Any reason not to buy a SAAB 9-3/9-5?

yop

Lads
Trying to nail down the next car I will buy, definatly going to buy in the UK and have the search "narrowed" to
Mondeo TDCI ST (only thing putting me off is the high road tax as I only do about 7k a year)

Another Audi A4 (trying to find one with the spec of my old one is near impossible)

Audi A6 - Again high spec

Passat - 2005/06 new shape. I like them, especially the high spec ones.

SAAB was then mentioned to me that they are high spec and that they are very well priced over there.
Would be looking only at the 150 bhp versions of the 9-3 or the 9-5.

Any opinions, reasons to avoid?

Saab Ed

I'd probably buy any of the other cars you mentioned instead of the Saab.....except for a 150bhp turdo diesel Vector 9-3. Super car ,super spec ,loads of power and a bargain next to the Audis and the like.

yop

Saab Ed wrote: »

I'd probably buy any of the other cars you mentioned instead of the Saab.....except for a 150bhp turdo diesel Vector 9-3. Super car ,super spec ,loads of power and a bargain next to the Audis and the like.

Thanks Ed, was looking at that exact model. The Aero seems to be a 210 bhp petrol I think?
Some lovely spec 9-3 online in the UK.
Are the expensive to run or service? What puts people off buying them?

smash

The depreciation and resaleability issue is enough reason to not get one over the cars you mentioned. They're really hard to shift!

Saab Ed

steve06 wrote: »

The depreciation and resaleability issue is enough reason to not get one over the cars you mentioned. They're really hard to shift!

That is true but in fairness they take such a hit early on that it makes up for itself at the end givin the extra you'd have to spend for an Audi. You'd probably have to keep it for 3 or 4 years to get the bast value out of it but they are a fantastic car. ( and ssshhh the best bit is its not an Audi )

galwaytt

Saab Ed wrote: »

I'd probably buy any of the other cars you mentioned instead of the Saab.....except for a 150bhp turdo diesel Vector 9-3. Super car ,super spec ,loads of power and a bargain next to the Audis and the like.

I have one, does exactly what it says on the tin. Fab engine.

unkel

The 9-5 is still based on the '89 Opel Vectra, which wasn't a very good car to start with (the 9-3 is based on a much improved more modern platform).

That said, if you're not interested in a car that's an engaging drive, but instead just like travel from A to B in comfort, then why not? Make sure you get a top spec one and make sure it is dirt cheap - you won't be able to sell it on easily, so you're going to enjoy the car for a long time

And indeed, get the 1.9 diesel engine. It is a FIAT engine which in this case is a very good thing.

smash

Saab Ed wrote: »

You'd probably have to keep it for 3 or 4 years to get the bast value out of it but they are a fantastic car.

Well this is the issue... how long is the OP willing to keep it? I think if you're going to buy a Sabb you need to be in the state of mind that you're going to buy it to run it into the ground over a period of time.

yop

steve06 wrote: »

Well this is the issue... how long is the OP willing to keep it? I think if you're going to buy a Sabb you need to be in the state of mind that you're going to buy it to run it into the ground over a period of time.

Are they really that hard to sell?

Thats one of the big things for me, I want to buy a nice car (I like my high spec cars), but also I dont want a car which will be a noose around my neck either.

Thats why I would get the other cars mentioned. Even though I am beginning to doubt the ability to shift the Mondeo TDCI ST 2.2 with the road tax on it.

Saab Ed

yop wrote: »

Even though I am beginning to doubt the ability to shift the Mondeo TDCI ST 2.2 with the road tax on it.

Bad as the Saab might be the Mondeo would be sale proof...Nice car though...

yop

They are alright Ed, the blue colored version are tasty car and I think do turn heads a little, no ferrari but it MAY be easier to sell.
Its the big road tax thats the dog. Doing only 9 miles a day EX weekend really doesnt add up to paying +800 spots a year road tax.

Maybe I should stick to the roadbike!

VolvoMan

unkel wrote: »

The 9-5 is still based on the '89 Opel Vectra, which wasn't a very good car to start with (the 9-3 is based on a much improved more modern platform).

It's not really, it has more in common with the '95 Vectra. Now in saying that, I don't how much that car is related to the one you mention.

steve06 wrote: »

Well this is the issue... how long is the OP willing to keep it? I think if you're going to buy a Sabb you need to be in the state of mind that you're going to buy it to run it into the ground over a period of time.

I wouldn't take advice from anyone who can't even spell the name of the brand (Saab).

It won't be as bad as what steve06 is saying. The car has done the bulk of its depreciation already and I think that Steve is somewhat over-exaggerating the issue that "all Saab's are hard to sell".

unkel

VolvoMan wrote: »

It's not really, it has more in common with the '95 Vectra. Now in saying that, I don't how much that car is related to the one you mention.

They're both based on the '88 Vectra A platform (GM2900)

The 9-3 has been based on the decent enough Epsilon platform since '03 ('02 Vectra C)

It beggars belief that GM got away with selling old crap in a niece looking and feeling suit for 20 years. I suppose that in the end they didn't get away with it though

Hopefully this shameful episode in the history of Saab will soon be forgotten under the new leadership!

superdog

Saab Ed wrote: »

I'd probably buy any of the other cars you mentioned instead of the Saab.....except for a 150bhp turdo diesel Vector 9-3. Super car ,super spec ,loads of power and a bargain next to the Audis and the like.

Hi Motors fans,

What would be a ballpark figure for such an 04 or 05 model with perhaps 70-80K miles on the clock?

high horse

OP, if you only do 7k miles a year then it doesn't make much sense to buy a diesel. Surely you'd pick up a high spec petrol equivalent cheaper?

yop

high horse wrote: »

OP, if you only do 7k miles a year then it doesn't make much sense to buy a diesel. Surely you'd pick up a high spec petrol equivalent cheaper?

Aye, that is true chief, never really thought of that!!

godtabh

I just bought a Saab 93 Vector. I think its a fantastic car. Have done about 5k in the last month and cant believe how much of a step up it is from the cars I've driven before.

Only regret is that its petrol

galwaytt

kearnsr wrote: »

I just bought a Saab 93 Vector. I think its a fantastic car. Have done about 5k in the last month and cant believe how much of a step up it is from the cars I've driven before.

Only regret is that its petrol

You should have bought my diesel then

Wannatrade ?

godtabh

galwaytt wrote: »

You should have bought my diesel then

Wannatrade ?

Why do you want to trade your diesel?

godtabh

superdog wrote: »

Hi Motors fans,

What would be a ballpark figure for such an 04 or 05 model with perhaps 70-80K miles on the clock?

€8.5-€12k depending on spec etc

Nonoperational

Drove a 2.0T automatic 210bhp version of th e 9-3 recently. Look good , comfortable and fast. Nice car.

superdog

kearnsr wrote: »

€8.5-€12k depending on spec etc

Thanks!

Atomic Pineapple

I was gonna start a thread about the Saab 9-3 myself but I'll jump on this one if its ok.

Now I haven't got a clue about what specs are on them or anything from reading this its the Aero version thats 210bhp? the one that i'd be looking for? is this a diesel? 2.2?

I'd be using it as a commuting car, would it be fairly suitable for high mileages? what about reliability?

What would i be looking to get for around the 7k mark?

Cheers and sorry YOP for jumping on your thread!

Barr

draffodx wrote: »

I was gonna start a thread about the Saab 9-3 myself but I'll jump on this one if its ok.

Now I haven't got a clue about what specs are on them or anything from reading this its the Aero version thats 210bhp? the one that i'd be looking for? is this a diesel? 2.2?

I'd be using it as a commuting car, would it be fairly suitable for high mileages? what about reliability?

What would i be looking to get for around the 7k mark?

Cheers and sorry YOP for jumping on your thread!

The 2.2 Diesel I think is an opel unit and very reliable. A friend had one with 148k on the clock with no bother.That said its actually quite slow and unrefined as engines go.
U'd probably get a 2003-2004 for that money.

R.O.R

draffodx wrote: »

I was gonna start a thread about the Saab 9-3 myself but I'll jump on this one if its ok.

Now I haven't got a clue about what specs are on them or anything from reading this its the Aero version thats 210bhp? the one that i'd be looking for? is this a diesel? 2.2?

I'd be using it as a commuting car, would it be fairly suitable for high mileages? what about reliability?

What would i be looking to get for around the 7k mark?

Cheers and sorry YOP for jumping on your thread!

2.3T Aero was 210bhp - it's the 2.8V6 280bhp version you want

We recently sold a 2004 9-3 2.2 Linear Sport with 115,000 miles, had been a couple of gearbox issues (system doesn't go in to detail), rear suspension and bushings replaced. Not too much for a car of that age and mileage.

You'd be looking to buy a similar age / milegage to that for around €6,500.

Octavia would probably be a better bet for commuting, or what about a Fiat Chroma? As driven by Michael Schumacher - go on, you know you want to

Atomic Pineapple

R.O.R wrote: »

2.3T Aero was 210bhp - it's the 2.8V6 280bhp version you want

We recently sold a 2004 9-3 2.2 Linear Sport with 115,000 miles, had been a couple of gearbox issues (system doesn't go in to detail), rear suspension and bushings replaced. Not too much for a car of that age and mileage.

You'd be looking to buy a similar age / milegage to that for around €6,500.

Octavia would probably be a better bet for commuting, or what about a Fiat Chroma? As driven by Michael Schumacher - go on, you know you want to

Yeh the Octavia would make more sense but I'd just buy a Vrs

Barr

Another point about the 2.2 Diesel , 100 miles is acheivable for €10. Great return for such a heavy car.