Casio's New Car Thread | Svenska Power!

Casio · Jan 31, 2009

Those guys who are regulars in the in the Premium Section will know the story about my old car. For those who don't, here is the basic story. 3 weeks ago some drunk guy smashed into my 1995 SEAT Cordoba shrinking it to about half the size it was, because he was drunk and his insurance didn't cover him, and I only had third party cover, I was left quite a bit out of pocket.

After two weeks of searching I came across this, a 2000 Saab 9-3S, in absolutely immaculate condition at a Saab dealer. He had dropped the price $3,000 the day before I came in because of lack of interest, and I have no idea why. Anyway, two days ago I took delivery of it, gave it a good wash today, and here it is.

It has the 9-3 Aero Body kit and Wheels. Originally, I was a bit yes/no on the wheels, but now they're coming around to me.

It has a little chrome exhaust tip which I think is pretty neat.

The headlight wipers are pretty useless at the moment when it's 47C outside, but man, when the earth flips around on its axis, I'll be ready to clear that snow.

The inside is pretty decked out and comfortable, huge Velor Seats with all the adjustments, active headrests, woodgrain, cruise control, adjustable height headlights, front/rear fogs, trip computer with stuff on it, power everything, etc.

Only just over 120,000km (70,000 miles) on the clock so hopefully should last me a good few years.

And finally sitting in my driveway.

The first two days of ownership have been pretty good. The 47C weather freaked out the electrics, but its been running smooth as butter. The engine has this nice sound under acceleration, but then disappears completely when you're just cruising, compared to my old car, it's taking me a bit to get used to how quiet it is when you're traveling at 110km/h (65mph), with nothing to be heard but occasional wind noise. The 185Hp engine is more than double what I had and is more than capable for overtaking. I'm looking forward to the cooler temperatures when the engine has a little more power and I can give those heated seats a try!

The only bad thing is the quote my insurance company gave me for full coverage. Red + 2 Door + Turbo + Under 21 = Scary Figure. I'm still a full-time student and I'm not paying that outrageous figure, so third-party it is again, I just hope I don't get hit by another drunk guy....

Any thoughts, comments or questions are welcome!

Jay · Jan 31, 2009

Looking good, I can't say the wheels have grown on me yet (since the pics in premo forum) but it looks great sitting in your driveway. 👍

Keef · Jan 31, 2009

Give it a very thorough wash and vacuum, and a good coat of wax, with another a couple weeks later. Do that every spring. That paint will need all the protection it can get from your killer sun.

Casio · Jan 31, 2009

Keef
Give it a very thorough wash and vacuum, and a good coat of wax, with another a couple weeks later. Do that every spring. That paint will need all the protection it can get from your killer sun.

Yeah definitely, the paint on it is so good I want to keep it that way. I believe it has been waxed in the week before I took delivery, but I'm thinking about doing it again in 2-3 weeks time. Is their a particular brand/type I should be going for?

Keef · Jan 31, 2009

I don't think branding is a big deal unless you're taking it to a concours. They're all way more advanced than they were even ten years ago. I'd suggest using a real wax, though, not those wax-while-you-wash things.

And if you hand wash your car (with a car wash that says it's easy on wax) you should use some detailer spray after you dry it. It's similar to wax, but it's not. Easy to put on, easy to wipe off, and it adds an extra degree of protection and shine. It's pretty quick and easy.

Shiny paint is nice, especially when you were stuck with a fading pink Del Sol before.

YSSMAN · Jan 31, 2009

How many times have you gotten into the car with the key and forgotten where it goes?

I think I'd do it every day.

===

Welcome to the Saab owners club, lets see it it bites you as hard as what Volkswagens and Subarus do to those "other people."

EA11R · Jan 31, 2009

Other people.

Well put.

Perfect Balance · Jan 31, 2009

I reccomend a spray wax called "ice."

It dries clear so you don't have to make sure you get every little spot wiped out in the moldings and having to keep a cloth in your car for those times you'll find a little spot you missed weeks after you've waxed it.

At least I have that problem...

Sage · Jan 31, 2009

I didn’t realize until a couple days ago that it’s a coupe. I find that tremendously interesting for some reason. And I’ve alway wondered: does that decreasing-arc-length speedo actually work like that?

Omnis · Jan 31, 2009

Yeah, this thread reminds me that I need to wash my car. It had tiger stripes before I last washed it. Now it has leopard spots, because the dirt deposits on the beads of dew. My school is building a parking garage and the city is putting in new pipes on the road next to it, so there's always a ton of dirt in the air.

Perfect Balance · Jan 31, 2009

Sage
I didnt realize until a couple days ago that its a coupe. I find that tremendously interesting for some reason. And Ive alway wondered: does that decreasing-arc-length speedo actually work like that?

Looks like a hatchback to me.

I also have an idea for a way to find out if the speedo actually works like that...

Sage · Jan 31, 2009

Sorry, by “coupe” I was saying “two-door”… for some reason, I had thought that 9-3s only came as 4-doors.

ferrari_chris · Jan 31, 2009

How fast have you had it so far?

homeforsummer · Jan 31, 2009

I like it 👍 We've had two of those shape 9-3s in my family (a blue base model with the 150bhp engine and a gunmetal Sport with the 150bhp engine, both in 5dr) and a current-shape 9-3 Arc in red, again with the 150bhp engine. The grey one we have looks a bit like this, except it seems to have a very subtle body kit:

They've all been very comfy, pretty quick, though unfortunately not as reliable as we'd have liked and servicing costs a lot.

Bram Turismo · Jan 31, 2009

Congrats on that purchase Casio! 👍

I'm pretty sure that if there is not a new drunk guy on the look-out for your car, you're going to love it. I'm telling you already, enjoy this car because it's such a sweet car that you'll want another one when something happens to this one. I absolutely love the color on it, and those rims are exactly the same as the ones we had on our dark-blue convertible. Our Saab was a 900SE though, but with the same 185 hp engine. Stepping on the throttle really is something, and cruising with this car is pure awesomeness. Unfortunately we had to sell it though, together with other Saab we had; a 9000 Aero turbo with a whopping 250 hp. Import prices on the convertible were just too high to take it with us to Norway (Damn those prices, just thinking about Saab convertible + norwegian sun and snow makes me go :drool:

), and the turbo charged Saab had a problem with the turbo. (We had to sell it, a new turbo was too expensive)

Enjoy it, and treat it nicely :cheers:

This is the one we had, still the most beautiful convertible ever in my eyes:

Casio · Jan 31, 2009

YSSMAN
How many times have you gotten into the car with the key and forgotten where it goes?

I think I'd do it every day.

I've actually got used to it pretty quickly, I drive heaps of different peoples car pretty often, so I don't get into too much of a habit, it's the same with the 'backwards' indicators, both sides feel natural to me. Though I will admit, I actually did it the other way today, when I jumped into my girlfriends mum's car and went to put the key in the middle. I'm such a Fanboy already.

Sage
I didnt realize until a couple days ago that its a coupe. I find that tremendously interesting for some reason. And Ive alway wondered: does that decreasing-arc-length speedo actually work like that?

I've actually never seen another coupe around that I can remember, apparently they're pretty uncommon, though I don't have the build numbers. I didn't actually notice the speedo, until my girlfriend was like "How come the distance between 140 and 160 is the same as 130 to 140?" It should work though, it's an electric, not mechanical speedo.

It's also got this thing called "Night Panel" where if you press it it turns off all the interior lights except for the speedo, which is pretty awesome.

ferrari_chris
How fast have you had it so far?

Only about 110km/h, but I'll be looking to hunt that far end of the speedo soon.

homeforsummer
They've all been very comfy, pretty quick, though unfortunately not as reliable as we'd have liked and servicing costs a lot.

Yeah, I've heard about the servicing, but I don't mind paying a little bit extra for something that I want and is unique, I think it's worth it.

Cano · Jan 31, 2009

a Coupe!! I've seen ONE in my life... yes, Saabs came to mexico since about ten yers ago and we had that generation, its increidibly rare to see one on the street,and most are 5 doors, i've only seen one coupe and two ragtops. Congratulations on the purchase, I think it is a VERY interesting car to own, I have always liked how those look. Enjoy the stuff (:

Casio · Feb 1, 2009

Attempting to put all bias aside I think it looks alot better as a 2-door than a 4 door. Maybe the target market prefered the 4-door which is why they sold so many more of them. Actually one of the reasons I got it is when I looked at it I was like "I've never seen a 2-door 9-3, that's awesome".

The stance of the 2 door reminds me very much of the Calibra.

Jay · Feb 1, 2009

Two door makes it extra unique, plus I agree it looks better.

homeforsummer · Feb 1, 2009

The coupes seem to be more prevalent in the UK, though not particularly common still. They're mostly Aeros, actually. And one or two Viggens.

I think they're awesome, although the UK press weren't so kind, as they have... well, a vast amount of torque-steer, to be fair.

Casio · Feb 1, 2009

I'm digging the wheels on that blue one. (Viggen?)

They actually have the following wheels for sale where I'm getting it serviced.

I don't mind that third set at all.

Turbo Lag · Feb 1, 2009

Second and third look great. The first (and same last one) look hideous IMO.

Jay · Feb 1, 2009

3rd set for sure, how much do they want for them?

Casio · Feb 1, 2009

VIPERGTSR01
3rd set for sure, how much do they want for them?

Not sure. They don't say. They're selling a "Viggen Style" rear spoiler painted and fitted for $400 though.

EDIT: A Viggen Spoiler and those 3rd set of Wheels would look pretty hot actually...argghhh. Must. Resist. Besides, I don't want to be a poser.

Bram Turismo · Feb 1, 2009

Man, that blur 9-3 is absolutely adorable :drool:

However, I see those blue Viggen rims, and I'll add another pair of rims on that:

YSSMAN · Feb 1, 2009

Odd that you guys don't have many coupes, it seems like most of the 9-3s I see of that generation around here are. A neighbor of mine when I lived with my father had a nice black one, and I think he still does, although I'll admit that I haven't seen it in a while. It seems like most of the kids at school who had them drove coupes as well, although overall, I think there were more 9-5s than 9-3s by the time I moved out of Forrest Hills.

Either way...

Three Door > Five Door

Casio · Feb 1, 2009

YSSMAN
I think there were more 9-5s than 9-3s by the time I moved out of Forrest Hills.

Either way...

Three Door > Five Door

I've never been a big fan of the 9-5. But the service centre has this awesome 9-5 project car.

245kw (330hp) at the Wheels. And they think the Viggen has uncontrollable Torque Steer.....

homeforsummer · Feb 1, 2009

Both Abbott Racing (in the UK) and Hirsch tune Saabs, often getting the same power as the more powerful factory standard cars (over 200bhp) but with more concentration on making them handle too. They're supposed to be very good cars to drive.

This is Abbott's 9-3 R3 from around 6 years ago:

Greycap · Feb 1, 2009

Casio
A Viggen Spoiler and those 3rd set of Wheels would look pretty hot actually...argghhh. Must. Resist. Besides, I don't want to be a poser.

If you want my opinion, you can't be a poser with modifications like that. It takes a lot more, and certainly more than factory parts, to fill the description. My old brick probably hasn't even seen a turbocharger during its life but it has the wheels and the front lip from the turbo model and I'm about as far from a poser as can be.

Casio · Feb 1, 2009

I do really like that look of the new model 9-3s. I could totally see myself getting one in the near future if funds became available after I finish University...

...oh no...Brad was right...I'm becoming one of those Saab guys, those other people!

On a fuel note I did my first real full fill up today, full tank of 98RON cost me $72! But it does last a while, my first week of ownership I've averaged 9.8l/100km, or 24.35MPG, which is pretty good considering it's been 47C and I've been sitting in peak hour a lot.

EDIT: That's it, it's offical. It's taken me 3 days but I'm now a SAAB Fanboy.

I want to buy this:

And turn it into this.

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