Used Saabs, a good punt? or what else?

[Si_steve]

If it's anything like the Z18XE I have in my Astra, I'd imagine it was very short lived...

First Gen 9-3's are really good value for money, I won't say how much I picked mine up for but I can say it's in SOTW territory

[Mr E]

ajb85 said:

Having said that, pick of the bunch has to be the 9-5 Aero, good cars and ten times the car a 9-3 is, in my opinion.

At this money though, the more PH alternative I would suggest is the Alfa 156. And if you really wanted to be a cool dad, you'd go for the Sport wagon...

Doing now and already done in that order.

I loved the Alfa. The 9-5 on boost simply monsters it

Neither of them handle.

[HannsG]

I am seriously seriously considering a 2008 180bhp TTID 9-3 sportwagon when my wife gives birth. It will be the family hack..

I think it has the facelift dash?

Looks like very good value for money......am I wrong? From what I hear it is marginally different underneath to the Vectra...

[43034]

Im on my 2nd Saab and currently looking for my 3rd.

My first was an OG 9-3, cosmic blue with the Viggen kit on it. Was Stage 1 so around 220bhp. Was rubbish on Pirelli P6000s but I spent £400 on getting Contis on all 4 corners and it was decent enough from them on! Got it last August (I was 18, so was like a rocket ship!) but it died last November due to the block starting to seize and I didnt have enough to get it fixed.

Photo here:


I really miss that car and wish I had/found the money to get it sorted.

I then picked up a 9-5 LPT estate for £400. 12months MOT and 6 months tax. Only 150bhp so a lot slower than my old one but it's getting me by just fine whilst I save for something else.



I'd highly recommend one OP, there's some stonking deals about to be had. Keep an eye on UKSaabs forum for enthusiast ones that are being sold (currently a Stage 3 9-3 SS for sale for £2.5k!)

Let us know how you get on

[8potdave]

This is why I love PH, I open the thread up asking about a non turbo economy car and I'm now finding myself looking at HOT turbo's. It brings the boy back out in us!

Looked on that forum thanks, but to be honest they seemed a bit overpriced in comparison to what else is out there. Got a couple of months so will now probably save up a bit more and go for a keeper.

[Andy_sx]

Picked up a 2002 95 aero estate at the bginning of December and they are great! Went from a VX220 to it, and initially I was worried I had made a poor choice as it lacks dynamics, but once you get your head around how to get the best from it (usually just nail it in gear to be honest) it all makes sense!

Lovely place to sit and munch up the miles, mine is doing around 33 mpg at the mo with a decent chunk of town driving (will do more on a run, gets to around 37-38 dependant on pace)

One thing to try and get is the AS3 sound system, much better than the other options.

Mine will be making its way to a new owner at some point due to moving abroad in August, and other than the VX and my old Alfa 155 Silverstone, I think it will be up there on the cars missed most list.

[Mr E]

Andy_sx said:

Lovely place to sit and munch up the miles, mine is doing around 33 mpg at the mo with a decent chunk of town driving (will do more on a run, gets to around 37-38 dependant on pace)

One thing to try and get is the AS3 sound system, much better than the other options.

Ours does 34 on a run. Never seen 37-38.

And yes, the base sound system is pretty woeful. And appears very difficult to upgrade.