2003 SAAB 9-3 Aero Sport Sedan...Any good?
Discussion
Got my eye on this car:
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/saab-9-...
Ignore the price as it is not really relevant to your end of the world....But are these any good?
Looks like a lot of kit and and okay power and torque for the daily grind but would I be buying any big unreliability issues? I suspect that a FSH and being right on top of maintenance is order of the day?
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/saab-9-...
Ignore the price as it is not really relevant to your end of the world....But are these any good?
Looks like a lot of kit and and okay power and torque for the daily grind but would I be buying any big unreliability issues? I suspect that a FSH and being right on top of maintenance is order of the day?
My previous car in the UK was near identical, except it had a sunroof. Nice car, solid engine and turbo, decent drive, good response and comfortable for cruising. Suspension can feel pretty harsh, the bushes tend to wear and clunk too.
9L/100km is a bit misleading in the real world. Good economy on a long smooth run but otherwise mildy heavy on fuel, more so if lead-shoeing.
Look out for notchy gearbox especially second due to syncro wear, best checked by driving from cold. As it's a 2003 model it's early release and often have rattly dash, but this can be cured fairly easily.
The main anomaly on the early model though is the Secondary Air Injection system. It pumps air into the exhaust when cold. If the pump goes they are expensive and rare. Deleted during 2004 as it was PITA and pointless. Not sure if this emissions system was applied to Aus cars - look for a silver coloured 'can' between engine block and battery, this is the non-return valve which indicates the SIA system is fitted.
I liked it, probably 2nd favorite I've ever owned. Largely bullet-proof if looked after properly.
9L/100km is a bit misleading in the real world. Good economy on a long smooth run but otherwise mildy heavy on fuel, more so if lead-shoeing.
Look out for notchy gearbox especially second due to syncro wear, best checked by driving from cold. As it's a 2003 model it's early release and often have rattly dash, but this can be cured fairly easily.
The main anomaly on the early model though is the Secondary Air Injection system. It pumps air into the exhaust when cold. If the pump goes they are expensive and rare. Deleted during 2004 as it was PITA and pointless. Not sure if this emissions system was applied to Aus cars - look for a silver coloured 'can' between engine block and battery, this is the non-return valve which indicates the SIA system is fitted.
I liked it, probably 2nd favorite I've ever owned. Largely bullet-proof if looked after properly.
It's intended to warm the cat quicker from cold, reducing cold start emissions. Sadly, if the car has this system it's integral and can't really be removed.
But, if it's fitted/working then its a case of maintenance. The only reason the pump dies is due to exhaust soot/condensation flowing back due to a failed check valve.
I stole this from another forum: http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t... it's a good guide.
You can actually hear the pump on a cold start, sounds like a vacuum cleaner and will click off after 30 seconds or so. If it is busted, an O2 sensor in the exhaust will read too rich and illuminate the ELM light after 2 consecutive cold starts so it's an obvious fault.
Should this problem be showning don't necessarily let this put you off the car, just negotiate $750-1000 off the price and get it fixed.
However, this is all hyperbole - probably isn't even fitted for the Aus market.
But, if it's fitted/working then its a case of maintenance. The only reason the pump dies is due to exhaust soot/condensation flowing back due to a failed check valve.
I stole this from another forum: http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t... it's a good guide.
You can actually hear the pump on a cold start, sounds like a vacuum cleaner and will click off after 30 seconds or so. If it is busted, an O2 sensor in the exhaust will read too rich and illuminate the ELM light after 2 consecutive cold starts so it's an obvious fault.
Should this problem be showning don't necessarily let this put you off the car, just negotiate $750-1000 off the price and get it fixed.
However, this is all hyperbole - probably isn't even fitted for the Aus market.
Thanks again guys.
From what I have found the Aus cars did get the extra emissions gear but I am going to try and see the car anyway. As mentioned if the engine light is on I can negotiate and if not I will just replace the valve anyway as it seems they are cheap to buy and only takes 5 minutes to do.
A lot of the problems with that valve seem to be in the US and I found little info in the rest of the world. I wonder if different driving habits make a difference? I will be driving the car daily and am more likely to operate the car in such a manner that there will be more heat in the engine bay so moisture might not be so much of a problem. Our hot and dry climate might make a good difference to.
I was always under the impression the stereo in SAAB's were pretty good? I'm not in to doof doof but I do know a chap that is very in to his sound systems and technology junk so we might be able to figure out some new speakers.
The price on this car is pretty spectacular, other cars are over $20K!
From what I have found the Aus cars did get the extra emissions gear but I am going to try and see the car anyway. As mentioned if the engine light is on I can negotiate and if not I will just replace the valve anyway as it seems they are cheap to buy and only takes 5 minutes to do.
A lot of the problems with that valve seem to be in the US and I found little info in the rest of the world. I wonder if different driving habits make a difference? I will be driving the car daily and am more likely to operate the car in such a manner that there will be more heat in the engine bay so moisture might not be so much of a problem. Our hot and dry climate might make a good difference to.
I was always under the impression the stereo in SAAB's were pretty good? I'm not in to doof doof but I do know a chap that is very in to his sound systems and technology junk so we might be able to figure out some new speakers.
The price on this car is pretty spectacular, other cars are over $20K!
Re the stereo: it's all about combinations. There are three levels of set-up: Basic, Premium and Prestige. This can then be mixed with ICM1(basic), ICM2(with screen) or ICM3(full colour satnav) headunits, so it gets confusing.
Looking at the pics, it's got ICM2 so is good. It's also got the six disc in-dash CD changer, which is a nice touch. So, I'd hazard a guess that it's likely the Premium 7-speaker setup with amp, if not the full 13 speakers and 2 amps.
Have a look under the passenger seat, if you seen a Pioneer amp you've got at least 7 speakers. Feeling lucky? Check the boot: the passenger side panel by the rear light cluster pulls away to reveal a fuse box and potentially a 2nd amp.
If neither amps are present, it's only the 4 speaker system. Switch on and listen to it carefully you may not enjoy...
Finally on the SIA, mine was more or less dead on purchase from a dodgy dealer in Southport. Took 6 months of ignorance and a cold winter to fully recognise the fault and by that time it was too late to recover. I ended up fitting a slightly larger near identical SIA pump from a 206 GTI, which was a struggle to get into place and took some creativity with the pipework, but it was fully fitted and working within 5 hours and was straightforward enough for an amateur with enthusiasm.
Looking at the pics, it's got ICM2 so is good. It's also got the six disc in-dash CD changer, which is a nice touch. So, I'd hazard a guess that it's likely the Premium 7-speaker setup with amp, if not the full 13 speakers and 2 amps.
Have a look under the passenger seat, if you seen a Pioneer amp you've got at least 7 speakers. Feeling lucky? Check the boot: the passenger side panel by the rear light cluster pulls away to reveal a fuse box and potentially a 2nd amp.
If neither amps are present, it's only the 4 speaker system. Switch on and listen to it carefully you may not enjoy...
Finally on the SIA, mine was more or less dead on purchase from a dodgy dealer in Southport. Took 6 months of ignorance and a cold winter to fully recognise the fault and by that time it was too late to recover. I ended up fitting a slightly larger near identical SIA pump from a 206 GTI, which was a struggle to get into place and took some creativity with the pipework, but it was fully fitted and working within 5 hours and was straightforward enough for an amateur with enthusiasm.
Thanks again for the extremely useful information! Really appreciate it.
I spoke to the owner today and it turns out tha SAI kit was replaced by the previous owner just over a year back.
He also said that last week he had the water pump replaced and an airbag module was replaced as it was showing errors on the dash. All work done by an indi SAAB specialist who have also serviced it for the past year.
After all this though he said a few people have been to see it and said they would let him know or would call with an offer later but did not bother. Someone else had been to see it this afternoon and said the same thing. He is on shifts all week now and is away over the weekend so I have to wait until Monday to see it....humph.
Southport...My dads side of the family live in and around the Southport area.
I spoke to the owner today and it turns out tha SAI kit was replaced by the previous owner just over a year back.
He also said that last week he had the water pump replaced and an airbag module was replaced as it was showing errors on the dash. All work done by an indi SAAB specialist who have also serviced it for the past year.
After all this though he said a few people have been to see it and said they would let him know or would call with an offer later but did not bother. Someone else had been to see it this afternoon and said the same thing. He is on shifts all week now and is away over the weekend so I have to wait until Monday to see it....humph.
Southport...My dads side of the family live in and around the Southport area.
Regarding the Stereo. ES2-7 (7 speaker version) sounds Ok. But its like using a 1980s Ford Stereo. Also it is integral to the car & is nigh impossible to upgrade due to fibre optics & other tomfoolery. Lets put it this way, my daughters £100 Halfords system is 10X better. If you need convincing, look at what experts say & the pain they go through trying to get a modern system fitted, over at saabscene.com. But if you are not really into car stereoa & have no need for AUX/Ipod etc then not a problem.
Also remember SAAB have folded. Spares still seem readily available though.
Your cars are very expensive over there! Looks like about £8000 GBP, it would cost half that here!
Also remember SAAB have folded. Spares still seem readily available though.
Your cars are very expensive over there! Looks like about £8000 GBP, it would cost half that here!
Yeah cars here have a big depreciation over the first couple of years but then stay static for a loooonnnnggg time. It is also night on impossible to sell cars privately here once you get in to the $13K plus bracket, people just go and spend money at a dealer instead. Weird.
Niche cars are not popular here either. In fact the average buyer here is not even interested in ticking options. Base model, entry level is all most people buy.
Fibre optics...sounds like voodoo magic to me and best left well alone!
Niche cars are not popular here either. In fact the average buyer here is not even interested in ticking options. Base model, entry level is all most people buy.
Fibre optics...sounds like voodoo magic to me and best left well alone!
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