I generally like to follow Consumer Reports, but when I had to shop for a new car in March of 2000 (due to an SUV taking out my Acura Integra in a parking lot), I started looking at the VW Passat and added the 9-3 to the mix when I saw many reviews compare the two.

I liked the 9-3 in the test drive and I liked the extra storage space in the hatch (the only way to get something like that in the Passat would have been to go for the wagon and I liked the look of the 9-3 better).

The more I looked into the 9-3 and researched it here on Saabnet, I found that there was some missing information in CR analysis. For one, it did not look like they had bothered to even evaluate the 2000 9-3. Their "review" in the car-buying issue referred to information for earlier year models and did not reflect any of the changes Saab made to the 9-3 in the 2000 model. They also said that the repair record was questionable even though their own charts showed it steadily improving year to year through the life of the NG900 and the 9-3.

Their other gripes seemed to be with "quirks" of the Saab (like the key on the center console) without even investigating why Saab designed it that way (for safety reasons).

So, while the 9-3 may not be as reliable as, say, a Toyota Camry, I was convinced after doing my research here that a well cared for 2000 9-3 would be reliable enough and a fun and safe car to drive. (I had also looked at newer Honda Accords but had even heard they had some quality problems.)

So far, I have had a couple of minor items on my 9-3 and one "larger" issue (the manual heater box control knob problem on the base 9-3), all of which were fixed under warranty.

I have enjoyed my 9-3 immensely in the 18 months I have had it. I am currently at almost 27,000 miles and loving every minute of it!

Mark

posted by 216.140.17...

• I'm devoted to Consumer Reports, Gary M., Tue, 16 Oct 2001 17:31:00
  • CR is ok for propping up couch, not much else, Roger (NAWC), Fri, 19 Oct 2001 08:48:50
  • Re: I'm devoted to Consumer Reports, Erik, Wed, 17 Oct 2001 20:46:36
    • Re: I'm devoted to Consumer Reports, Gary M., Thu, 18 Oct 2001 09:26:44
  • I had to deal with the same thing when I bought my 9-3, Mark Anderson, Wed, 17 Oct 2001 14:51:26 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: I had to deal with the same thing when I bought my 9-3, Gary M., Thu, 18 Oct 2001 08:26:54
      • While I think I would have been happy with a Passat..., Mark Anderson, Thu, 18 Oct 2001 15:03:40
  • CR is good for appliances, so if a car is an appliance to you..., Richard P., Wed, 17 Oct 2001 08:44:25
    • I don't think they are even good for appliances..., Bob M, Thu, 18 Oct 2001 08:09:33
    • Re: CR is good for appliances, so if a car is an appliance to you..., Gary M., Wed, 17 Oct 2001 11:21:39
  • Re: I'm devoted to Consumer Reports, Steve Holm, Tue, 16 Oct 2001 21:05:23
    • Re: I'm devoted to Consumer Reports, Gary M., Wed, 17 Oct 2001 11:19:33
  • Re: I'm devoted to Consumer Reports, Ken Jensen, Tue, 16 Oct 2001 17:49:53
    • Re: I'm devoted to Consumer Reports, Gary M., Wed, 17 Oct 2001 11:25:37
    • Re: Consumer Reports - ignore them..., Chris, Tue, 16 Oct 2001 18:52:41
      • Re: Consumer Reports - ignore them..., Gary M., Wed, 17 Oct 2001 11:14:33
      • "9.3 is so much nicer than a 900"?? what did I miss?, nickR, Tue, 16 Oct 2001 22:26:58
        • Re: 9-3 vs. 900 = Turbo, TCS..., Chris, Wed, 17 Oct 2001 09:44:04
          • yep, new car smell, nickR, Wed, 17 Oct 2001 11:54:22
            • Re: yep, gotta love that leather smell ! ahhhhh, Chris, Wed, 17 Oct 2001 18:27:27
  • CS is for the average Joe, not enthusiasts n/m, Schu, Tue, 16 Oct 2001 17:43:28

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