crisco

Question for the Saab owners:
How would you compare the seats (driver's) between the TSX and the 9-3? I've always been impressed with the comfort and support level of Saab's seating. The TSX's seats are excellent and are very supportive as well.

93Kewl

Crisco,

Since the seats on the TSX are very similar to the CL-S, I'll take a stab at this.

The TSX seats compare well to the seats on the high-end Vector. The Vector seats are well sculpted are very comfortable. Great side support and they hold you in well.

The seats in the mid-level ARC and low-end Linear I find to be lacking in the support areas and I also found them to be less comfortable.

35kcdn

Kewl...Since your job is to educate upon the 9-3; a couple questions. How long do you intend to keep the 9-3 once you've purchased it? Secondly, what has been the long term track record of the Saab Turbo 4 motor. IE: How many miles would you expect without any problems with the drivetrain?

From my test drive and experience, the Saab had poorer resale than other cars in this class including the TSX and an aquaintance I knew who had a turbo 9-3 (can't remember the year, (1994+?) had told me that the reliability wasn't exceptional but parts were relatively cheap due to GM's influence, unlike MB and BMW.

BTW: If my judgement was solely based on looks the 9-3 would have my vote.

93Kewl

35K,

Maybe I should have my business cards re-done to add the title "Official 9-3 educator".

Seriously, I plan to keep the car for 5 years (which btw would be a record for me the most I have had a car is 4).

As far as resale, Obviously the 9-3 is a new car and the jury is still out on resale, but if you look at an older 9-3 (2000MY with about 50K miles) you see private numbers around 10-15K. I suspect that the current 9-3 being more popular than ever before and reliability numbers getting better at Saab overall, it might do better. If it does, it does, if it doesn't I certainly won't cry about it.

From what I understand from forum discussions, speaking with a family member who has a 9-5, Saab's turbos are probably the best in the industry. Like I said I have heard about 100K plus with the engine without any significant problems. Some have posted here about their postive experience with the turbo's (even with older models). My uncle has around 60K on his 9-5 and he told me with regular scheduled maintenance, he doesn't forsee any problems.

To me, 1994 is eon's away from the products Saab is producing now. The cash GM infused into Saab was obviously a help.

<puts customer relations hat on> Thank you for your interest in Saab. It was a pleasure serving you. Have a nice day. </hat off>