2003 Saab 9-3 Vector

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: bozack
I Used to work at a Saab dealer, their service at this one dealer was great but I always hated the cars, they are very popular here in the new england area though.

I agree with NFS that for the money it doesn't offer anything over a lower priced A4 or even a 3 series BMW, heck even a Merc C class to me would be better or a Lincoln LS..CTS even.

Only Saab I really liked was the 9000 turbo convertable and the Aero from back in the day...but the QC of them stunk and they were service nightmares.

Motor Trend just test the C230, TSX and Saab 9-3. The 9-3 got last place and was priced the highest out of the group...even higher than the C-Class. The C230 was like $31,000 and it got first place.

 

[bozack]

Hey NFS, thanks for the info. I personally don't mind the lower end Mercs, sure they don't have performance but they do have a decent build quality and alot of prestige if that is what one is looking for....wouldn't be my first second third or fourth choice in a car, but I would gladly take one over a Saab anyday of the week.

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: bozack
Hey NFS, thanks for the info. I personally don't mind the lower end Mercs, sure they don't have performance but they do have a decent build quality and alot of prestige if that is what one is looking for....wouldn't be my first second third or fourth choice in a car, but I would gladly take one over a Saab anyday of the week.

Even a 9-5 I love the 9-5, it's one sexy beast

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Better interior?? It's nothing but a bunch of plastic and little Chicklet sized buttons.

I like it that way. Personal peference.

Don't get me wrong, the 9-3 is good looking car, but for the money they're asking for it, it should at least have AWD and some more horsepower. Otherwise, it will always be a minor player in this segment.

Well, looking at the Canadian Prices...it's not that bad.

The 9-3 Vector is $43k CDN, that's a pretty good price. Cheaper than a 3-series and roughly same price as a fully loaded G35. And the entire 9-3 model ranges from 35K to $43k CDN, which isn't bad. A Maxima starts off at 36K and a fully loaded Accord is around $40K.

Plus, you add in GM's awesome financing deals and discounts -- it makes it a very good deal.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Better interior?? It's nothing but a bunch of plastic and little Chicklet sized buttons.

I like it that way. Personal peference.

Don't get me wrong, the 9-3 is good looking car, but for the money they're asking for it, it should at least have AWD and some more horsepower. Otherwise, it will always be a minor player in this segment.

Well, looking at the Canadian Prices...it's not that bad.

The 9-3 Vector is $43k CDN, that's a pretty good price. Cheaper than a 3-series and roughly same price as a fully loaded G35. And the entire 9-3 model ranges from 35K to $43k CDN, which isn't bad. A Maxima starts off at 36K and a fully loaded Accord is around $40K.

Plus, you add in GM's awesome financing deals and discounts -- it makes it a very good deal.

Bah, Candian's have screwed up overblown pricing. Your auto market SUCKS!

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Better interior?? It's nothing but a bunch of plastic and little Chicklet sized buttons.

I like it that way. Personal peference.

Don't get me wrong, the 9-3 is good looking car, but for the money they're asking for it, it should at least have AWD and some more horsepower. Otherwise, it will always be a minor player in this segment.

Well, looking at the Canadian Prices...it's not that bad.

The 9-3 Vector is $43k CDN, that's a pretty good price. Cheaper than a 3-series and roughly same price as a fully loaded G35. And the entire 9-3 model ranges from 35K to $43k CDN, which isn't bad. A Maxima starts off at 36K and a fully loaded Accord is around $40K.

Plus, you add in GM's awesome financing deals and discounts -- it makes it a very good deal.

Bah, Candian's have screwed up overblown pricing. Your auto market SUCKS!

No, we just invalidated your argument on SAAB's pricing.

Hey, don't blame us for cheap cars, just because we are poor.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Better interior?? It's nothing but a bunch of plastic and little Chicklet sized buttons.

I like it that way. Personal peference.

Don't get me wrong, the 9-3 is good looking car, but for the money they're asking for it, it should at least have AWD and some more horsepower. Otherwise, it will always be a minor player in this segment.

Well, looking at the Canadian Prices...it's not that bad.

The 9-3 Vector is $43k CDN, that's a pretty good price. Cheaper than a 3-series and roughly same price as a fully loaded G35. And the entire 9-3 model ranges from 35K to $43k CDN, which isn't bad. A Maxima starts off at 36K and a fully loaded Accord is around $40K.

Plus, you add in GM's awesome financing deals and discounts -- it makes it a very good deal.

Bah, Candian's have screwed up overblown pricing. Your auto market SUCKS!

No, we just invalidated your argument on SAAB's pricing.

Hey, don't blame us for cheap cars, just because we are poor.

Invalidate what?

The fact that a Vector has a base price of $32,500 leads me to believe that GM isn't thinking realistically here, especially when you can get a fully loaded front-wheel drive TSX for under $29,000. Sure, you can throw in all the discounts and financing, but you're still paying more for a car that really isn't worth it.

Would I pay $28,000 (after let's say a $4,500 GM discount) for a $32,500 Saab 9-3 Vector?? Hell no, b/c in my opinion it should have been $28,000 to begin with.

The point is, in this crowded field of near-luxury cars, there are a wealth of competitors. Given the 9-3's price, power (or lack thereof...0-60 in 8.3 seconds with a 6-speed manual) and feature list, it just doesn't add up. There are MANY better vehicles in this segment and a mediocre player with an inflated price isn't gonna win any new customers.

 

[gotsmack]

I'm kinda interested in next years 9-2. I wonder how much it is going to start at. I like the impreza, but I want leather.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Better interior?? It's nothing but a bunch of plastic and little Chicklet sized buttons.

I like it that way. Personal peference.

Don't get me wrong, the 9-3 is good looking car, but for the money they're asking for it, it should at least have AWD and some more horsepower. Otherwise, it will always be a minor player in this segment.

Well, looking at the Canadian Prices...it's not that bad.

The 9-3 Vector is $43k CDN, that's a pretty good price. Cheaper than a 3-series and roughly same price as a fully loaded G35. And the entire 9-3 model ranges from 35K to $43k CDN, which isn't bad. A Maxima starts off at 36K and a fully loaded Accord is around $40K.

Plus, you add in GM's awesome financing deals and discounts -- it makes it a very good deal.

Bah, Candian's have screwed up overblown pricing. Your auto market SUCKS!

No, we just invalidated your argument on SAAB's pricing.

Hey, don't blame us for cheap cars, just because we are poor.

Invalidate what?

The fact that a Vector has a base price of $32,500 leads me to believe that GM isn't thinking realistically here, especially when you can get a fully loaded front-wheel drive TSX for under $29,000. Sure, you can throw in all the discounts and financing, but you're still paying more for a car that really isn't worth it.

Would I pay $28,000 (after let's say a $4,500 GM discount) for a $32,500 Saab 9-3 Vector?? Hell no, b/c in my opinion it should have been $28,000 to begin with.

The point is, in this crowded field of near-luxury cars, there are a wealth of competitors. Given the 9-3's price, power (or lack thereof...0-60 in 8.3 seconds with a 6-speed manual) and feature list, it just doesn't add up. There are MANY better vehicles in this segment and a mediocre player with an inflated price isn't gonna win any new customers.

I meant that in Canada, the 9-3 is competitive with other offerings. Much cheaper than an equivalent 3-series (especially with financing) and its a nice car that appeals to a niche market. After all, SAAB is a niche brand, not somethign as big as BMW or Acura.

If I had known that the 9-3 was this cheap before, I would have coaxed my dad to test drive a 9-3 b4 deciding on the Maxima.