CTC Review: 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero X

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

Click Image to Enlarge

This week I am behind the wheel of the new 2008 Saab 9-3, but not just any 9-3.  I actually tested a more basic model in the winter: you can read about it here. This time I am testing the new Aero version, fitted with Saab's newly introduced all-wheel drive system for its 9-3 sedan.  It would have been nice to have this all-wheel drive variant during the winter months of record snowfall, though.  More ...

[Swade]

The naming you've used there is slightly off.  It's an Aero with XWD (the AWD system).  The Saab Aero X was a radical concept car from 2006 but has never been produced (as much as we wish it were otherwise).

I look forward to reading the rest of your thoughts.

[Jack]

Saabs have always been quirky, well-styled cars but GM technicians at Saab dealerships don't seem to know what to do with these things.  It is frustrating to say the least.
GM USA has just SHORTENED the warranty period of Saabs as a cost-cutting measure.
I'm with Corina... the 50K goes somewhere else.

[Jack]

** There was a entry after Swade by Corina that has vanished.  The message was that 54K seemed too much to pay for this vehicle **

[Rampage]

Saabs have always been quirky, well-styled cars but GM technicians at Saab dealerships don't seem to know what to do with these things.  It is frustrating to say the least.
GM USA has just SHORTENED the warranty period of Saabs as a cost-cutting measure.
I'm with Corina... the 50K goes somewhere else.

 

$54,000 for what is essentially a souped up G6/Aura/Malibu with AWD seems a bit much.  You could get a G35x for about 10G less or a RWD IS350 for around the same price for what are arugably nicer cars.

The SAAB is a nice looking car, but IMHO its more like $40,000 nice rather than $54,000 nice.  If GM kills leases, I can't see anyone in their right mind financing this car when they can get a much better one from other brands that still offer leases that make payments relatively affordable.

[sailor723]

I have to agree. All dressed up for something between 40-45K maybe....in the mid fifties?   Next article please...no interest here

[wing]

Swade, your right I will add WD to that.

[TopGun]

I have to agree. All dressed up for something between 40-45K maybe....in the mid fifties?   Next article please...no interest here

Deep breath...I'm likely going to be in for it...so here goes...

If this test was of a BMW, I'm sure I'd hear "it's expensive...but let's wait and see what the driving dynamics are like"...but everyone here is ready to move on without an opinion.

I'm not saying there are not issues...to be successful, SAAB must deliver value...which, in this segment, could mean great dynamics damn the price...or value for the money.

I've said before, I really do want to be a SAAB fan...so I'm going to wait and see what the impressions are.

Wing, is the limited slip diff (which I understand acts a bit like SH-AWD) available here...or it just on the Turbo X?

[wing]

It has an eLSD which I believe is what you are speaking of -- seems to work well so far.

[MKII]

$54,000 for what is essentially a souped up G6/Aura/Malibu with AWD seems a bit much. 

Can you please back this up with some facts.

Yes these cars are related as far as sharing a platform but for your information "The 9-3 and the Opel Vectra were the first of the global GM Epsilon platform, which was then lengthened to accommodate four new cousins, the Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx, the Pontiac G6, and the Saturn Aura. Even so, this platform was heavily re-engineered by SAAB, making it 60% exclusive and rendering it impossible to build outside its Trollhättan plant. An auto-directional rear axle, a proprietary optical fiber electric/electronic system, and the possibility of AWD (to be exploited in 2008) are some of the SAAB exclusive features

[loser40]

Saab have lost their way since the 1980's.  

It's a great brand with some interesting heritage but the loyal customer's have dwindled.

It's a shame GM haven't given Saab the capital investment and autonomy it needs to thrive again.

Saab needs to re-price it's self at the lower end of the premium price range to stimulate interest in it's cars & rebuild market share.

The pricing on the new AWD is ambitious to say the least.

I have a big soft-spot for Saab... they really need to develop some new quirky modern cars and get their marketing and pricing soughted.

M.

[Cortina]

I'm with Corina... the 50K goes somewhere else.

** There was a entry after Swade by Corina that has vanished.  The message was that 54K seemed too much to pay for this vehicle **

I felt I was being too negative. But it Still has sticker shock.

[TopGun]

Saab needs to re-price it's self at the lower end of the premium price range to stimulate interest in it's cars & rebuild market share.

Just look at the sales numbers...terrible...so your suggestion makes sense to me...how else do you do it?

Looking at it another way - the way SAABs depreciate, I eagerly await the driving results as this might make a great used car buy.

[Giant Dwarf]

Saab have lost their way since the 1980's.  

I disagree.  The first generation 9-3 was still a real Saab.  All the neat quirkiness, proper Saab styling and lo and behold, a hatchback format.

The initial 9-5 proved to be a good car too.  Comfortable, quiet and fairly reliable.  

It's just been in the 2000s that I think Saab has lost their way.  Designs and engineering that don't seem to keep up with the direct competitors.  

Three years from a now, maybe a used 9-3 Aero XWD will represent a stellar used car deal at $18k or so.

[Marc_]

Well,

As one of the FEW Saab owners on this board I will chime in.  Mine is a 2002 9-3 anniversary edition, and is a quarky and great little car to drive.  As mentioned before I actually LIKE torque steer, I see it as 'feedback' 

On most forums you always hear people reccomending leasing Saabs, due to reliability etc, and now with no lease somebody is going to get hurt real bad. (Russel Peters quote).  Assuming GM's lease cancellation applies to Saab, this could hurt.

The resale on Saab's is VERY bad, hence why I bought a used one. 

But, you see few of them on the road, and to some people (like me) that is a good thing, helps me be a little different.  Some Saab owners still waive to eachother, usually when leaving/arriving at the mechanic 

[Rampage]

$54,000 for what is essentially a souped up G6/Aura/Malibu with AWD seems a bit much. 

Can you please back this up with some facts.

Yes these cars are related as far as sharing a platform but for your information "The 9-3 and the Opel Vectra were the first of the global GM Epsilon platform, which was then lengthened to accommodate four new cousins, the Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx, the Pontiac G6, and the Saturn Aura. Even so, this platform was heavily re-engineered by SAAB, making it 60% exclusive and rendering it impossible to build outside its Trollhättan plant. An auto-directional rear axle, a proprietary optical fiber electric/electronic system, and the possibility of AWD (to be exploited in 2008) are some of the SAAB exclusive features

My main point is that this car is over priced compared to the competition, especially given that the SAAB 9-3 is derived from the models I listed.  $54,000 for the same vehicle that can be had in the States for $42,000 is a tough sell.  AFAIK the Infiniti and Lexus are not derivatives of regular Nissan and Toyota stock and are selling at about $10,000 less.

I don't hate the SAAB, I think its a very handsome car....however, my main point here is that I feel it is over priced.

[MKII]

$54,000 for what is essentially a souped up G6/Aura/Malibu with AWD seems a bit much. 

Can you please back this up with some facts.

Yes these cars are related as far as sharing a platform but for your information "The 9-3 and the Opel Vectra were the first of the global GM Epsilon platform, which was then lengthened to accommodate four new cousins, the Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx, the Pontiac G6, and the Saturn Aura. Even so, this platform was heavily re-engineered by SAAB, making it 60% exclusive and rendering it impossible to build outside its Trollhättan plant. An auto-directional rear axle, a proprietary optical fiber electric/electronic system, and the possibility of AWD (to be exploited in 2008) are some of the SAAB exclusive features

My main point is that this car is over priced compared to the competition, especially given that the SAAB 9-3 is derived from the models I listed. 

I have no quibble with your beef about the price, but the 9-3 is not derived from the models you listed.
The models you listed use a modified version of the same platform "Epsilon platform", which the 9-3 was the first to use.
The models you listed used this platform after the 9-3 so it would be impossible for the 9-3 to be derived from the models you listed.

[Giant Dwarf]

My main point is that this car is over priced compared to the competition, especially given that the SAAB 9-3 is derived from the models I listed.  $54,000 for the same vehicle that can be had in the States for $42,000 is a tough sell.  AFAIK the Infiniti and Lexus are not derivatives of regular Nissan and Toyota stock and are selling at about $10,000 less.

Lexus ES350 is an expensive Camry, is it not?  We could also get really silly and point out how the same essential platform that lies beneath the $49000 Audi A3 3.2 is also the same as the $20000 VW Rabbit.  Or the Volvo S40 versus the Ford Focus and Mazda3.  Hell, the same radio that was in my Audi A4 looked awfully familiar in the Gallardo I was in last year too.

Platform/ component sharing all over the place and does not automatically suggest an inferior (or even very similar) end product is the result.

[cliff b]

I'm with Corina... the 50K goes somewhere else.

** There was a entry after Swade by Corina that has vanished.  The message was that 54K seemed too much to pay for this vehicle **

I felt I was being too negative. But it Still has sticker shock.

 
This car is simply symptomatic of GM's greater problem, in that it really has no idea what to do, and if it can't figure that out the company will be out of business within five years.  It's stock is at a 50 year low.  Buy a Lexus IS250 instead.

[loser40]

If memory serves me right the Epsilon platform was used first on the European Vauxhall (GM) Vectra... it was then adapted by Saab for the 9-3.

M.