My new to me Saab 2.8T and previous car history...
Discussion
Thought I'd share my new car with you guys, along with some pictures of my previous ones.
It's a Saab 9-3 2.8T Aero... Great engine which is the same as the Vectra VXR, in 250hp guise.
Really love it, it's got under my skin for some reason. It also doesn't attract any wrong sort of attention which was one of the reasons for buying it.!
A map will be on the way. I think i'm going to use Vtuner which should give 320hp/400lbft. 250hp/260lbft standard.
If you look closely you'll just make out the PH smiley.
Previous cars... ST220 - Lovely handler, a tad quicker than the 330i, terrible on fuel, it was an itch i had to scratch.
My OH's 206 GTI - Cheap and so far cheerful.
330ci Sport Auto (excuse the 'plate!) - bought as the 330cd was too expensive.
330cd Sport Auto - Lovely car has pretty much every option.
Megane F1 - 262hp/302lbft - Quick! a bit brash looking back.
Clio Cup - This was my first 'proper' car, i added genuine xenons to it. Loved it.
It's a Saab 9-3 2.8T Aero... Great engine which is the same as the Vectra VXR, in 250hp guise.
Really love it, it's got under my skin for some reason. It also doesn't attract any wrong sort of attention which was one of the reasons for buying it.!
A map will be on the way. I think i'm going to use Vtuner which should give 320hp/400lbft. 250hp/260lbft standard.
If you look closely you'll just make out the PH smiley.
Previous cars... ST220 - Lovely handler, a tad quicker than the 330i, terrible on fuel, it was an itch i had to scratch.
My OH's 206 GTI - Cheap and so far cheerful.
330ci Sport Auto (excuse the 'plate!) - bought as the 330cd was too expensive.
330cd Sport Auto - Lovely car has pretty much every option.
Megane F1 - 262hp/302lbft - Quick! a bit brash looking back.
Clio Cup - This was my first 'proper' car, i added genuine xenons to it. Loved it.
philmots said:
Previous cars... ST220 - Lovely handler, a tad quicker than the 330i, terrible on fuel, it was an itch i had to scratch.
Strangely I've made the same move as you from 330 to ST220 (as you say, a bit quicker and great handling) and I've even thought about a hot mappable Saab as a possible next move. But would I be giving up quite a bit on handling?a_bread said:
Strangely I've made the same move as you from 330 to ST220 (as you say, a bit quicker and great handling) and I've even thought about a hot mappable Saab as a possible next move. But would I be giving up quite a bit on handling?
If they use the same rack that they use in the TID 150 9-3, then yes. IMO the brakes and the steering are a let down in the Saab 9-3. Steering is quite vague and the brakes are spongey. However, I am told the set u improves with brakes from the Vectra SRI (305mm discs with 4 pot calipers). The hot Saabs may be fitted with these all ready, but you could still be left with the steering issue. Ride is also pretty firm. Decent amount of grip though and always appears to be quite stable mid corner, despite the fact you feel a bit disconnected to the steering!
Thanks for the positive comments...
Compared to the ST220 you wouldn't be disappointed.
The brakes on this are fantastic, standard are 314mm discs up front, they're specific to the 2.8T. I don't find this set up in the slightest bit vague or spongy. That's compared to the ST220, though. Which easily had the worst brakes of any modern car I've driven. They're the same as on the boggo 1.8 petrol and really not up to the job.
Handling wise I agree with the above poster. The steering is very light and there's a real lack of feel, it's hard to know how much grip you have. Having said that if you trust that the car will grip it can be hustled on at some pace, you wouldn't lose out to an ST or 330 on a back road and it's quite chuckable. It's very stable mid corner which inspires confidence in higher speed stuff. The main problem is you have to know it can do it rather than feel that it can.
I bought it more as a cruiser though so to me it's the better car by a long shot. Epic overtaking ability even with no remap.!
Compared to the ST220 you wouldn't be disappointed.
The brakes on this are fantastic, standard are 314mm discs up front, they're specific to the 2.8T. I don't find this set up in the slightest bit vague or spongy. That's compared to the ST220, though. Which easily had the worst brakes of any modern car I've driven. They're the same as on the boggo 1.8 petrol and really not up to the job.
Handling wise I agree with the above poster. The steering is very light and there's a real lack of feel, it's hard to know how much grip you have. Having said that if you trust that the car will grip it can be hustled on at some pace, you wouldn't lose out to an ST or 330 on a back road and it's quite chuckable. It's very stable mid corner which inspires confidence in higher speed stuff. The main problem is you have to know it can do it rather than feel that it can.
I bought it more as a cruiser though so to me it's the better car by a long shot. Epic overtaking ability even with no remap.!
Waugh-terfall said:
Love the Megane and the Saab, with this talk of re-mapping, what are the gearboxes like these days? Vauxhal items?
Oh and Life Saab Itch will be humping your leg in 4....3......2.....
I don't know for sure about the gearbox but I'd take a guess that the vauxhall gearbox will be the same as this. It'd make sense to use while engine and 'box together. Also the 2.0T of this age turned to a 5 speed box from 6 speed as the 6 speed had some issues.. No issues reported on the 2.8 leads me to think it's different. The VXR's don't seem to have issues with the torque.Oh and Life Saab Itch will be humping your leg in 4....3......2.....
philmots said:
I don't know for sure about the gearbox but I'd take a guess that the vauxhall gearbox will be the same as this. It'd make sense to use while engine and 'box together. Also the 2.0T of this age turned to a 5 speed box from 6 speed as the 6 speed had some issues.. No issues reported on the 2.8 leads me to think it's different. The VXR's don't seem to have issues with the torque.
Good stuff! 
I have the facelifted one of these as a 2.8t, same interior too, nice car. Cornering isnt a strong point but it deals with speed / motorway munching easily, I had mine at 148mph* with the cruise control on for 70 miles the other day and even then the wind noise wasnt so bad, infact it still felt like it had alot to give but I didnt have the bottle to max it! Well built car!
- Note I wasnt in the UK.
philmots said:
I don't know for sure about the gearbox but I'd take a guess that the vauxhall gearbox will be the same as this. It'd make sense to use while engine and 'box together. Also the 2.0T of this age turned to a 5 speed box from 6 speed as the 6 speed had some issues.. No issues reported on the 2.8 leads me to think it's different. The VXR's don't seem to have issues with the torque.
That was also down to cost cutting, along with putting smaller discs on.even
I have the 2.0T with a remap to 250 bhp, would be interest to try a 2.8, dont want another though, have had years of Saabs !
I will be going BMW, how does the Saab compare to the BMW's you have had, I find the Saab handles well but the trim is a bit ropey.
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