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9-3 vs. Monte Carlo
Posted by Coney1951 (more from Coney1951) on Sun, 19 Dec 1999 22:22:26
In Reply to: , Kok Chen, Sat, 17 Dec 1988 12:00:00

A few months ago I submitted a post describing the recent repair costs
on my '92 9000T. I was planning to buy a new 9-3 coupe this spring, but the
unexpected repairs have soured me a bit. Surely any vehicle with over
100,000 miles on it can be expected to need repairs-but I felt that my
expenses ($3000+) over the past 18 months were excessive. So much so, that
for the first time since 1979, I am considering defecting to the other
side. So it was with great interest that I read the posting by the member
who reported on the review done by Speedvision on the 2000 9-3 coupe and
the 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Yes-that's right, I am considering a Monte
Carlo-specifically an SS model.
Now, I don't consider myself a member of the 'great unwashed' and have
always despised the older RWD Montes and most GM products in 'general'
(NPI). However, we all need to keep an open mind. Fifteen years ago when I
taught HS Auto Mechanics, many of my students would comment on my strange
Saabs-they always derided anything that was different. Heck, if they liked
Chevys, Fords were 'Found On Road Dead'. If they liked Fords it was 'First
On Race Day'. Such closed-mindedness always irked me and often indicated
other prejudices as well. Fifteen years ago there was little competition
for Saab in the FWD market and virtually none in 1979 when I bought my
first Saab- a 1978 99 EMS. Keeping an open mind, I did a comparison of the
9-3 and Monte Carlo SS using the Intellichoice pages on Cars.com as well as
information from Edmunds.com and Carpoint.com. In addition, I have driven
both cars-although the test drive of the manual transmission 1999 9-3 was
in May '99 and the automatic 2000 Monte Carlo in November '99 so therefore
my impressions of each in comparison are too vague to comment upon. And
although I really like the look of the new Monte Carlo, I am nonplused over
the Saab-tastes like you actual mileage may vary. In fact, my purchase of a
9-3 would be based more on brand loyalty and less on the 'wow' factor that
motivates most people buy. That said, I still turn back after getting out
of my 9000 to admire its unique and attractive look. Now to the comparo-
First of all, based upon price, these two cars are not in the same
league. I have developed my comparison on similarly optioned cars. On the
Saab I have priced out leather heated seats and CD player. The Monte Carlo
SS heated leather seating option includes the required power seats which
the Saab does not. In addition to get the heated outside mirrors which are
standard on the Saab, the SS requires that you purchase an option package
that includes a power driver seat (required to get the leather), auto
dimming inside mirror, vehicle information center (trip computer,
thermometer, compass, garage door/security transmitter. Equipped as closely
as possible, the Saab costs $29,395 retail and $27,432 invoice. Prices
include the destination charges. The Chevrolet costs $24,204 retail and
$22,146 invoice. That's a difference of over $5000. My guess is that you
could buy the Chevy closer to invoice than the Saab-although I haven't
haggled for either at the dealers.
Second item of comparison is the powertrain. The Chevy isn't available
with a manual, so the comparison prices include the automatic on the 9-3.
Engine sizes of the two are quite disparate. The Chevy has a 3.8L V-6 while
the Saab has a 2.0L I-4. Horsepower figures are close at 200 and 185
respectively. So is torque at 225 and 194. I don't have a torque output
graph for the Saab, but the Chevy's is virtually flat between 1000 and 6000
rpm-never dropping below 200 lb./ft. Test drives of the 9-3 by some
(Edmund's, et. al), report that the 2.0L needs to really be spooled up to
get decent off the line acceleration. Now I have always preferred inline
four cylinder engines to V-sixes, especially in transverse layouts, but
most of the industry, (even Saab's 9-5) has gone to the V-6 in the midsize
class. The Chevrolet V-6 won't be as economical you say? Not true-the EPA
figures for the Chevy are 19/29(auto) while those for the 350 lb. lighter
Saab are 20/25(auto) and only 20/27(manual). Now this begs the
question-What are the advantages of a turbocharged four when compared to a
normally aspirated V-6? Saab has always made much about the turbo four
giving the economy of a 4 cylinder under light load with the power of a
small V-8 when pushed. This has been true with my high pressure turbo
Saabs-but economy and 0-60 times of the new Ecopower engine don't seem to
deliver that promise. I don't have the latest figures, but I recall 0-60
for the Chevy at about 7.3 seconds and the Saab about 7.8. Handling and
cornering power as rated on Motor Trend's slalom were also pretty close
Third item of comparison is size. This is important to me since I am
6'4' and weigh about 230 with my winter weight. Saabs have always fitted me
well. Their high roof accommodates my long torso build. Japanese cars have
never worked for me. The Accords, Maximas and Camrys just don't feel right.
Both the Chevy and Saab are in the midsize segment of the market. Headroom
and legroom are within 1.5' inches of each other for both cars. Shoulder
and hip room are about 5' better on the Chevy-but since I can fit
comfortably in either car, there is no advantage for the SS's greater
width. Both have fold down rear seats, but the Chevy's is split. Both cars
have huge trunks, but the Saab's hatchback design may be an advantage if
you don't have a second vehicle such as a pickup, van or SUV. (BTW- A Saab
can hold 20 bags of cow manure-but how many of us would really do that?)
Fourth item is safety and equipment. The Saab offers side impact air
bags, height adjustable seatbelts, rear head restraints, cornering lights,
headlamp wiper/washers, rear wiper, rear fog lamp, passenger side express
down window, center mounted parking brake and console mounted ignition
switch. The Chevrolet cannot be bought with any these. However, it does
have an instrument panel mounted ignition switch, tire pressure monitoring
system, traction control, battery rundown protection, RDS emergency
information radio system, dual climate controls, stainless steel exhaust
system, oil pressure and voltmeter gauges, outside temperature gauge and
compass, and tilt steering wheel. Both vehicles offer cabin air filters.
Last item is warranty. The Saab has a 48/50,000 basic warranty while
the Chevy's is 3/36,000. Both are a far cry from the 6/80,000 on my '92
9000T. Rust through warranties for both are 6 years-although Saab's is
unlimited mileage while Chevy's is 100,000 years. In either case, rust
perforation in six years seems unlikely given the rust resistance of my
present and previous Saabs and the all galvanized body panels (except the
roof) of the Monte Carlo.
Most reviews have said that neither car is spectacular-they would have
us drive one of the Japanese big three. Many have chided the Saab for its
'Saabness' and many have said the 'what the Monte Carlo really needs is a
V-8 and rear wheel drive'. I have found neither to be true. While we all
know that Saab's concern with safety has been the raison d'être for many of
the design choices, how many of us would be driving Saabs today if they
were underpowered and unaesthetically pleasing? I for one, have always been
drawn to Saab for their 'form follows function' philosophy, good ergonomics
and their refusal to copy the latest trends. Well, that's it- I pay my
money and take my choice. The next few months will help me to decide.
==================
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Posts in this Thread:

StateOfNine.com
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Jak Stoll Performance
M Car Covers
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