Saab 9-3. Thoughts?

Thinking of buying a Saab 9-3.
2.0 litre
2004/2005
Possibly a cabriolet
Automatic

What do you knowledgable people think?

What minimum spec would you go for? Thinking vector but not that many out there. How much would you be willing to pay for the right car?

It will be a replacement for an S60 2.0T SE (which in my opinion is the best car in the world *)



*possibly a slight exaggeration

colm_mcm

The 2 tone Vector seats are the nicest IMO

Saloon and cabrio completely different types of car tbh.

Automatics not too common here, maybe try the UK. or buy something else?

Would you not go for a cabrio? Only considering it as there's a nice one on carzone.

I've pretty much narrowed my choice down to a 5 series, an E class (driving a '99 E200 at the moment) another S60, an A6 or the Saab. Really do like the Saab but don't know anyone who owns one so can't ask for advice.

Would it really be worth going to the UK for such an old car?

R.O.R

Fancy a Cabrio, but still yearn for your S60?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/C70/2.0-T-Au/413264523194930/advert?channel=CARS

Well if I won the lotto tomorrow I'd probably buy a brand spanking C70, pretty much my dream car (sad?) but I don't really want to spend 10k. Thinking more 6k ish

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/2.0-T-VE/213227318130440/advert?channel=CARS

colm_mcm

The Cabrio has its drawbacks, roof could get slashed, it's never 100% sealed, and theres always wind noise even with roof up and windows closed.

They're cool as a cabrio though. If we got the weather.

Folding metal top would be best of both worlds. The Eos is probably the most elegant of the affordable ones, bit menopausal though.

I know you're right Colm, I'm in lust with the idea of a cabriolet but really what's the point?

So a saloon then, is 4k reasonable for an 04?

colm_mcm

Depends on what it is.

Pick of the bunch for most people is the 1.8T or 1.9 TiD

1.8i waste of time, 2.2 TiD engine too big, Linear models too basic. life's too short for a Saab with cloth interior, or a horrid colour like that pukey greenish silver they do.

So.... depends.

Sorry I meant to link to this in my last post.

Looking at it again though looks a bit odd. 4 owners for only 60k miles. Also an 03 so very low mileage.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/T-VECTOR/201145205419733/advert?channel=CARS

colm_mcm

Had a towbar. Alsop anyone who buys a Saab without evidence of proper Saab servicing is usually in for a shock.

See there's a reason I posted here
I'll keep looking so!

colm_mcm

not saying avoid, but just be wary.

I wouldn't go S60>93

Picked up an S60 for someone before xmas. 2007 2.0T S model so some nice extras, paid only slightly over 6k.

Saab Ed

The current 9-3 is not a great car tbh. Its the greatest bastard child of them all being part swedish, part Cadillac, part Korean, it is, if you like, a kinda car orgy creation.

The interiors are full of scratcy plastics, the ride isnt great and the relaibility is questionable at best. That said, the cabrio is still one of the smartest looking out there and its a bit cooler than some of the rest just by not being the cliche, default choice German penis extension.

If you go for the saloon then IMO I'd go for a slightly older Aero and spend the rest on petrol . The diesel is a Fiat unit and while its far quieter than most of the competition, not to mention excellent on fuel, its also a bit lacking in the pull department. Its numbers on paper flatter to deceive. It also suffers from the dreaded DMF problem that, in fairness, most diesels of that era also suffer from.

Saloon 5/10 Cabrio 7/10

selfbuildkk

Colm can i ask why you think the 1.8i is a waste of time? Ive been driving a 06 1.8i for the past few months and cant fault it, just curious as to why you so.

colm_mcm

The gearing is all wrong, it screams on the motorway. it requires a cambelt change every tuesday, and it's gutless.

Had one as company car.

jimmycrackcorm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Alsop anyone who buys a Saab without evidence of proper Saab servicing is usually in for a shock.

There aren't too many Saab dealers left to do the servicing. You can bet though that anyone with a Saab Cabrio does get it serviced as they are too nice a car.

selfbuildkk

Fair enough, did my research and hadnt come up with any major problems just wondering if you knew something i didnt. Havent experienced the motorway screaming you speak of,heres hoping im the exception.

Saab Ed

colm_mcm wrote: »

The gearing is all wrong, it screams on the motorway. it requires a cambelt change every tuesday, and it's gutless.

Cause its really a Vauxhall Opel Saturn some Korean sh!tbox GM engine



Almost forgot. Watch out for the handbrake trying to take the skin of your hand every time you release it .

colm_mcm

I got locked into one once. random electrical fault.

all windows were electric. doors were deadlocked, alarm was going off. stuck in there the guts of an hour.

tried taking the key apart, folding down the seats to get out the boot, putting the key in the (stupid) ignition, popping the bonnet and getting someone to disconnect the battery.

In the end, it just unlocked.



Saab Ed, whats the Korean connection??

Saab Ed

colm_mcm wrote: »

Saab Ed, whats the Korean connection??

Hidden bits. In fairness lots of cars are like this but many a saab shares its electric door mirror motor with a Chevy .... and an Opel etc for that matter. The bit thats most convincingly Korean though are the plastics. God awful.

colm_mcm

some of the rubberised bits arent bad.

I love the seatbelt warning with the aircraft bong. used to take my seatbelt off for a second just so it'd do that

also, that modular yoke beside the handbrake for holding 1 CD. what were they thinking. i'm fidjety and used to spend all the time clipping it on and off. They were supposed to have a load of other accessories to clip in there.


Best ever cupholder to be fair.

colm_mcm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Best ever cupholder to be fair.

well that's good to hear, always thought the s60 had the best upholder :pac:
I might have another look at what's on offer Volvo wise. I would prefer something with turbo which doesn't leave me with a whole lot of options for my budget - unless I'm missing something?

Tea 1000

Deleted User wrote: »

well that's good to hear, always thought the s60 had the best upholder :pac:
I might have another look at what's on offer Volvo wise. I would prefer something with turbo which doesn't leave me with a whole lot of options for my budget - unless I'm missing something?

How about something like an E39 525i or 523i? No turbo, but I6 sounds good. Very nice car to drive too.

Tea 1000

Tea 1000 wrote: »

How about something like an E39 525i or 523i? No turbo, but I6 sounds good. Very nice car to drive too.

I don't really want to go above a 2litre. We already have one 2 litre so can't really afford the tax and fuel costs

Doesn't have to be a turbo but would like it to be quick!

Is it more difficult to get a high spec BMW? or is it just me not looking properly?

MAJJ

I had a friend with a Saab 93 cabrio trying to get parts from a main dealer to no avail. Now Saab have gone to the wall I assume that situation is going to get worse. Shame as I always liked them.

Tea 1000

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't really want to go above a 2litre. We already have one 2 litre so can't really afford the tax and fuel costs

Doesn't have to be a turbo but would like it to be quick!

Is it more difficult to get a high spec BMW? or is it just me not looking properly?

It's probably more difficult to find a higher spec BMW alright. I'd say that unless you get a very clean and high spec 93 or 95, then stick to Volvo. The S60 or S80's are decent value in 2 litre turbo form, and the C70 if you want a cabriolet.
There aren't too many 2 litre or less turbo saloons out there really. There's a Superb 1.8 turbo old shape on Carzone, good spec but over priced. Might be worth a low-ball offer. The old shape A6 had the 1.8 turbo also, newer one would be out of your budget.
I think it's probably a case of Volvo or bigger than 2 litre engine for any viable alternatives.

For Forks Sake

Deleted User wrote: »

well that's good to hear, always thought the s60 had the best upholder :pac:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IHgodwjTK4

The Recliner

I have an 03 93 1.8T Arc, it has over 100,000 miles on it and mechanically it is perfect, very happy with it, it has enough poke and is very comfortable

As mentioned the interior plastics are iffy, some of them have scraped off on some buttons and the central locking sometimes has a mind of its own but on the whole I could recommend one

I would imagine the cabriolet would be a bit heavier and maybe slower as a result but they are a good looking car

Thanks rec, I think I'll keep away from the cabrio but there are bargains out there on saloons, just not so many on autos
What's the story with diesel? Will I find a huge difference driving one?

Saab Ed

If you're still looking OP .....

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/2906720



I'd make him a cheeky 3750 bid and see what happens. There wont be many takers for this car.

Cicero

Saab Ed wrote: »

If you're still looking OP .....



I'd make him a cheeky 3750 bid and see what happens. There wont be many takers for this car.

Strangely, out of 9 fotos , not one is of the inside?

Jumbo156

I have a 04 1.9 tid vector sport. It has a lot of poke, it has a very fast acceleration once the turbo kicks in over 1800 revs, and very economical.
My previous car was a 97 E39 BMW , I loved that car but it started to go wrong and just had to get rid.
The Saab is lovely but it's a driver's car, in that you feel every bump on the with its sports suspension.
I am hoping to get a 05 bmw 520d soon, so my saab would be up for sale soon

Tea 1000

Jumbo156 wrote: »

I have a 04 1.9 tid vector sport. It has a lot of poke, it has a very fast acceleration once the turbo kicks in over 1800 revs, and very economical.
My previous car was a 97 E39 BMW , I loved that car but it started to go wrong and just had to get rid.
The Saab is lovely but it's a driver's car, in that you feel every bump on the with its sports suspension.
I am hoping to get a 05 bmw 520d soon, so my saab would be up for sale soon

The 5-series is much more of a drivers car than the Saab could ever imagine to be.

Just test drove a 9-3 1.9 TID. Oh. My. God.
I think I'm in love!
The turbo is fantastic :eek:

Going to look at a cabriolet tomorrow. Just incase

colm_mcm

Drive an 1.8T anyway.

colm_mcm

colm_mcm wrote: »

Drive an 1.8T anyway.

Sorry colm, I don't understand, should I try 1.8t?

colm_mcm

Try one, it also has a turbo. sometimes the novelty of driving something with more power than you're used to makes you go all funny.

TiDs have a higher pricetag than petrols so don't rule the 1.8 models (which are actually 2.0 anyway, despite the badge), they're worth a shot too.

Yeh it did make me go all funny alright, haven't driven my car in ages so was nice to feel the turbo kick in. It's not a bad price actually and they'll give me a few bob for my S60. And probably the best thing is that it has a 12 month warranty.

colm_mcm

any link to the ad?

colm_mcm

colm_mcm wrote: »

any link to the ad?

They don't have pics up.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/1.9TID-S/201203206608397/advert?channel=CARS

coolbeans

I'd take the time to find a nice S60, all of which are turbo charged. THe 9-3 isn't a proper SAAB anyway, it's also plain to the point of ugly and is bettered by almost all the competition.

coolbeans

coolbeans wrote: »

I'd take the time to find a nice S60. THe 9-3 isn't a proper SAAB anyway, it's also plain to the point of ugly and is bettered by almost all the competition.

Totally disagree with you there, I think it's a gorgeous looking car.

fando

Make sure that auto gearbox works smooth and was serviced properly. I learned the hard way. 1.8t takes 12l per 100km(28mpg) in town. The suspension is quite stiff (Arc). Except the above it's great to drive, and look at.

It has a full Saab service history, I took it for a good spin and the it does seem very smooth. It's just had a new timing belt too.

unkel

fando wrote: »

1.8t takes 12l per 100km(28mpg) in town.

12l / 100km is not quite 28MPG

fando

Yes, you are right. Imperial metrics strange to me. More like 20mpg, point being its quite thirsty.

Well. I am now the proud owner of a metallic black, 05 Saab 9-3 Arc 1.9 TID 6 speed tiptronic saloon

Thanks for all your help and info guys

colm_mcm

Score!

Stick up some pics!

Irishder

whoopsadaisy would you mind putting up some pictures and a price range, i am looking around for something similar. Are you happy with it? Is there much choice out there? well wear

Alanstrainor

Fair play to ya! Well wear, and of course we need pics!

colm_mcm

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/1.9TID-S/201203206608397/advert?channel=CARS

Here's a link to the ad