i do'nt think you'll get screwed for resale value with the coupe

and for considering a saab against a g35C, you should be smacked

couuuuupe all the way. i'm happy with mine, good power, handling, comfort, everything you could want

and you can turn off traction control, there's handy little button for it(though i wished it was off by default, but, eh, not everybody is like me)

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^^Bodybuilding Made Simple

 

P_A, we may be the only two people in the world who were looking at both the 9-3 Arc (or Vector) and the G35 Coupe, so I'll try to help you out.

1. Most people are getting G35s at MSRP. They are also mostly having to order and wait a few months. Then again, we're still waiting on the higher performance 9-3s, so...

2. You can turn VDC off with the flick of a switch. It was the only way I was ever getting out of my snowy driveway these past weeks. I think the TCS requires you to go in there and pull a fuse, but the TCS is much less intrusive. You can break the G loose pretty easily with just the VDC off, even with an automatic.

3. I don't think anyone has put much wear on their car yet. The only noted wear-in problem is that, if you get the cheap-*** 'titanium' center console trim, it scratches easily. I skipped the 'titanium' and have no complaints so far, but there's barely 400 miles on mine due to the weather problems.

4. Infinitis don't maintain re-sale value like a BMW, but it's not like you're buying a Chevy. Compared to a Saab, I have a hard time believing the difference is enough to swing your choice in favor or one or the other. Also, remember that re-sale is primarily driven by the demands of the market. This is a car that alot of the kids are very badly going to want to try to buy second-hand. You can't say there's a large market scanning the classifieds each day for used Saabs.

5. Lease vs. buy. I don't believe in leasing unless (1) you're reaching for a car that's normally outside your price range, and (2) the car's residual value is well-established. I think in the G's case, a lease is more likely to be a bad deal. At least if you buy, you'll be getting all the value rightfully owed you when it's time to sell (or just keep it). People who own alot of cars that I've talked to more often come out ahead when buying.

6. Other observations comparing the two: I like the leather Saab uses better than anything outside an upper end British automobile, but the G's seats are perhaps the most comfortable I've ever sat in. I definitely prefer the Saab dash look and layout. The G's is not sufficiently distinguished from a Nissan, and it's ergonomics are set up for a right-side driver. It's probably the least impressive part of the car. Other than that, it's been referred to as a "Japanese Saab" in terms of interior quirks. Make of that what you will. Rear headroom and trunk space don't compare with the 9-3, but styling? I had someone in Boston cross the street to get a better look at my car while I was at a red light. Not gonna happen in a 9-3.

And performance? I'll go to bat for the Saabs as quick as anyone. People don't realize they get every bit of torque they have to the front wheels, whereas front-wheelers with bigger numbers waste it and yet can't turn worth a damn either. If you gave me a choice of any FWD and an Alfa wasn't on the lot, the Saab is my choice. But it's not a G. It just can't compare. A FWD turbo just isn't playing the same game as a finely tuned RWD with horsepower that flows like velvet. If you test drive them both, I just can't see anyone passing up the G for any 9-3, at that close a price difference.

-Jack

Black obsidian / graphite '03 Coupe premium nav