9-3 V6 Aero Questions/Buying Tips

[D_T_W]

I've spotted what appears to be a nice 9-3 Aero V6 for sale locally that has rather taken my fancy, can anybody point out the potential pitfalls and weak points? It's a '55 plate Auto with 80k on the clock and 2 owners.

Current car is a Mondeo ST220, big and comfy and chuckable when required, it also manages 29mpg so if the Saab had those attributes I'd be very tempted to change!

[griffin dai]

D_T_W said:

I've spotted what appears to be a nice 9-3 Aero V6 for sale locally that has rather taken my fancy, can anybody point out the potential pitfalls and weak points? It's a '55 plate Auto with 80k on the clock and 2 owners.

Current car is a Mondeo ST220, big and comfy and chuckable when required, it also manages 29mpg so if the Saab had those attributes I'd be very tempted to change!

Mpg on mines around the same, no real issues but they like to eat coils especially after a remap (which they need as they're nothing special standard imo)

Front springs are known to snap so most upgrade to Eibach or H&R for a lower drop (Eibachs are low enough where I live!!)

Check what audio systems fitted as they come with either 4, 7 or 13 speakers plus either ICM2 (small green lcd display) or icm3 (sat nav) which looks nicer but the nav isn't that great tbh!

Some come with heated seats some don't (mine)

Tax should be the lower rate as it changed sometime in 2006 to £400+ but not sure if that's different on the autos? (I think it's the same)

Interiors a bit plasticky but still a nice place to sit.

They're hugely tunable if that's your thing Bonus with the auto is there's no uprated clutch to get so with a 3" DP, bigger IC and remap your up to 350/360bhp & 450-460ft/lbs torque!!, There's a few Euro tuners to choose with excellent reputations like Maptun & Hirsch, but also look at the U.S. Tuners like JZW (what ive got) or Vtuner as you get BAGS more torque, around 420-430ft/lbs depending on tune with a stage 1 map, but all around the 300-320bhp mark. You'll be happy with any tune really but the JZW tune is just brutal.