The people buying 3-series, IS300s and all aren't buying it over the current 9-3 because it has a trunk. They're buying those cars over 9-3s because they either want the rwd, the brand prestige, or things like that. If those buyers wanted fwd trunk/car to begin with, they would have bought an Acura TL, Infiniti I35, Lexus ES300, Saab 9-5, or Volvo S60. But the BMW-buyers passed, preferring the ...

I just purchased a 2001 4-door silver 9-3 service loaner from a dealership in Akron, Ohio. After researching the vehicle pricing on line, I e-mailed the (2) Saab dealers in my area and asked for pricing on the entry-level car.

I love my Saab's utility (hatchback) - it's not too expensive either. However, you get what you pay for and my LOW lease payment got me a terrible car.

OTOH, Saab is dropping the hatch from the 9-3 lineup for the first year+, a really dumb move as the Saab is the King of hatchbacks and people are just moving into hatches and mini-station wagons in the smaller cars.

A few less unique features, but my Saab had been a very basic Saab, while the Hyundai comes standard with side airbags, CD, alloys, leather seats (and cup holders). And performance is equal--the Saab's 2.3 was 150 HP compared to 140, but weighs 400 lbs. more. Seems about the same on the freeway, nearly as good of handling (same as the Tiburon).

When I looked at this the big difference is the effective interest rate. Saab is currently offering a money factor of .00001 on a 3 year lease and a money factor of .00055 on a 4 year lease. The equivalent interest rate is basically 0% for the 3 year lease. The credit union with the "smart lease" (balloon loan) wants something like 7% interest. Compare the extra interest cost from the balloon ...

I've never owned a Saab yet am now seriously considering buying either a 1999 or 2000 9-3. Obviously the 1999 is a lot cheaper (about 25% less than the 2000 model), however, I'm wondering about the reliability and quality difference between the two model years.

Shopping for a 2001 Saab 9-3? Check out Edmunds' pricing information for the 2001 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4Cyl Turbo 5M) in their True Market Value Deals of the Week.

Rebate of 4300 available on Base Saab 9-3 until the end of May according to International Saab in Falls Church, VA. You will not see it listed anywhere b/c it is a factory to dealer incentive- you have to find out about it from sites like this one or Edmunds or some other auto pricing site.

The 9-3 is being replaced next year (as an '03) with a new platform and Saab is backed by GM who is trying to move the cars off the lots. Just don't let the dealer play games and say "oh, well the Viggen is a rare car and we don't budge off sticker from them."