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Car Forum / Saab Cars / July 2005Looking for "Real-World" Info on 9-3 and/or 9-5
I'm considering purchasing my first "upscale" or "luxury" car and am considering Saab (either a 9-3 or a 9-5) among other manufacturers. Spending $30-$35K for a car is a considerable investment for me, but Saab caught my interest when I realized that they are part of the current GM "employee discount" promotion. On top of that, I have approx $1500 in points on my GM credit card, which (I think) could be applied to the purchase on top of the "employee discount". All of this makes Saab probably the most affordable line for me. So, I started researching Saab online, and I found references at Consumer Reports that are (unforunately) at least 18-24 months old. Although the 9-3 and 9-5 both got high marks for handling and braking, they got rather poor marks for road/wind noise and "projected" reliability. My present car is a 2001 Subaru Forester and one of my biggest complaints about it is excessive road/wind noise. So, I wouldn't want to experience the same thing with a new, more "upscale" car. And, of course, poor reliability would also be undesirable. So rather than relying on a magazine's ratings (especially regarding "projected" reliability), I'm hoping to get some real-world feedback on these 2 models from owners. Or perhaps someone can provide me some links to more recent reviews online. Are these complaints by Consumer Reports valid? Is road/wind noise excessive? Has the track record on these cars been poor with regard to reliability? How was your experience with the included routine maintenance, and with warranty work? Any thoughts about this would be appreciated. Thanks! > Saab caught my interest when I realized that they are part of the > current GM "employee discount" promotion. On top of that, I have approx > $1500 in points on my GM credit card, which (I think) could be applied > to the purchase on top of the "employee discount". All of this makes > Saab probably the most affordable line for me. Check again. Last I looked, the GM credit card points didn't count toward Saabs. > Are these complaints by Consumer Reports valid? Is road/wind noise > excessive? Has the track record on these cars been poor with regard to > reliability? How was your experience with the included routine > maintenance, and with warranty work? I have a 2004 9-3 and I wouldn't call the road/wind noise excessive. Test drive one and see for yourself though. I haven't have any problems with my car so far, but it's less than 1.5 years old. >>Saab caught my interest when I realized that they are part of the >>current GM "employee discount" promotion. On top of that, I have approx [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Test drive one and see for yourself though. I haven't have any problems > with my car so far, but it's less than 1.5 years old. Whoops! I just checked it looks you are correct that the GM Card points don't count toward Saabs. Bummer. >Whoops! I just checked it looks you are correct that the GM Card points >don't count toward Saabs. Bummer. If that hasn't discouraged you completely, check things out at a dealer. Saabs are very quiet and comfortable. Saabs also exhibit a certain European feel you won't find in most GM labels and relabels. Like all makes these days - and I include them all - there are a couple of things in every model that go south too soon. Saab reliability is very good and they are backed by a bumper to bumper 4yr/50K warranty. In my experience the dealer was willing to replace most anything except wiper blades & tires. Not sure if brakes were covered, but I know batteries and mufflers were. I don't put too much stock in C/R. Their testing methodology is flawed. Their conclusions are subjective. I wouldn't put too much stock in anything they say, good or bad. Bob > In my experience the dealer was willing to replace > most anything except wiper blades & tires. I believe wiper blades are actually covered for the first 12000 or 16000 miles. > > In my experience the dealer was willing to replace > > most anything except wiper blades & tires. > > I believe wiper blades are actually covered for the first 12000 or 16000 > miles. And you get genuine Bosch replacements for around £10 for a set of 3 on ebay ( UK ) . Graham > >Whoops! I just checked it looks you are correct that the GM Card points > >don't count toward Saabs. Bummer. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > flawed. Their conclusions are subjective. I wouldn't put too much > stock in anything they say, good or bad. I assume that C/R is like 'Which' magazine in the UK. I've likewise had cause to find fault with their testing methodology. It seems to focus on the trivial IMHO. I'd be surprised at a Saab being subject to wind noise. My 9000s are the quietest cars I've ever driven. Certain ppl have posted here that 9-3 and 9-5 models are more prone to squeaks and rattles than earlier models though. Graham > Certain ppl have posted here that 9-3 and 9-5 models are more prone to > squeaks and rattles than earlier models though. Yep...the car is brilliant in most aspects except this (and ride comfort). It's marred by various squeaks and rattles all over the place. It marrs the overall experience somewhat. However, I have found and implemented fixes for at least a few of the major squeaks/rattles, to quiet it down considerably. One fix was performed by the dealer (they had to replace the ACC fascia). The only other thing that leaves much to be desired is the ride comfort. While the stiffer suspension assists in handling/performance it leaves much to be desired for ride comfort. I have an aero with stiffer springs and 17" rims / low profile tyres. However, i test drove the arc and linears and found that they offered little to no improvement over the aero's ride quality (despite softer springs and 16" rims). Having also driven the Mercedes C-class and BMW 3-series, those offer much nicer ride comfort...much softer, yet still offer good handling/performance. And few squakes/rattles...granted they do add to the overall price tag. - tex >>Certain ppl have posted here that 9-3 and 9-5 models are more prone to >>squeaks and rattles than earlier models though. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > - tex I have 2004 9-3 Aero USA. Overall I like the car a lot. I think it is one of the best looking sedans out there. The car has an incredibly stiff unibody which I think leads to the rattles (plan to apply to documented fixes) and some skittishness over high frequency road surfaces. Then there is the issue with the passenger seat belt warning light staying on. Beyond these, the car handles excellently, is a joy to look at, and has a nice interior (bluetooth?). My Mom has a 2000 9-5 SE Wagon. It is a very nice road car. Dan > I have 2004 9-3 Aero USA Yep...same as what I have. > Overall I like the car a lot. I think it is one of the best looking > sedans out there. The car has an incredibly stiff unibody which I think > leads to the rattles (plan to apply to documented fixes) Yes...but a lot of cars today have stiff construction yet lack squeaks and rattles. If you apply the fixes yourself you begin to realize that these things could have been avoided before the car left the factory. Most are simply due to underengineering. Saab engineers should take a look at some of the homegrown fixes, a number of which actually work really well and are fairly cheap/easy to implement. > and some skittishness over high frequency road surfaces. Ya...I think the P Zeros are to blame here...they account for a big chunk of road noise/vibrations. I'm anxious to swap on some 16" rims and hopefully some quieter tires for winter. But from what I've been told, winter tires only get louder. > Then there is the issue with the passenger seat belt warning light staying > on. I've seen this on hot days though my dealer's service manager said he hadn't seen it. Who is he kidding? ;-) > Beyond these, the car handles excellently, is a joy to look at, and has a > nice interior (bluetooth?). Just not for US market :-( > My Mom has a 2000 9-5 SE Wagon. It is a very nice road car. Agreed, aside from the noisy 6 under the hood, the car is otherwise extremely quiet and comfy to drive. - tex >>I have 2004 9-3 Aero USA > [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > > - tex Is this the same GM V-6 with the timing belt issues that was in the GM900SE? . > I don't put too much stock in C/R. Their testing methodology is > flawed. Their conclusions are subjective. And yours are impartial. Name a better source. > >Whoops! I just checked it looks you are correct that the GM Card points > >don't count toward Saabs. Bummer. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > flawed. Their conclusions are subjective. I wouldn't put too much > stock in anything they say, good or bad. you could look at some european tests: http://www.whatcar.co.uk not sure if the models are the same though > Bob  SignatureRegards Stephen Hope - return address needs fewer xxs
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