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Non-Conformist; Saab `quirks' continue in 9-3 sedan.(Auto File)
Though it makes many a Swede at Saab shudder, ``quirky'' is how many AutoFile respondents described their 9-3s.
Readers told us they feared General Motors ownership would homogenize the brand, eliminating those special somethings that make a Saab a Saab-like the console-mounted ignition switch. One owner, pleased overall with his car, said, ``Pinch me, am I dreaming? Do I own a GM? Wowsers!'' But fear not, the new-generation 9-3 retains enough oddity to satisfy even die-hard Saab lovers.
The question is whether the 9-3 can compete with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Volvo S60, not to mention models from Infiniti, Acura and Lexus. This was the aim Saab claimed for its latest 9-3 sedan-yes, sedan, not hatchback. After our track tests, we'd say the jury is still out.
Saab claims a 0-to-60-mph time for the Vector model (the other two models in the 9-3 lineup are the 175-hp Arc and Linear) of less than seven seconds, but we never came close. Our best time was 7.58 seconds, more than a half-second slower than our most recent run in a 193-hp, six-cylinder BMW 328i. Though the Saab has fewer cubic inches underhood, its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four pumps out 210 hp and 221 lb-ft.
But all that low-end torque made for lots of wheelspin, with the turbo boost falling off between shifts further impacting times. While owners reported noticing little turbo lag-one of those Saab quirks that has all but disappeared, along with much of its nasty torque steer-our test car seemed to take a while for the turbo to spool up. Our best run was made not by watching the tach for shift points, rather by watching the boost gauge. Once the needle started to drop, we shifted.
Speaking of shifting, another Saab quirk is a rubbery shifter that caused some missed shifts in this six-speed manual transmission, described by one tester as ``awful.'' Our test car was a pre-production Vector. None of our readers made any negative comments regarding the gearbox-some even raved about it, one saying, ``The [shifter] is excellent, with crisp, ...
- SAAB PERFORMANCE TEAM SHOWCASES SPIRITED PRECISION DRIVING DURING NORTH...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire October 16, 1995 700+ words
...has been a member of the Saab Automobile AB technical...He currently works in Saab's test car workshop, and often participates...Pennholm, 42, has worked at Saab Automobile AB for 20 years...technical department's test car workshop. This ace driver...
- Rear View Mirrror: THE WHOLE NINE YARDS; SAAB 9-3 1.9 TID Saab's 9-3 diesel is...
- Newspaper article from: The Mirror (London, England) March 4, 2005 700+ words
...firms products. Saab are new to the increasingly...diesel though and the test car, a 9-3 1.9 TiD...slightly quirky, very Saab. For the money I...journey's, the test car being trimmed with...hard to cause the Saab any sort of upset...speed surfaces the test car ...
- Saab gets more attention but still not enough.
- Newspaper article from: San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service) July 10, 2002 700+ words
...equipment. Turbo-charging gives Saab engines nice performance, though...I've always liked the way Saab designs a dashboard, but its...more Subaru than stylish. Our test car, painted a shade of silver...brakes, traction control, Saab's stability control system...
- Saab's new 9-2X an AWD delight.(AUTO WEEKEND)
- Newspaper article from: The Washington Times August 6, 2004 700+ words
...prospective owner to decide, though Saab customers likely come from a...Subaru enthusiasts. The tested Saab 9-2X Aero, with the turbo...windows and outside mirrors. The test car had a $1,950 option package...high-performance tires. The Saab designers and engineers have...
- Saab gets more attention but still not enough.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Nauman, Matt July 12, 2002 700+ words
...equipment. Turbo-charging gives Saab engines nice performance, though...I've always liked the way Saab designs a dashboard, but its...more Subaru than stylish. Our test car, painted a shade of silver...brakes, traction control, Saab's stability control system...
- Saab Still Plays It Safe
- Newspaper article from: The Washington Post Warren Brown January 14, 1994 700+ words
...I got was a nice-enough Saab with four doors and a hatchback...a shining example of the Saab 900's first extensive revision...always been a hallmark of Saab engineering. Certainly that was the case in the test car. It came with dual air bags...
- Internal Logic; While Saab has always marched to a different drummer, the 900SE...
- Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Gilbert, John April 12, 1997 700+ words
...utility and safety of the Saab 900SE four-door make it a...corners combine to make the Saab a high-performance sedan...and the Lexus ES300. The test car's sticker was $31,520...engines are supercharged. 1/3 Saab 900 SE 4 1/2 Out of a possible...
- Saab fights back with 9-3 sport sedan.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)
- Newspaper article from: Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service Nauman, Matt November 29, 2002 700+ words
...its 140,000 forecast. U.S. Saab sales, 32,290 so far in 2002...This time, it's crucial to Saab's future. Available now, the...the unusual paint color of our test car _ a milky blue that Saab calls dolphin gray _ got any comment...