          • Re: I'll still drive them..., Tom, Tue, 23 Mar 2004 19:43:28
            • Re: I'll still drive them..., chris74, Wed, 24 Mar 2004 04:18:30
  • I like the 9-5, but....., Mike Lynch , Mon, 22 Mar 2004 16:19:51
  • The 2004 9-5 Arc would be my choise. I have a 9-3SS.nm, Joe_MTL, Sun, 21 Mar 2004 19:36:28
  • Re: 2004 9-3 Arc or 9-5 Arc????, dave, Sun, 21 Mar 2004 14:40:36
  • Re: 2004 9-3 Arc or 9-5 Arc?-observations, paul de k, Sun, 21 Mar 2004 08:47:54
    • 9-3 Arc, Phil, Mon, 22 Mar 2004 13:23:39

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