WTB used Saab 9-3 but...

[Chandler]

Hi Guys ... am interested to get a set of used 9-3 aero 17 inch rims ... any idea if any place is selling? Thanks!

[Newkid]

Guys, now that the ownership of SAAB has been settled, I decided to take a look at the SAAB 9-3 2.0T Sedan going at $149888 today. Car has been Hirsch chipped up. Test drove and found the car to be comfortable and yet powerful. Question is is the price attractive, given A3 is $153K, Passat is $154K, and S60 is $150K? I have not test driven the other 2 cars, and am wondering which among the 4 cars shd I go for? My criteria is 1. handling, 2. power, 3. comfort.

 

Any views from owners or like minded bros who have tested the above cars?

 

Thanks

[Genes]

Not driven any of the the cars you have shortlisted, but if handling is your thing, these aren't exactly known to be handlers?

[Newkid]

Oh i see! Any recm for good handling cars at this price range?

[EventH]

Guys, now that the ownership of SAAB has been settled, I decided to take a look at the SAAB 9-3 2.0T Sedan going at $149888 today. Car has been Hirsch chipped up. Test drove and found the car to be comfortable and yet powerful. Question is is the price attractive, given A3 is $153K, Passat is $154K, and S60 is $150K? I have not test driven the other 2 cars, and am wondering which among the 4 cars shd I go for? My criteria is 1. handling, 2. power, 3. comfort.

 

Any views from owners or like minded bros who have tested the above cars?

 

Thanks

 

Saab is all about low/mid end torque. It's pickup will surprise most considering it is a relatively heavy car.

On the old 9-5 with stage 1 ecu flash (S button on), the pickup is really quick in ANY gear. The 9-3 should behave likewise.

I think Saabs has some of the most comfy/ergonomic seats compared to most Jap cars of that class.

To improve handling with out sacrificing too much comfort, you can choose to get a set of Bilstein B6 sports dampers (reuse stock springs).

Get a set of good tyres and the handling is pretty much foolproof.

Edited May 15, 2011 by EventH

[Genes]

Again this is all IMHO.

 

Ford Mondeo EcoBoost,

Skoda Octavia VRS,

Alfa Romeo 159,

Volkswagen Golf GTI

 

But I also think aftermarket coils will enhance the handling of the car you ultimately buy, so you need to like what you buy first. Stock to stock though, I think the Golf GTI would be the best handler, though I suspect it would not have the space that you are also looking for.

[Newkid]

thanks for your sharing. GOLF GTi is indeed a formidable car, and mighty agile in my opinion. When I tested, I experienced torque steer, quite scary actually. The roar of the engine is intrusive. Shiok for some.

 

I agree handling can be improved with shocks and coilovers. trying not to got that direction. just wanna simple chip up and stay there. don't really want to part with my hard earn $$$ for the endless poisons associated with modifying cars.

[Fourth]

Guys, now that the ownership of SAAB has been settled, I decided to take a look at the SAAB 9-3 2.0T Sedan going at $149888 today. Car has been Hirsch chipped up. Test drove and found the car to be comfortable and yet powerful. Question is is the price attractive, given A3 is $153K, Passat is $154K, and S60 is $150K? I have not test driven the other 2 cars, and am wondering which among the 4 cars shd I go for? My criteria is 1. handling, 2. power, 3. comfort.

 

Any views from owners or like minded bros who have tested the above cars?

 

Thanks

 

Between 9-3 and S60, go for the Volvo. Tuning is easily done with few options. Understand they have tuning option which keeps your warranty too. You should test drive them.

[Newkid]

yup, I shd test drive Volvo too. Looking at S60.

 

SAAB also has chip up which is under warranty. Audi also have. Think many conti cars cater for that.

[Arowana1]

Guys, now that the ownership of SAAB has been settled, I decided to take a look at the SAAB 9-3 2.0T Sedan going at $149888 today. Car has been Hirsch chipped up. Test drove and found the car to be comfortable and yet powerful. Question is is the price attractive, given A3 is $153K, Passat is $154K, and S60 is $150K? I have not test driven the other 2 cars, and am wondering which among the 4 cars shd I go for? My criteria is 1. handling, 2. power, 3. comfort.

 

Any views from owners or like minded bros who have tested the above cars?

 

Thanks

 

handling? udm liao...

[Sony]

Guys, now that the ownership of SAAB has been settled, I decided to take a look at the SAAB 9-3 2.0T Sedan going at $149888 today. Car has been Hirsch chipped up. Test drove and found the car to be comfortable and yet powerful. Question is is the price attractive, given A3 is $153K, Passat is $154K, and S60 is $150K? I have not test driven the other 2 cars, and am wondering which among the 4 cars shd I go for? My criteria is 1. handling, 2. power, 3. comfort.

 

Any views from owners or like minded bros who have tested the above cars?

 

Thanks

 

From an ex-95 driver, I would tell you to go for the 93 with the chip up if you want to stop there. But then, the current 93 is very dated and due for change soon. At the current price with Coe, your depreciation is not going to be friendly, esp when a 93 was going for 98k 2 yrs back with low Coe.

 

So for that size with price, look at passat or s60.

 

Handling is relative. Go and try it then see whether u can take it. We don't even know what car u are driving now, so how to compare.

[Sony]

Again this is all IMHO.

 

Ford Mondeo EcoBoost,

Skoda Octavia VRS,

Alfa Romeo 159,

Volkswagen Golf GTI

 

But I also think aftermarket coils will enhance the handling of the car you ultimately buy, so you need to like what you buy first. Stock to stock though, I think the Golf GTI would be the best handler, though I suspect it would not have the space that you are also looking for.

 

IMHO, I think 93 can have a go with your first 3 choices and be quite on par stock to stock.

Golf is not a good comparison as it's a hatch

[Genes]

IMHO, I think 93 can have a go with your first 3 choices and be quite on par stock to stock.

Golf is not a good comparison as it's a hatch

 

Don't get me wrong. I love the 9-3, but it seems like TS is going for a new car, in which case I feel its not quite worth the money to get the 9-3. I just feel that there are better ways to spend approximately 150k. If TS were considering a used car, I would have no qualms about recommending the 9-3, with the condition that he must be sure that it was a cared for example..

[VellfireS]

From an ex-95 driver, I would tell you to go for the 93 with the chip up if you want to stop there. But then, the current 93 is very dated and due for change soon. At the current price with Coe, your depreciation is not going to be friendly, esp when a 93 was going for 98k 2 yrs back with low Coe.

 

So for that size with price, look at passat or s60.

 

Handling is relative. Go and try it then see whether u can take it. We don't even know what car u are driving now, so how to compare.

 

From his avatar , looks like a Swift..

[Chickenbackside]

I'd have no problems buying a used 93, but a new one? It's a really old model on its last legs.

 

Yes, it is very reliable (I owned one for 4 years) but for the same money, I think there are more satisfying cars to be had.

[Newkid]

yes, I am driving Sweet Spork manual. What a wierd switch, from Jap hatch to conti sedan.

 

well, call this a mid life crisis hopefully my next car is the one that will end it all.....