1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Hi Leslie:
Sorry to hear about your love/hate relationship with the Viggen. I, too, considered a Viggen, but given the horrible traffic and road conditions in the SF Bay Area, I wanted something with a bit more rubber on the wheels, and an automatic... so I got a 2000 9-3 SE 5-door.
That SE replaced a 95 900 SE 5-door with the old V6 engine. The 9-3 SE might have the same body as the former, but they are vastly different cars.
The 900 SE was better built. Painted with clear coat everywhere, and hardly ever a rattle. A smooth, comfortable fellow, with occasional hiccups on the engine (oil leaks, timing belt issues), but otherwise one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. It was also economic - I regularly got 22-24mpg. But it was lethargic - it always felt as if there was a gear missing between 3rd and 4th... and after owning it for 10 years, I wanted at least a little change. Did I mention it was green? That's why we called it waSAABi.
The 9-3 SE has a very different character. The engine has plenty of low end torque, and the car is surprisingly quick - even when totally stock and coupled with the 4-speed automatic. The latter responds more quickly to throttle inputs, and the spread of the gears seems to be more even. However, it uses significantly more gas than the V6 (about 10%), has a tendency to jerk when run in 3rd gear, and needs oil changes twice as often as the V6. It also uses more oil.
Brakes are much, much better, but the rear suspension is ridiculously stiff, leaving you in constant motion on any uneven road. To better deal with the high engine torque under acceleration, we had to install a steering rack brace from Genuine Saab. We also added a stiffer rear sway bar (which didn't make a difference in the ride but reduced body roll and made handling more neutral (less understeer). I still wish for slightly softer shocks in the back.
The 9-3 body has no clear coat on the inside of hatch and hood, has less than perfect alignment of the doors (even though it has never had any body work done), and rattles more (even though not excessively).
I love some of the interior improvements, though - better seats with side airbags, better stereo, and more pockets (front of seats, side of console). I added burl wood door pulls that match the wood in the dash - a small change that really dresses-up the interior.
Overall, I'm still happy with the car as a cheap and fun daily driver. It's still in perfect condition (64k miles), but in some areas they took a surprising step backwards from the previous model.
If you really want a more comfortable ride AND more "ground clearance", I'd say: "Don't get an SE." The base model 9-3 might suit you best, as long as you can live without the automatic climate control.
Best of luck!!!
posted by 99.121.60...
, Sun, 18 Sep 2011 11:27:55
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
