Anyone here have a '03/'03 Saab?

[adamred]

Hey there:
I need to replace my non-Pcar with a decent sedan that can haul the kiddies occasionally, employees often, and me in comfort and some style without breaking my bank account.

Test drove a 2003 9-3 linear at lunch, seemed pretty nice to me and very fast. My favorite option is the free scheduled maintenance every 10K. for 3 years.

Anyone have an opinion?

Oh and before we go down the buy a 1990 MB with 500,000 miles I've done that (1995 Volvo with 125K and 23 year old P-car) for the past several years and frankly its time for Adam to get a NEW car. I love the oldies but I need realiability and hassle free....

TIA

Adam

[adamred]

Oops sorry the title should have read '03/'04 or '03 9-3 Saab!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Remember Saab is GM now.

I was pretty impressed with the MB C32 AMG. 4 years free service, too.

[Stanley]

check out this motor trend article http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedan/112_0307_30k/index4.htm
They test the 2004 Acura TSX, 2003 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor and 2003 Saab 93 Arc. Another car you might want to consider is the G35 Sedan.

[adamred]

Blue:
When I sat in the car I said to myself try to find the GM clues here, how has this car become like a Chevy malibu and I'll tell you it feels like a european car....

Thanks for the link Scott

[turbo6bar]

Originally posted by adamred
I love the oldies but I need realiability and hassle free....

If it ain't gonna be German, there is only one: TOYOTA.

Jürgen

[Nabeel]

I'd go with an Audi A4 Quattro. More fun than the Saab, and quattro is useful for all types of weather conditions. BMW 3-series is also woth a look, but they can get pricey really quickly if you add a few options. Infiniti G35 also looks very impressive.

[wckrause]

I'm looking at picking up a new 2003 Acura TL. You can get them pretty cheap at around $26K for the base model, or $28K for the Type S. They come fully loaded at that price with the only option being a nav system. The 2004 TL's are redesigned, and dealers are discounting the 2003s.

[JavaBrewer]

Do Saab's still have the ignition key in-between the front seats? Back in 1982 I was shopping for my first car and test drove a Saab 99 turbo - with those funky star wars wheels. I thought the car was great but it was $5000 over my budget. I ended up getting a used Datsun truck. Thinking back that was probably the safest thing I could have done!

[JavaBrewer]

Back in the early 80's it was Firebirds and Camaro's - how could you not like one of these -

[adamred]

Yeah the key is still between the seats, makes the 911 key placement look normal!

Still looking around, just not finding a lot that I like within my budget....Accord, Altima, Camry, I just really don't want to cross the $30K line

[wckrause]

You should really look at the Acura TL Type S.

260 hp, HID lights, 6 disc in dash CD, all leather, sunroof, heated power seats driver and passenger, Bose Audio much more for about $28K

[Lucky]

I did the need-a-new DD this spring... near the top of my list was the new Saab 9-3SS (Arc or Vector). I was pretty set on leasing the 9-3SS when I decided to try the 9-5. I was suprised how much more substantial the 9-5 felt and how well it rode while still handling well and being fun to drive. I ended up buying a certified pre-owned 2000 9-5 for about 2/3's the cost of a new 9-3SS and have full Saab bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage until 4/2006 or 100k miles!

If you do go the 9-3SS route, I suggest: 1) LEASE (do not buy), 2) at end of lease, if you absolutely love the car and want to keep it another couple of years, then negotiate down the buy-back price (most are able to currently get $1000 to $2000 below the lease residual) and then ask your dealer to certify the car for the CPO warranty!

[adamred]

Thanks John for the advise re Saabs. I definintely will be leasing and will most probably just turn it in at the end.

I'll go look at that Acura you all have me convinced..

Adam

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I've always loved the old saw about getting Saab parts from the factory:

"They put the parts on the dock in Sweden and wait for continental drift to delivery them to their destination port."