How does 93 compare to other Epsilon 2 vehicles

[HiTechAero]

How do you think the 93 compares to the BLS or G6? I think there are more vehicles on this platform but they do not come immediately to mind.

[ctrlz]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Epsilon_platform

I have not driven any Epsilon 2 cars.

I had a 2005 Chevy Malibu as a rental in 2005. Build quality and interior noise were very close to Saab. Stock stereo was hands-down superior. Power was respectable. I was both impressed and disgusted realizing this was easily 80% of a Saab 93 for 60% of the money.

[Wulf]

My experience is limited to Malibu rentals as well. Interior quality is cheaper looking compared to the 9-3 but there were much less rattles and squeeks. Base engine is pretty underwhelming and trashy and driving characteristics are sloppy.

My last one was a Malibu Maxx and I liked the design of a sedan/wagon mix. So it's basically a 4-door with a hatch (shouldn't that be in Saab's line-up...?). I liked the convenience of a hatch so much that I traded in my SS for a SC the following week.

All in all not a bad car but also not something to get excited over. After driving one of these for a week, I really appreciate coming back home and drive the Saab again.

[gruvncubn]

I was given a Malibu as a rental when I took my 93 in for service and I don't think it even came close to the 93. The front end was bouncy and drove like a truck. The interior was not much better... cloth with less appealing features. The car we should be looking at is the new Cadilac. I can't remember the model but is on the same platform and looks extremly like the 93 on the inside. It's not the CTS... CT.. something.

[04932t]

Originally Posted by gruvncubn

I was given a Malibu as a rental when I took my 93 in for service and I don't think it even came close to the 93. The front end was bouncy and drove like a truck. The interior was not much better... cloth with less appealing features. The car we should be looking at is the new Cadilac. I can't remember the model but is on the same platform and looks extremly like the 93 on the inside. It's not the CTS... CT.. something.

Its the BLS I believe and that is only available in Europe not in the US as of now. I believe that there is rumor that this vehicle will be over here in 2009. I will stick with the 9-3 though. I like the looks more.

[danncas]

The Saab is by far at the top. They really don't share that much other then the basic tooling and dies at the factorys. From the ground up everything else changes from car to car. The only thing with the G6 and the SAAB = GM and the 07 has that stuip GM radio in it,

[Wulf]

The BLS (made in Trollhattan) is basically a rebadged 9-3 while all the others are pretty much completely different cars.

The Opel Vectra and 9-3 are available with the 2.8T while the american counterparts have complete different V-6s.

[Warren Demontague]

I don't understand where everyone is coming from when they say the build quality of the 9-3 interior is so bad. I think the materials are quite good, everything fits tightly, and there are no rattles for me.

Maybe it's just because I came from a 99 Olds.

[Geeves]

just compairing it to other high sticker cars and past saab interiors.

[Warren Demontague]

Past Saab interiors have been crappy with flimsy buttons & switches and hard shiny plastic that looks like it should be in a 90's Hyundai.

[Orlandoaero]

EP II isn't out yet. BLS is essentially a 9-3 and is selling horribly in Europe. Basically all it is doing is helping fill factory's capacity.

First EPII car should be 09(?) Vectra. Last all-new EP1 car is slated to be 08 Malibu.

[danncas]

Originally Posted by Warren Demontague

I don't understand where everyone is coming from when they say the build quality of the 9-3 interior is so bad. I think the materials are quite good, everything fits tightly, and there are no rattles for me.

Maybe it's just because I came from a 99 Olds.

I had had my Saab's to the auto body shops. This guy works on alot of very exspensive cars and told me that the Saab is hard to work with. Everything is so close of a tollerance. I work in manufaturing so I understand. When its that close it will make noise, swrinkage and exspanion. If it was a lose fit you would not have parts rubbing. I have never heard metel rubbing in any Saab I owned. I hear plastic in the winter time on my 06 Right above the sun roof. This is only when Im on one of the good USA roads. I have a rattel in my BMW that the dealer can get ride off. I have yet to try myself.

[danncas]

Originally Posted by Warren Demontague

Past Saab interiors have been crappy with flimsy buttons & switches and hard shiny plastic that looks like it should be in a 90's Hyundai.

My an american car or some of the Japenesse cars.
The only car that I have ever own that had the best fit was a 1999 Mercedes Benz

[HiTechAero]

The 3.6 is the big brother to the 2.8 so a number of these vehicles have the engine family in common. Clearly a lot more refined than the 3.9 in the Maxx SS, but that car is a blast to drive if you have not tried one. Did not realize it was the common platform.

I think the BLS will be a hit in the US more than in Europe given it will be Caddy's gas saver, but still have the nice dynamics of the 93.

I am going to drive a G6 vert to compare to my 93 vert. I expect the 93's interior is a lot nices, and I KNOW the 93's suspension is much more sophisticated. Still the Aura Redline and 93 actually may have some feel in common - time will tell. That Aura is quicker than my Aero if the rags are right - 0-60 in 5.9, with the redline not yet out!

[Investor74]

To my eye, there is something funky looking about the longer wheelbase Epsilon platform used on the G6, Malibu Maxx, and the Satrun Aura. I much prefer the look of the shorter wheelbase like the 9-3.


Barry.
'04 Nocturne Blue Arc

[Orlandoaero]

Originally Posted by HiTechAero

The 3.6 is the big brother to the 2.8 so a number of these vehicles have the engine family in common. Clearly a lot more refined than the 3.9 in the Maxx SS, but that car is a blast to drive if you have not tried one. Did not realize it was the common platform.

I think the BLS will be a hit in the US more than in Europe given it will be Caddy's gas saver, but still have the nice dynamics of the 93.

I am going to drive a G6 vert to compare to my 93 vert. I expect the 93's interior is a lot nices, and I KNOW the 93's suspension is much more sophisticated. Still the Aura Redline and 93 actually may have some feel in common - time will tell. That Aura is quicker than my Aero if the rags are right - 0-60 in 5.9, with the redline not yet out!

The current BLS is not coming to the US (though it is sold in Mexico). FWD does not fit with Cadillac's desired RWD image in this country. The thinking is the next BLS will be RWD and based off of GM's "Alpha" RWD platform. This will be the same platform likely to be the basis for the next G6, which is also going RWD. The next BLS will slot below the CTS as the entry-level Cadillac in the US, but will have nothing in common (but name) with the present 9-3 based car.

[wtfwill]

Originally Posted by Warren Demontague

I don't understand where everyone is coming from when they say the build quality of the 9-3 interior is so bad. I think the materials are quite good, everything fits tightly, and there are no rattles for me.

Maybe it's just because I came from a 99 Olds.

i agree completely.. and i came from a '99 hyundai elantra

[TROLLhattenschatten]

Ugh, the malibu's are so hidious and awful to drive...i don't know how you can compare them to the 9-3...or any other car.

I have a better one - Malibu or Geo Metro
i would take the Geo, all 25HP of it.

[Geeves]

Originally Posted by Warren Demontague

Past Saab interiors have been crappy with flimsy buttons & switches and hard shiny plastic that looks like it should be in a 90's Hyundai.

I don’t quite understand what year you’re comparing too. In the 80s the interior was plain but so was every other car in that era. In the 90s I feel the interior was quite quality. Nice, leather and quality instrumentation. Now the 03+93 has great car layout and ergonomics but the quality is down. Please forgive my examples not everybody agrees.



The rubber peals, the leather does not have that quality feel or look from previous years. The seat clips always come loose plastic covers always pop off. Many different creeks and rattles.



I agree the new styling is sweet and the next upgrade might be better but we are talking about quality.