2003 onwards saab 9-3 autos what are they like?

[gary2010]

Hi all

Being a complete newbie when it comes to saabs i was wondering if anyone could tell me what the 2003 onwards shape 9-3s are like to live with ?Are there many common faults to look out for?Iv seen a 2005 plate 9-3 2.0t vector auto at work which i really like the look of.What are the main differences between the arc,linear and vector specs ?
cheers
Gary

[RedLeicester]

Linear - bog spec, small engines only (1.8t / 1.9TiD)
Arc - luxury /comfy spec, choice of engines
Vector - "sporty" spec, choice of engines
Aero - Sports spec, only three engines - 1.9TTiD / 2.0HOT / 2.8V6T

[Prawnboy]

got my 07 plate aero with 9k on the clock at a year old, had it 6 years now it's on 75k and the only thing that has ever gone wrong was the air con condenser.
the high power versions like a pair of tyres on the front once a year too. Most reliable car i have ever owned.

[Maty]

I've had a 56 plate 93 Vector Sport with the 1.9 TiD 150 engine for the past 14 months. It's an auto and its done 83,000 miles (21k of which are with me). In that time its also needed an air con condenser, common fault apparently, a front wheel bearing (which necessitated a cv joint as well due to old one being seized in place), brake pads/discs all round and a new EGR valve so mostly wear and tear to be honest.

The auto is 'ok', round town its great, nice and smooth changes and in manual mode it's exactly that, manual and nothing exactly exciting (but then again it's a diesel estate so it isn't supposed to be). My main gripe with it is the speeds with which it selects each gear, for example it wont go into 6th until around 68mph and it won't let you manually put it in 6th either, which isn't great for economy! Round town its in 3rd, which again just wouldn't be the case if it had been manual, you'd be in 4th round town and up to 6th from 40-50mph.

Over the time I've had it its averaged 40mpg. Other than that, great car, well built although there are a few small rattles starting to develop and it's great for tip runs

[RedLeicester]

That might be a curiosity of the 150Tid engine - mine will go into 6th at around 40mph, but then it's a little pokier.

[madbadger]

I've had mine a bit over a year and done 15000 miles in it. It's getting to need new front tyres, but nothing else.

Just been MOTd - nothing needed.

[mattman]

Just bought a 2.0T vector vert auto - great all rounder, very smooth and comfortable

[Rovinghawk]

Had an '06 2.0 Aero with remap for three years- now on 130k miles. Usual service/wear & tear items, no issues despite a lot of track days.

Incredibly reliable, deceptively quick, very comfortable, relatively economical.

[griffin dai]

I'll be getting the v6 auto in a few years. But 07 onwards next time so hopefully a nice 09.

I've always had auto Saabs, much prefer them to manual. This v6 of mine is great (fantastic really!! Best engine) but the manual box is horrible 6 speed manual really let's the car down.

[jcborden]

I've had a 9-3 Aero auto (2003) for three and a half years now and currently on 151K. Gearbox has never been a problem, very smooth and has the paddles to play with in semi auto mode. Quite nippy generally and my only complaint about the gearbox is that is it slow to respond to the paddles, especially On up-shifts. Having said that most of the time I just leave it in auto.

Had quite a lot of front end work this year, both springs and various bushes, but to be expected at this mileage.

Something to watch out on with the later autos is that I think they push the tax bracket into the £480 mark...

[madbadger]

jcborden said:

Something to watch out on with the later autos is that I think they push the tax bracket into the £480 mark...

£500 now.

Still, there is always Diesel.