Well, this is what I get for starting a religious war.

"If GM decided to take the '02 9-3 platform (taken from the same Opel as the '94 GM900's) and put a Pontiac on it, would you sell your Saab because it was 'no longer a Saab'?"

Yes. I like my Saab because it's not like every other car on the road. I don't have a problem with Opel platform sharing for several reasons.

1) When's the last time you saw an Opel driving around North America?
2) I've got more respect for an Opel than any Chevy or Pontiac.

My main gripes about the 9-3SS are the following:

- Styling is very mainstream and conventional. Loss of the hatch is only part of the equation. To me the new car looks like the typical, generic 4 door sedan. I don't like it. If that's what I wanted I'd buy a Camry. Obviously this is very much a matter of personal taste, but "Saab" to me means "unconventional".

- The new engine is unproven. Again, my personal opinion, but to me "Saab" means the classic I-4. Don't bother with telling me how that engine is originally Triumph derived, etc. etc. It's been a Saab engine for 25+ years, and it's one of the most "tried and true" engines on the face of the planet as a Saab engine. One day the new engine might be too, but not today.

- To me "Saab" means "compromise". Sporty, yet practical. Distinctive, yet reliable. The 9-3SS at the current stage of evolution, in my opinion, is none of this (except maybe sporty).

So you see, by my definition of what "Saab" means, the 9-3SS just doesn't fit the bill as my previous 3 Saabs ('78 99L, '89 900S, '01 9-3SE) did.

Clearly, others may have different definitions or ideas of what "Saab" means. Buy what makes you happy!

Cheers,

'Roo

posted by 130.76.9...

• 2002 9-3SE's w/ prem pack.....Owners LOVE them?, AzureBlue, Sun, 15 Jun 2003 18:28:50
  • Re: 2002 9-3SE's w/ prem pack.....Owners LOVE them?, Brian, Mon, 16 Jun 2003 10:31:20
  • This owner LOVES the '02 9-3 (+), ChrisB, Mon, 16 Jun 2003 05:44:32
  • I love my 2001 version..., Mr. Science, Sun, 15 Jun 2003 18:49:30
    • misunderstood platform sharing again, MO, Sun, 15 Jun 2003 21:13:08
      • Platform sharing beside the point (longish), Nervousaaber, Mon, 16 Jun 2003 07:47:32
        • Well said - lawyers more eloquent than engineers! n/m, Mr. Science, Mon, 16 Jun 2003 08:40:49
      • Nothing misunderstood here..., Mr. Science, Mon, 16 Jun 2003 06:47:21 <-- Viewing This Message
        • If you knew Opels, AdamB , Mon, 16 Jun 2003 16:54:46
        • Re: Nothing misunderstood here..., MO, Mon, 16 Jun 2003 16:45:03
      • Yup, if we are to argue about how "saab" the models are, AdamB , Mon, 16 Jun 2003 01:21:03

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