07 Saab 9-3 2.0T or 08 Subaru Impreza 2.5I

[Mide]

So I'm down to 2 cars I want. Both handle well and both get similar MPG. I'll be buying used and can get similar prices on both (18k). I'll be driving an automatic and it'll be in Reno so there is snow during the winter. I already know that a ton of people will jump on the fact that Saabs are usually unreliable cars...but damn is it good looking and it has turbo. Yes, I also know that I could get a WRX and it would be a more direct comparison but that would be more expensive and I heard that a WRX with an automatic is a lame duck. Anyone's $.02 would be appreciated. Here is the breakdown of information:

2008 Subaru Impreza Wagon (Used 8k) (Warranty ends at 36k)
Pros
*Good in snow; AWD
*More Practical; moving stuff with the hatch
*More expensive insurance (Imprezas...don't know why)
Cons
*No 5th gear with the automatic so highway driving has less MPG

2007 Saab 9-3 2.0T (Used 28k) (Warranty ends at 50k)
Pro
*Would get to experience Turbo
*Would get to experience a real Saab and see if it's all that it's cracked out to be.
*Leather
*Cheaper insurance than the Subaru
*Slightly better gas mileage (Subaru 20/27mpg) (Saab 19/28mpg)
Cons
*Premium gas
*Questionable reliability

 

[NutBucket]

Your logic eludes me.

A 9-3 turbo with a slushbox is somehow better than a WRX with a slushox? Cut the crap and just get the turbo Subie. Torque steer sucks ass.

If you're concerned about the 4-speed in the WRX, you could EASILY get a Legacy turbo for 18k. That car has a 5-speed auto. And, it would have leather and cheaper insurance than a WRX. And if you really want everything, get the Legacy turbo wagon. From what I can tell it ticks off every check box on your want list.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

SaabCentral - All you need to know about Saabs

I own a '06 9-3 Aero V6 2.8L Turbo 6MT

I really like my car. Super comfy, lots of luxury features.

Saabs come with free scheduled maintenance for 3/36 and a 4/50 warranty. Is there a Saab dealer in Reno?

With the 5spd Auto you will get 28+mpg hwy.

Trunk is quite large as well. They are relaible, the 2003's got a bum wrap as it was the first year of intorduction, but all the quirks were resolved.

Torque steer is not bad at all. Drive a FWD Nissan with the 3.5 and you will know bad Torque steer.

 

[Mide]

Not a Legacy Turbo that is a 08 at 18k. I like having a smaller car, not a fullsize sedan like the Legacy is. I guess I should've mentioned that I am a fan of the 08 exterior redesign of the Impreza. If I could get a WRX for the same price in the same year then I'd be all over it.

Fmr12B - Yes Reno does have a Saab dealership so I'm all squared away in terms of maintenance.

edit: google searched for some definitions.

 

[iamwiz82]

Have you looked for a used Saab 9-2x?

 

[Mide]

I used to own that car. A friend really wanted it so I sold it to him when I left the country for work. It was nice, but I still didn't like the rear on the Saabaru/Impreza Wagon

 

[Funyuns101]

I hope that the Impreza you're looking at include the "Premium Package" which includes things like rear disc brakes, audio wheel controls, stability/traction control, etc
When I was getting quotes for a new one (albeit manual) they were around: $17.5k

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: Mide
I like having a smaller car, not a fullsize sedan like the Legacy is.

From MSN Autos:

• Length x Width x Height (rounded)
  
  2007 Legacy: 186 x 68 x 56
  2007 Saab 9-3: 183 x 69 x 57
  2008 Impreza Wagon: 174 x 69 x 58

The 9-3 is almost the same size as the Legacy sedan.

 

[alpineranger]

Reno is at a pretty high altitude and if you don't go with a turbo (or supercharger), you will experience a significant performance loss from the low air density. I don't think the saab will ruin you with unreliability but the subaru is more practical. I go to Lake Tahoe often (from the Bay Area) and I would probably go with the subaru for the hatch and the awd, but if I was staying around reno I would probably pick the saab.

 

[Mide]

Originally posted by: alpineranger
Reno is at a pretty high altitude and if you don't go with a turbo (or supercharger), you will experience a significant performance loss from the low air density. I don't think the saab will ruin you with unreliability but the subaru is more practical. I go to Lake Tahoe often (from the Bay Area) and I would probably go with the subaru for the hatch and the awd, but if I was staying around reno I would probably pick the saab.

Yeah I pondered that too. Lots of people in Reno are outdoorsy folk and like to go to Tahoe for snowboarding and such; I'm not one of them so I would most likely just be camped out in Reno

Originally posted by: kalrith

Originally posted by: Mide
I like having a smaller car, not a fullsize sedan like the Legacy is.

From MSN Autos:

• Length x Width x Height (rounded)
  
  2007 Legacy: 186 x 68 x 56
  2007 Saab 9-3: 183 x 69 x 57
  2008 Impreza Wagon: 174 x 69 x 58

The 9-3 is almost the same size as the Legacy sedan.

Ah, I didn't actually do the calculations on the volume. My impression was that it was larger; my mistake.

Originally posted by: Funyuns101
I hope that the Impreza you're looking at include the "Premium Package" which includes things like rear disc brakes, audio wheel controls, stability/traction control, etc
When I was getting quotes for a new one (albeit manual) they were around: $17.5k

Yup it did. My build with a auto tranny put it at 20,640MSRP. I would want t used one to get it to 18k or maybe if the dealership is desperate.

 

[Baked]

You forgot to add "Feels like piloting a jet" for the Saab.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I just picked up a 2008 9-3 2.0T as a rental as mine is in the shop having some moonroof clips replaced.

And I'll be heading up to Reno for the holiday weekend to relax.

I'll provide a full report. The Aero package is whats missing on the rental and man do I miss those sport seats. These are OK, but the sports seats in two-tone are great compared to these.

 

[sniperruff]

legacy GT ftw

 

[Funyuns101]

Originally posted by: Mide

Originally posted by: alpineranger
Reno is at a pretty high altitude and if you don't go with a turbo (or supercharger), you will experience a significant performance loss from the low air density. I don't think the saab will ruin you with unreliability but the subaru is more practical. I go to Lake Tahoe often (from the Bay Area) and I would probably go with the subaru for the hatch and the awd, but if I was staying around reno I would probably pick the saab.

Yeah I pondered that too. Lots of people in Reno are outdoorsy folk and like to go to Tahoe for snowboarding and such; I'm not one of them so I would most likely just be camped out in Reno

Originally posted by: kalrith

Originally posted by: Mide
I like having a smaller car, not a fullsize sedan like the Legacy is.

From MSN Autos:

• Length x Width x Height (rounded)
  
  2007 Legacy: 186 x 68 x 56
  2007 Saab 9-3: 183 x 69 x 57
  2008 Impreza Wagon: 174 x 69 x 58

The 9-3 is almost the same size as the Legacy sedan.

Ah, I didn't actually do the calculations on the volume. My impression was that it was larger; my mistake.

Originally posted by: Funyuns101
I hope that the Impreza you're looking at include the "Premium Package" which includes things like rear disc brakes, audio wheel controls, stability/traction control, etc
When I was getting quotes for a new one (albeit manual) they were around: $17.5k

Yup it did. My build with a auto tranny put it at 20,640MSRP. I would want t used one to get it to 18k or maybe if the dealership is desperate.

Well, the Legacy is considered "small" in the ever-growing car market considered it goes against bigger cars in the Camry and Accord (not to mention that new Mazda6).
The LGT would probably fit the bill for you.
Not sure what you have against the "SAABaru" since you owned one... was it the 2.5i or the Aero/WRX? If the latter, then you may be unsatisfied w/the plain-Jane Impreza.

Obviously I'm bias as I don'tl like SAAB's w/their supposed unreliability...
checkout some of the subie forums like NASIOC - this thread actually reports MPG for Impreza models... link

 

[Funyuns101]

wah, double post

 

[DougK62]

Well, I wouldn't call the newer 9-3 a "real" Saab since it's mostly a GM car. If you want a "real" Saab check out the 9-5.

The newer Saab's don't have bad torque steer at all. They just get a bum rap because the old 9-3 Viggen is the king of torque steer.

 

[Mide]

Originally posted by: Funyuns101

Originally posted by: Mide

Originally posted by: alpineranger
Reno is at a pretty high altitude and if you don't go with a turbo (or supercharger), you will experience a significant performance loss from the low air density. I don't think the saab will ruin you with unreliability but the subaru is more practical. I go to Lake Tahoe often (from the Bay Area) and I would probably go with the subaru for the hatch and the awd, but if I was staying around reno I would probably pick the saab.

Yeah I pondered that too. Lots of people in Reno are outdoorsy folk and like to go to Tahoe for snowboarding and such; I'm not one of them so I would most likely just be camped out in Reno

Originally posted by: kalrith

Originally posted by: Mide
I like having a smaller car, not a fullsize sedan like the Legacy is.

From MSN Autos:

• Length x Width x Height (rounded)
  
  2007 Legacy: 186 x 68 x 56
  2007 Saab 9-3: 183 x 69 x 57
  2008 Impreza Wagon: 174 x 69 x 58

The 9-3 is almost the same size as the Legacy sedan.

Ah, I didn't actually do the calculations on the volume. My impression was that it was larger; my mistake.

Originally posted by: Funyuns101
I hope that the Impreza you're looking at include the "Premium Package" which includes things like rear disc brakes, audio wheel controls, stability/traction control, etc
When I was getting quotes for a new one (albeit manual) they were around: $17.5k

Yup it did. My build with a auto tranny put it at 20,640MSRP. I would want t used one to get it to 18k or maybe if the dealership is desperate.

Well, the Legacy is considered "small" in the ever-growing car market considered it goes against bigger cars in the Camry and Accord (not to mention that new Mazda6).
The LGT would probably fit the bill for you.
Not sure what you have against the "SAABaru" since you owned one... was it the 2.5i or the Aero/WRX? If the latter, then you may be unsatisfied w/the plain-Jane Impreza.

Obviously I'm bias as I don'tl like SAAB's w/their supposed unreliability...
checkout some of the subie forums like NASIOC - this thread actually reports MPG for Impreza models... link

I really don't have anything against the 9-2x other than the fact that it is no longer made. I had the 2.5i with premium and cold weather package so that had leather and heated seats. I purchased it because GM was giving out their "employee pricing" on all GM vehicles so it was a good deal for 19k. These days Subaru dealerships don't "treat" it like a Subaru even though everything inside of it is a Subaru and Saab dealerships don't treat it like a real Saab either. It is seen as a bastard stepchild to the eyes of both. Does that matter in terms of maintenance and such? A little...but right now it's all about what good cars can I get for around 18-19k that's fun to drive and still under warranty.

I pretty much went from a:
94 Honda Civic DX (No power anything) 10 years
to a
05 Saab 9-2x 2.5i with everything (1 year)
to a
06 Civic EX with everything except Nav (1 year)

Before my stint overseas didn't think that gas prices would go up so much. I feel like a tool for selling the Civic because it was an ok car with good gas mileage and a descent 140HP engine. All water under the bridge now though.

I'll do more research on the Legacy, but I still don't think I can get it for the same ballpark price as the impreza.