Comments on: Quick Drive – Saab 9-3 Griffin

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:06:00 +0000

So sad about Saab–what can we do to save Saab. I had a 1980 black 900 GLE (5-door) loved it, but totaled it in 1986 in a crash with a Volvo. Bought a Subaru 4WD wagon after that. Have been a Saab enthusiast, but lost the fervor in the GM years. Now can only look forward to a Subaru WRX hatchback–a car that resembles and reminds me of the Saab 900–quirky and supercool–that is what Saabs were. Now I drive a classic Volvo, but always had fondness for Saab–the old Saab. In fact, Saabs were a lot like Subarus, quirky non-mainstream cars with a loyal following. But now Subaru is so successsful, whereas Saab is going to disappear. What a shame.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:01:00 +0000

You failed to mention the increased gas mileage with the new engine.

EPA figures for the entire 2012 Saab line are now available:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

By: Joakim Persson

Joakim Persson — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:48:00 +0000

I actually have a 9-3 SC Griffin (in Oak) with the 180 hp TTiD4-engine myself, one of not that many that has produced. I took delivery of July 1st and has so far done about 11000km with it, about 1500 of that with a caravan in tow. I’m extremely pleased with it so far, the ride is great, it’s not hard on the diesel (about 5,5l/100km (mixed) right now, constantly decreasing with basically every tank) and there plenty of power when you need it. It hardly noticed the caravan (1360 kg GVW) during the holiday, I had to watch the speedo most of the time to keep the speed somewhat close to legal (80 kph here in Sweden).

Basically, Saab have made an already good car even better with the Griffin. And, as a bonus, it’s also very good-looking.

By: Brian Thiriet Wilmer

Brian Thiriet Wilmer — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:11:00 +0000

The USA website should be updated to reflect the new engine output. It currently has the 9-3 2.0 turbo at 210 HP.

By: Howie Adams

Howie Adams — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:22:00 +0000

’07 Anniversary is my 3rd Saab and leaps above. I just turned 93k miles(53k by me) and I concur….. AWESOME. This Griffin is awful tempting.

By: Mike Baughan

Mike Baughan — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:04:00 +0000

I have an ’07 Anniversary Edition 9-3 (my first Saab; my first car) and it is AWESOME. If later models are even nicer than mine… I just CANNOT WAIT to see what Saab has up its sleeve!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:11:00 +0000

Where have you been driving? That forest makes me homesick.
It reminds me of the small roads on the hill near my mothers house (Sävar, for those who know where that is) where I used to drive around when my license was new. Two-stroke or V4 or even 99. Lovely.
I’d like to try a Griffin there someday.

By: Daniel Lamko

Daniel Lamko — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:56:00 +0000

I like the 9-3 very much, me myself drive a 2010 9-3 and i am very happy with it And Saab will make it, hope you can share som more news. Cheers, and once again: Thanks for the ride in the 9-4X on the 1st of october on the octoberfest =D

By: Marko Alatalo

Marko Alatalo — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:10:00 +0000

Thanks for sharing the test drive Swade. Griffin looks very good. And I really like to see it at the nature like on your pics. I have XWD (Finally) on my 9-3 and it sure is effective all wheel system. It makes the whole car one step up. And 2 liter turbo is what Saab is all about! Great car. I hope you´ll be able to start production really soon.

By: Steve C.

Steve C. — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:36:00 +0000

The 9-3 was always a enjoyable car to drive but the look really came together with the 2008 refresh that used the Aero X design language. And since the original 2003 introduction, there has been increases in horsepower. Now with 220 hp, the availablity of XWD and the other interior and exterior upgrades that were mentioned, this is the be best 9-3 yet. And, with time, all sorts of things have been worked out. For example, much less brake dust left on the wheels compared to the past.