Saab 9-3 Aero VS G35coupe

[fairladyz_gt-r]

as of everyday driving what's better? Saab 9-3aero or G35coupe? both 2006.

Saab may "only" have 250hp VS infiniti's 298, and saab might have slightly less torque, (both at 35kg/m) bout saab's 35 is deliever at 2,000RPM while infiniti will need 5,500...

I know infiniti is rear wheel drive, but seriously speaking...how often do you go drifiting? or push your car to the limit on a montain road? not often right?

Also i suppose Saab is safer too....(think of it this way...shumi crash once in awhile too u know..)

soo...what u guys think is better?

[DinanM3_S2]

Avoid Saab. They are not competitive with the front runners in this class anymore. In a recent C&D comparison with 7 other sedans (330i, G35, TL, A4 3.2, CTS, IS350, and S60R) the Saab 9-3 Aero placed dead last. Simply put, its not a good car when compared to anything it should be. It shares much of its components with the Chevy Malibu and the Opel Vectra. It has some of the worst turbo lag you will find on a newer car. The brakes were the worst in the comparo. The suspention is considered to be terrible. Finally, even in everyday driving, I still prefer RWD to FWD. RWD isnt just more fun cause you oversteer and can kick the back out. Theres just something about it that I struggle to explain that makes it more desireable to me.

The G35c is on the other hand a very good coupe. It has 350z performance combined with G35 comfort. It looks decent enough to turn some heads, and is enjoyable on the road. My problem with it is that the interior is miles behind the Audi A4's, the BMW 3-Series', the Acura TL's, and the Lexus IS. Its just cheap, but in exchange for that, you get a very good 300hp engine, RWD, and a car thats almost as fun to drive as a BMW (or the new IS350), at a lower price. For a daily driver, the G35 sedan might be a smarter option, since the suspention is calibrated more for comfort then sport. Between Saab and Infiniti, I would go for the Infiniti G35, in either Sedan or Coupe guise.

Now I must venture out of these two cars to talk about two cars I think should be mentioned. Over either of these cars, I would suggest the new Lexus IS250 (IS350 costs quite a bit more), or the BMW 325i (330i is a bit more expensive as well). The new IS has been regarded by both C&D and R&T as the second best in the class, just behind BMW. Both are very fun to drive, and have significantly nicer interiors then either the Saab or the Infiniti, at about the same price. A IS250 or E90 325i won't be as quick as the G35 due to the power difference, but for a daily driver, most people (including myself) would take the Lexus or the BMW. They are fun to drive, and easier to live with then G35 or the 9-3.

[Jimster]

I'm going on the contrary and saying get the Saab, it's one of the few ways to be unique while driving a Compact Executive, they're very cool cars indeed.

the FWD chassis is MUCH stiffer than Saabs of previous and I think the engines aren't too bad. The seats are also best in class after the Volvo S60.

[fairladyz_gt-r]

Wow 2 very different point of view!

[NISSANSPDR]

I would also endorse the IS250/350. Superb cars to the ones mentioned and the IS350 will be knocking on the BMW 330i's door. You'll see.

[BP2K2Max]

Originally Posted by DinanM3_S2

Now I must venture out of these two cars to talk about two cars I think should be mentioned. Over either of these cars, I would suggest the new Lexus IS250 or the BMW 325i (330i is a bit more expensive as well). The new IS has been regarded by both C&D and R&T as the second best in the class, just behind BMW. Both are very fun to drive, and have significantly nicer interiors then either the Saab or the Infiniti, at about the same price. A IS250 or E90 325i won't be as quick as the G35 due to the power difference, but for a daily driver, most people (including myself) would take the Lexus or the BMW. They are fun to drive, and easier to live with then G35 or the 9-3.

i'm sorry, but you gotta be kidding. to recommend the 325i or the IS250, which both cost as much as a G35 while making 100-115 less hp, seems silly to me, even the 330 can't compete. i think carrrnut said it best...

Originally Posted by carrrnuttt

IMHO, anyone who pays between 26 to 30K for a highly overpiced sedan that a 2002 Maxima costing 12K can beat in most contests is a badge-loving pencil-dick that thinks driving is for picking up chicks, and driving gloves are for keeping your hands warm when you go clubbing at midnight.

the IS350 i could understand, but then you're up in the area of $36K, base price.

[Jimster]

Poor carrrnuttt just doesn't get it, simple as that. A Maxima is nowhere near as good as a G35, 3 series or Lexus IS, no offence intended by saying this, but it's just an overweight family sedan that everyone has with a really nice engine sending power to the wrong wheels given its' size, it's good if you want to go fast in a straight line and it is better than a Compact execs for taking the kids to school, but that's it. That's why they cost so much more than the Maxima

Granted a BMW, Infiniti or Lexus is hardly rare though. That's why I like the Saab.

fairladyz_gtr: While I'm at it, have you guys got the 2006 model VW Passat in Thailand yet? If so give the 3.2 FSI model a shot, I test drove a diesel and it was a damn fine car- handling, comfort, quality and engines are all top notch. It doesn't look as good as a Saab or BMW, but it much better value.

[DinanM3_S2]

Originally Posted by BP2K2Max

i'm sorry, but you gotta be kidding. to recommend the 325i or the IS250, which both cost as much as a G35 while making 100-115 less hp, seems silly to me, even the 330 can't compete. i think carrrnut said it best... the IS350 i could understand, but then you're up in the area of $36K, base price.

O man... here I go. First of all, we are talking about daily drivers, so horsepower isn't the most important thing, the more comfortable, more fun to drive car is. Things like comfort and refinement are a bit more important in a daily driver then power, and honestly, the quality of the G35 is not at the same level of the 3-series or the Lexus IS.

Second, your statistics on the IS250 and the 325i are off. The IS250 makes 204hp, while the E90 325i makes 215hp. The G35 automatic (more likely for a daily driver) has 280hp, and the manual has 298, which is a pretty big difference, but not the 100-115hp difference you were claiming.

You obviously have missed the entire point of BMW (and to some extent Lexus). You would be a fool to buy one of these cars if you were only interested in racing, because they are NOT pure performance cars. If you had $30,000 to buy new car and only wanted to go fast, you should get a STI, EVO, Mustang GT, or a 350z. They are all much better at going fast then any of the cars previously mentioned. The problem with them is that they are all crappy daily drivers due to the complete lack of comfort and practicality. A sports sedan, like the G35, 3-series, IS, etc. is designed to be a quick, fun, daily driver. Regarding the BMW 3-Series, read any review that anybody has done about it, ever. C&D, R&T, Automobile, Edmunds, EVO, CAR, anyone. You can't just look at numbers when talking about the 3-series, there are so many intangibles that make it such an amazing car. There is a reason its good enough to beat out cars with significantly more power. Even Some of the people that buy BMWs, MBs, and Lexus are badge snobs that only car about how they look driving one, but I'd say that at least 50%, probably more like 70% of BMW owners really believe that their car is the best thing they could buy.

If you were willing to sacrifice some interior quality for some power, the G35 might be a better buy, but the IS250 and 325i are nicer, smoother, more refined, easier to drive, and better looking, which leads me to say that they are both indeed better daily drivers.

[BP2K2Max]

if we're talking about coupe's, then the power difference between an 06 325ci and an 06 G35 coupe is still 95 hp, which is a very notable difference. and if we're talking about "fun to drive" i don't see how you can overlook power. I guess it really depends on what you're looking for in a daily driver but to me a daily driver has to be about all around package and power factors in a lot IMO. I've been in a few 3 series' and M3's and i do think they are nice car's but to me they're over rated. there's nothing really significant about the car that stands out over that of an Acura, Infiniti, or many other cars in the same price range. On a day to day basis i would find more comfort knowing that i saved money and got a car that can do well all around.

[fairladyz_gt-r]

Nope VW is near dead here.....i don't think any showroom exist anymore....and plus if we get it would be the 1.8t, since VW Thailand want it to fight with the local made camary, Tenna (I35 that you guys are getting soon...) and accord.

Thanks for the in put guys i will definitely check out the BMW 325i, as for the lexus i will see...i have bad relationship with Toyota before...