Sunday, August 11, 2013
2006 Saab 9 3 Reviews Specs
Saab and Cadillac are in a class all alone in the GM portfolio! Keep up the good work. The so-called "Experts" are way off the mark; I wonder if they actually drive the cars, they offer their opinion on? If they did, I am sure the 2006 Saab 93 Aero would have scored much higher then the 7.9 -vs. - 9.5 the "Users" ratedNews
Sources expect a redesigned 9-3 in 2008, which likely means an 09-model U.S. debut. Little is known about this project except that it will be based on GMs upcoming Epsilon 2 architecture, which will also serve a next-generation Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6. Production shifts to Germany from Saabs own plant in Sweden.
New For 2006 Saab 9-3
Saabs best-selling car gains a wagon variant and a turbocharged V6 for 2006. The 9-3 offers a 4-dr sedan, 2-dr convertible, and the new SportCombi 4-dr wagon. All come as the 2.0T with a 210-hp 4-cyl and as the Aero with a 250-hp V6. Both engines are turbocharged and come with manual or automatic transmission. All 9-3s have ABS and traction/antiskid control. Aeros have a sport suspension and larger wheels. Sedans and SportCombis have front side airbags and curtain side airbags. They seat five and have split folding rear seatbacks. The convertible seats four and has front side airbags designed to protect torso and head. It has a power fabric top, heated glass rear window, and a rollover bar designed to pop up in an impending tip. Leather upholstery is standard. Sedans and wagons offer a sunroof. A navigation system is optional on all. Saab is owned by General Motors, and the 9-3 shares its basic architecture with the Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6.
Interior Design and Special Features
Some climate and stereo controls can be difficult to operate, but a standard "profiler" system allows drivers to program a host of individual settings that can be recalled at the press of a button. The sedan and the wagon are sufficiently roomy, but legroom can be tight for adults seated in the back of the convertible. The Saab 9-3 can carry more than most cars in its class; it offers 15 cubic feet of trunk space in the sedan and 12.4 cubes in the convertible. The wagon offers 14.8 cubic feet of storage space with the backseat up, and 45 cubic feet with the 60/40-split rear bench seat folded flat.
Safety
The Saab 9-3 features active head restraints and seat-mounted side torso airbags. The sedan and SportCombi wagon come with full-length side curtain airbags, while convertibles get a rollover protection system that integrates pop-up roll bars, reinforced A-pillars and the front seatbelt pre-tensioners. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and traction and stability control are standard on all models. The Saab car was named a "Best Pick" in frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests conducted by the IIHS.
Powertrains and Performance
Two engines are available on the Saab 9-3. Standard on 2.0T models is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four that makes 210 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Aero models get a 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 capable of 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. All 2.0T models get a standard five-speed manual gearbox, while Aeros get a six-speed manual. A five-speed automatic with manual-shift capability is optional on 2.0Ts, while Aeros are eligible for a six-speed automatic.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options
The Saab 9-3 is available in sedan, wagon (called the SportCombi) and convertible body styles, all of which come in 2.0T and Aero trim. The 2.0T trim offers full leather seating, a 150-watt stereo, keyless entry, stability control, an eight-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control and 16-inch alloy wheels. The sporty Aero model adds bolstered sport seats, chrome instrument surrounds and interior trim, a lower body kit, a lowered sport suspension, a 300-watt stereo and 17-inch alloy wheels. Convertibles come with a fully automatic power top. Options across both trims include seat heaters, bi-HID headlights and a DVD-based navigation system.
Driving Impressions
The Saab 9-3 handles impressively well, with a nicely balanced neutral feel. The steering is a little light, but not enough to detract from the fun-to-drive factor. Passive rear-wheel steering in the rear suspension design keeps the rear tires following the front tires in quick lane changes and through rapid transitions when driving quickly on twisting roads. Directional stability is good over almost all road surfaces, even when equipped with the wider tires.
The ride is smooth. And its quiet, with little road noise or wind noise invading the cabin, even through the vast expanse of rear and side glass in the wagon version.
One area in which the 9-3 excels is its suppression of torque steer, a disconcerting trait afflicting many front-wheel-drive cars where the steering wheel tugs at the drivers hands under hard acceleration or resists corrections in the midst of a corner. Saab engineers worked hard to eliminate it in this latest 9-3, and it appears they were largely successful. The turbocharged V6 develops a lot of torque and a modicum of tugging and resistance is apparent while accelerating over uneven pavement or out of a tight corner, but it isnt the issue it once was with older Saabs.
The V6 delivers all the punch these cars need, with 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque from 2000-4500 rpm. Saab says the 9-3 Aero SportCombi we drove is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds flat. The big torque is more than adequate for those urgent passes on two-lane roads and for getting up to merging speeds on highway on-ramps.
If you really like doing your own shifting, go with either one of the manual transmissions, but we dont recommend it. The longish clutch throw takes some getting used to and the six-speed in the Aero feels a little rubbery, but youll save yourself $1,350. If you commute, get the six-speed automatic. The fingertip controls on the Aero models add to the fun in every day driving.
Favorite Features
Body style, iPod (mp3) connection, heated seats, moonroof & dashboard to name a couple. To be honest, the entire car is awesome - hard to pick a few faves. I love the ability to turn off unwanted options to help avoid the dreaded nighttime glare. The drive and cornering abilities are incredible!
Overall Review
Best car for the price...bar none. Better materials, more features, better safety record, and a better driving experience than the Japanese. Much cheaper and more comfortable than comparable Germans, better performance than Volvo.
MSRP Price Range $25,900 - $41,900
Invoice Price Range $24,434 - $39,512
