Yup, overall, I really liked it, but there's no way I'm trading in my Aero for one of those, I'm a hp/torque junky :-)

This is perhaps the most refined-feeling SAAB I've ever driven. The primary controls such as the brakes and steering felt as good as those in a BMW 3-series.

I think the dash looks better in real life, but as I wrote earlier, some of the plastic bits felt kinda cheap, like the handbrake. But the switchgear (buttons, knobs) was all very good, with a precise and accurate feel, and the knobs rotated with the same satisfying feel you get in a current Honda/Acura product.

The dash is quite bewildering at first, but I got used to it quickly. Then again, I'm a bit of a propellerhead :-)

Most of the controls need not be adjusted after you set them. I suppose the earlier 9-3's and 900's had a simpler dashboard, but my 9000 had a very busy center console, littered with lots of tiny buttons for the ACC, radio, and graphic equalizer! I suppose this is the antithesis of the BMW 7-series single-knob iDrive system?

Anyhow, the important controls, such as radio volume, seek, etc., are located close to the driver, with redundant controls on the steering wheel.

You're right about the manual climate control, it looks like it's out of a Focus, but it works well, and the automatic ACC version looks quite handsome on the website. There's a bit of disparity between the upper part of the dashboard, which contains high-quality controls and displays, and the lower, with the manual climate control. I suspect most of the 9-3s will be equipped with the automatic ACC anyway.

Anyhow, the car drove great, and it was very quiet at speed. VERY stable in abrupt manuevers. NVH levels are way down. A very modern-feeling car.

Overall, a "two thumbs up"!

Jason


posted by 24.46.48...

• Test drove a 2003 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan..., Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:07:35
  • Winter/Sport mode for Automatic, Doug Blank, Mon, 7 Oct 2002 12:58:16
    • Sport mode, Jason, Mon, 7 Oct 2002 18:29:45
  • SAAB's got a hot seller on their hands, and we haven't, Richard P., Mon, 7 Oct 2002 11:18:46
  • Hey, I am on Long Island, where was this??, Alex Athanasiou, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 19:25:58
    • It was in Roslyn, next weekend: Westchester/Rockland, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 19:45:54
  • Like Overall, 2 Caveats, Dan W, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 17:47:29
  • Must have been pre-prod. vehicle..., Intro, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 13:35:55
  • Thanks ...., J, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 11:59:38
    • Re: Thanks ...., Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 12:24:30
  • Re: Test drove a 2003 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan..., johnw, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 08:17:39
    • Climate knobs def look better than current 9-3's..., Alex Athanasiou, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 19:43:50
    • Re: Test drove a 2003 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan..., jimbobjoe, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 16:30:52
    • Re: Test drove a 2003 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan..., Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 12:41:37 <-- Viewing This Message
  • dashboard, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 04:54:23
    • How could you not like that dash compared to curr 9-3.., Richard P., Mon, 7 Oct 2002 11:15:14
  • Thanks for the nice picts Jason, KB88900T, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 04:26:36
  • Wow! Thanks for pics, Jason! I NEED that car! n/m, Adrian, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 04:05:51
  • side view, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:33:45
  • rear view, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:26:15
  • steering wheel, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:24:44
  • storage compartment under the armrest, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:21:58
  • mirror, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:20:43
  • closeup of ignition key and keyhole, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:18:47
  • ashtray, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:16:49
    • no ACC? n/m, Aero'ed, Mon, 7 Oct 2002 12:47:27
      • Re: no ACC? n/m, Doug Blank, Mon, 7 Oct 2002 13:03:52
  • center section, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:13:44
    • one side is ebrake, what is other side? n/m, Phil, Mon, 7 Oct 2002 23:11:10
      • just a cover... (+), Jason, Tue, 8 Oct 2002 01:39:38
        • It's a place for special things!, Stephen Goldberger, Fri, 18 Oct 2002 20:50:47
  • rear cupholders, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:11:41
  • engine, Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:09:57
    • Re: engine, compaqted, Mon, 7 Oct 2002 08:39:54
      • Don't wonder ... subscribe to NINES :-), Stephen Goldberger, Fri, 18 Oct 2002 20:48:32
      • Don't be fooled - it is not the same., Doug Blank, Mon, 7 Oct 2002 13:01:45
  • Re: Test drove a 2003 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan..., Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 03:08:46

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.

• Prev by Date: Re: Thanks ...., Jason, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 12:24:30
• Next by Date: Black Wax - any users?, John Davies, Sun, 6 Oct 2002 12:42:48
• Main General Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2026 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)