Saab 9-3 Vector sport turbo saloon 2008

broders3

Alright lads,

Thinking of heading over to the UK to look at/buy this car. Currently driving a 2005 Audi A4 SLine 2.0 TDi but only covering 5-6k miles per year so I want to switch to a high spec petrol. Not having much luck sourcing a vector sport petrol saab 93 here. Apart from the price being around 1,000 sterling too high in my opinion it looks like a well kept car with a full service history.

Plenty of differing views on Saab's here I know. Having looked at the other threads some things to look out for are checking if the EGR valve has been replaced recently, checking all the electrics as they can be dodgy, flywheel & clutch pack.

For people who have brought cars back in the past is one trip sufficient if the car you really want is available or should you really go over and check it and head back for a second time to collect? Based on the cost of the car not sure I would go over twice in advance.

Anyone recommend an impartial mechanic provider over in the UK to check out the car before I fly over?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201303306024790/sort/default/usedcars/body-type/saloon/price-to/7000/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/price-from/4000/maximum-mileage/up_to_100000_miles/transmission/manual/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/model/9-3/make/saab/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/page/2/postcode/w112bq/radius/1500?logcode=p

dh0011

Dont have any info on a mechanic. I love those cars. I wish I could buy it. Best of luck with it.

lifer_sean

VRT is working out around 2340 for that car. If you got the seller down to 6000stg (unlikely ?, UK guys usually don't haggle that much), and allow 400 euro expenses, it would be costing 10k euro home ... sounds a lot.

We sold a 08 Irish diesel one, one owner, low miles, with NCT and warranty etc, for that sort of money. I know you don't want diesel, but diesel ones are/will be worth a lot more.

I saw a 2007 petrol one with low miles sold locally a few months ago for 5000, private sale.

bazz26

Just looking at the figures there for importing and by my calculations your talking about €11k including VRT to import that car.

Granted it's an auto but I reckon €11k could buy this and you would have a warranty too:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Saab/9-3/2.0-T/34113646505026350/

Photoshop

Was expecting a much stronger engine.

Is it not a little bit weak for a 2.0 turbo petrol?

175bhp, 35mpg

One posted Bazza posted is lovely.

broders3

At those prices diesel is definitely worth considering alright. My motivation on the petrol would obviously have been that they are cheaper to purchase but it may be worth staying on the diesel at those prices. Especially if I could get a 1.9tdi vector sport 180Bhp, my current one is 140 so I wouldn't be interested in the 120Bhp version. I am test driving 1 or 2 diesels in Brogan motors on Saturday so I will keep you posted how I get on.

broders3

Photoshop wrote: »

Was expecting a much stronger engine.

Is it not a little bit weak for a 2.0 turbo petrol?

175bhp, 35mpg

One posted Bazza posted is lovely.

Thanks bazza, I had seen that on carzone alright but I'm not a huge fan of the silver and they are very common, metalic blue/black would be my preference.

I am going to add it to my test drive list though. I'm not precious about manual so it is an option. Any idea of the Bhp on that car in Deerpark?

Going to Brogan Motors in Baldonnel Saturday as they have a pretty decent selection of diesel 93's so will see how I go.

bazz26

broders3 wrote: »

Thanks bazza, I had seen that on carzone alright but I'm not a huge fan of the silver and they are very common, metalic blue/black would be my preference.

I am going to add it to my test drive list though. I'm not precious about manual so it is an option. Any idea of the Bhp on that car in Deerpark?

Going to Brogan Motors in Baldonnel Saturday as they have a pretty decent selection of diesel 93's so will see how I go.

According to official figures if it is the 2.0t then it has 175bhp. If it is the 2.0T then it has 210bhp. Advert says it's a 2.0T but hard to tell from the photos.

colm_mcm

bazz26 wrote: »

According to official figures if it is the 2.0t then it has 175bhp. If it is the 2.0T then it has 210bhp. Advert says it's a 2.0T but hard to tell from the photos.

Bootlid says 2.0t

broders3

Thanks for all the advice lads.

This is the one lined up for a test drive on Saturday. Looks to be in lovely condition but will see what it is like in person.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Saab/9-3/1.9-TID-/36413680307634140/advert?channel=CARS

broders3

It seems the kind folk at Brogan Motors are on Boards. When I posted the link of the car in the last post yesterday it had an asking price of 10,995. I expressed an interest here and via an email to Brogan's directly and the asking price now sits at 11,775. The ad was updated today. If I like the car my starting negotiation point will be 10,995 and not 11,775! This kind of stuff really grinds my gears!

smcgiff

I had a 93 Vector (If it's a vector it cannot be the 2.0T, and must be the 2.0t) - loved it. You'd be doing well to get high 20's MPG though. Well, if you drove it like I did anyway.

You're 100% right - get the petrol, especially at those miles. Mine was an automatic as well and I loved the sound off the engine. I've a Diesel now