Saab 9-3

lukem

Anyone own one of these? Am looking at a 2001 model, 2.0 hatchback . Any praise and/or warning would be appreciated!

Luke

Eoin

Here's a review, and stuff from honestjohn.co.uk:

What's Good
Steering, handling and roadholding all improved over previous same-shape 900. Even better with 17in wheels and Michelin Pilot tyres. 115 bhp 2.2 litre direct injected diesel particularly good to drive - better than 2.0 litre petrol. 225 bhp 2.3 litre HOT Viggen from March 1999. Very impressive safety features include a full set of five 3-point belts, two airbags and excellent side-impact protection. Clever anti-whiplash head restraints. Rear boot sill has been lowered to make it more like the old 900 and you can used the rear bumper to sit on. Convertible has a heated glass rear window. 2.0 litre eco turbo engine replaced 2.3i for 1999 model year. Four-Star NCAP crash safety rating due to excellent side impact protection but much less satisfactory front offset impact protection due to bulkhead inherited from 900. In late October 2000, power of the 2.2TiD diesel was increased to 125bhp and torque to 206lb ft at a very low 1,500 rpm, giving 0-60 in 10 seconds and combined cycle fuel economy of 45.6mpg. Joint 3rd top make in 2002 'Which?' reliability survey cars 2000 - 2002. Average for breakdowns, problems and faults in 2003 Which survey. Excellent technical help site included at www.saabcentral.com/techhelp/95

What's Bad
Still has bulkhead mounted steering rack like Cavalier. By 2006 cracked bulkheads from the strain of the rack working against the subframe mounted wheels had become a serious problem. Scuttle-shake of popular convertible can still set your teeth rattling. Reports of bulkhead fractures. Turbo a bit vicious. Diesel needs to be kept on the boil (above 1,900 rpm) so not too good for caravan towing. Some GM 2.2 litre DI diesels use a lot of engine oil. Poor starting and cutting out after starting of 2.2DI 16v caused by airleaks through fuel injector seals. Turbo intercooler pipe on 2.2DI prone to failure. Spate of air conditioning compressor failures on 2001/2002 models led SAAB to cut the replacement cost from £700 to £180. Self-help group www.saabscene.co.uk Only 85% breakdown free in 2003 Which survey. SAAB had above average warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 122.61 v/s lowest 31.93). Link:- www.reliabilityindex.co.uk
What to Watch Out For
Timing chains of 4-cylinder Saab engines need clean oil or can give problems at around 60,000 miles. (No timing chain problems yet reported on GM 2.2 litre diesel.) Clean oil also essential for turbo life. Turbos best run on fully synthetic oil once run-in. Reports of a sludge problem that lead SAAB to issue an 8 year engine warranty in early 2005. Reports of injector seal failure in 2.2 diesels leading to fuel oil leaking into sump oil and also causing poor starting. System pipe looks like towing eye, so be careful not to tow by it. Listen for steering creaks and look for cracks around steering rack bulkhead mounting points, a £700 job to repair. Abbot Racing of Spinnels Farm, Manningtree (tel: 01255 870636) have a means of mounting the rack more rigidly, and also replacing the soft rubber suspension bushes which not only solves the problem but makes both Cavaliers and SAAB 900s/9-3s steer and handle much better. Rack brace also supplied and fitted by www.twostroke.co.uk for £275. Petrol engined SAABs with 4 cylinder SAAB engines prone to sludging up of the oil feed to the balancer shaft sprocket. Essential to change the oil and filter every 5k miles, to flush the old oil, and to drain from the sump plug. Do not siphon the old oil out or you will leave sludge in the sump.


Recalls
2000: 9-3 models built August '97 to July '99: front seats may move during heavy braking. 2001: TSB to replace ECU on older 9-3 Viggen models free of charge. 8/10/2001: 1,625 9-3s built 1/8/2001 to 31/8/2001 recalled because nuts securing track rod ends to steering swivel members may not have been sufficiently tightened, resulting in track rod end becoming loose. Nuts to be tightened to correcxt torque. 25/6/2002: VINs 22038749 to 27013166 (actually only 357 cars) recalled because a batch of brake calliper pistons may release hydrogen gas into the brake fluid. Callipers to be replaced. 11-7-2002: 569 SAAB Towbar kits recalled because tow ball can prematurely detach itself from rest of assembly. All towbars to be modified, then replaced at a later date once supplies are available. Repeat towbar recall 10-1-2003.

sk8board

the best (and last) version of that model was the 2002 SE Anniversary edition. Came with all the extras. As with all 2nd hand Saab's, get the Vector model.