Back into the SAAB fold

[SaabKen]

As a 9-3 newb

This is my '06 2.0T Combi bought two weeks ago. Car was one-owner, GM/SAAB dealer-serviced, 57K kms, original everything, no accidents. Parchment metallic silver with grey interior. Allow me to introduce Mattie (not to be confused with my ex-'93 9000CSE "Matilda"):

(at our club meet on Sunday):



(dealer pics):








So far so good. I replaced the orig. AC Delco battery for peace of mind, since it's 6 yrs old anyway. Tires are 16" Pirelli P6 Four Seasons (a bit loud), maybe I'll consider 17" rims/tires sometime later. So far I love the car, recognizing it's very different than my 9000. Fuel economy has been amazing ...... mid-20s miles (per US gallon) in city, mid-30's on the highway.

[nordwulf]

Congrats! That didn't take long before you were back in a Saab..

Looks very clean in Parchment Silver with low kilometers. that should last you for a while. I like older cars myself but you notice fuel consumption definitely improves through the years.

[SaabKen]

Thanks. 14 months to be exact, but I felt like Moses being in the desert for 40 years !

While I certainly appreciate the new-fangled technologies, safety and efficiencies that newer cars offer, I miss that "old world" charm that which the 9000 oozed in spades. Wife immediately noticed how the SC's leather is far different than the Bridge-of-Weir leather that was in the 9000, she thinks the leather in our Odyssey is better although I have to say the SC's seat cushions are too soft for my body, not that I'm heavy or anything. There's a general disconnect between me and the car which I find interesting, the steering is lighter, acceleration and coasting is quieter and "floaty" feeling, and NVH far less intrusive than the 9000. But the 9000 felt more "connected" to me, not necessarily better or worse, just a subjective thing. No regrets, just noting all my initial impressions of my Malibu, ooops I mean 9-3

[Warren Demontague]

Still love the Combi. Too bad it's finding a needle in a haystack looking for one with a stick.

[Hirsch]

Welcome to the Combi club!

Good looking car, hope you enjoy it!

[SaabKen]

Thanks man