YACT Pic of my new 04 SAAB 93 ARC

orion7144

Diamond Member
Oct 8, 2002
4,425
0
0
Originally posted by: mpitts
Cool. I have been considering a Saab.

My advice is do not test drive one! You will be hooked.

As for the AERO, I have everything it does except the body kit and wheels.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Looks nice.

I hope you don't ever leave something on the roof rack of that SUV and forget about it, while pulling into the garage!
 

PlatinumGold

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
23,168
0
71
saabs used to be SOOO distinctive. now the SAAB Volvo and (forget the third manufacturer) coop thing has made them quite ordinary looking.

nice car btw. :)
 

ajpa123

Platinum Member
Apr 19, 2003
2,401
1
0
Saabs are very nice, agreed :) congrats !!

Does yours have the perforated leather with cooled seats?
Do Saab's heated seats still make you feel like you're sitting on a hot Iron. hehe.. My cousin's last Saab 900's seats got very hot !!
 

TubStain

Senior member
Apr 19, 2001
935
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<car noob> So what is special about Saab? what makes their cars unique? Why would a person buy a saab? What are they looking for? </car noob>
 

Nevada

Senior member
Aug 7, 2002
446
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i like the design of the new 9-3, especially what i've seen of the vector. my only gripe is that the higher end trim models just seem underpowered. for 37K+, i would have to also consider an audi a4 3.0 quattro.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,345
126
Originally posted by: Nevada
i like the design of the new 9-3, especially what i've seen of the vector. my only gripe is that the higher end trim models just seem underpowered. for 37K+, i would have to also consider an audi a4 3.0 quattro.

Basically my beef as well. FWD, underpowered, and overpriced @ the upper 30's that Saab is asking. Outside of Saab "uniqueness" there is no compelling reason for me to buy a Saab sedan over something better powered, better equipped, and several grand cheaper in the form of the Acura TL.

Plus you have the added "bonus" of hiddeous resale on Saabs.
 

BigSmooth

Lifer
Aug 18, 2000
10,484
12
81
Originally posted by: TubStain
<car noob> So what is special about Saab? what makes their cars unique? Why would a person buy a saab? What are they looking for? </car noob>
Saabs have had a lot of little idiosyncracies over the years. They have always had "aircraft-inspired" cockpits so the interior design of Saabs is usually a little different than what you'd see in other cars. There have also been other little "quirks" like placing the ignition between the driver and passenger seats instead of on the steering column, loud gauges, and I think they were the first to have a "night mode" option that turned off all of the illumination in the dash except the speedometer and maybe the tach to cut down on glare at night. Plus, you used to have to put Saabs in reverse to remove the key, IIRC.

They've also had a history of distinctive exterior design. They have a trademark 3-section grille and the "hockey stick" design that runs along the side of their cars and up the C-pillar (Google can explain this better than I can). Also, they stuck with the hatchback body style long after many competitors dropped it.

Lastly, the driving experience of a Saab is just a little different than more mainstream cars. They've had a lot of turbo engines over the years and the steering feel of a Saab is unique. It's hard to explain, but if you drive one you can feel the difference.

Since GM bought Saab, their cars have started to lose these quirks, which upsets some people but has increased their overall sales and probably saved them from bankruptcy. But some people say there was no point in saving Saab if you have to take away everything that made them unique in the first place.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Needs bigger wheels. Those wheels are just swimming on those wheelwells
 

Mr N8

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
8,793
0
76
Originally posted by: TubStain
<car noob> So what is special about Saab? what makes their cars unique? Why would a person buy a saab? What are they looking for? </car noob>

Manually tranny is an absolute dream to use. Better than Audi, IMO. Interiors are nice, rides and handles very well.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: MogulMonster
Originally posted by: TubStain
<car noob> So what is special about Saab? what makes their cars unique? Why would a person buy a saab? What are they looking for? </car noob>

Manually tranny is an absolute dream to use. Better than Audi, IMO. Interiors are nice, rides and handles very well.

Better than Audi? Hehehehe, riiiiiiiiiiight;)
 

Mr N8

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2001
8,793
0
76
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: MogulMonster
Originally posted by: TubStain
<car noob> So what is special about Saab? what makes their cars unique? Why would a person buy a saab? What are they looking for? </car noob>

Manually tranny is an absolute dream to use. Better than Audi, IMO. Interiors are nice, rides and handles very well.

Better than Audi? Hehehehe, riiiiiiiiiiight;)

I test drove a 9-3, and was babysitting an A4 for a friend who was serving in Iraq. IMO, the shifting was nicer in the Saab. It wasn't like the Saab blew the Audi away, because it is very nice, too. I just liked the feel of the Saab better.
 

Corn

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 1999
6,389
29
91
Speaking as an Audi S4 owner (for only a couple more days, actually would have transferred ownership already but the water pump just expired......sigh....), the stock shifter blew chunks. Waaay long throws, rubbery feel, just not what I expected from Audi.

Aftermarket UUC short shifter with a 40% reduction in travel made it all right though.

Never driven a Saab so I can't compare with my stock shifter, but believe me it wouldn't take much too much effort to surpass the feel of my stock 6spd.
 

DivideBYZero

Lifer
May 18, 2001
24,117
2
0
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: MogulMonster
Originally posted by: TubStain
<car noob> So what is special about Saab? what makes their cars unique? Why would a person buy a saab? What are they looking for? </car noob>

Manually tranny is an absolute dream to use. Better than Audi, IMO. Interiors are nice, rides and handles very well.

Better than Audi? Hehehehe, riiiiiiiiiiight;)

NFS, m8. Having driven many recent VAG manual trannies, I can tell you from the horses mouth they suck nuts compared to some 'lesser' brands.

My Golf has the 6 speed tranny used in the TT. And it is crap.
 

J Heartless Slick

Golden Member
Nov 11, 1999
1,330
0
0
Does it have a four cylinder engine and a solid rear axle? That is the main problem I have SAABs a car in its price class should have at least a six cylinder engine.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
91
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: MogulMonster
Originally posted by: TubStain
<car noob> So what is special about Saab? what makes their cars unique? Why would a person buy a saab? What are they looking for? </car noob>

Manually tranny is an absolute dream to use. Better than Audi, IMO. Interiors are nice, rides and handles very well.

Better than Audi? Hehehehe, riiiiiiiiiiight;)

NFS, m8. Having driven many recent VAG manual trannies, I can tell you from the horses mouth they suck nuts compared to some 'lesser' brands.

My Golf has the 6 speed tranny used in the TT. And it is crap.

LOL, I read his statement wrong. I read it as he was saying that Saabs (in total) were better than Audis.