Bought another Saab - this makes 14.... currently have 6.

[Burnsside42]

So yeah - a Fusion Blue 9-3 Combi showed up at work as a fresh trade/auction car. I had to act quick. I ended up buying it.
2006 9-3 Combi Automatic - Parchment Leather - Fusion Blue Metalic - No cold weather package but it's a 2.0T (Aero) car with (now) 52K

Pictures from 7/10/13 the day I bought it and drove it home - stopped at the local SKF building for a few quick pictures;






And of course I can not leave things alone - so as of Yesturday 7/13/12 I installed my 2007 Anniversary wheels with some 225/45R17 Continental ProContact SSR Run Flats (RSC) and they ride firm but I like it.


Better pictures to follow - waiting on a new Dummy shark fin to come in.

And yes - I have a Saab problem

[nordwulf]

You have a Saab problem? I would not necessarily call it a problem, even though others may.. :p.

Something about the 2006 being the only year with the button dash in the wagon. And it is Fusion Blue....! Looking sharp, I am sure we will hear much more about it. Nice low mileage for a 2006.

[Shazam]

Nice ride. Always thought fusion blue looked great on the combis.

only year with the button dash in the wagon.

As a non-9-3 guy... what is the "button dash"?

[nordwulf]

The button dash refers to the ACC panel and head unit with many buttons. This was replaced with dials and head units from the GM parts bin for the 2007 model year. The 2007+ looks a bit cleaner and is easier to use but 2003-2006 has much more character and unique look, especially with the SID on top of the dash.

[Shazam]

They both look nice. If you could combine features of both, I think it would be the best. Steering wheel and lots of buttons from early model. Aluminum trim around the dash and bigger nav screen from the later. I've always like a lot of buttons. Especially if they are well placed. Sure, might take a bit to learn them all, but once you do it is far better than navigating menus on a touch screen. Plus, it looks complex... for lack of a better word.

Buttons...




Back to the real convo, Burns, what Saab do you currently end up using the most? Since you've owned so many, what would you say is the best about each one?

[Dave T]

They both look nice. ... I've always like a lot of buttons. Especially if they are well placed. Sure, might take a bit to learn them all, but once you do it is far better than navigating menus on a touch screen. Plus, it looks complex... for lack of a better word.

The U.S. brochure of the classic 900 praised the car for having large buttons and controls that are easier to operate with mittens in cold weather and also results in less time that the driver's eye's are off the road. So many buttons are "un-Saab". My previous 9-3 Linear had few buttons as it had manual climate control and a simple radio.

[rpiereck]

That's not a problem, but a solution!


I too like the button dash!

[CarbonFlash]

The car looks to NOT be an Aero. Would say so in back, have the V6, different wheels, and some other things. Great car though--I had the exact same in Aero form!

[Burnsside42]

Just got it tuned this past Saturday by - Tuning by MPS - it's now a stage0 tune bumping the HP from 210 to 260 and the torque is now 283. 20psi in a sport combi is a great feeling. Window tint is next.

[Finding41]

Nice looking! The tint will look great on it too.