V6 - Talk to me.............

[MrB.]

I took the unplanned plunge into the SAAB world last year by not buying the Audi A4 Cab I had set out to buy, but placing a 93 2.0T Aero Cabriolet on the drive instead. It's a bright red '54' plate, 5 speed manual which has now covered 75k. It had 70k on it when I bought it. It has been a very surprising car, hugely comfortable (it replaced a Seat Leon Cupra R, which had in turn replaced my Porsche 968 Sport, so you can see why I love the comfort now!), quick enough (I actually wonder if it has a Hirsch remap as it has lots of Hirsch bits on it), and it has been good on fuel. I've always had a soft spot for SAAB as I quite like the "left-field" choice, but after a year of ownership, I'm now a complete convert.

And herein lies the problem........

I have changed my job, and after 12 years of driving a nice open road, I'm now driving into West London everyday from the leafy suburbia that is Surrey. I want an auto, and as much as my last 2 cars have been 4 cylinders, and the Seat and SAAB turbocharged, I love a 6 cylinder engine. I ran BMW roadsters with the straight six prior to the Porsche, and so I just have an affinity with that engine.

Ultimately, I covet a 93 Turbo X or Carlsson, but I have to be sensible on budget as it's the second car in the house with the first being a nice big expensive one. My leaning has now been pushed towards a 93 Aero V6 Auto saloon, but my other half says I'd miss the convertible (roof is down a lot), and I'm conscious of running costs, not to mention the £500 road tax per annum!!!

So, talk to me about the V6 with an auto box. Is it a good combination? I'm 40 now, and drive some reasonably quick cars through my job, so performance isn't my first criteria, but remember I like the torque of a V6. Is fuel consumption sensible for spending 2 hours a day driving the 35 miles to and from work in stop-start traffic? Is the 2007 facelift a better built car? Is it a quicker, more refined car than the 2.0T?

My only gripe about the convertible has been its a bit "rattly" and the front suspension feels like it's going to need overhauling very soon. I liek the look of the facelift car on the saloon, not so much on the cab.

I've seen a couple of nice saloons around the £5,500 - £6,000 mark that tick the boxes, but need to get a sensible price for mine. Does £3,500 sound ok for a private sale?

Answers please..........

Edited by MrB. on Wednesday 2nd July 09:06

[MrB.]

Thanks chaps, really helpful. I did consider a Jag S-Type 4.2 that came in through my work, but it was an SE, not an R or even a Sport, so it ruled it out. It was a thirsty bugger mind you!

I may look further into this 2.8 business, although the roof was down today and I was loving it!

[MrB.]

Apologies all for the radio silence, and currently sunning myself in the South of France (with the practical XC60, I must add, not in the Aero Cab!), however thank you to everyone for the kind responses. A quick update:

I have decided to retain the Aero Cab for another year, and have just spent a few pennies bringing it back up to a higher standard. Cracking service from the guys at Ian Allen SAAB in Virginia Water, having serviced the car and replaced the front drop links, a colleague at my work who is quite handy with the cleaning products has just clayed the car for me and treated the roof (all for the princely sum of two nice bottles of red!) and she is now looking, and driving, very fine indeed. So, future plans?

My thoughts are to stick some winter tyres on it over the coming months, and keep adding the pennies to the car fund jar with the thought of moving away from the Cab, and replacing it with either a Turbo X, or a Carlsson next year. Auto is a must, and the added benefits of the XWD is a tempting prospect as I am planning a Spring trip to the Western Isles of Scotland next year, and possibly skiing (the BIL will be borrowing the XC60 for that trip, as his 330D Touring and M3 will be inadequate!)

Anyway, thanks to all, for the advice/replies, and looking forward to a few more miles in the Aero for now!