Saab 9-3 Aero buyers info. '03-'04 era cars.

[ImDesigner]

I'm considering options for a new commuter for the OH to use and these look like great value for a '04 year/80-90k mile car. On occasion, I'll be using the car too so the Aero bit in the name is important.

What should I be looking out for when viewing? Are they generally a good solid car? Are they built as well as they look? Are they a decent steer? How do they take high mileage commuting?

Any hints and tips would be greatly welcomed.

Thanks.

[ImDesigner]

Rovinghawk said:

I have one. Remap will give 250hp; 210 as standard is pretty good.

Look for oil/filter service records with full-synth oil. Otherwise they're pretty solid. High mileage won't be an issue- just let the oil warm up before you work it hard & let the turbo wind down before you stop the engine if you want the turbo to last.

0-60 is ok, 30-80 is superb.

I'll be keeping mine for many years (Insch'allah) & would recommend them highly.

Thanks for responding. I'm used to servicing with fully-synth and turbo warming and cooling as I do it all religiously with my current car so I can carry that over no problem.

Are there any known weaknesses to look out for?

[ImDesigner]

That's all very encouraging stuff really. I'm very happy with it being a chain driven engine. Do they suffer from chain rattle with higher mileage?

How are the interiors? The Aero looks to be really welcoming. Do they rattle/squeak at all?

[ImDesigner]

I'm not used to such positivity and I'm enjoying not worrying about potential pit-falls.

I suppose they don't have a mechanical LSD up front? Wishful thinking I suppose.

Are new parts plentiful?

[ImDesigner]

This is all very promising so far. Now I just need to find a good few cars to view.

[ImDesigner]

parabolica said:

Yea they do rattle and squeak a bit I'm afarid, but generally it's pretty solid. I bought my fully-loaded 05 Aero for £5k in 2009 and coming from Clios was well happy with the interior (mine had colour sat nav); it stayed in one piece and had soft-touch plastics, but at 9/10 years old some might start looking a little ropey. Someone mentioned drop-links, springs and wiper linkage going; mine did that as well although I put it down to the life of the car. Parts were easily to replace (did them myself barr the springs) and there are plenty of specialist breakers about, especially Neo Brothers just north of London.

FYI I was getting ~30 mpg from my chipped Aero.

Those rattles are a bit of a shame but you can't have everything for 2k!

Springs, drop links etc. IMO are just age related items that will need changing on anything you buy.

Overall, I'm very encouraged.

[ImDesigner]

Rovinghawk said:

33-34mpg from mine over the last 18,000 miles.

What type of driving is that?

Mine/the GF's is mostly mixed of all types of roads although it's likely to become a motorway commute.

[ImDesigner]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

But remember, SAAB's are driven by nice, well educated people who wear turtleneck tops. No BMW common-as-muck riff raff here. We're an exclusive club. Don't let us down.

I'm a car designer by trade. Any good? I don't wear turtlenecks though.

Which engine should I be looking at then, the 2.0T or the 2.8T?

[ImDesigner]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

ImDesigner said:

Which engine should I be looking at then, the 2.0T or the 2.8T?

The 1.8t is actually a detuned 2.0 150hp lump. The 2.0t is the mid range 2.0 175hp (which is what I've got), and the 2.0T is the high end 2.0 with 210hp as seen in the Aero. They're all the same Vauxhall Ecotec engine just with different ECU mapping. Then the 2.8 with 250hp.
Which one you get depends on performance V's fuel ecconomy/insurance.

I'm looking specifically at Aeros. Out of the two, is one of them considered to be the better engine?

[ImDesigner]

philmh said:

Have a read through here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks. I'll have a read.

[ImDesigner]

Rovinghawk said:

ImDesigner said:

Rovinghawk said:

33-34mpg from mine over the last 18,000 miles.

What type of driving is that?

Mine/the GF's is mostly mixed of all types of roads although it's likely to become a motorway commute.

Mixed, including motorways, cities, 3 Silverstone & 2 Rockingham track days.

I keep a spreadsheet of fuel, repairs, etc. Geeky but satisfying.

I don't suppose I could have a nosey at that spreadsheet?