Saab 9-3 is it worth my time?

toastedpickles

Howdy peoples

So I'm looking to buy a new car, currently driving a 1.4 astra 01, been looking around have roughly 3000 to spend and the saab 9-3 (00 - 03) has caught my eye

So I done my homework, reviews, parts and what not and basically most of it actually scared me, one guy reported his turbo "exploded and took half the engine out with it" also they're supposedly riddled with electric problems, and oil sludge is a major thing too. It truly is a lovely car and from previous threads on this a comfy one by the sounds of it, but all in in all I want something that's going to actually be reliable and not fall apart or explode so as much as I'd like one I'm very hesitant and such

So should I invest in one or something similar? Or keep good ol reliable astra?

FISMA

toastedpickles wrote: »

So should I invest in one ...

Definitely not an investment.

I would steer clear of any Saab, or slobs as we call them.

They sure are aesthetically pleasing, however, they are just not reliable.

I would expect lots of little problems as you mentioned.

If there is nothing wrong with the Astra, drive on. At least you know what you have.

bijapos

FISMA wrote: »

Definitely not an investment.

I would steer clear of any Saab, or slobs as we call them.

They sure are aesthetically pleasing, however, they are just not reliable.

I would expect lots of little problems as you mentioned.

If there is nothing wrong with the Astra, drive on. At least you know what you have.

I'd disagree, I think they are reliable and stats bear that out.

OP, there is an issue with badly maintaines engines, essentially they need oil changes at regular intervals up to the 04 model, but all cars need these so it's not an extra expense. It just means not skimping on them. There is plenty of info on that issue on this forum.

I drove a 01 SAAB 9-3 for most of last year, my impressions are that they are very well buit, very comfortable and 100% reliable, the car I had was sold to me by a mate, i sold it on to someone I know and altogether I think we vouch for 48,000 km incident free. The car has over 200,000 km on it at the moment.

Electrics? Well the SID (info display for temperature, trip computer, radio etc loses it's pixels, I understand it's a £70 fix in the UK, but that I think is it, suspension bushings tend to wear fast but I never had to replace them.

Look on donedeal.ie, you'll get a very good one for €1500 or less and you'll do well to get luxo motoring at that price. I had an auto which was excellent, as good as an equivalent Merc or BMW, and very economical in my experience to boot, long trips got 9l/100 km. Oh yeah, it's got a cheap insurance rating to boot, especially if you're over 30-35.

Btw this is Germany's TUV (NCT) stats for 2010 on 10-11 year old cars, so model year 99-00, the 9-3 comes in 19th out of 71 in terms of reliability, but top of it's class.

panama

FISMA wrote: »

Definitely not an investment.

I would steer clear of any Saab, or slobs as we call them.

They sure are aesthetically pleasing, however, they are just not reliable.

I would expect lots of little problems as you mentioned.

If there is nothing wrong with the Astra, drive on. At least you know what you have.

Who's 'we'?

9-3's are solid, reliable and very safe but depending on the engine size (if petrol) they can be quite thirsty. Lovely car to drive and very comfy but ensure the mileage isn't too high OP and it's been properly serviced as you would with any used car of course. Good luck.

galwaytt

FISMA wrote: »

Definitely not an investment.

I would steer clear of any Saab, or slobs as we call them.

They sure are aesthetically pleasing, however, they are just not reliable.

I would expect lots of little problems as you mentioned.

If there is nothing wrong with the Astra, drive on. At least you know what you have.

Typical nonsense from a non-owner...... :rolleyes:....you'd swear Astra's never gave any trouble based on the above.............

I'm on my 2nd Saab (diesel), and my brother on his 4th Petrol Turbo model. He has yet to replace anything more celubrious than normal service bits: a clutch (he does big miles), shocks, tyres, pads etc. Neither of us have had ANY elec problems of note (my Audi is much worse). He is now on his 2nd Auto car, and I changed to Auto for my last one, too.

OP, like anything else, the quality of a car that age is down to the guys who had it before you - not what a Swede did 10+ years ago in a factory........get it checked out, look up a good Indy who knows them, and get some indicative costs for servicing etc.

Tbh, you'll see Saabs for even less than your budget, and they're no worse - I met a guy yesterday in a mint '99 9-5 2.0t which he'd just imported. 2k, landed. Bloody bargain imho.

galwaytt

galwaytt wrote: »

........I met a guy yesterday in a mint '99 9-5 2.0t which he'd just imported. 2k, landed. Bloody bargain imho.

Nice car no doubt but not too many would call a 13/14 year old 9-5 a bargain for €2000.

Mr Benevolent

Suppose chipping a 2.0T and converting it to LPG would be an option?

TRS30

My experience was that I had a lot of small (!!) electrical problem, drivers window, central locking etc. Also semi flooded on the passenger side due to a known issue with some filter under the block head (or so I was told).

Was a great car to drive and quick (1.8T) off the mark however just too many issues in a short period for my liking.

Is just my experience.

galwaytt

TRS30 wrote: »

My experience was that I had a lot of small (!!) electrical problem, drivers window, central locking etc. Also semi flooded on the passenger side due to a known issue with some filter under the block head (or so I was told).

Was a great car to drive and quick (1.8T) off the mark however just too many issues in a short period for my liking.

Is just my experience.

Indeed - I don't doubt it for a second: but that doesn't make it a 'bad' car.

My Audi is constantly lighting up different lights on the dash, sensors for ABS, ESP, Airbags, window regulators etc etc etc, - same with the Passat and VW's at work: but people seem to think that the VW/Audi is on a higher quality level. In my experience, it isn't..

galwaytt

RoverJames wrote: »

Nice car no doubt but not too many would call a 13/14 year old 9-5 a bargain for €2000.

Seeing as you didn't see it, nor met the man, then you're going to have to acceed to my better informed position on that one RJ

When you subtract the VRT and cost of getting it, the car was cheap - 1400 iirc. In that context it was a bargain - look at the muck that gets sold for that money here as it is...........

bijapos

TRS30 wrote: »

My experience was that I had a lot of small (!!) electrical problem, drivers window, central locking etc. Also semi flooded on the passenger side due to a known issue with some filter under the block head (or so I was told).

Was a great car to drive and quick (1.8T) off the mark however just too many issues in a short period for my liking.

Is just my experience.

If it's a 1.8T then it's a second generation 9-3, sold from 02 or 03 on.

Sounds like the OP is looking for a 00-03 model, so a first generation, which is what I based my post on, I've no experience of 2nd generation cars.

This is a first generation:




This is a second generation:

TRS30

bijapos wrote: »

If it's a 1.8T then it's a second generation 9-3, sold from 02 or 03 on.

Sounds like the OP is looking for a 00-03 model, so a first generation, which is what I based my post on, I've no experience of 2nd generation cars.

This is a first generation:




This is a second generation:

Apologies- was only giving my limited Saab experience.

ps. I think that is the third generation.

bladespin

FISMA wrote: »

Definitely not an investment.

Would you recommend an Alfa then?

Great value out there in Saabs right now, just take a look at the bangernomics thread, there are a few things to swot up on but once you're informed you should be able to find a good motor.

PS I don't and never have owned one Possible future buyer for sure though.

galwaytt

galwaytt wrote: »

Seeing as you didn't see it, nor met the man, then you're going to have to acceed to my better informed position on that one RJ

When you subtract the VRT and cost of getting it, the car was cheap - 1400 iirc. In that context it was a bargain - look at the muck that gets sold for that money here as it is...........

Let me clarify my point for you, 2k euro for a 99 2.0t 9 5 is not a bargain. Subtracting the vrt is nonsense.

toastedpickles

Thanks for all the help everyone, and yes I was going for the second generation, found some lovely ones but at the same time you never know what you're buying until you get it, or so I've been warned

anthony4335

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4344360 , you either love them or hate them, but this one does represent value for money.

jimmycrackcorm

anthony4335 wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4344360 , you either love them or hate them, but this one does represent value for money.

+1. I'm on my second 9-3. I was never originally a fan but got a loan one day and was hooked. As for reliability, I've only had a few very minor issues as you have with every car but as it's mostly gm parts these days, easily sorted.

The Pontiac

The interior of the second generation 9-3 is worst built I've ever come across. Cheaply built isn't the word. Squeak, rattle. It'd do your nut in. Check out the Saab forums, every car suffers from this..

The interior also peels off. I guarantee you I could pick 30 examples from donedeal with peeling interior trim. This is the first result searching for a 9-3 on donedeal.

^See the last picture (of the center dash, heater controls), the big blob of white on the heater button. It has totally peeled away. More peeling on other buttons. It's almost impossible to find a non-peeler. Honestly.

Also avoid the sports suspension, if you intend driving it off main roads/motorways.

Tomal

Hi,

I've owned a 9-3 for the last 4 years with absolutely no problems. As mentioned previously the seats are very comfortable and in fact SAAB have won international awards for their seat design. Parts are easy to source - GM and the diesel engine is bullet proof. Regarding the problem of the marques demise a new venture company ( National Electric Vehicle Sweden - Hong Kong based) has bought the company and production has started again in Trollhättan Sweden home of SAAB. They have all rights to the new designs that SAAB had previously namely the phoenix platform which the new 9-3 was going to be designed on. Initially the company was to produce electric cars on the 9-3 base but they are reviewing this as they are receiving lots of calls to start producing the petrol/diesel burners and motoring insiders feel that this will happen.

I plan to continue buying SAABs and would advise getting a 2003 - 2006 model with low mileage. However budget will dictate that.

Regards

tu2j2

<Ollie> wrote: »

The interior of the second generation 9-3 is worst built I've ever come across. Cheaply built isn't the word. Squeak, rattle. It'd do your nut in. Check out the Saab forums, every car suffers from this..

The interior also peels off. I guarantee you I could pick 30 examples from donedeal with peeling interior trim. This is the first result searching for a 9-3 on donedeal.

^See the last picture (of the center dash, heater controls), the big blob of white on the heater button. It has totally peeled away. More peeling on other buttons. It's almost impossible to find a non-peeler. Honestly.

Also avoid the sports suspension, if you intend driving it off main roads/motorways.

I wouldn't say they're the worst I've ever seen but they are not the best put together thing in the world alright, my parents have a 2006 93 and I have a 2002 95 estate and there is a noticeable difference in build quality despite my 95 have about 40,000 miles more on the clock. The 93 interiors do not wear well, I looked at a few last year and all of them had the radio and heater buttons turning white, if you can find one that's low ish mileage and been looked after properly and they're not a bad car.

If your going for the turbo petrol then make sure its been serviced every 6,000 miles and only with fully synthetic oil, and its probably worth having the sump dropped to check/clean out any sludge, unfortunately mine blew up before I got the chance to do it, its been completely reliable since the new engine went in though, I was just unlucky.

toastedpickles

tu2j2 wrote: »

I wouldn't say they're the worst I've ever seen but they are not the best put together thing in the world alright, my parents have a 2006 93 and I have a 2002 95 estate and there is a noticeable difference in build quality despite my 95 have about 40,000 miles more on the clock. The 93 interiors do not wear well, I looked at a few last year and all of them had the radio and heater buttons turning white, if you can find one that's low ish mileage and been looked after properly and they're not a bad car.

If your going for the turbo petrol then make sure its been serviced every 6,000 miles and only with fully synthetic oil, and its probably worth having the sump dropped to check/clean out any sludge, unfortunately mine blew up before I got the chance to do it, its been completely reliable since the new engine went in though, I was just unlucky.

Like the whole peeling thing doesn't really bother me to be honest, as long as I know myself what the buttons do that's all that matters, I had me eye on one with 80,000 miles on it so I might have a look at that

Mr Benevolent

Hmm, methinks a borescope would be a good investment for a Saab.

bladespin

Confab wrote: »

Hmm, methinks a borescope would be a good investment for a Saab.

I'd be able to help out with that

Mr Benevolent

bladespin wrote: »

I'd be able to help out with that

That said, where would I put the bore scope during a prebuy inspection? The oil filler hole? Dipstick? Can't drop the sump without seriously pissing off the owner!

Prospective buyers of NG (new generation) 9-3 do not need to worry about the sludge issue. We are talking about 9-3 MY03-> (SAABs have a model year sticker somewhere in the engine bay).

The NG 9-3 engine differs from other lines of SAABs. They have most likely a 4 cyl B207 as opposed to 4 cyl B205/B235 found in OG 9-3 from MY00 on and OG 9-5 from MY98. Those newer 4 cyl engines do not suffer from the sludge issue. The crank case ventilation on B2X5 was also redesigned from MY04 (late 2003) on and they don't suffer either.

Early OG 9-3 up to about '99 has another type of engine, B2X4 which again does not suffer. These engines have a red ignition cassette while the B2X5 sport a black one. All of the 6 cyl models are fine too.

Recap: Any 9-3 MY03 or newer and 9-5 from MY04 should be free from excessive sludge issue (of course any make of car will suffer if badly neglegted).