new saab 9-3 vector diesel - any good?

[leeb]

just found one for a new company car, a bit different, looks smart and fully loaded with leather, cruise control dual air con etc etc. my boss said he thinks it may drive a bit 'old' for me, baring in mind im currently in a pug 406 estate as a co car.

anyone driven one who can advise me, it will be the 120bhp vector model.

Thanks a lot.

lee

[mustard]

Well equiped, drives well, understated, quite classy image, shame you cant have the 150bhp!.

It is a Alfa/Fiat engine though slightly worring!

[Rob P]

A friend at work has the petrol vector.

Its a nice looking car, loaded with all the toys and has a fair amount of go. It feels solid and well put together.

The ride might be a bit harsh compared with the 406 though but thats more down to preference.

[leeb]

harsh ride isnt a problem, im sure it wont be as bad as my g-Ltd MR2. might even handle and not scream and shout if you try to introduce it to a corner like the peugeot does.

i am planning to try for the 150bhp one but i think the contract hire company has run out on this particular offer, doh!

thanks tho. the boss said to test drive one, but i havent got the time for the whole list of questions and answers the saab dealer wants to go thru to let me do it.

[mustard]

A good viable alternative to an Audi A4/VW Passat Tdi, worked for Saab dealer just as these were coming out, Excellent package if someone else is picking up the depreciation

[toppstuff]

mustard said:

Well equiped, drives well, understated, quite classy image, shame you cant have the 150bhp!. It is a Alfa/Fiat engine though slightly worring!

Nothing to worry about - the later versions have the 1.9 JTD which is one of the best diesels on the market.

very nice car, the 9-3. Can't go wrong IMO.

[titiany]

i was under the impression that it is a bit dull for a car enthusiast - even when trying to be sensible

[toppstuff]

titiany said:

i was under the impression that it is a bit dull for a car enthusiast - even when trying to be sensible

As a tool for the daily grind it does the job.

Running sensible wheels does'nt mean you ain't an enthusiast...

[leeb]

thing is i have to try and make the best out of a not particularly great situation (rep mobile, fully maintained, 30k miles per year for £350 a month), so get a comfy spec'd smart looking and decent car for work, which will keep the company happy with the fuel, clients impressions etc, sell my mr2 save £1500 a year insurance, and get a cheap drift toy, or road going track car of some description.

everyones happy, audis were to much, bmws are well bmws, nice but cant be arsed with the stigma, and thought the saab would be a fairly happy medium. no particularly bad reports on them, thats good id say.

ta

Lee

[titiany]

toppstuff said:

titiany said: i was under the impression that it is a bit dull for a car enthusiast - even when trying to be sensible As a tool for the daily grind it does the job. Running sensible wheels does'nt mean you ain't an enthusiast...

OK, but running boring wheels drives you mad!

[mustard]

leeb said:

thing is i have to try and make the best out of a not particularly great situation (rep mobile, fully maintained, 30k miles per year for £350 a month), so get a comfy spec'd smart looking and decent car for work, which will keep the company happy with the fuel, clients impressions etc, sell my mr2 save £1500 a year insurance, and get a cheap drift toy, or road going track car of some description. everyones happy, audis were to much, bmws are well bmws, nice but cant be arsed with the stigma, and thought the saab would be a fairly happy medium. no particularly bad reports on them, thats good id say. ta Lee

Go for it, if Audi's and BMW's work out too much its a no brainer, only other car I'd consider id a Honda Accord i-CDTi

[Rob P]

Saab and Volvo sit nicely inbetween BMW/Audi and Mondeo/Vectramobiles IMO.

With regard to the SAAB dealer, try another. They shouldnt give you the third degree just to test drive one surely? THe hire company must source them from somewhere so try that?

Incidently, do Volvo do an equivalent S40?

[interloper]

Interesting thread ! I work in Saab fleet sales (Probably best to reveal any bias befor hand !), I've driven both the 120 and 150 versions of the 93.

The 150 is a superb motor, not the quiet'est diesel you can buy but its decently quick. Strangley it actualy makes a nicer noise than the petrol engine Saab 93's which sound too quiet and characterless, even the aero fails to sounds sporty.

The 120 on the other hand is not so impressive (there's a suprise !) seriously if you have the choice definatley go for the 150.

[mustard]

interloper said:

Interesting thread ! I work in Saab fleet sales (Probably best to reveal any bias befor hand !), I've driven both the 120 and 150 versions of the 93. The 150 is a superb motor, not the quiet'est diesel you can buy but its decently quick. Strangley it actualy makes a nicer noise than the petrol engine Saab 93's which sound too quiet and characterless, even the aero fails to sounds sporty. The 120 on the other hand is not so impressive (there's a suprise !) seriously if you have the choice definatley go for the 150.

To be getting the rentals cheaper than an A4 you must be chucking a load of support behind it!

Hope Barcelona pay it!

>> Edited by mustard on Wednesday 26th January 22:40

[longwool]

I have a Saab Vector 2.2 Diesel and have completed 45K miles in the year. I am delighted with the car which I find most comfortable for eating up high mileage days. 600 mile days no problem, economy good and dealer service I have had is excellent. Not the engaging drive that the BMW 320d the wife has but for large mileage when you cannot afford to speed due to the increased chance in picking up points it is an excellent car. Saab also seems to have a little more cachet than the ubiquitous BMW 3 series and the Audi A4. Vector loks good in black.

[mustard]

Dont confuse the 2.2tid with the new 1.9's, the 2.2 was a fairly old school diesel engine borrowed from the Vectra.

1.9 gives better economy and much improved power and torque (especially in the 150bhp 'red eye' version)

[NST]

Wifey drives a new Saab 93 1.9 120bhp linear.

i think its ok. build quality isn't very good for car that costs almost 20K. coin holder next to handbrake er came of in my hands.. <cue shouting from wife> some small rattles started to appear from door trim which are quite common apparently. nice seats though. stereo isn't very good (i hope its better in the Vector -her next car). handling is soft with some body role, gear box is alittle vague, steering is quite light and not really linear. very quiet inside with good insulation. hardly notice the rattle from the engine (outside it is quite loud though much more so than my Focus TDCI). small diesel vibration can be felt from the pedal/gearbox though.
fuel economy isn't that great though averaging 40-45mpg depending on driving.
over all, great car for motorway munching.

[900T-R]

Actually, it's fairly spririted in the handling stakes as long as you don't go for the 15"-shod base (Linear) versions that reputedly are a bit soft and squishy.
I've driven a couple of them hard on Swedish back roads at the press intor back then - it's certainly a lot more agile and interactive than an A4 or the like. Top Gear (which rated it above the allmighty BMW Three) and 4car - amongst others - seem to agree. It does recapture the spririt of the old Saab Turbo's (which were very much a 'grunge' alternative to their rather clinical German contemporaries) in that respect.
Steering is a bit overlight and bereft of feel around the center position - but then this is a point I criticize in all small execs including the revered 3-series.

IMO the only let downs of the current gen 9-3 are the interior quality (for a Saab) and a lack of character when looked at rear 3/4 perspective. And in The Netherlands, pricing of the (excellent) new diesel versions isn't that keen.

As small execs go, this certainly isn't boring.

titiany said:

toppstuff said: titiany said: i was under the impression that it is a bit dull for a car enthusiast - even when trying to be sensible As a tool for the daily grind it does the job. Running sensible wheels does'nt mean you ain't an enthusiast... OK, but running boring wheels drives you mad!

[rawstrona]

I have a 2004 saab 93 aero 2.0T (210 bhp) as a company car, i know you cant compare the engine because you are considering the vector diesel, ive covered 38k miles in 12 mths, ive got to say im very impressed, previous company cars were merc 220, lexus 200, bmw 320 and of them all i love the saab - good clean looks, nice interior, engines great gives TTs quite surprise and not one fault in 38k miles - nothing. The great thing about the 93 is its different alternative than the hoards of merc and bmw's, its a step above the vectra and mondeo's, definitely worth a try.