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#34518 - 15/07/2001 13:59 Wondering about Saab 9-3
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA

I am looking at getting a new car, and the Saab 9-3 Viggen might be at the top of the list. As a testament to Empeg, I must base my new car decision on whether my MKII will fit.

I saw in another post that there are issues with taking the factory stereo out and losing function of the LCD display that is mounted above it.

I also saw on another web site that the factory stereo is now made by Pioneer whereas in the past it was made by Clarion.

Is there still an issue with this? And if so, what are the drawbacks of losing the LCD?

Thanks,

-Rob
-----
12GB MK2 Blue 090000736 (6166 in the queue)

_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736

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#34519 - 15/07/2001 14:27 Re: Wondering about Saab 9-3 [Re: robricc]
Liufeng
member

Registered: 14/09/1999
Posts: 149
Loc: Alaska
I have the Saab 5-door 9-3 SE and I've been having so much trouble with getting the empeg to co-habitate nicely with the factory saab electronics that I've taken the empeg out and I'm going to sell the car. You may have a better experience but seriously get a car with room in the dash otherwise it's a pain to find a place and most pro installers will want to put the empeg in the glove box; which I did at first but later found it to be annoyingly far to read and the remote didn't work very well, because of the odd angle. In general SAAB makes very nice automobiles.. but they aren't friendly to aftermarket "upgrades" and there is very little support in the aftermarket world, that I could find anyway. I guess SnAABs just aren't popular enough for dealers to have kits in stock or even "available" for the dash ... plus no-one ( as far as I know) makes any type of OEM wiring harness adapters for it. So in short ... you will have to spend a lot of money to have the empeg installed and then you probably won't be happy with the results. But if you do find a way to make the EMPEG work both Electronically and Cosmetically, let me know.

Reg #2845: Mark 1 #00173, Mark 2 #119
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Reg #2845: Mark 1 #00173, Mark 2 #119, Mark 2a

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#34520 - 16/07/2001 12:01 Re: Wondering about Saab 9-3 [Re: robricc]
SuperQ
addict

Registered: 13/06/2000
Posts: 429
Loc: Berlin, DE
ouch, that looks like an awful integrated stereo system.. not at all friendly to aftermarket stuff. I saw stuff like that when I was waiting at the VW/Saab dealer for my jetta to get ready to go. (the empeg works great in the VW, and a GTI will cost you about half as much as a saab ;)
Personaly, If i were looking to dump serious amounts of $ into a new car.. I would go with a volvo over a saab.. then again.. i think most of the saab's are ugly as hell.. so i'm biased =]

12gig red mk2 -- 080000125
_________________________
80gig red mk2 -- 080000125
(No, I don't actually hate Alan Cox)

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#34521 - 16/07/2001 12:37 Re: Wondering about Saab 9-3 [Re: robricc]
falconvp
new poster

Registered: 04/08/1999
Posts: 16
Loc: Central TX, USA
I can NOT believe that someone would give up their SAAB just because the Empeg does not install into it the way one would like it to ?!?!?!?!

I have 2 Saabs: 1987 Saab 9000 Turbo & 1999 Saab 9-5 SE.

My Empeg Mk.I is currently installed into my 9000, but I do plan to install it into my 9-5 as well (i purchased an additional docking bay & faceplate).

Now, true, I have not installed it in my 9-5 yet, because I wanted to find an OEM adapter, but barring that, you could always use a FM-modulator.

*geez* Don't give up such a nice automobile over the Empeg.....please!

Mark1 10gb,amber, 1987 Saab 9000 Turbo.
(glad I don't have to shuffle tapes/CDs anymore)
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Rio 30gb 1999 SAAB 9-5SE Mark1 10gb '87 SAAB 9000T glad I don't shuffle tapes/CDs anymore

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#34522 - 16/07/2001 15:06 Re: Wondering about Saab 9-3 [Re: falconvp]
Liufeng
member

Registered: 14/09/1999
Posts: 149
Loc: Alaska
I've been thinking of ways to mount the empeg both attractively and practically.. and nothing has been satifactory so far. Of course I haven't sold my 9-3 just yet ... but I'm seriously considering it so that I can get some other type of vehicle. Let me know how your 9-5 install works out. Both cars have very similar sound systems so anything you come up with should work for me as well.

Thomas Myers

Reg #2845: Mark 1 #00173, Mark 2 #119
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Reg #2845: Mark 1 #00173, Mark 2 #119, Mark 2a

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#34523 - 17/07/2001 12:23 Re: Wondering about Saab 9-3 [Re: Liufeng]
robricc
carpal tunnel

Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
I am definitely most interested in dumping the factory stereo alltogether like in my current car.

-Rob
-----
12GB MK2 Blue 090000736 (6166 in the queue)
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli
80GB 16MB MK2 090000736

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