My Impulsive Buy
Discussion
Needed a car quick as I'd had enough with Ford and the drama of my Fiesta (long story). Sold that and paid off the finance leaving me with around £1500-£2000. Really wanted something relatively tidy, different and with a bit of power. Done the mainstream hatchback thing, done the family car thing, done the mint polish everyday thing and just wanted something I can enjoy.
Looked round locally - lovely if you wanted a Citroen Xsara Picasso or a Ford Focus but anything remotely interesting i.e Focus Zetec or Astra SRi there was just none about. If I was going to have to travel then I could have a much more defined search to see what I wanted. Ideally I wanted something like a Vectra C SRi 2.0T, had a 2.2 before and loved it so the next step up seemed natural. Couldnt find one for the right price and the spec was terrible.
Stumbled across this on Ebay.
Its a Saab 9-3 Aero Hot (apparantly although I didnt think the Hot option extended into the 9-3SS) Only thing that was listed with it wrong was the fuel guage doesnt work. Few marks and scrapes but advertised for £1795. Went to have a look at it - central locking played up but seemed to drive ok, bit lumpy on first start up but then it had 130k on it. Full spec - dual zone climate, full leather, 13 speaker stereo, cruise etc and relatively clean. Worth £1500 of anyones money. Ended up paying £1550 for it. If it breaks I can probably break it for more.
Done 1000 miles in it so far - few EML issues but nothing that cant be sorted with a cheap ebay code reader - keeps propping up so will need TLC soon - going to invest in full service and see if that clears it up, may need a throttle body clean as thats the code that keeps popping up.
Other than that it handles well, pulls like a train and seems to be ok! (Fingers heavily crossed).
Time will tell.
Looked round locally - lovely if you wanted a Citroen Xsara Picasso or a Ford Focus but anything remotely interesting i.e Focus Zetec or Astra SRi there was just none about. If I was going to have to travel then I could have a much more defined search to see what I wanted. Ideally I wanted something like a Vectra C SRi 2.0T, had a 2.2 before and loved it so the next step up seemed natural. Couldnt find one for the right price and the spec was terrible.
Stumbled across this on Ebay.
Its a Saab 9-3 Aero Hot (apparantly although I didnt think the Hot option extended into the 9-3SS) Only thing that was listed with it wrong was the fuel guage doesnt work. Few marks and scrapes but advertised for £1795. Went to have a look at it - central locking played up but seemed to drive ok, bit lumpy on first start up but then it had 130k on it. Full spec - dual zone climate, full leather, 13 speaker stereo, cruise etc and relatively clean. Worth £1500 of anyones money. Ended up paying £1550 for it. If it breaks I can probably break it for more.
Done 1000 miles in it so far - few EML issues but nothing that cant be sorted with a cheap ebay code reader - keeps propping up so will need TLC soon - going to invest in full service and see if that clears it up, may need a throttle body clean as thats the code that keeps popping up.
Other than that it handles well, pulls like a train and seems to be ok! (Fingers heavily crossed).
Time will tell.
Thanks guys - the pictures do dress it up tbh - it has a few battle scars but still looks presentable.
It gives codes for throttle body, MAF and lambda all randomly and has on occasion given the secondary air pump. Once I give it a good service I want to check the chain and clutch and then may consider a remap if I think the engine can take it. Appreciate its high mileage so don't want to kill it lol
It gives codes for throttle body, MAF and lambda all randomly and has on occasion given the secondary air pump. Once I give it a good service I want to check the chain and clutch and then may consider a remap if I think the engine can take it. Appreciate its high mileage so don't want to kill it lol
No I believe its only the 9-5 which is a different engine that suffers with that. I'm gonna flush it though I think - just to keep that chain in tip top condition. Just chuck something in the oil run it for a few miles then change it for decent quality 5W30. The tensioners fail on the 2.2 GM engine which this is based on.
I like it too - cant believe how much car I've got for the money. Ive just driven it to Wales and back (650 mile round trip) and it ate the miles up with a few code issues - other than that no problems!
I like it too - cant believe how much car I've got for the money. Ive just driven it to Wales and back (650 mile round trip) and it ate the miles up with a few code issues - other than that no problems!
I run a Saab TTID.
I do wish I had spent the extra wedge I had to buy a better car. The interior quality is shocking for a 2008.
Terrible......but it does what it states on the tin. Apart from the rattles, squeeks and s
t trim its a decent car for under 7k.
Mine was an impulsive buy too....for under 2k yours looks great
I do wish I had spent the extra wedge I had to buy a better car. The interior quality is shocking for a 2008.
Terrible......but it does what it states on the tin. Apart from the rattles, squeeks and s
t trim its a decent car for under 7k.Mine was an impulsive buy too....for under 2k yours looks great
Edited by HannsG on Wednesday 14th August 20:37
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