tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2581783978383617782.post-22136105703357835232006-12-11T12:29:00.000Z2006-12-11T12:48:55.305Z<p>When the boss asked ‘who would like to spend the next few days with a Swedish beauty?’ well obviously I was first to leap up and say yes. Alas I had jumped feet first again and the Swedish beauty was a Saab 93. Having never owned or driven a Saab before I was not too disappointed and was curious as to how it would compare to my usual German vehicle fetish. The car in question was a <a href="http://www.carsandfinance.com/article.php?review=3">Saab 93 Vector Sport 1.8 T</a>, with a list price of £22,230 plus metallic paint. </p><p><br />The Saab Vector Sport packs more equipment than a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredrik_Eklund">Swedish porn star</a>, with standard features including full leather interior, climate control, cd player, traction control and alloy wheels. So far so good, however with Vauxhall Vectra underpinnings was this car just a sheep in wolves clothing? </p><p><br />To put the 93 to the test I hit the high roads of Derbyshire and was surprised by the lively turbocharged petrol engine, which was fast enough for most people and has a good motorway pedigree. The ride was excellent, smooth over every surface, with surprisingly good handling and cornering for a front wheel drive. The good people at Saab have successfully retuned the chassis and given the car a totally different feel to its Vauxhall sibling. </p><p><br />Inside the car has a great driving environment, ample space both front and rear, a 5 star N-Cap safety rating and top draw equipment. </p><p><br />So is the Saab 93 a Bavarian basher? </p><p><br />Well the 1.8T engine has similar vital statistics (top end and sprint times) to the new BMW 320i engine. Round one is a draw. </p><p><br />With the sharpest drive in its class the 3 series is a better driving car than the 93. The front wheel drive on the Saab makes it difficult to compete in this round, and it suffers a loss.<br />With like for like specification and equipment, taking account of discounts that haggling on the Saab can bring, the cost of purchasing the Saab is around £5000 cheaper than the BMW. Round three goes to the 93. </p><p><br />With a retained 3 year 36,000 mile value percentage of 52% only 1% less than the BMW the fleet buyer is nearly £150 per month better off on a typical finance contract. For me personally this is a clear knock out and the Saab 93 has become, on pure value for money alone, undisputed champion of its class. </p><p><br />Review by LStreets. First published in web express magazine.</p><p><br />Full Saab 9-3 range available to purchase at a massive saving on <a href="http://www.carsandfinance.com/car/saab/9-3_diesel_sport_saloon/1.9tid_linear_sport_[120]_4dr">list price</a>.<br />Special Discount Offers on Saab 93 convertible range, Saab 93 sport saloon and Saab 93 sports wagon.</p><p><strong>Vital Statistics for the Saab 9-3 DIESEL SPORT SALOON</strong></p><p>Top Speed 138 mph<br />0 to 60 in 8.2 seconds<br />34.9 combined mpg<br />CO2/06 Tax liability 195/26% </p>Cars and Financehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12325481461043231069noreply@blogger.com