Many people say get the base if you commute... Nah. I have an SE (for a month now! :) ). It's my first Saab - and I love it. My only criticism is the speakers, and the car would be virtually flawless if it was AWD (I know, Saab heresy).

There is a difference in the ride. Frankly, I like the ride of the SE better... But I do think that the base is "smoother". Any of the three engines (185 base, 205 SE, or 235 Viggen) rocks. Personally, especially when comparing auto to auto, the SE is faster. When comparing manuals, the SE didn't seem breathtakingly faster, but you can tell.

I could live without the "plood" (plastic wood) dash on the SE.
Bear in mind, if you're thinking 3-door, your mind has been made up for you, as Saab killed off the 3-door SE.

To demonstrate what torque steer is... Take a 9-3 (SE is best, IMHO - or worst, if torque steer annoys you a lot) out on a demo ride. Hit the interstate. FIRMLY grasp the wheel with both hands. Driving about 60 in 4th (yes, ignoring the @$#%*@&#$)* upshift light ;) ), shift quickly down to 3rd. As the boost kicked in, that feeling you felt, where the car wanted to "head for the weeds"? That was torque steer. It's a symptom of FWD vehicles, usually worse as they go up in HP. My old '95 GTI-VR6 (and a new '01 GTI 1.8T I drove) both demonstrated torque steer as well...

Drive them both. Drive them both again. Think about it for a week, and analyze which one fits your budget (if that's an issue, as it is for most of us) better... Then, if you're still in love as the rest of us are, buy the one you WANT. :) You should also find out about whether rebates are still available from your dealer, and how hard it would be for you to get the car that you want (color, auto, leather/no leather...).

Good luck!
Wes

• 9-3 buying Recommendations, Ratchmo, Tue, 1 May 2001 02:47:33
  • Re: 9-3 buying Recommendations, Lise Kirk, Tue, 1 May 2001 15:24:15
  • It really depends on what you want, Wes Miller, Tue, 1 May 2001 09:37:37 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: It really depends on what you want, Jeff, Tue, 1 May 2001 12:33:49
      • just answered my own question, Jeff, Tue, 1 May 2001 12:37:34
        • It's veneer, but it's one piece..., Wes Miller, Tue, 1 May 2001 14:13:40
  • Re: 9-3 buying Recommendations, Ken Jensen, Tue, 1 May 2001 09:12:27
    • Re: 9-3 buying Recommendations, saabman4ever, Tue, 1 May 2001 13:32:53
      • "Hated the transmission", Nawus, Tue, 1 May 2001 13:46:33
        • I drove the 9-3 base auto..., WMiller, Tue, 1 May 2001 14:09:56
  • Re: 9-3 buying Recommendations, Schu, Tue, 1 May 2001 07:21:19

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