BMW, Toyota or Saab

Hey,
I am looking at three different convertibles. Let me know what you think is the better car

BMW 325
Toyota Solara SLE V6
Saab 9-3
Thanks:)

umm, no competition here. gotta go with the 325.

325 all the way, man! They don't call it the Ultimate driving machine for nothing. No other car in that class will give you the same "driver/car relationship" than a bimmer. After a month of daily driving, you develop a sense of what a driving experience really is. And that experience gets stronger and stronger each time you get in the car. **FACT**The 3 series sets the standard and all the others try and keep up.
Of course you'll only get biased opinions like mine, in a BMW forum.
See what the Toyota and Saab forums have to say.
I LOVE MY 328IS.
Good luck...

I bought my first BMW (2001 325Ci) in July and realized that all this marketing hype about Utimate Driving Machine is actually true. Since than I had to drive other cars on a few occasions and that was a painful experience.

I don't know about Saab, but Toyota ... It's a way out of BMW league.

I got my first bimmer in 1997. A 328is stick, with the Sport package.
I often travel for business and I have the luxury of renting expensive cars. I've tried Lexus, Audi, and Saab. (Usually don't rent American cars). My bimmer was by far, the most fun car to drive. If you're looking a good bleng of quality, performance, luxury, and style, then you gotta go with BMW. And the BMW dealers are top notch across the country. I think the price is reasonable for what you get.

MY RIDE...AND JOY!

325 is a good choice in this case.

Got to be the 325...but if you had extra dough I would definitely hope you can get a 330. The Camry is quite slow, and is nowhere as head-turning as the other cars. As for Saab...how can you believe in a scandinavian convertible where the sun doesn't even come out that much? Beemer is the winner, no doubts~

Got to be the 325...but if you had extra dough I would definitely hope you can get a 330. The Camry is quite slow, and is nowhere as head-turning as the other cars. As for Saab...how can you believe in a scandinavian convertible where the sun doesn't even come out that much? Beemer is the winner, no doubts~

Thanks for you reply. I just have a few question ???? Is there some dramatic difference between the 330 and the 325. The only thing I have noticed is a few things come standard... Next question... Have any of you heard anything about the Saab, toyota, or BMW that is good or bad??

Thanks

Originally posted by axboi2001x
Got to be the 325...but if you had extra dough I would definitely hope you can get a 330. The Camry is quite slow, and is nowhere as head-turning as the other cars. As for Saab...how can you believe in a scandinavian convertible where the sun doesn't even come out that much? Beemer is the winner, no doubts~

Solara have some TRD support that make it pretty fun. I don't think Germany have that much sun either.

Originally posted by benz162000

Thanks for you reply. I just have a few question ???? Is there some dramatic difference between the 330 and the 325. The only thing I have noticed is a few things come standard... Next question... Have any of you heard anything about the Saab, toyota, or BMW that is good or bad??

Thanks

The engine is a big difference. Other than that you can make it up with package.

I would go for the sport package and the manual transmission, if you go with the BMW. My BMW dealer gives you a loaner BMW when your car is in the shop. And they're usually automatic and without the sport package. And the difference is like night and day. It definetly wasn't as fun to drive. For a few extra dollars, it's worth it. Maybe try and test drive both models. Have you test rode any models yet?

One interjection, lumb-bar supports (back supports on the lower back portion of the seat) are not offered with the 325. But everything else is superior for example the seal on the convertable top (although it depends on teh local climate and fluctuations), after 5 years you will thank yourself for going with the BMW. Again I am a biased voice.

Russ, what kind of wheels do you have?? they are nice

the BMW no comparison!!!!

the solara doesn't even come close.... and the saab is FWD, not even close to as much of a fun car

the BMW blows them right out of the water :D
you should go test drive them all and decide for yourself. You'll see that the other 2 don't even compare to the bimmer's fun driving experience and quality

Here is the deal about these 3:
1.) Saab 9-3. lots of low-end torque and also looks good but after bmw in my opinion. i read that the low end torque being a fwd can lead to steering truns.
2.) Solara, good engine, pretty lame conv design, but the only V^ engine in it's class to run on low grade fuel. So it's CR should be low.
3.) this is the one i have well 325 coupe rather. The conv is the heaviest of all (sedan lightest, coupe and then the conv.
Although '02 convs. are about 50-60 lbs. lighter than their '01 counterparts, because of alumunium suspension parts and engine parts.
Compared to the coupe and sedan the convertible also has the least rigidity around 12000 NM.

I gotta say Saab, because those chairs are CCCCCOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMFFFFFYYYYYYYY

Saab styling doesn't even come close to the clean lines of the BMW.
Nor does it have the prestigious history in racing, product line, innovations, etc, etc. When was the last time you've heard of Saab winning a race?
Comfy????? I don't think that's an issue here. My cadillac is comfy.
Scandinavia??? Let's get real man.
:o

BMW IS THE STANDARD.

The Saab is faster lets not forget due to thier 100% turbocharged range, they are more powerful and I quite like the wedge-like styling

Jimmy,
Okay, now we're talking. Is the Saab turbocharged? The BMW's don't come in turbo. I rented a Saab convertible when they came out with their new turbo model in 1996. It really didn't impress me. They were fast, but not that fun to drive. I never felt in total control at high speeds and cornering.
As far as styling, I guess everyone has a different taste.

Do you have a regular pic of that Peugeot? It's hard to make it out.
Looks nice though. What kind of engine does it have?

Yeah I got a pic (That is the negative version)

here it is

It has a V6 engine which is about 200bhp (I don't know the KW-bhp figure)
with a 6500rpm redline

Anything else you want to know???????


btw the Saab convertable is a lousy drive due to huge body flex, but the Coupes don't have that.........

the sabbs have what's it called... torque steering?? because of the fwd
i think saabs are ugly IMO

The solara has to be one of the most boring cars there is, and that line down the side close to the window really pisses me off. Also the solara is a camry, so it is slow. One of my best friend's mom has a 9-3, and that thing spends more time in the shop, than in her garage.

So 325 all the way. A second choice though, well if I had to pick between the Solara, and the 9-3, I guess I would have to go with the 9-3. I will never drive a camry, I would rather drive a taurus.

Originally posted by Cannabis
. One of my best friend's mom has a 9-3, and that thing spends more time in the shop, than in her garage.

Mayabe she bought a dud, Saabs rate highly in JD Power surveys


I will never drive a camry, I would rather drive a taurus.

Even with the Taurus' Ugliness, Unreliability and ability to spontaniousley (SPELLING) combust

BMW 325 is fun to drive. However, the best is Porsche Boxster.

maybe, but it's not in this comparison

She went back and got a second one(for some reason everyone gave her a hard time for going back), and the same result. Not to mention how little respect I have for JD Power's survey's. Not until they give equal ratings to the automotive industry twins will I have any respect for them.

Her problems were all pretty much centered around the convertable top, and panels popping off.

Panels popping off??? Exterior or interior???

Also what are these automotive twins?????

They were interior panels.
The automotive twins that I refered to, were the Chevy prism/Corolla, the mazda b2300(or whatever)/ford ranger, mazda probe(can't remember its name)/ford probe. There are more, but I have a meeting I have to goto.
Indica

Originally posted by Cannabis
They were interior panels.
The automotive twins that I refered to, were the Chevy prism/Corolla, the mazda b2300(or whatever)/ford ranger, mazda probe(can't remember its name)/ford probe. There are more, but I have a meeting I have to goto.
Indica

I think there are differences in the twins I own a Ford Courier which is really a Ranger, and it has played up a lot, with smoky engines and cracked head gaskets etc. But I know Bouny (B-Series) owners who have had very little problems with their trucks

My dad's buisness has a ranger among other things, but it has 160,000 miles on it. All that has been repaired on it were brake pads (90,000 and 150,000), clutch(150,000), and alternator(140,000).
I think that is pretty good for a truck with 160,000 miles on it. Not to mention a work truck with more drivers than most other cars out there.

I am not talking about the American JD Power surveys, I'm talking 'bout the European one, which seems to give similar cars similar ratings e.g SEAT Arosa/VW Lupo and the Citroen Evasion/Fiat Ulysse/Peugeot 806 trio all get similar placings, so there is no reason to disrespect them.......

There isn't, if I see very significant inconsistancies, I'm not going to put any value in there surveys. I have gone through this debate numerous times with my great uncle(an idiot(when it comes to cars) that thinks he knows something about cars which he really doesn't). He eventually half agreed with me.

Originally posted by Cannabis
There isn't, if I see very significant inconsistancies, I'm not going to put any value in there surveys. I have gone through this debate numerous times with my great uncle(an idiot(when it comes to cars) that thinks he knows something about cars which he really doesn't). He eventually half agreed with me.
I still believe JD Power's ratings, because the scores come from those who know best (The owners)

i would love to get a car similar to yours. i'm actively looking now. will get one soon (in toronto).

russ, i've never driven a bmw in my life. it's hard to imagine the relationship you would develope with a car. what is so special about it?

BMW - the best car !
toyotas are reliable
but cant be compared to bimmers
bmw - class, comfort, driving experience
and on top of all, they are beautiful cars
toyotas are ugly ( Yaris , Corollas and all )