Another Saab 9-3 - 2.8 V6 Turbo
Discussion
So I've ended up with yet another car and it's another Saab 9-3! My convertible is lovely and is most likely going to become my other half's day to day car, insanely cheap to run and smaller than her ML for going to work etc.
I thought I'd look around for another that's either a super cheap workhorse or if there were any interesting petrol Saabs. Well this rather interesting model came up from a trader I bought my first 9-3 from back in 2014. It would appear to be a very rare spec too.
It's a 2010, 9-3 Aero but with the 2.8 V6 turbo engine and four wheel drive. It's not a Turbo X which was a specific model that is almost identical bar the exhaust. But it still has the 280bhp engine and has the TX pack which gives it the wheels, different seats, trim, steering wheel etc. This has 130k on the clock, a full service history, had the haldex oil changed at 80k as it should and is a rather nice thing.
The car was MOT'd the other day and had been parked up for two years under a car port where the owner had a company car. It's being serviced as the last was done before it was stored and I'll pick it up next week.
Plans will be a wheel refurb as the diamond cut wheels show the typical signs and a good clean, new mats, the usual stuff!
I thought I'd look around for another that's either a super cheap workhorse or if there were any interesting petrol Saabs. Well this rather interesting model came up from a trader I bought my first 9-3 from back in 2014. It would appear to be a very rare spec too.
It's a 2010, 9-3 Aero but with the 2.8 V6 turbo engine and four wheel drive. It's not a Turbo X which was a specific model that is almost identical bar the exhaust. But it still has the 280bhp engine and has the TX pack which gives it the wheels, different seats, trim, steering wheel etc. This has 130k on the clock, a full service history, had the haldex oil changed at 80k as it should and is a rather nice thing.
The car was MOT'd the other day and had been parked up for two years under a car port where the owner had a company car. It's being serviced as the last was done before it was stored and I'll pick it up next week.
Plans will be a wheel refurb as the diamond cut wheels show the typical signs and a good clean, new mats, the usual stuff!
Andy665 said:
Shame the RFL is so high on these.
I had a fwd V6 Aero, was auto and dynamically pretty poor but still a comfy old thing
Yeah it's in the highest tax bracket. Interestingly it feels quite different to my other 9-3. That's a mapped 1.9ttid so delivers it's power quite differently but this V6 is so much more refined, deceptively quick I'd say. Be interesting to see how the handling fairs with the X drive. I had a fwd V6 Aero, was auto and dynamically pretty poor but still a comfy old thing
Mad Maximus said:
That’s lovely. Such a shame Saab have gone.
It really is a shame, I know these share parts with Vauxhall/Holden from the GM era, but they're still distinctly Saab. carinaman said:
Nice. I wasn't aware of them. Love the alloy design. Reminds me of the wheels on the 99 Turbo.
So the styling and idea behind the engine and packs this car has is that it was like a modern 99 turbo. This is essentially an Aero but the first owner ticked the options to bring it as close as you can get to the Turbo X. In fact the only difference is the exhaust, otherwise it's identical. Funny thing is though, on Autotrader there are 3-4 Turbo X models, all far more than I this model. This was the only 2.8 V6 with X drive for sale at all, so pretty uncommon. Wheels will get a refurb, it seems that they're also very expensive, seemingly worth about a quarter of the price I paid for the whole car. Also it's ripe for a re-map to around 320bhp.
Mr Tidy said:
That has to be a rarity in that spec. and it looks pretty smart. 
It seems to be extremely rare as it's an exhaust and a badge away from being a Turbo X model, but I can't imagine many Aero buyers ticked all of these options. Seems to be the only 2.8 V6 with X drive that's not a Turbo X I could see on Auto Trader. I'm quite pleased to not be getting rid of the other 9-3 we have so will be interesting comparing them.
Scoobydrew95 said:
I absolutely adore this wheel style!
Looks like a great spec - slightly peculiar looking without the boot spoiler.
Best of luck - hopefully treats you well.
The wheels are very very Saab, which adds to the look for sure. I do like the spoiler on them but I like the subtlety of this too. I think it's probably a bit of a sleeper. Looks like a great spec - slightly peculiar looking without the boot spoiler.
Best of luck - hopefully treats you well.
Thank you, fingers crossed.
alfabeat said:
Love the SAAB! I had a lowly 9-3 1.9tdi estate, which I loved. Always tempted to get another.
Keep the updates on her coming!
My first Saab was the same, 1.9tid estate and it definitely got under my skin. Only had it 6 months and it to be fair it did feel it's age in some respects. Think the EGR valve kept sticking and the clutch wasn't great. But it was comfortable, cool looking and just a lovely thing. Keep the updates on her coming!
Will keep the updates incoming. Got some bits and pieces to sort before collection on Thursday next week.
C5_Steve said:
Another thumbs up for those stunning wheels. Never seen a set in person.
First time I'd seen them too. They'll look even better fully refurbished. POIDH said:
I likey.
I have a hankering for a Saab still...
Well you should satisfy your hankering haha. To be fair I'm not sure they were built as well as the cars they were aiming to compete with. But at the same time they seem to have as much thought and consideration given to them as any German car I've owned and they have character. I have a hankering for a Saab still...
7 5 7 said:
Rather excellent example!
Miss my TTid saloon, but was impractical for my work needs in the end, even with roofbars....but, I do miss that car, I run a Vectra C currently, same platform, so still has a whiff of this gen 9-3 about it
I do hope so. I had a look on Howmanyleft and it seems to be extremely rare too. I had a look and I can never get the version of my cars exactly right but if it's the Aero V6 XWD then there's 12 on the road currently. Even the other XWD 9-3 are only in double digits. Miss my TTid saloon, but was impractical for my work needs in the end, even with roofbars....but, I do miss that car, I run a Vectra C currently, same platform, so still has a whiff of this gen 9-3 about it
I do like that twin turbo diesel engine, seems tough, really efficient and gutsy. What bits cross over with the Vecta? Other the mechanical bits I mean?
Picked up the car today and I must say it is a lovely thing! First stop was the petrol station for a full tank of V-Power. Surprisingly small tank for a saloon at 50l but then I'm used to my CL which takes 80l of fuel.
Something to make the interior smell nice.
Had a set of mats arrive today from Carmats4U. Crap name but really good mats, these are rubber which are ideal for daily use and this texture looks better than the usual chequer plate look.
My convertible looking suspicious in the background.
There was one slight niggle. Picked the car up from a trader I bought from previously back in Surrey. Ten minutes down the road from my old house. My old house being about 130 miles from my new one. So I picked my mum up (to stay for a week or two) and drove home. Got all the way back to the M5 after a very nice run and, 'Limited Performance' and limp mode for the remaining 5-10 miles. How annoying!
Trader had said he'd put two new injectors in as it as the EML had come on and seemed to point to that. Not sure if it's mis-fired again due to that. My basic code reader didn't throw anything up. So looks like I'll pop back to him when I take the mothership back home and get him to fix it.
Bit of a shame but it happens and it's far from a new car. I'm sure it'll be put right. Look forward to it as when it's going, it really shifts. More lbs-ft than bhp and 6th is surprisingly punchy.
Something to make the interior smell nice.
Had a set of mats arrive today from Carmats4U. Crap name but really good mats, these are rubber which are ideal for daily use and this texture looks better than the usual chequer plate look.
My convertible looking suspicious in the background.
There was one slight niggle. Picked the car up from a trader I bought from previously back in Surrey. Ten minutes down the road from my old house. My old house being about 130 miles from my new one. So I picked my mum up (to stay for a week or two) and drove home. Got all the way back to the M5 after a very nice run and, 'Limited Performance' and limp mode for the remaining 5-10 miles. How annoying!
Trader had said he'd put two new injectors in as it as the EML had come on and seemed to point to that. Not sure if it's mis-fired again due to that. My basic code reader didn't throw anything up. So looks like I'll pop back to him when I take the mothership back home and get him to fix it.
Bit of a shame but it happens and it's far from a new car. I'm sure it'll be put right. Look forward to it as when it's going, it really shifts. More lbs-ft than bhp and 6th is surprisingly punchy.
Well it would seem the, 'limited power' issue has resolved itself. I had a chat with the trader who said it sounded like a possible fuelling issue. Only occurred under full throttle (regardless of revs) and now EML, which he explained wouldn't necessarily come on if it was.
Knowing it had, had two new injectors, I left it overnight and next day took it for a drive and no error. I then used full throttle and up it pops. Restarted the car and allowed it to warm up, gently increasing the revs and it drove fine. Message came up one more time then went off. I took it up through the revs several times and no sign of the message again, same again today. I'll monitor and if needs be get the guy to look at it.
In other news, I'm really impressed with how well it goes. It really surges and I think makes for quite the sleeper if I'm honest!
Ordered a new key casing as these always end up looking like a dog has chewed them. I'll get the blade cut soon but the chip and battery was an easy swap and works fine.
I set about giving the interior a once over as despite it looking clean this is me and I won't be happy until I've done it myself. Just as well as I got all this off the plastic trims. Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber Care does a good job.
I gave the, apparently genuine leather seats a clean with some Dr Leather spray. They're impressibly good condition given the mileage.
As part of the TX pack that was added to the car, it has some carbon fibre trim instead of the usual silver plastic.
To my very untrained eye it looks real but either way it's smart and a bit different from the usual Saabs.
Managed to source a set of genuine Saab wipers too so popped them on earlier as the ones on there crap.
Obligatory PH sticker in place too.
So far it's shaping up rather nicely. Assuming all goes to plan, I'll be looking to upgrade the audio and get that headunit swapped for something a bit more modern. My other car has a satnav unit which I'd swap if you then didn't have to code it to the car.
Exterior wise the wheels will be refurbished and it's in need of a proper wash, polish and protect!! Hurry up spring.
Knowing it had, had two new injectors, I left it overnight and next day took it for a drive and no error. I then used full throttle and up it pops. Restarted the car and allowed it to warm up, gently increasing the revs and it drove fine. Message came up one more time then went off. I took it up through the revs several times and no sign of the message again, same again today. I'll monitor and if needs be get the guy to look at it.
In other news, I'm really impressed with how well it goes. It really surges and I think makes for quite the sleeper if I'm honest!
Ordered a new key casing as these always end up looking like a dog has chewed them. I'll get the blade cut soon but the chip and battery was an easy swap and works fine.
I set about giving the interior a once over as despite it looking clean this is me and I won't be happy until I've done it myself. Just as well as I got all this off the plastic trims. Autoglym Vinyl & Rubber Care does a good job.
I gave the, apparently genuine leather seats a clean with some Dr Leather spray. They're impressibly good condition given the mileage.
As part of the TX pack that was added to the car, it has some carbon fibre trim instead of the usual silver plastic.
To my very untrained eye it looks real but either way it's smart and a bit different from the usual Saabs.
Managed to source a set of genuine Saab wipers too so popped them on earlier as the ones on there crap.
Obligatory PH sticker in place too.
So far it's shaping up rather nicely. Assuming all goes to plan, I'll be looking to upgrade the audio and get that headunit swapped for something a bit more modern. My other car has a satnav unit which I'd swap if you then didn't have to code it to the car.
Exterior wise the wheels will be refurbished and it's in need of a proper wash, polish and protect!! Hurry up spring.
Alex_225 said:
Picked up the car today and I must say it is a lovely thing! First stop was the petrol station for a full tank of V-Power. Surprisingly small tank for a saloon at 50l but then I'm used to my CL which takes 80l of fuel.
Is it really only 50 litres, or is that all you could get in it? My BMW Z4s have a 55 litre tank that doesn't go that far, but my 2005 330i has a 63 litre tank that easily does over 400 miles.
Mr Tidy said:
Alex_225 said:
Picked up the car today and I must say it is a lovely thing! First stop was the petrol station for a full tank of V-Power. Surprisingly small tank for a saloon at 50l but then I'm used to my CL which takes 80l of fuel.
Is it really only 50 litres, or is that all you could get in it? My BMW Z4s have a 55 litre tank that doesn't go that far, but my 2005 330i has a 63 litre tank that easily does over 400 miles.
By contrast my diesel 9-3 will show nearer 800 miles to a tank but also double the mpg so seems that it's a small tank but I've never had to fill from nothing on that car. Online it indicates 62 litres but I definitely wasn't able to get more than 48l on that first fill up. Strange.
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