Redleicester
10-01-2002, 06:05 AM
In answer to the other threads, here are my experiences of Saabs competitors to the new 9-3 Sports Saloon. In my extensive testing, just to eliminate all comers, I have test driven the following:-
Classic 9-3 Aero
9-3SS 1.8t Arc
9-3SS 2.0t Vector Manual
9-3SS 2.0t Vector Auto
Audi A4 1.8t SE & Sport
BMW 325 SE Manual
BMW 330 Sport Auto
Jaguar X-Type 2.5 SE Auto
Jaguar X-Type 3.0 Sport Auto
Mercedes C-class Kompressor Avantgarde Auto
Lexus little thingy 2.0 Manual
Okay, so we know we like the handling of the 9-3SS, and I liked the power of the Classic Aero (oooh yes! ) The atuo was exceptionally smooth, and the 175bhp 2.0t was indeed quicker than Saabs own 0-60 times would suggest - Autocar have clocked it at 7.7 as opposed to the 8.5 that Saab officially state.
Audi A4-
Everything was an option. All switches/gloveboxes/doors/ashtrays etc very nicely damped, nice feel, but the interior was black black black - gave it a very cramped feel. SE was wallowy and aimless, Sport was far better, good boy control, but still numb steering. Engine was co****, lacklustre and simply not powerful enough. The boot was reasonably sized but with a tight opening. Rear space was comparable to a 9-3 Coupe, if not a little less - and even if you paid £2200 for full leaher, the front seatbacks were still sheets of plastic - not pleasant for passengers to bang their knees on!
BMW 3-Series
The so-called benchmark. I don't know what it is that everyone raves about in thse cars - sure they're quick, they seem to be reasonable well built (though one fascia panel came off in my hand) but they have the feel of a two seater - very cosy, (read cramped) and the off-set pedals would do my head in! Rear space was no better than the A4, the boot was a coke-bottle shape and again had a narrow opening. Sure both cars were fast, but the manual was very notchy, and there was no dash readout to tell me what gear I was in in tiptronic mode (unlike the 9-3). Perhaps it's just me and rear-wheel drive cars not agreeing wih each other, but it simply did nothing for me - yes it went round corners quickly, yes you could get the tail out (with ASC off) but it just felt utterly lifeless - no soul, not pizazz. I have always been one of the defenders of torque steer, as I like the th9ought that you have to be a half good driver to push such a vehicle quickly in all conditions, and it makes driving a it of a challenge rather than a point-and-squirt affair. Dullness.
Jaguar X-Types
The style is growing on me, the boot wouldn't take more than one illigal immigrant thus ruining my main source of income (that's a j o k e ) and you an spot Ford parts left right and centre. But, and here's the rub, it's a hoot to drive in Sports spec (SE is for pensioners) it handles like a dream and goes like the blazes. A typical Jaguar all in all - right down to the spoiled driver and passenger, amputee rear passengers, and the concern that if you stare long enough at it, it'll fall apart. A cracking car, but fatally flawed in terms of space both or passengers and luggage.
Merc C-Class.
Well this was the biggest send up in history. For the same money as my Aero I can only afford one up from the bottom of the range C-Class. Thanks to their recent spec revisions, this means Air-con, no ACC, cloth seats, CASSETTE player (what ARE these people on? ) and the engine is an optional extra. Well the latter is a lie, but it may as well be true - the auto box sapped what little power it had in the first place, and it sounded like a wasp in a biscuit tin. Yeurgh. Oh, and the plastics and dashboard wouldn't grace a Datsun Sunny.
Lexus Little Thingy.
Hmm. I still can't remember what this is called. Perhaps that sums it up. Engine good if thrashed (not my style - give me tooooorque!) space fro passengers and luggage adequate, but that dashboard... okay so I have an Omega watch, but that doesn't mean I want a dashboard that looks like a chronograph! It gave me a headache just looking at it. All in all thoroughly unmemorable. Just felt like a tarted-up Toyota. Now hang on a minute....
9-3SS
Okay, I'm sold. I'll have one. I'm off to buy it. While it may not be perfect (Oi Bjorn, where's my nice wood dash you blonde idiot!) it seems to have far fewer compromises that all the rest - more space, more pace, involving handling, better spec. And yet it still undercuts EVERY SINGLE ONE of its competitors in my desired spec - 9-3 Aero with Sentronic Auto, Sat-Nav, Phone, and top-flite stereo. Oh, and I've decided on black!
Having driven two Vector's back-to-back yesterday, I had decided that the auto is the better bet - it doesn't seem to sap much in the way of power, economy is only about 1.5mpg down, and the joy of having the semiauto mode gives you fin when you want it, and relaxed driving all the rest of the time.
Finally, what would I do if there was no Saab in this list? The X-Type. To hell with passengers, and I'll live out of a very flat suitcase!
Classic 9-3 Aero
9-3SS 1.8t Arc
9-3SS 2.0t Vector Manual
9-3SS 2.0t Vector Auto
Audi A4 1.8t SE & Sport
BMW 325 SE Manual
BMW 330 Sport Auto
Jaguar X-Type 2.5 SE Auto
Jaguar X-Type 3.0 Sport Auto
Mercedes C-class Kompressor Avantgarde Auto
Lexus little thingy 2.0 Manual
Okay, so we know we like the handling of the 9-3SS, and I liked the power of the Classic Aero (oooh yes! ) The atuo was exceptionally smooth, and the 175bhp 2.0t was indeed quicker than Saabs own 0-60 times would suggest - Autocar have clocked it at 7.7 as opposed to the 8.5 that Saab officially state.
Audi A4-
Everything was an option. All switches/gloveboxes/doors/ashtrays etc very nicely damped, nice feel, but the interior was black black black - gave it a very cramped feel. SE was wallowy and aimless, Sport was far better, good boy control, but still numb steering. Engine was co****, lacklustre and simply not powerful enough. The boot was reasonably sized but with a tight opening. Rear space was comparable to a 9-3 Coupe, if not a little less - and even if you paid £2200 for full leaher, the front seatbacks were still sheets of plastic - not pleasant for passengers to bang their knees on!
BMW 3-Series
The so-called benchmark. I don't know what it is that everyone raves about in thse cars - sure they're quick, they seem to be reasonable well built (though one fascia panel came off in my hand) but they have the feel of a two seater - very cosy, (read cramped) and the off-set pedals would do my head in! Rear space was no better than the A4, the boot was a coke-bottle shape and again had a narrow opening. Sure both cars were fast, but the manual was very notchy, and there was no dash readout to tell me what gear I was in in tiptronic mode (unlike the 9-3). Perhaps it's just me and rear-wheel drive cars not agreeing wih each other, but it simply did nothing for me - yes it went round corners quickly, yes you could get the tail out (with ASC off) but it just felt utterly lifeless - no soul, not pizazz. I have always been one of the defenders of torque steer, as I like the th9ought that you have to be a half good driver to push such a vehicle quickly in all conditions, and it makes driving a it of a challenge rather than a point-and-squirt affair. Dullness.
Jaguar X-Types
The style is growing on me, the boot wouldn't take more than one illigal immigrant thus ruining my main source of income (that's a j o k e ) and you an spot Ford parts left right and centre. But, and here's the rub, it's a hoot to drive in Sports spec (SE is for pensioners) it handles like a dream and goes like the blazes. A typical Jaguar all in all - right down to the spoiled driver and passenger, amputee rear passengers, and the concern that if you stare long enough at it, it'll fall apart. A cracking car, but fatally flawed in terms of space both or passengers and luggage.
Merc C-Class.
Well this was the biggest send up in history. For the same money as my Aero I can only afford one up from the bottom of the range C-Class. Thanks to their recent spec revisions, this means Air-con, no ACC, cloth seats, CASSETTE player (what ARE these people on? ) and the engine is an optional extra. Well the latter is a lie, but it may as well be true - the auto box sapped what little power it had in the first place, and it sounded like a wasp in a biscuit tin. Yeurgh. Oh, and the plastics and dashboard wouldn't grace a Datsun Sunny.
Lexus Little Thingy.
Hmm. I still can't remember what this is called. Perhaps that sums it up. Engine good if thrashed (not my style - give me tooooorque!) space fro passengers and luggage adequate, but that dashboard... okay so I have an Omega watch, but that doesn't mean I want a dashboard that looks like a chronograph! It gave me a headache just looking at it. All in all thoroughly unmemorable. Just felt like a tarted-up Toyota. Now hang on a minute....
9-3SS
Okay, I'm sold. I'll have one. I'm off to buy it. While it may not be perfect (Oi Bjorn, where's my nice wood dash you blonde idiot!) it seems to have far fewer compromises that all the rest - more space, more pace, involving handling, better spec. And yet it still undercuts EVERY SINGLE ONE of its competitors in my desired spec - 9-3 Aero with Sentronic Auto, Sat-Nav, Phone, and top-flite stereo. Oh, and I've decided on black!
Having driven two Vector's back-to-back yesterday, I had decided that the auto is the better bet - it doesn't seem to sap much in the way of power, economy is only about 1.5mpg down, and the joy of having the semiauto mode gives you fin when you want it, and relaxed driving all the rest of the time.
Finally, what would I do if there was no Saab in this list? The X-Type. To hell with passengers, and I'll live out of a very flat suitcase!