9-3 Aero with 5 or 6 speed manual gearbox ?

[dadofbud]

Rather than Hijack another thread, can someone explain the Aero 5 speed / 6 speed mystery to me ?

All my research told my that Aero's had 6 speed gearbox from 2003 onwards, mine is registered 2004 and has 5 speed, and I have checked with Saab they have confirmed that I have an Aero but even the very helpful chap in the service dept could not explain the the mystery of 5 or 6 ?

[John D9395]

My 05 (July) Rag Top has a 5 speed.

I thought the 6 speed came out in late 05 for the petrol Aero, but 6 speed was present in the diesel from 04?

I also have an 09 Aero 180 TTid diesel with a 6 speed box, and if I am honest, I prefer the 5 speed box / clutch in the 05 petrol, clutch release / changes are a little smoother.

[CurvaParabolica]

My 05 Aero has a 6 speed manual, I remember checking the original order form the first owner had signed and the 6 speed was an optional extra he had ticked. IIRC, 6 speed was standard for a while but then became an option.

[dadofbud]

CurvaParabolica said:

My 05 Aero has a 6 speed manual, I remember checking the original order form the first owner had signed and the 6 speed was an optional extra he had ticked. IIRC, 6 speed was standard for a while but then became an option.

Right, so this accounts for all the ads I see for 2004 cars with 5 speed gearboxes and the 2003 cars with 6 speed gearboxes

[gawdlpus]

The six speed gearbox was a factory option on the early aeros.......simple really...can't remember the cost though

[catso]

Whilst I can't read the language, I'm pretty sure the pics in this 9-3 build thread show a 6 speed gearbox...

http://www.zatzy.com/projekt/374743-mrspringer-saa...

[philmots]

I understand the 6 speed was std on early cars. Then went to 5 speed with a 6 speed option... Bizarre.

[dadofbud]

philmots said:

I understand the 6 speed was std on early cars. Then went to 5 speed with a 6 speed option... Bizarre.

I know that in the past and for many years Saab had a reputation for producing quirky cars, but that's very unusual to say the least

[davemac250]

Was then dropped for a time as an option as there was a weakness in the 6 speed box.

I ordered an 04 Aero with the 6 speed box but ended up with a 5 speed as they couldn't/wouldn't supply them anymore.

[Zaphod I]

Curious. IIRC, when the 9-3SS aero was first introduced in 2002, a six-speed box was introduced alongside, but there were issues, and a five-speed was made available, while this was solved. Six speed then became the norm.

Edited by Zaphod I on Saturday 16th July 12:00

[philmots]

When I was looking I seen 5 speed 2.0T on 05 and 56 plates so must of been an issue for a long time.