Advice wanted on Daily Driver

Lucky · 05-15-2003, 07:12 PM

I need to get a new daily driver soon, so I don't have to use my 911 so much (there, I kept it somewhat on topic!). I never thought much of Saabs until recently... now I want one!

I'm smitten with the new Saab 9-3SS (Arc or Vector in particular), but the more I think about it the more I lean towards used since I don't want to take the depreciation hit if I can get a decent used Saab for $16,000 to $20,000.

I'd appreciate the advice of the many Saab owners on this board. What should I look for (or look out for)? I found a 2000 9-3 SE HOT automatic nearby -- is this a good car? Any typical problem areas? Are these easy to maintain (DIY)?

Thanks in advance!

axl911 · axl911's Garage

BMW E36 M3

It kicks the Saab's butt.

Lucky · 05-16-2003, 02:10 AM

Snow? I need a DD that can handle a wide range of weather. Does the M3 do well in snow?

brandett · 05-16-2003, 02:28 AM

I had a 9-3 for a copule of years, and the only thing that bothered me was the shifting, not smooth. But as you will get it with automatic i can only recommend it. Many miles between services and a strong tourqe to give you some advantages.

You can play with the Turbo if you want more boost

Jim Smolka · 05-16-2003, 03:12 AM

Worked on an 87 Saab Turbo once. Not much fun.
You could get a 964 C4 for the snow

Mongoose-99 · 05-16-2003, 03:20 AM

I suspect we're so far off topic here that somebody'll start getting upset soon but ...

I have driven one of the entry level 9-3s (2.0l low pressure turbo) for the last 2 1/2 years.

Took me a while to admit it, but it goes, handles better, and (especially) stops infinitely better than my elderly 911T. It has also been absolutely flawless, w/o so much as a single blown bulb even during that period - even when subject to regular (serious) full throttle back-roads abuse.

If I could just sort out the brakes, the suspension, and the power output of the 'T' to match , I would indeed be a happy chap ...

Glasgow 911SC · Glasgow 911SC's Garage

Aren't Saabs just Vauxhall Vectras in different clothes these days?!

Mongoose-99 · 05-16-2003, 05:11 AM

Yeah: Same floorpan - but better engine, chassis/suspension dynamics and build quality.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

My sister, my mom and I have all had Saab 900's. Fun cars, not fun to work on. Get a 964 C4.

masraum · 05-16-2003, 06:41 AM

You should get a 911, that's what I use as a daily driver. Great car, lots of fun, feels safe on the road.

Dantilla · 05-16-2003, 07:15 AM

I drove a Saab once. Hope I never have to again.

85944na · 85944na's Garage

I second the E36 M3, get some snows and you'll be fine in the winter, get a little newer one and it will have traction control, my Dad has a 97, and drove it all winter in Minnesota with 17inch Kumho summer tires.

masraum · 05-16-2003, 07:52 AM

911's kick a$$ in Rallies, what's not to love in the snow??

beepbeep · 05-16-2003, 08:05 AM

slushboxes on FWD saabs often wear out around 120kmiles, worth considering!

nhurto · 05-16-2003, 08:36 AM

Saab is now owned by General Motors. That's all I need to know to stay the hell away from them.

axl911 · axl911's Garage

Get snow tires for the M3. I have an M3, can't find a better car with 4 usable seats. As for reliability, mine has 142,000 miles. Compression are around 200 for all 6 cylinders. The only thing I have to do is change the oil and fluids.

The 964 C2 is more fun to drive though.

jhugh · 11:51 AM

If you can afford it (and it sounds like you can), then by all means get one of the used BMWs mentioned or an Audi A4 instead.

My wife and I bought a red 1998 Saab 900 SE turbo 5spd coupe last year when the 911 was out of commission for an engine/transmission rebuild. We still have it. It's a nice car, for a general getaround, get-the-groceries, drive anywhere kind of thing. It's no Porsche, but then nothing is.

PROS
- Low price. We got ours beautifully maintained and documented with 80K miles for $10K. That means the PO ate almost 70% depreciation! (uh, reason #1 not to buy a new Saab)
- Bulletproof turbo engine. For a family coupe, it's pretty hot right out of the box. It accelerates and passes well enough that I don't need to modify it, smokes most sedans on the road. And I'm not worried about reliability.
- Decent handling for a FWD car. I have Bridgestone RE730s and it came with adjustable Konis from the PO. Hangs in corners pretty well, not much body roll.
- Comfy, all the amenities. Black leather interior easy on the eyes and nostrils.
- HUGE cargo space. This thing holds more than our '73 Landcruiser wagon.

CONS
- FWD FWD FWD FWD FWD!!!! I can't believe I bought a FWD car.
- Quirky ergonomics. My wife hates the key & window controls in the center console, how you have to have it in reverse to turn it off, etc. I don't care about that stuff, but just hearing her complain about it chaps my hide.
- It's just NOT as nice in general as the Audi A4 1.8T quattro we used to have (the car we couldn't afford to keep once I'd bought the 911).

My wife is very cool to "put up" with the Saab after having the Audi, I must say. In her own words, "I love a man with a Porsche." She's a keeper! But truth be told, this Saab SET we have is an easy thing to have to put up with.

Don't let the anti-GM folks steer you away from used Saabs. It's definitely not GM-*****ty, I assure you. My neighbors have GM cars.. Vettes, Malibus, pickups and stuff. In terms of durability, build quality, features and appearance, those things are complete POS compared to our Saab. Now, reason #2 not to get a new Saab - the new 9-3 shares a chassis with the Chevy Malibu. Blecch.

Halm · 05-16-2003, 12:17 PM

We have been thinking about a new DD for a few months and last weekend my wife says "let's go look at Saab convertibles!" GREAT FUN. Test drove a 1 year old Viggen (?) model. Tons of torque. But as others have said, it is very quirky -in a good way, I think- but they depreciate like a rock, owned by GM, and a pain to work on.

In the end, better sense prevailed and we special ordered a BMW325Xi.

Lucky · 05-16-2003, 01:05 PM

Over lunch today I visited the local Saab seller... test drove a few cars, new and used. I liked a new 9-5 Linear the best in terms of ride comfort, solid feel, etc. The new 9-3SS Vector is pretty impressive, too. The used 9-3 SE I drove was OK, but clearly a used car -- boy did it have power!! Neither is a sports car, but I'm not looking for a sports car -- already got one of those.

Y'all need to understand that I'm replacing a truck, and a pretty crappy one at that, so just about any car is going to feel a heck of a lot better. I'm looking for above average power, handling, braking, room for 4 or 5, 4 doors, and decent comfort features + slushbox, all weather operation, and a price target around $18k +/- a few k.

The two leading candidates are '00 or '01 Saab 9-3 SE or '00 or '01 Acura TL. I like the Saab quirkiness, cargo space, turbo power, and scarcity -- but the Acura has some nice features and is bulletproof (and souless like almost all Honda products).

The main thing I was asking when I started this thread "is the '00 Saab 9-3 SE a good car?" So far, it seems that those with Saabs have been saying good things about their cars... those without Saabs have been bashing them or suggesting alternatives.

Thanks for all the ideas so far... keep 'em coming if ya got 'em.

jhugh · 05-16-2003, 01:12 PM

I have a Saab, and for your price range I'm suggesting alternatives...

- Audi A4
- BMW whatever

If you were in my DD price range (~$10K) I'd say consider an older Saab like mine. But for $18K you can get a used Audi A4 that is a wayyyyyyy better car than any of the Saabs or the soulless Acura you mention.

BMWs I don't know, but they seem to be overpriced. If I could afford it, I'd definitely pay that premium for a RWD car.