2003 Saab 9-3 Vector

theNEOone

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
5,745
4
81
my dad has this car. it's amazing. but yes, too damn expensive. i would have prefered an A4.
 

bolido2000

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
3,720
1
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Saab is officially going down the drain with GM management. Rebadge Subaru Impreza? Rebadge Chevy Trailblazer? give me a friggin break.....
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
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Needs to be 28k for that small of horsepower, and only FWD. $10,000 too much.
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
21,503
9
0
Originally posted by: bolido2000
Saab is officially going down the drain with GM management. Rebadge Subaru Impreza? Rebadge Chevy Trailblazer? give me a friggin break.....


Well thats shows what you and others know, NOTHING. Saab quality has gone up, and so have sales since GM got it, just like Subaru.
Saab is still losing money but is gaining sales every year for the most part. That and GM uses them to do future studies that may show up on other cars.


And this car starts at $32K, NOT $38. $38 gets you all the options.

And the 9-3 starts at $25,995




2003 Saab 9-3 Vector
Base Price: $32,495; as tested, $37,735
Engine: High-pressure turbocharged 2.0-liter in-line four, 215 hp/221 lb-ft
Transmission: Five-speed automatic with Sentronic, front-wheel drive
Length x width x height: 182.5 x 69.0 x 56.8 in
Wheelbase: 105.3 in
Curb weight: 3285 lb
EPA City/Hwy: 21/30 mpg (premium fuel)
Safety equipment: dual-stage ?smart? airbags, side curtain airbags, Saab Active Head Restraint system, ABS, Traction Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, optional stability control, seatbelt pretensioners
Major standard equipment: AM/FM/CD audio, power doors and windows, leather seats, dual-zone climate controls, auto-dimming mirrors, power driver?s seat
Warranty: Four years/50,000 miles
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
The only thing this car offers over a comparable G35 or Audi A4 is "quirkieness." I'm sorry, but I don't pay out the ass for "quirkiness"

Especially for a high priced FWD wallet stealer
 

BigSmooth

Lifer
Aug 18, 2000
10,484
12
81
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Needs to be 28k for that small of horsepower, and only FWD. $10,000 too much.
Don't worry, Saab's resale value is quite poor. Pick one up in about two-three years and you'll be paying $20K or less. :p
 

theNEOone

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
5,745
4
81
Originally posted by: NFS4
The only thing this car offers over a comparable G35 or Audi A4 is "quirkieness." I'm sorry, but I don't pay out the ass for "quirkiness"

Especially for a high priced FWD wallet stealer



i don't know if you've tried both cars, but i have. it's a very close call imo - a far cry from your claim that the only thing the 9-3 has over an A4 is it's "quirkiness'". i preferred the A4, but my dad liked the saab better - different cars for different people.

 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Well thats shows what you and others know, NOTHING. Saab quality has gone up, and so have sales since GM got it, just like Subaru.
And this car starts at $32K, NOT $38. $38 gets you all the options.

And an Infiniti G35 coupe starts at 28k with 2 more cylinders, and nearly 100 more HP (in the 9-3 base form).
 

bolido2000

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
3,720
1
0
Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Originally posted by: bolido2000
Saab is officially going down the drain with GM management. Rebadge Subaru Impreza? Rebadge Chevy Trailblazer? give me a friggin break.....


Well thats shows what you and others know, NOTHING. Saab quality has gone up, and so have sales since GM got it, just like Subaru.
Saab is still losing money but is gaining sales every year for the most part. That and GM uses them to do future studies that may show up on other cars.


And this car starts at $32K, NOT $38. $38 gets you all the options.
Saab is still losing money but is gaining sales every year for the most part. ROTFL!
Even Lutz said that GM is going to start putting out models on behalf of Saab (rebadging other cars of the GM family). An as Autombile put it "For GM to rebadge Subarus and Chevys smacks of desperation and ignorance. Better to let the brand die a dignified death than to ruin it forever.

 

theNEOone

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
5,745
4
81
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Well thats shows what you and others know, NOTHING. Saab quality has gone up, and so have sales since GM got it, just like Subaru.
And this car starts at $32K, NOT $38. $38 gets you all the options.

And an Infiniti G35 coupe starts at 28k with 2 more cylinders, and nearly 100 more HP (in the 9-3 base form).


the g35 starts at 29.7k actually, base.
and the base saab starts at 27k
 
Jun 18, 2000
11,198
771
126
Originally posted by: bolido2000
Saab is officially going down the drain with GM management. Rebadge Subaru Impreza? Rebadge Chevy Trailblazer? give me a friggin break.....
Uh, because they weren't crap before GM took over? Are we still talking about Saab? The 9-3 is the most beautiful Saab I've ever seen. It's just overpriced.
 

mAdD INDIAN

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
7,804
1
0
Originally posted by: NFS4
The only thing this car offers over a comparable G35 or Audi A4 is "quirkieness." I'm sorry, but I don't pay out the ass for "quirkiness"

Especially for a high priced FWD wallet stealer

I think the 9-3 has a better interior (including the seats) than the G35 or Audi. Btw, this is terms of looks...I dunno anything about how well its put together. But those seats are AWESOME.
 
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
Originally posted by: NFS4
The only thing this car offers over a comparable G35 or Audi A4 is "quirkieness." I'm sorry, but I don't pay out the ass for "quirkiness"

Especially for a high priced FWD wallet stealer

And what do you know about 'quirkieness'?
You probably haven't driven it.

Eadot far spoolong.

 

UNCjigga

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
25,403
9,993
136
Isn't this the car where supposedly the center of gravity is centered right under the driver (weight distribution is offset to the left-hand side...not just split front/rear.) THAT'S pretty quirky...that and the friggin' ignition between the front seats...
 

theNEOone

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
5,745
4
81
Originally posted by: uncJIGGA
Isn't this the car where supposedly the center of gravity is centered right under the driver (weight distribution is offset to the left-hand side...not just split front/rear.) THAT'S pretty quirky...that and the friggin' ignition between the front seats...


the ignition and key are super cool, actually.
 

mAdD INDIAN

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
7,804
1
0
Originally posted by: uncJIGGA
Isn't this the car where supposedly the center of gravity is centered right under the driver (weight distribution is offset to the left-hand side...not just split front/rear.) THAT'S pretty quirky...that and the friggin' ignition between the front seats...

The ignition thing is a safety precaution. During an accident, if you knee slams foward, it won't hit the keys.
 
Aug 16, 2001
22,505
4
81
Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Originally posted by: uncJIGGA
Isn't this the car where supposedly the center of gravity is centered right under the driver (weight distribution is offset to the left-hand side...not just split front/rear.) THAT'S pretty quirky...that and the friggin' ignition between the front seats...

The ignition thing is a safety precaution. During an accident, if you knee slams foward, it won't hit the keys.

It is also a anti-theft feature, maybe not the best but still. You need to put the car in reverse to get the keys out.

 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Originally posted by: NFS4
The only thing this car offers over a comparable G35 or Audi A4 is "quirkieness." I'm sorry, but I don't pay out the ass for "quirkiness"

Especially for a high priced FWD wallet stealer

I think the 9-3 has a better interior (including the seats) than the G35 or Audi. Btw, this is terms of looks...I dunno anything about how well its put together. But those seats are AWESOME.

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

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.
 

bozack

Diamond Member
Jan 14, 2000
7,913
12
81
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.