View Poll Results: What do you think about this car?
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5 stars (excellent)
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2 |
13.33% |
4 stars
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6 |
40.00% |
3 stars
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5 |
33.33% |
2 stars
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1 |
6.67% |
1 star (poor)
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1 |
6.67% |
08-28-2003, 06:41 PM
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#1
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Regular User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 980
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Saab 9-3 Convertible
Press material:
Saab is announcing full UK market pricing, specification and running cost data for this year’s most eagerly-anticipated soft-top, the new Saab 9-3 Convertible.
Despite UK prices only now being confirmed, Saab’s 95 British dealers already have taken thousands of enquiries, and over 700 firm orders, for the acclaimed new 9-3 Convertible. By the time the first customer deliveries take place, in early September, Saab GB forecasts that all of this year’s UK allocation of 1,100 9-3 Convertibles will have been sold.
The first UK-bound new 9-3 Convertible models to arrive in September will all be fitted with the 2.0t, 175 bhp engine. The 2.0T, 210 bhp, Aero performance flagship follows in late October, with the entry 1.8t, 150 bhp, derivatives landing in November. A choice of
5- and 6-speed manual, or optional 5+2 Sentronic paddle-shift automatic transmissions will be available. Linear, Vector and Aero trims will also be offered.
The new Saab will be the most competitively positioned four-seater convertible in the UK premium sector. All 9-3 Convertibles will be equipped as standard with a fully automated electric roof, alloy wheels, ‘infotainment’ system, and seat-mounted head/thorax airbags. Saab’s unique CargoSET self-expanding trunk and DynaCage rollover protection with pop-up roll bars are also standard throughout the Convertible range.
Prices throughout the 9-3 Convertible programme substantially undercut the Saab’s key premium German competitors.
The 9-3 Convertible range starts at £23,895 on the road for the well-equipped Linear 1.8t model. That’s over £500 less than the base Audi Cabriolet, almost £1,000 lower than the entry BMW 318i Convertible, and a staggering £7,350 more affordable than the cheapest Mercedes-Benz CLK Convertible. The Saab also has a higher level of standard specification than all of the above, making it the best value premium four-seater convertible on the British market.
The sporting 9-3 Vector derivatives cost £2,000 more than the Linear models. The 2.0t, 175 bhp engine is £1,100 more than the 1.8t, 150 bhp motor, and the range-topping 210 bhp Aero starts at a tempting £28,895.
Running costs also promise to be class-leading, with the lowest insurance groupings in the sector, along with low CO2 emission levels throughout the range, and very strong residual value forecasts, according to leading independent experts.
"Saab has dominated the British premium four-seater soft-top sector for six years with the best-selling 9-3 Convertible," says Jonathan Nash, Saab GB’s Managing Director. "With acclaimed driving dynamics, unique styling features, and the best value and cost of ownership package in its class, the desirable new 9-3 Convertible looks set to maintain Saab’s lead in the sector."
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08-28-2003, 06:43 PM
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#2
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Regular User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 980
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08-28-2003, 06:44 PM
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#3
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Regular User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 980
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08-28-2003, 06:49 PM
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#4
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Regular User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
Posts: 23,178
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A good 4 star IMO.. a very nice and strong car
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08-28-2003, 07:23 PM
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#5
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Regular User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 2,660
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i heard that Saabs were once designed to be moose proof, in that you could hit a moose and come out ok. any truth to that? they still moose proof?
looks like a nice little car to me. i gave it 3 stars. let me drive one and i might shift my vote up lol
__________________
2001 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro 5spd
1963 Chevy NovaSS 415hp 355ci V8
"Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."
-Mahatma Gandhi
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08-28-2003, 11:12 PM
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#6
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Regular User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Sabah, Malaysia
Posts: 163
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Looks nice and simple. I might have one if I had the money.
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08-29-2003, 01:55 AM
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#7
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Regular User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 98
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all i hope is it isnt as hard to work on as the older sabbs. i knew a girl with one took me forever to change the alternator cause the hold damn engine was backwards. so its sabb in the last 15 years has made their cars easier to work on then rock on !
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08-29-2003, 09:36 AM
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#8
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Regular User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 2,737
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I voted for three stars. Saabs usually do everything right for everyday driving and it's probably one of the most practical and reliable convertibles. But the fun part is missing. It's plain and boring. You probably can't go wrong with it, but watching a game of curling is more likely to get your pulse racing.
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08-29-2003, 11:13 AM
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#9
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Regular User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,914
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I gave it four star, had to take 1 star off cause I like the sedan version more.
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08-29-2003, 01:59 PM
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#10
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Regular User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 114
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i gave it two stars just becuase of the back. not to sure what to think of it... the sedan/saloon on the other hand is a great looking car, and a great car as a whole, proven by the fact that i was voted as the car of the year for 2003.
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08-29-2003, 02:09 PM
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#11
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Regular User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Belgium
Posts: 1,027
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Let's give it a 3+. It looks ok, except for the rear. And it's FWD. So that makes 5 minus 2 points.
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08-29-2003, 02:19 PM
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#12
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Regular User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ankara, Turkey
Posts: 558
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Like the rear but dont like the front much.. So.. 4 points!
Especially nice car..
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08-30-2003, 07:57 AM
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#13
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Regular User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: victoria, Australia
Posts: 1,562
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i am not one for saab's but this a can bear to look at. i quite nice in fact. i gave ita 4 star. l alot smoother and looks like it put together well. has anyone driven one yet.
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08-30-2003, 09:40 AM
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#14
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Regular User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Belgium
Posts: 1,668
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Not a bad looking car, good engine and probably reliable BUT it has a Vauxhall/Opel Vectra chassis and that's not so good for a car with such a high price tage. More of a cruiser then sport cabrio. So I gave it 3 stars.
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08-30-2003, 03:59 PM
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#15
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Regular User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Montevideo, Uruguay
Posts: 507
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didn't the old one had the Vectra platform? I think this one is 100% new
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Cuore Sportivo, member of RKK club
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