Would you buy a Saab now?

[jdwoodbury]

Just noticed there are some cracking prices on low mileage 9-5 Aero's

2006 2.3T Aero HOT

Would you buy one now they have folded, would parts still be easy to get rid of, would you ever shift it in a few years time? Reason for asking the in-laws have been asking for an estate and this popped up in the search. From my perspective it's got to be worth a punt, I cant think of anything else in that price range that is as new and would be as low mileage.

[davepoth]

I would, but then I have a Rover 75 on the driveway.

[anonymous-user]

I (and several others in the Barge thread) have done just that in the last 7 weeks... There's been a veritable flurry of activity, even between PH'ers. They're (9-5's) very easily tuneable too. Even the low pressure turbo models can be brought in to line with their beefier brethren by means of a cheeky remap for <£100...

[otolith]

We bought one shortly before the doors closed at Trollhattan - for less than 2k, I don't think it makes much difference whether the manufacturer is still in business or not.

[chrisispringles]

Parts should be readily available through specialists and breakers and servicing and maintenance can done by indepedant specialists. I see no good reason not to, especially given how cheap they are now. If I could afford the insurance on one I'd probaably do it.

[Tonberry]

My next car will be a 9-3 Aero. A remap to 250 bhp will make it perfect whilst still giving
40 mpg on a run.

Cheap too.

[J4CKO]

I get annoyed when people say they definitely wouldn't get one due to parts availability, there are still thousands about, still parts stock, still lots in breakers and if there is a market someone will service it, there is a lot of commonality with other cars, the GM F40 gearbox is used in all sorts for example.People manage to keep classics going from every previous decade of motoring so a mass produced car from the last ten years shouldn't be a problem, but buying a Saab will scare those who wouldnt like to be seen in a car from a failed brand (they will buy an Audi) and those people who break into a cold sweat at the thought of a car with more than 40k on.

[matthias73]

Someone told me the other day that they weren't going to buy a 1995 saab of some description "because now its folded, it would be impossible to keep on the road with no spares"

I drive a car that hasn't been made in a decade and I doubt there are any new spare parts going for that either, doesn't mean my man can't replace a clutch when its gone.

Pfft

[v8will]

Yup, just bought a 9-5

[BorkFactor]

Tonberry said:

My next car will be a 9-3 Aero. A remap to 250 bhp will make it perfect whilst still giving
40 mpg on a run.

Cheap too.

Will that be this one?



I have my eye on these...

[philmots]

Hell yeah! But I've one on the drive.. excellent car for the money.

[maxdb]

I'm looking at 9-3's/9-5's in the summer when I get hand back my current car. A lot of car for the money.

[Tonberry]

BFactor

I'm thinking of the one after which came out in 02-03.

The one you refer to was apparently a bit of a handful in Viggen form

[BorkFactor]

Ah, the newer ones are a bit out of my reach!

How reliable are the older ones? I loved the red one they had on TG last night, even if its only purpose was to take the piss out of "Night mode"

[coupeboy]

After seeing one on Top Gear last night I want a 99 turbo. I always liked them but they had slipped to the back of my mind.

[PaulB81]

I'd have one if I was looking at another car. I dont think Saab folding is really going to affect anything other than making them a bit of a bargain

[themanwithnoname]

BorkFactor said:

Ah, the newer ones are a bit out of my reach!

How reliable are the older ones? I loved the red one they had on TG last night, even if its only purpose was to take the piss out of "Night mode"

I'm just shifting my 198000 mile one in black... which hasn't missed a beat in >40k miles. It needed a MAF just before that. Other than that, just bits wearing out like bushes and bearings. Needs a couple more bushings and an exhaust section at the sec.

My now track Saab has 196000 on the clocks, the one before that had 183/4k on it before I sold it on, and the one before that got Cat D at 170something k.... You could say they're good for the distance.

Change the oil in the regularly and they will take all the abuse you can throw at them.

Edit to add: Night mode is great on long night drives - switches off everything you don't need - shows the speedo up to 80, then lights up another 1/4 of the speedo as needed. Fuel gauge lights up if that's needed, other than that makes driving in the dark very relaxing. Don't knock it until you try it... One of the things I'll miss when I am in my BMW... yes, seriously. I am a Saab guy, who, on Saturday, bought a BMW, just like Clarkson predicted.

Edited by themanwithnoname on Monday 27th February 18:44

[BorkFactor]

themanwithnoname said:

BorkFactor said:

Ah, the newer ones are a bit out of my reach!

How reliable are the older ones? I loved the red one they had on TG last night, even if its only purpose was to take the piss out of "Night mode"

I'm just shifting my 198000 mile one... which hasn't missed a beat in >40k miles. It needed a MAF just before that. Other than that, just bits wearing out like bushes and bearings.

Change the oil in the regularly and they will take all the abuse you can throw at them.

198k? That is impressive. Is it on the original turbo?

I don't want to sidetrack too much, but what are they like? Comfort, performance, handeling, economy etc. I don't know much about them, just that my Dad had a 93 2.0 which was a lovely car - first car I ever did 100 mph (on a private road) in

[flattotheboards]

I definitely would, in the next year or so I want to work my way through a few cars, a Saab Aero of some kind is on the list of things to have.

[Massivewettie]

I bought a 2001 9-3 on Friday for peanuts, very pleased with it. Leather, electric everything, 140bhp and 40+ mpg - win!