My test drives of 9-3 Linears

I am sorry to hear this about the quality of the 2003/2004 9-3s. For that price, you would think these issues would have been eliminated. Did you test drive any other Saab 9-3s, just in case you might have found two lemons?

I prefer the Classic Saabs, primarily because the design. I have not noticed the squirrelly handling and suspension noise with my Classics that you found with the new 9-3s - and my Classic have well over 100,000 miles each.

What do you mean by "gas hungry"? I get 26 mpg (US) with a 900 SPG in combined city/highway driving.

Two years ago I tested a demo 9-3 with 17" wheels and thought it unacceptably harsh. This was on normal country roads in Norfolk, UK, decently maintained with odd pots and gouges here and there. Conditions limited sane driving to maybe 55 mph. I was assured the 16" were softer but never had a chance to see for myself.

Does "squirrelly" == harsh or just excessively lively?

-- Andrew Stephenson

Quite surprised to hear that, is it only the Linear? Possibly a car with brand new tires is more noisy? Did you try a model with more mileage on it?

Road noise isn't really acceptable in a premium class car. One thing I enjoy in my 1993 9000 CSE is the lack of (intrusive) road noise. Actually, I never think of it as it's not an issue. This is my problem; you never know that you have a good car before you try another one.

Try a 9-5, or try an earlier model year. Saab certified gives you a

100K mile/6 year warranty. Perhaps the earlier ones are a bit less GM'd up.

Harvey

The two samples, except as noted, drove similarly. There was nothing about them I would describe as lemon-like. Their characteristics//unexpected noises as noted did not appeal to me and perhaps could be cured with dealer adjustment. As a matter of fact the sales manager told me the dealership bought back two cars with 17's, so unhappy were the owners. And he offered to swap 16's onto the 2003 at no charge. He did not dispute the road noise. He suggested I try a 9-5, but after having read complaints about excessive road noise above 60 mph in it, I declined citing unacceptable depreciation issues.

I found it very easy to burn gas quickly when pressing the vehicle to accelerate and drive fast. The fuel gauge indicator seemed to drop as fast as the one in the hungry eight cylinder engined vehicle which I frequenly "push". As it should. The slushbox undoubtedly did not help matters any. Very easy to trash the EPA ratings. I simply thought that it would be more economical even when thrashed somewhat, what with the engine size. But I suppose to generate that much power from that size engine, it would required respectable amounts of fuel under turbo-charged conditions.

Bottom line: if the road noise was (largely) absent, I would be driving it next week.

The 16's are definitely softer. I did not find the 17's too harsh, although they were harsher. But it did not ride anywhere near as harsh as a Lincoln LS with 17's. That one is harsh.

Not anywhere near enough sound-deadening. Perhaps the pre-GM units are quieter, but I prefer the styling of the GM's. It's too bad they are running the show, because in my thinking they've largely ruined what could be a much more successful and pleasing automobile.

That being said I must agree with you, as my present vehicle , which stickered for U$4,000 less two years ago, is much quieter. I have a newfound respect for it.

I really would like to drive the 9-5, but I will not spend at that level due to rapid depreciation issues (I tend to trade about every three years). Perhaps a lease would make more sense. Also, I have read complaints of intrusive road noise above 60 mph in the 9-5. I do not remember which model year the author referred to.

Given its present direction, GM may end up poisoning the whole line of vehicles with their mindless cost-cutting. Too bad to ruin Saab. I feel gyped.

I posted this on a Saab forum some time ago after getting my new Continental

17" ContiExtreme All Season. It might apply here.

Just got back from my getting my new ContiExtreme AS put on. My initial thoughts based on just riding around town is that these tires live up to the high expectations I had for them.

First of all, they are quiet. Now I can REALLY hear the passenger-side window rattle! But seriously, they are noticably quieter around town and at highway speeds. Second, they seem better able to take the rigors of the bumps and road irregularities much better than the stock Pirelli's. With the Pirelli's I noticed hitting any decent size bump would jar the steering wheel in my hands. The Conti's seem more forgiving and shock absorbant even when hitting some of the same bumps that I travel daily.

In all, the harsh Vector ride just got a little smoother, thanks to these seemingly fine tires.

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I got an off-lease 2000 9-5. You might be able to find a 2001 9-5. I don't think the road noise at 70+ is excessive, although I will say that much of the noise can be (and is) tire noise.

The price for the 9-5 was reasonable enough, all things considered. I will not be trading my car in after 3 years. I intend to drive the car (32K miles when bought) well over 100K miles. It all depends on what you want to do, and how you want to do it.

I've compared the Saab with a mitsubishi Eclipse (98 model), and there's no comparison (unfavorable to the Saab) in ride, cargo capacity (except for the hatchback), sound system, ride, control, comfort, road noise, accelleration, etc... (It's what I was driving).

Nor does it compare unfavorably with the '96 volvo that my wife drives. I can drive the Saab about 30% further than the Volvo without a break. We averaged over 30 MPG on a trip almost 2000 miles, and the Saab runs on mid-grade as well.

I would think that this would be an important thing to track down.

Well, perhaps you're looking at something a bit too "new".

Harvey