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First three weeks with the 9-3
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Posted by Nicole (more from Nicole) on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:30:34 Share Post by Email
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I really enjoy this car and getting to know it. Strangely, I never felt like this with my old 1995 900 SE V6. I enjoyed the 900, but I was never excited about it. It was just a practical and comfortable mode of transportation.

The 9-3 is different. It feels so much more powerful, handles and brakes better, but is also a bit stiff over short bumps. It has some desirable new features, but obviously is more complex at the same time.

On the downside, the 9-3 doesn't seem to be as well made. Unless I'm fooled by the 900s darker color, the panel gaps on the 9-3 are much less precise. Body panels just don't seem to fit as nicely as on other cars I have seen and owned.

And while the 900 had clear coat everywhere, the 9-3 lacks it in many not-so-obvious places (e.g. the areas under the hatch and in the trunk, or the sides of the hood). Also, some interior trim pieces seem to be warped or don't seem to fit well otherwise. There is a rattle in the right rear of the body that I haven't found, yet. The rear bumper is narrower than the body at the wheel arches - very strange.

But that's all forgotten when I drive the car. The dash is so much "cleaner" looking than on most newer cars, the better seats, the extra power, the more responsive brakes - the whole package is just so much more refined. The leather is still soft after 10 years and 48k miles.

I'm having fun while learning and bonding. So far I did the following:

- Cleaned, cleaned, cleaned. There was some brownish discoloration at the drivers side door panel that I only got off with simple green
- Adjusted interior and trunk trim pieces - sometimes they overlapped the wrong way, or were out of position
- Inspected drivers side seat belt for dirt (removed covers etc) and cleaned
- Removed and reinstalled both headlights - one because it had a bent mounting tab and was out of position, the other I removed and cleaned the glass because it was very foggy. Adjusted aiming
- Replaced all amber turn signal bulbs with chromed ones
- Replaced Hood and Hatch shocks (those are surprisingly expensive!)
- Installed power inverter and wiring for Valentine1 Radar detector (wire now exits at the rear mirror)
- Touched-up a few scrateches/chips with Dr. ColorChip (doesn't seem to work well on silver)
- Polished the exhaust tip (was full of tar and crud at the top - it took a lot of tar remover to get this all off
- Adjusted the door locks such that the doors close flush with the body (they were all out a hint)
- Adjusted the rubber bumpers at the hatch, so the hatch doesn't close too low and hit the tail light
- Ordered new rims and tires, as well as clear front turn signal units and smoked side flashers (didn't know they are also available in clear)
- and many little details...

Now I'm waiting for the rain to end, so I can give it a full exterior detail. I'm thinking of clay bar treatment, followed by Rejex.

On the mechanical end, I'll have to have the spark plugs checked, but might do that with the 50k mile service. There are no leaks, and everything is working as designed.

Now I'm waiting for my friend to come get the 1995 900. We plan to do a wrenching party with him, to help him replace the radiator on that car (has a slow leak). Maybe we can get a few more Saab enthusiasts together to exchange knowledge and have some fun. This will be in San Jose, CA, some time in February.

I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK EVERYONE HERE WHO HAS ANSWERED MY MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS AND THE PREVIOUS SAAB. I TRULY APPRECIATE IT!


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