If anyone has driven a 05-08 Saab 9-3 Turbo 4 or 6 just how good is that engine? I have always heard Saabs makes great turbo engines but lousy shifting and handling cars. Might be the reason the 9-3 is generally regarded behind Audis and BMWs sports sedans. I really like the new 9-3 design, very unique and saabs have always sounded great.

 

Engine is decent, if a tad rough around the edges. Not particularly refined.

Shifter is terrible, but handling is decent, though again, lacking refinement is many areas.

 

yea ive been in one.. i feel that the saabs like to rattle alot.. i dont like the interiors in my opinion.. they feel like they arent put together well and plasticy... but thats me.. go check one out at the dealership are test drive it.. it is a pretty fast car tho..

 

 

Threadjack: 02cls, that is one :ghey: avitar you got there.

 

I think someone "gave" that to him

 

Yep.

 

haven't driven one. but seems to be the consensus.

 

I can't quite explain it, but I really like the previous generation 9-3's both the hatchback and the convertible. I almost got one back in the day and was just looking at them again for a secondary car. I especially love the '99-'03 convertible look.

 

they are just As reliable as the 99-03 tl transmissions.

 

I test drove a 9-3 a while back, and the handling was pretty good.

 

My best friend just dumped his '04 9-3 Vector (Aero).

Decent handling for a puller, crappy turbo lag. Was in the shop way too often.

Decent leases to be had, but I wouldn't purchase.

 

One of my co-workers has an '07 9-3 convertible and he's had it in the shop about 8 times for the top not folding down properly. He's thinking about getting rid of it after less than a year of ownership.

 

Ouch.