SAAB 9-3 purchase idvice please :)

[stuh1980]

Hi all, just after a bit of advice if possible. I've narrowed my car search down to either a saab 9-3, volvo v50 or an audi a4, my criteria is a small(ish) estate, less than 70,000 miles with a budget of 6-7000 preferably although could go more if required and also as new as possible. The a4 is pretty much out of the question due to the high residuals it commands and v50's seem to be very thin on the ground here in lincolnshire, they also seem to have more mileage on them for the money/age im looking at than i'd be happy with. So i came across a 2007 9-3 1.9 Tid Vector this afternoon at a dealer in lincoln which on the face of it looks pretty good - low mileage (37000), full service history, A1 condition at the price of £7499 after my part ex has been knocked off. So what i'm asking really is do the PH masses think that the price is about right, it seems to be after looking on autotrader and what to look out for on these, honest john makes this 1.9 engine out to be a ticking timebomb, and also have i missed another car i could be looking out for, petrol or deisel is fine my annual mileage is around 14000 so either or really. To be honest im not very comfortable spending so much on a car the most ive spent up till now has been about £1500, but i would like something really nice for a change and it will need to last a good four or five years, ta very muchly

oh dear just realised i cant even spell correctly in the title !

[DavidY]

Might be able to help here, as I've owned a Saab 1.9TiD (150) and currently have a Volvo V50 (D2). I would still have the Saab if it had not been written off whilst parked!!! I drive the Saab from 70K miles to 122k miles. I don't think that the engine is a timebomb if well maintained (no more so than any other engine!)

My thoughts:-

Saab Pro's/Volvo Con's

Saab better MPG at motorway speeds, Volvo better overall average, Saab felt more urgent, though rolled more in corners than the Volvo

Saab Con's/Volvo Pro's

Saab Weak Alternator/Front Springs known faults, some Saab parts prices now high (especially body parts/lights/etc), Volvo nicer place to sit, more comfortable seats, feels less plasticky inside (unlike Saab handbrake mechanism!!).

Heating/Ventilation good in both (but thats a given with a Swedish car). Rear legroom not great in either with a tall driver.

I prefer either of these to the A4.

[Caulkhead]

That seems awfully expensive to me. A similar Vectra would be just over half that and as they're largely the same car under the skin are you happy paying £3k for a badge?

[Ozzie Osmond]

The Saab is a good car but don't overpay.

[fat freddie]

£7.5k is VERY steep for one of these at 5 years old. The 120 seems to have a better reputation for Diesell-y reliability than the 150, but unless you NEED a Diseasel I'd go for a petrol car, far cheaper to buy and much nicer to drive.

[Kuroblack350]

I ran a 2007 Vector Sport 93 for 50,000 miles almost from new. In that time it was faultlessly reliable, it's only cost being a new air con condenser just before I part ex'd it. I had the 150 version which seemed to be more popular, it wasn't all that quick, but was fine in comparison to its peers of the time. I did expect to replace the EGR and alternator at some point, but although these were fairly well documented problems, they never arised for mine.

Aside from being reliable, it was probably the best car I've owned for just doing a fuss free job, incredibly comfortable, lots of spec, toys etc. great car really, and I may have considered another if they hadn't gone bust. My only quarrel was the sporty suspension setup, it just wasn't the car for it - with the 17" wheels it managed to be both wallowy and crashy! I had a courtesy car with 16" wheels on and it was so much better.

I would say that if you like the Saab, then homework on prices is essential. They were always a fast depreciating machine, even more so after Saab disintegrated, there should be some real bargains out there if you look around.

[stuh1980]

Thanks for the input guys, the concensus seems to be that its a good car worth having but fairly overpriced even taking into account the dealers margin and the low mileage, ah well the search continues !, the problem is my current steeds mot is due the 1st of jan and its not worth spending the money on it to pass (mk1 focus needs a coil pack, maf and leaks like a sieve), and im off to scotland next sunday for the holidays so i need something bought by then, whoever thought buying a car could be so difficult!.

[delmatt]

I ran a Cadillac Bls Diesel estate with the 180 bhp ttid engine from 37k miles up until 97k miles. This is almost exactly the same car as the TTID Saab it just has some different panels and some interior changes. It was pretty reliable in that time and the only thing that went wrong was the water pump which took out the cambelt as well. This was a week before my dealer warranty ran out so was ok.

I changed to it from a Vovlo s60 d5 and whilst it was an ok car the interior was quite plasticky and I never really liked it even though it had plenty of go. The 180 ttid engine is supposed to be the most economical Saab diesel but I stuggled to get it to average over 45mpg(2.5 Vovlo did over 50 all the time) The Saabs do look nice but I would go for a petrol if I was doing less than 15k miles.

I would actually look for and travel for a higher mileage Volvo in reality as they are so much more sold generally. You might be lucky to find a d5 one which would be a bit older but a really nice engine for a diesel, as it would be an early one it wouldnt have all the DPF/EGR stuff to go wrong as well I think.

[MonkeyBusiness]

I've had a Saab 9-3 (Tid150) and an A4 Avant 1.8T.

Didn't like the Audi at all. Looks good but I felt every journey was a non event.

The Saab however despite its minor build problems (mine was a 55 plate). They are comfy, have loads of toys, good engine, and generally a nice place to be.

I'd have another in a flash.

[stuh1980]

Thanks again for the replys, im really quite keen on a 9 3 estate now, think ill give the dealer a ring back tommoro and see if theres any give on the price otherwise ill walk away.

[crostonian]

Have a look for an Alfa 159 1.9 JTDm Sportwagon. Same engine as the Saab, it was an Alfa engine originally and seems to give less grief than in Saab/Vauxhall installations. Should hod its value fairly well now, problem will be finding one.

[stuh1980]

The alfa 159 is actually my car of choice i would absoloutely love one !, i didnt even mention at because as you say they are nigh on impossible to find, just wish i wasnt so pressed for time to find something ill be happy with lol.

[stuh1980]

If it was the alfa though id like the 2.4 !

[PugwasHDJ80]

Bought a 59 plate 9-3 estate 150tid for 7250 with 58k miles.

Thought it was a good price but not amazing.

[stuh1980]

You know the more i look at it the price doesnt actually look too horrendous if i can get the dealer down a touch, looking at autotrader the price isnt far off and it is low mileage mmmm, pugwash was yours ftom a dealer if you dont mind me asking ?

[stuh1980]

You know the more i look at it the price doesnt actually look too horrendous if i can get the dealer down a touch, looking at autotrader the price isnt far off and it is low mileage mmmm, pugwash was yours ftom a dealer if you dont mind me asking ?

[littlebasher]

I had a 2007 9-3 with the TiD 150 engine with a factory Hirsch upgrade to 180 bhp

Great car, and despite everyone telling you otherwise my Swirl flaps kept swirling, the EGR didn't die and the alternator worked.

Had an air con condenser changed under warranty and a new battery

Couldn't fault it otherwise, except the sat nav didn't have postcode search and the heated seat had a hot spot!