Saab 9-3: PH Carpool
What was that about Saabs being responsive to remaps? This week's Carpooler proves the point...
Car: Saab 9-3 Aero TTID
Owned since: March 2014
Previously owned: Citroen AX x2, Vauxhall Cavalier, Ford Fiesta, Escort, Focus, various Mondeos, VW Golf GtTdi, Vauxhall Corsa
"My now fiance had a 1.4 Astra when I met her. It was a nice car to drive but not very exciting. So I set about finding something else. She has a daughter so it had to be something with decent rear legroom, preferably with rear doors. The Astra was OK on fuel so that was also a consideration. So something four-door, comfortable, good on fuel, and I found exciting. I like turbodiesels so I started there. I set a budget of £10,000 and looked about. I looked at various 320d sports and Passat CCs but they didn't excite me. My search eventually brought up a Saab. I'd always liked the look of Saabs and my dad's had a few. Saab also offered excellent value, at the time when I bought this they hadn't long gone out of business and the market was still wary of them. I bought this one three and a bit years old with 50,000 miles and £9K. Not a parking ding or a kerbed alloy in site! Being an Aero it has all the toys. It's also a twin-turbo diesel, which the car geek in me loves."
What I wish I'd known:
"The DPF doesn't like town driving. It needs a run once a week to clear it out. A remap has sorted that out. Suspension is harsh. I changed the standard shocks for Kayaba items. Makes it a lot less 'crashy' over bumps. Next year I might try Bilsteins."
"The torque. It's had a remap and is currently at 230bhp and 375lb ft torque. It's frightened more than a few hot hatches in a straight line! The torque makes motorway cruising a doddle too, very rarely do you have to come out sixth gear. Around town and behaving yourself it rivals superminis for economy, which is nice to know, sitting in your heated leather seat. The exclusivity; you don't see that many of them about, especially a white Aero. And to my eyes it is a very good looking car."
Things I hate:
"The steering is light. Very light. And easily affected by bumps/potholes. I don't think the big wheels help. A very nice chap on UKsaabs forum let me try his and it's exactly the same so not just mine! It's not as good quality as the Germans. But then it doesn't cost the same as one. Hate a strong word but the engine takes l along time to heat up in the morning."
"It's great on fuel. 40-45mpg around town! (I work in Glasgow city centre) 60-70mpg on the motorway with the cruise control on! The EGR valve went resulting in a lift home with the AA. I put it down to the DPF acting up. If you have one get a remap with a DPF delete. Transforms the car, increases mpg and power. Apart from that my dad has his own garage so maintenance is always going to be cheap. Tyres are £180. I like to keep Continental Sport Contacts on it (I was getting my kitchen done up and a stray screw found its way into a three-week-old £180 tyre). Parts are easy to get as it's a basically a Vauxhall with a Fiat engine. Quality is again not as good as the Germans and it's getting a few knock and squeaks. I'll probably get her in for a suspension and brake refresh in the new year."
Where I've been:
"It's my daily driver so comes to work everyday in Glasgow city centre and gets used for shopping trips at the weekend. Apart from that a few runs down to Manchester, Newcastle and around Scotland, Peebles, Stirling, Loch Lomond."
What next?
"I honestly don't know. I like to change my cars regularly, (life is too short to drive the same car) but I haven't seen anything I'd replace it with. The balance of power, practicality and economy is hard to beat. Maybe I'll give it to my fiance and buy myself a 986 Boxster!"
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