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Repair or replace - 2005 Saab 9-3
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Repair or replace - 2005 Saab 9-3
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ajguk

Original Poster:

333 posts

101 months

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Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
Hi all

I've got a bit of a dilemma. I was hoping to get my 9-3 2.0T Aero through to the New Year before swapping it for something bargey. It's my drive to work, tip run, shuttle the child and dog about car, ultimately I now do about 6000 miles a year (occasional trip from Leeds to London thrown in). I have a 2009 E89 Z4 for weekends and sunny days.

I got the Saab in Jan 18, paid £1900 and all in it's totalled about £2.5k including maintenance, service and tyres, so really not too bad for 2 years of motoring.

Lately I've been hankering after something wafty, and have been looking at Lexus's (Lexi?) in particular the GS300, 450H or even an LS460, of which I've seen a few in budget (varies from £3k up to £8k depending on condition and which way the wind is blowing that day, oh and what I read about on PHsmile ). Going back to the Saab, I think she knows I've been seeing other cars.....I've got a slow puncture o/s rear, now a knocking suspension noise which I think is linked, a rapidly fading headlight bulb (xenon) and the MOT is due in a fortnight.

So.....what would you do? Cut your losses and get rid, or perhaps fork out £130 for 2 new tyres, a bulb (ECP £130, ebay £30 if they fit), possible suspension fix, plus MOT on top, just to chop it in in a few months? I honestly can't see me wanting to keep it past Feb/March, it's uncomfortable and I've done all my tip runs for the forseeable.

And with regards to wafty bargain motoring, I also have Merc CLS350s on the list. How bulletproof are these engines? I don't need the latest and greatest on the drive, and I really don't want to lease again because I think I get bored too easily!

edit: I really fancy a 450H but am concerned about ten year old hybrid batteries.

Thanks for any advice everyone.

Edited by ajguk on Wednesday 13th November 11:17

ajguk

Original Poster:

333 posts

101 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 13th November 2019
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kurt535

3,560 posts

146 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
lexus 300's nobody wants (no idea why) so if you do go for it drive a bad ass bargain price.

PurpleTurtle

8,855 posts

173 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 13th November 2019
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Interesting that you say the 9-3 is uncomfortable OP, I thought Saab had a rep for the best seats in the business (although those we of course sourced when under GM ownership).

For various reasons I may have to shift my M3 at some point and given that I only do 4k miles a year at the moment I just want a cheap, warm, comfy runabout that can do the occasional bit of towing. The 9-3 is on my mental shortlist as imagined they would have lovely comfy (preferably Heated) seats?

In answer to your question, the suspension fix could just be a drop link, fixed cheaply at an indie.

Jag_NE

3,339 posts

129 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 13th November 2019
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Id get it fixed and keep it straight, it will be harder to shift or get a lower p/ex if it’s a neglected car.

ZX10R NIN

30,523 posts

154 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
Hybrid options:

Lexus GS450h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Infiniti M35h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Batteries seem to be just fine on all of these.

I'd probably just repair the Saab.

ajguk

Original Poster:

333 posts

101 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
PurpleTurtle said:
Interesting that you say the 9-3 is uncomfortable OP, I thought Saab had a rep for the best seats in the business (although those we of course sourced when under GM ownership).
I should have clarified - it's not the seats, it's the god awful Aero suspension (I think they're lower than Vectors etc). It's a well known trait as far as I've read, although can be fixed with better dampers. The seats (heated) are great to be fair, and it munches motorway miles no problem.

PurpleTurtle said:
In answer to your question, the suspension fix could just be a drop link, fixed cheaply at an indie.
I did the front drop links a few weeks ago and this cured part of the wobbly feel at the front of the car. It was a simple enough job apart from the swearing and bruises, so it's something I was considering looking at this weekend. It's just not always easy to tell if they're shot so it's a bit of a (albeit cheap) gamble.

But from an owner of 2 years, it has really grown on me and I would be sad to see it go. I can recommend one, especially an estate which I think I should have held out for as mine is the saloon. Parts are cheap and it's not that hard to work on. Plenty of seized bolts but that's to be expected on cars of this age. If you do get an Aero though make sure you pick up a low profile jack!

ajguk

Original Poster:

333 posts

101 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
Hybrid options:

Lexus GS450h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


Infiniti M35h

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Batteries seem to be just fine on all of these.

I'd probably just repair the Saab.
Nice options, thanks. I used to have a Q50 on lease so am not adverse to an Infiniti again and I've often looked at the M35s. I often see you recommend Mercs too - are there any in this kind of price range that you think might fit the bill? Even something of a CLK size would be fine for my needs now.

I do think I'll fix the Saab for now but sell it in the New Year, so won't be spending too much on it.

ZX10R NIN

30,523 posts

154 months

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[news]
Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
Do you want a petrol or diesel? I ask this as some of the petrol Mercedes come in with heavy tax, but yes there are some good Mercedes options.

ajguk

Original Poster:

333 posts

101 months

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[news]
Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
Petrol please!

A few of the cars I've looked at are high tax (I used to have a Mazda3 MPS and vowed never again) but man maths is making it work.

An LS460 or a post 2006 GS300 are £570 or £555 respectively I think. I'd prefer lower but it's not vital.

ZX10R NIN

30,523 posts

154 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 13th November 2019
quotequote all
You'll have to check the engine number on the 350 as some suffered a balancer shaft issue whereas the 500 doesn't have any issues but I'd look for a 5.5 over the 5.0 version as it's a bit more efficient.

The real world fuel difference between the 350 & 500 is 5mpg.

InitialDave

15,072 posts

148 months

[report]
[news]
Thursday 14th November 2019
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ajguk said:
So.....what would you do?
If the Saab's a manual, I'd have a crack at sorting it out and seeing how much I can get out of it.

If it's an auto, I'd be glad to be rid of it.

ajguk

Original Poster:

333 posts

101 months

[report]
[news]
Thursday 14th November 2019
quotequote all
It's a manual. Thinking I'll get it repaired and MOT'd and run it through the winter but keep my eyes open in the meantime.
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