Friend of mine's got one for the weekend and just been for a brief spin.

Very nice I must say; nicely built, quality materials (apart from the interior door handles), smooth-riding.

But I must be spoilt by the torque of the TDI 130; I know the 9-3 is a heavy car, but despite 175PS it seemed really gutless; absolutely nothing below 3000rpm. Yet they alledge it can cover 0-60 in 8.5 seconds, less than the Fabia vRS's *official* figures.

Mind you, if I had

I have the honour of driving the 210 2.0T (note big T ) Saab 9-3 at work. Had a go today. Smooth power delivery, but doesn't drive like a 210hp car at all. Sometimes feels slower than mt car as all the top boost/power is right at the top end, and although it does boost low down in the rev range, its pathetic. Feels like a Type R in many ways - have to rev the bo11ocks off it to make good progress.

(and economy is bloody awful too)

Agreed; my vRS is totally standard and I know I'd rather drive that if I was in a hurry that the (small t) Saab. The Saab's deffo a better posemobile though lol

I have the honour of driving the 210 2.0T (note big T ) Saab 9-3 at work. Had a go today. Smooth power delivery' date=' but doesn't drive like a 210hp car at all. Sometimes feels slower than mt car as all the top boost/power is right at the top end, and although it does boost low down in the rev range, its pathetic. Feels like a Type R in many ways - have to rev the bo11ocks off it to make good progress.

(and economy is bloody awful too)[/quote']

Me too, I have the 9-3 Aero (with added PPC tuning module)...gives a 247BHP figure...your right about the fuel consumtpion though...avg of 29MPG...looks cool though, so worth it.

Brian

if i had 25k i would save 2 more and get the 9-5 hot areo

Saabs aren't really about massive performance though, they are about 'having the power to overtake safely when needed' lol :P My Dad has the 95 estate with the 185bhp engine and that pulls really hard for such a big car. Wonder why the 2L engines feel gutless :confused: Still, I bet they would outrun the equivelent CLK.......and imo they look better

ahhh saabs now were talking

had a 9k for 5 years, had a few tweaks and 150bhp turned into 225bhp with 350nm of torque

The 2.0l engine with the small turbo, "chipped", is quicker than a standard 9k, 9-3 and 9-3ss aero.

GM have mellowed saabs over the years and they are'nt the car they use to be, although the 250bhp aero 9-5 is in my opinion more discreet than an octy vrs. The old style 9-3 aero is also another quick car....

As previously said, saab make cars for going from 50-70 very quickly and that is why i still love them

At the end of the day it's just a Vectra underneath. Got the engines the Vectra should have though plus they do it in a lovely Cabrio!!!