Saab 9-3 convertible buying advice
Discussion
I'm hoping that the PH collective can give me a few pointers with regards to common faults and things to look out for on the Saab 9-3 rag top.
My dear old mum has spotted one locally and as my Dad's been called in to work tommorow I've offered to go and have a look with her. Details are sketchy because, well, she's my mum. Apparently it's a 56 plate, 1.8t manual, circa 55k miles and the only other thing I know is that it's blue...
Are there any big faults with these cars to watch for? Service intervals, rust, leaking hoods? She asked if the cambelt service had been done or if it was due (she does listen occasionally!) to be told "they're chains love, don't need changing". Now I know Saab's share quite a few GM parts and I also believe that there are some GM power plants with cam chains, but could someone confirm please? Whilst on the subject of GM and parts, now Saab are sadly defunct is parts availability likely to be an issue or will the wonders of parts sharing ensure they're still easy to come by?
I believe it's up for £5,495 which sounds fairly reasonable.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated
My dear old mum has spotted one locally and as my Dad's been called in to work tommorow I've offered to go and have a look with her. Details are sketchy because, well, she's my mum. Apparently it's a 56 plate, 1.8t manual, circa 55k miles and the only other thing I know is that it's blue...
Are there any big faults with these cars to watch for? Service intervals, rust, leaking hoods? She asked if the cambelt service had been done or if it was due (she does listen occasionally!) to be told "they're chains love, don't need changing". Now I know Saab's share quite a few GM parts and I also believe that there are some GM power plants with cam chains, but could someone confirm please? Whilst on the subject of GM and parts, now Saab are sadly defunct is parts availability likely to be an issue or will the wonders of parts sharing ensure they're still easy to come by?
I believe it's up for £5,495 which sounds fairly reasonable.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated
That engine is a chain. The non turbo 1.8 is a belt...
IIRC the servicing on that is 2 years or 18k.. I'd do it every 6k/6months, though. But i do that with every turbo car i own.
Other than that, it seems a bit expensive. You will be able to but a 2.0T Aero for that money, same age/miles.
IIRC the servicing on that is 2 years or 18k.. I'd do it every 6k/6months, though. But i do that with every turbo car i own.
Other than that, it seems a bit expensive. You will be able to but a 2.0T Aero for that money, same age/miles.
Well... what a complete waste of time, to say it was a bit of a dog would be an understatement I feel. Yes the price seemed a tad high for the engine / mileage but I thought this indicated that the car would be in great condition. Wrong! A couple of dings in the bodywork which due to their location would be difficult to pull, hole in the drivers mat caused by a high heel, every alloy had kerbing, o/s wheels were particularly bad & the rear was corroded to hell, tyres had plenty of tread but the rubber was perishing and cracking. All in all not a good morning 
Bonefish Blues said:
Why is this - this engine had no sludging issues, did it, which AIUI is why some 9-5 owners prefer the 6k intervals?
Not suggesting sludge so much as best practice for a turbocharged engine with a high power output for its size. The 18k intervals are for the benefit of accountants looking at fleet costs rather than owners in it for the long term.RH
Rovinghawk said:
Not suggesting sludge so much as best practice for a turbocharged engine with a high power output for its size. The 18k intervals are for the benefit of accountants looking at fleet costs rather than owners in it for the long term.
RH
I think you've perhaps been rather influenced by a collective "Saab-talk" I've noticed (such as 1.9tdi owners asking if they needed to drop their sumps RH
). The 1.8T's not exactly in a high state of tune, so a quality synthetic which at least meets the manufacturer's spec will be just fine. 6K changes are the realm of Aeros & others prone to sludging, and even in these I'm not convinced (but I do exceed the Saab minimum oil spec by some distance, I'll accept)
Since your in the North West, this one may be of interest: http://www.tkautosltd.com/cars.php?id=1
Trevor runs one of the largest Saab specalists in the North West (and if your worried about parts availability - just ask to look in his parts store,
)
Trevor runs one of the largest Saab specalists in the North West (and if your worried about parts availability - just ask to look in his parts store,
)I'm considering buying a 9-3 Turbo. I've seen these two and was wondering what you thought was a fair price for them?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190674029430?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350562815160?ssPageName=...
I did a search on here £4-6000 but only showed one that has sold have I filtered the search wrong?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190674029430?ssPageName=...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350562815160?ssPageName=...
I did a search on here £4-6000 but only showed one that has sold have I filtered the search wrong?
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