Saab 93

godtabh

Been looking at this car for awhile

Something in around 2003-2005 (based on the prices I've seen and can afford).

I've read a few reviews. Some of the older models (pre 2003) seem to have a lot of eletric problems but doesnt seem to be such an issue post 2003.

Any one know if there is any on going problems with the 2003-2005 models and what I should look out for?

What model would be the one worth looking for (Arc, Linear etc?)

ANy one know what the cost of a typical service would be? How often would it be required?

ANy other helpfull info would be great?

biko

Well I can tell you service at CuHi, Galway, is fecking expensive, 400E or so.
Other than that, great cars! I would go with Vector / Aero but if you want more class Arc is your man. Linear is probably more economical (less bhp).

SAAB vs BMW

http://www.google.com/search?q=saab+site:boards.ie

godtabh

biko wrote: »

Well I can tell you service at CuHi, Galway, is fecking expensive, 400E or so.
Other than that, great cars! I would go with Vector / Aero but if you want more class Arc is your man. Linear is probably more economical (less bhp).

SAAB vs BMW

http://www.google.com/search?q=saab+site:boards.ie

That much? Thats alot!

I've never owned a high end car so thats a surprise for me.

Thanks for the links.

biko

If I was you I'd ring a local independent SAAB mechanic and ask.
You want someone who knows SAABs, guys I know that do all kinds of car won't go near a SAAB if there is major work to be done. If you're in the pale I'm sure there's loads but over here there aren't.

Mind, they don't break easily but when they do it costs more than fixing a Corolla...

godtabh

biko wrote: »

If I was you I'd ring a local independent SAAB mechanic and ask.
You want someone who knows SAABs, guys I know that do all kinds of car won't go near a SAAB if there is major work to be done. If you're in the pale I'm sure there's loads but over here there aren't.

Mind, they don't break easily but when they do it costs more than fixing a Corolla...

Yeah I can appricate that and its one of the reasons putting me off looking at one. Trying to figure out what are the most common problems and hw much do they cost to fix

bazz26

Avoid the basic 1.8 Linear at any cost. Underpowerd, heavy on fuel and poor equipment levels.

My choice would be the 1.9 Tid (150bhp) Arc or Aero. Cracking Fiat engine with decent real world performance and fuel economy.

Shouldn't need to be specifically looked after by a SAAB specialist either, any decent mechanic worth his salt should be able to work on one as the 9-3 underpinings are from the Opel Vectra.

godtabh

bazz26 wrote: »

Avoid the basic 1.8 Linear at any cost. Underpowerd, heavy on fuel and poor equipment levels.

My choice would be the 1.9 Tid (150bhp) Arc or Aero. Cracking Fiat engine with decent real world performance and fuel economy.

Shouldn't need to be specifically looked after by a SAAB specialist either, any decent mechanic worth his salt should be able to work on one as the 9-3 underpinings are from the Opel Vectra.

From what I've read the 1.9Tid is the way to go.

If you are keeping a service histroy would you need to go to specialist? I'd be hoping to keep the car for at least 4 years to be honest I'd get maybe 2 services if one was required every 40k miles

bazz26

A service history with receipts is important imo but I'd be more concerned about how it was maintained, anyone can stamp a service book. A good independant mechanic you can trust is the way to go imo. If he is a SAAB specialist then all the better.

godtabh

bazz26 wrote: »

A service history with receipts is important imo but I'd be more concerned about how it was maintained, anyone can stamp a service book. A good independant mechanic you can trust is the way to go imo. If he is a SAAB specialist then all the better.

For th mileage I do it should be looked after well. It would also be the first proper car I'd own so it be in my interst to keep well

jimmycrackcorm

bazz26 wrote: »

Avoid the basic 1.8 Linear at any cost. Underpowerd, heavy on fuel and poor equipment levels.

My choice would be the 1.9 Tid (150bhp) Arc or Aero. Cracking Fiat engine with decent real world performance and fuel economy. .

+1 on the basic 1.8t - avoid, but the 150bhp arc and up are excellent. I never used to like Saabs until I got a lend of an Arc and had great fun and I have had two since.

galwaytt

My brother has been a Saab nut for years, and this year I joined the club.

It's an 06 9-5 Vector Combi Sport - 150bhp Tid - and it really is beautiful - we haven't had a moment's trouble, and my brother neither, with his 3.

A good indo mechanic does all my work, at 1/2 - 1/3rd the hourly rates of the main dealer.

Doing fewer miles now, we're changing to a 9-5, for a bit more pizazz... preferably something like this

godtabh

galwaytt wrote: »

Doing fewer miles now, we're changing to a 9-5, for a bit more pizazz... preferably something like this

I see the new shape 9-5 came in in 2002. Did the same shape 9-3 come out then as well? First I've seen was 2003. Dont like the old shape Saab

impr0v

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

+1 on the basic 1.8t - avoid, but the 150bhp arc and up are excellent. I never used to like Saabs until I got a lend of an Arc and had great fun and I have had two since.

1.8t has 150bhp, it was the base model for a while before they introduced a 1.8i. The 1.8t isn't underpowered.

colm_mcm

kearnsr wrote: »

I see the new shape 9-5 came in in 2002. Did the same shape 9-3 come out then as well? First I've seen was 2003. Dont like the old shape Saab

1997 actually.

jimmycrackcorm

impr0v wrote: »

1.8t has 150bhp, it was the base model for a while before they introduced a 1.8i. The 1.8t isn't underpowered.

The original 05 1.8t I had had this engine: 1.8 L Ecotec I4 122 hp ECE (90 kW).
That and the weight of the car meant it couldn't keep up with a diesel Mondeo.

colm_mcm

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

The original 05 1.8t I had had this engine: 1.8 L Ecotec I4 122 hp ECE (90 kW).
That and the weight of the car meant it couldn't keep up with a diesel Mondeo.

That's a 1.8i

NewApproach

There is a 1.8i and a 1.8t

I have never drove the 1.8i, which has 120bhp, but my mam has a 1.8t and I have driven it alot. It's infact a 2l, 150bhp and isnt underpowered in the slightest.

Infact the 1.8t is closer to the 2.0t, as IIRC they are the same engine, just tuned differently.

colm_mcm

the gearing on the 1.8i is very short, it's loud enough at high speeds.

Theta

Bought a 2004 1.8t vector (150bhp) about 2 months ago. Brilliant car i have to say and I haven't seen any problems with mine and its a great drive too. Its nice and reactive and good to get going nice a quickly. Nice interior too although I have heard of people getting poor quality ones but mine seems great. That and the 2 year warrenty was a great deal.

godtabh

colm_mcm wrote: »

1997 actually.

Yeah I was gona ask the question again as I just saw a 1999 9-5 new shape

irlmarc wrote: »

Bought a 2004 1.8t vector (150bhp) about 2 months ago. Brilliant car i have to say and I haven't seen any problems with mine and its a great drive too. Its nice and reactive and good to get going nice a quickly. Nice interior too although I have heard of people getting poor quality ones but mine seems great. That and the 2 year warrenty was a great deal.

Where did you get it? Sounds a very good deal

Theta

Faichney Ringwood in Sandyford industrial est sound guy named Gerry I delt with.

godtabh

irlmarc wrote: »

Faichney Ringwood in Sandyford industrial est sound guy named Gerry I delt with.

Bit more expensive than the other places I've looked at but I like the idea of the 2 year warranty.

Gona keep an eye on this place

LolaDub

Whats your budget? My Father just sold his 05 1.9 tdi with 140k miles for 12k. Gorgeous car and with all those miles he never had a problem. He just bought the new jag x type and says its the same ride comfort as the saab-think he's missing it already!

Barr

I've driven my friends SAAB 9-3 1.8t , fine looking car with loads of power. Dont think theres any major issues with them .

Theta

kearnsr wrote: »

Bit more expensive than the other places I've looked at but I like the idea of the 2 year warranty.

Gona keep an eye on this place

Yeah its a good place I have to say your well looked after.

godtabh

Budget is €14k at the very very most but I'd be looking for something cheaper is possible

Hennybug

biko wrote: »

Well I can tell you service at CuHi, Galway, is fecking expensive, 400E or so.

I've never been charged more than €250 for a service there and Derek is dead sound. I love my Saab, on my second now, bought it in Sutton, Tom Walsh Motors. I tried to do a deal in CH In Galway but the guy didn't even bother to ring me back with a quote - after i'd gone in for a chat :mad: Faichney Ringwood wouldn't bargain at all but the guy in TW was fantastic.

Theta

I looked in Tom Walsh when I was looking for mine but they had very few second hand cars and they were mostly convertibles which are pricey and no vectors, they looked kind of expensive also.

Renegade01

galwaytt wrote: »

My brother has been a Saab nut for years, and this year I joined the club.

It's an 06 9-5 Vector Combi Sport - 150bhp Tid - and it really is beautiful - we haven't had a moment's trouble, and my brother neither, with his 3.

A good indo mechanic does all my work, at 1/2 - 1/3rd the hourly rates of the main dealer.

Doing fewer miles now, we're changing to a 9-5, for a bit more pizazz... preferably something like this

Hi am based in Galway and looking for an independent Saab mechanic near Galway. I need to get a big service (timing belt replacement) done on a 9-3. Would be interested in checking out a price from your good indo mechanic above (...in the hope that it will only cost me an arm,) -as opposed to an arm and a leg i.e. main dealers :eek:.