cman321

I am considering all sorts of 25-30k cars and the other day i drove a saab 9-3 arc (210 hp, 222 torque). The Saab was a lot of fun to drive. Had great midrange power, very little lag, the car felt light on its feet and has pretty nice and unique styling inside and out. I know the quality, reliability and resale value will probably be a step down from the Acura. But from just the test drive itself, i think i enjoyed the saab a bit more.

The saab listed for 31k, but with the incentives, i can get it for 26k. Has anybody driven the saab. What are your thoughts on this comparison.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Run a search for the C&D article comparing the TSX to the Saab several months back. That thread should be able to answer most of your questions.

fdl

I test drove the Saab and really liked it. It was fun to drive, and had alot of really unique saftey features. Its also not a very common car to see which appealed to me. What I didnt like was the interior and most importantly the questionable reliability (Although of late stats on Saab reliability seems to be very good)..

Its also interesting to note that despite the higher HP/TQ #'s the TSX was faster in comparison tests. But all that low rpm torque will be useful if you are buying an AT.

dom

http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...highlight=Saab

http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...highlight=Saab

http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...highlight=Saab


The cars are closely matched enough that it will come down to personal preference and needs.

biker

That's one car that is a bit out there and doesn't get mentioned much - but it's with in the range of the TSX. I always heard the torque steer is real bad in Saabs - especially when the turbo kicks in.

cman321

torque steer was very minimal. Only when you floored it, and then it wasn't too bad.

cman321

yeah, i was suprised to see all the road test say that the TSX had better acceleration. That maybe true if you floor it, but in 90% of driving the Saab feels much peppier.

mg7726

saab stands for, 'Somethings Almost Always Broken'

seriously, i have not driven any saabs but i hear that the saab 9-2x, aka subaru wrx is very nice.

javierjavier

I love the exterior styling of th saab, and for that price i'd have considered one as well. if you don't mind me asking, how are you getting such a great deal? 2k below invoice.

cman321

gm supplier price (invoice) + 3500 dealer cash

members78

there is a comparo of the saab 3 arc vs. tsx vs. mercedes c230 sport in the motor trend july, 2003 issue.

basically, the mercedes won (mainly cuz of the 3-pointed star and rwd), tsx 2nd (easily being the performance champ), followed by the saab arc last (unique style and quality, but lacks handling and ride of other 2).

the article isn't by any means as objective and scientific as say, a C/D comparo, however it does highlight some of the major bonuses and drawbacks with each vehicle. frankly i believe the tsx should've won, but im a little biased.

jcg878

That article was pretty bad IMO - not because the TSX didn't win, it just wasn't a good article.

I like Saabs I say get it

bob shiftright

I've had 2 Saab 900s. Loved 'em!

Guy in the next office went through a lemon-law claim with his 9-3 Sports Sedan, settled for $$$$, since GM doesn't want to buy lemons back, and need to disclose that fact to the next buyer. He's NOT buying another one when his lease is over.

I've tried the 9-3 myself, if Honda or Toyota built it, instead of GM, I'd go for it. But they don't, so I wouldn't.

My

biker

Those poor slobs on the assembly line in Sweden might disagree, but you're right - the reliability numbers for Sabb are not that good.

ianS

I think even if relability is not that bad on Saab but if somethings really goes wrong then you will need to wait n-weeks to have the parts ship over from Sewden. One of my friend has his 9-3 sitting in the dealer for 4 weeks in order for some engine parts and without a loaner.

kiteboy

I tested a Linear before buying the TSX. The Saab definitely has a torque advantage, but the TSX handled better. I also found the interior quality to be much higher in the TSX, especially the radio (which apparently is a common complaint amongst Saab owners). In TO, both are farily uncommon cars. The TSX is selling well, so there are more of those than current gen 9-3's, but when you factor in prior gen 9-3's and 900's, Saabs are a bit more common on the road.

Then there's the niggle that you're actually driving a Saab-vrolet Malibu...

gfxdave99

I've driven both, my neighbor has 9-3, I have a TSX.

He says he wishes he could have waited (he was at the end of a lease going into a new one)

925tsx

in my opinion it doesnt matter if the saab has more hp and torque than the tsx, because when the thng breaks, which it will...ull have 0hp, 0tq
lol

jcg878

This thread has been here 2 days and hasn't attracted you-know-who???