Saab 9-3 1.8 Vector Sport.....still in shock!
Discussion
Not at the car, it's not that shocking. It's quite nice actually. No, the bit I was shocked at is what you can pick a 9-3 up for these days, this one specifically.
Wanted a cheap daily runner. Something with enough room to step in as a family motor (our wagon is an S-Max - not exactly known for perfect reliability), safe enough that I'm happy bombing the kids around in it (alternatives are a Citroen Saxo and BX.....instant death in the event of a crash, basically) and comfy enough to stop me hooning around. Something lazy, but solid and preferably not boring. All for less than a grand. Tricky stuff!
Shortlist had included Accords, Mazda 6 (both of which didn't really tick the 'not boring' box), Saab 9-3, Saab 9-5 (always wanted an Aero wagon), Mondeo Zetec S, Alfa 156.....all sorts.
This was the result:
Saab 9-3 1.8T Vector Sport, to give it the full mouthfull name. It's actually a 2.0 engine - Saab de-tuned the 2.0 Turbo from 175bhp to 150bhp/180lb ft to bring the tax bracket down a bit. Effectively, it's the same engine, so taking it up to around 200bhp is quite easy. I wasn't expecting a flying machine, but it's actually quite quick! Got a Hirsch Performance sticker on the boot - not sure if it's already be tinkered with or not. Turbo whistles and dumps pretty loudly!
MoT'd til August next year. FSH up until 30k miles ago (when it stopped getting services - a major one is on next week's agenda), 144k on the clock, cruise control, air-con etc...all works. Only thing that doesn't is the CD player, which I might try sorting if the radio doesn't have an aux connection.
Very comfy, quite refined. Handles like a Vauxhall unfortunately (stepping out of an S-Max and into this really highlighted how vague and wooly the steering is, but some bushes are worn so I might upgrade to poly if it's not crazy money and see if it improves) but on the motorway and pottering around, it's very nice.
The shocking bit? £690. Ridiculous!
Wanted a cheap daily runner. Something with enough room to step in as a family motor (our wagon is an S-Max - not exactly known for perfect reliability), safe enough that I'm happy bombing the kids around in it (alternatives are a Citroen Saxo and BX.....instant death in the event of a crash, basically) and comfy enough to stop me hooning around. Something lazy, but solid and preferably not boring. All for less than a grand. Tricky stuff!
Shortlist had included Accords, Mazda 6 (both of which didn't really tick the 'not boring' box), Saab 9-3, Saab 9-5 (always wanted an Aero wagon), Mondeo Zetec S, Alfa 156.....all sorts.
This was the result:
Saab 9-3 1.8T Vector Sport, to give it the full mouthfull name. It's actually a 2.0 engine - Saab de-tuned the 2.0 Turbo from 175bhp to 150bhp/180lb ft to bring the tax bracket down a bit. Effectively, it's the same engine, so taking it up to around 200bhp is quite easy. I wasn't expecting a flying machine, but it's actually quite quick! Got a Hirsch Performance sticker on the boot - not sure if it's already be tinkered with or not. Turbo whistles and dumps pretty loudly!
MoT'd til August next year. FSH up until 30k miles ago (when it stopped getting services - a major one is on next week's agenda), 144k on the clock, cruise control, air-con etc...all works. Only thing that doesn't is the CD player, which I might try sorting if the radio doesn't have an aux connection.
Very comfy, quite refined. Handles like a Vauxhall unfortunately (stepping out of an S-Max and into this really highlighted how vague and wooly the steering is, but some bushes are worn so I might upgrade to poly if it's not crazy money and see if it improves) but on the motorway and pottering around, it's very nice.
The shocking bit? £690. Ridiculous!
That is obscene value for a very decent car, the power outputs dont tell the whole story, I had an LPT and then an Aero and to be honest I preferred the LPT as the power deleiver was nicer and the suspension didnt trouble my kidneys like the Aero. I thought my LPYT had been messed with it was so quick, was as fast as a CTR and a Mini Cooper S in a straight line, the Aero barely felt faster until I remapped it.
The engines are tough as they come, the interiors are a bit shonky and it may need the odd suspension part but there is so much life left in that
The engines are tough as they come, the interiors are a bit shonky and it may need the odd suspension part but there is so much life left in that
Edited by J4CKO on Friday 11th September 19:01
Bargain!!!!!! They're a lot of car for the money as it is, sub £700 is crazy!! Yep get a service on there, Neo Brothers sell the service kits for a good price, then get yourself over to UKsaabs and PM Saabnoob for a stage 1 map 
Different engine but here's my Aero.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Has yours got heated/electric seats? Usually the Vector Sports come with more kit than the Aero's. I miss my bum warmers!!
Different engine but here's my Aero.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Has yours got heated/electric seats? Usually the Vector Sports come with more kit than the Aero's. I miss my bum warmers!!
Just signed up to UK Saabs, will post soon. Don't think i've got heated seats, will have to check.
As far as remap goes, another result - turns out the Hirsch sticker actually means something! Stuck it on the dyno yesterday and cracked 184bhp & 225lbft! Bit of research shows I probably have the 195bhp remap! Free power!
As far as remap goes, another result - turns out the Hirsch sticker actually means something! Stuck it on the dyno yesterday and cracked 184bhp & 225lbft! Bit of research shows I probably have the 195bhp remap! Free power!
S10GTA said:
Was about to say I reckon it will be gone in a few months, but providing nothing goes wrong I think you might have this for a while. Embrace middle age. I don't go anywhere in a hurry now.
No intention of getting rid for years, unless it borks itself massively! I've still got an AX GT to keep me feeling 17 again, and less of the middle age stuff please, there's a canyon between your Volvo and this in terms of pipe and slippers rateability!Shadow R1 said:
griffin dai said:
That's good news!! The Hirsch map was a dealer option, I think if you send the vin number to Hirsch they'll confirm if it's been mapped or not.
Judging by the dyno numbers, it has been. Power graph tailed off at 5000rpm on the dyno, and got a bit wobbly, so possibly has more to give.
Kitchski said:
S10GTA said:
Was about to say I reckon it will be gone in a few months, but providing nothing goes wrong I think you might have this for a while. Embrace middle age. I don't go anywhere in a hurry now.
No intention of getting rid for years, unless it borks itself massively! I've still got an AX GT to keep me feeling 17 again, and less of the middle age stuff please, there's a canyon between your Volvo and this in terms of pipe and slippers rateability!Kitchski said:
I might still enquire. It felt quicker than I expected (managed to waste a mk6 Fiesta ST on the way home in it, which seemed a bit odd) and it whistles and chirps for fun, so I wondered what the game was!
Power graph tailed off at 5000rpm on the dyno, and got a bit wobbly, so possibly has more to give.
May aswel find out, just a quick email Power graph tailed off at 5000rpm on the dyno, and got a bit wobbly, so possibly has more to give.
They do go pretty well!! Definitely one of those cars no one batters an eye lid at. I'm not sure how it works with Hirsch for additional maps if you go further with a bigger DP & IC but SaabNoob on UKSaabs does all the t8 mapping and he's who most of the guys go with. I think there's also a 3" downpipe group buy on there at the moment?
For the Intercooler, a £90 evo style IC from eBay is almost a straight fit on the 2.0, you'll just need a couple 2.5-2.25" reducers to join up to the original pipe work, I think they just push the AC rad back a bit and it fits right up front. I've got one on my v6 and its performing well even sandwiched between the rad & IC.
Worth keeping an eye on the springs as the fronts tend to snap and have a check of the bushes & drop links as they seem to fail. Most upgrade to the Melye HD ones here (around £40) but I've fitted some thick RnD drop links, should last until I sell up anyway!!
You've probably noticed the stereos crap by now!! Lots of info on UKS about sorting this but it's not easy
Blimey, that's cheap.
I used to own the 9-3 derived Cadillac BLS. I was shocked how much car there was for the money then, (£6k for a 2 year old car with 20,000 miles) but the price of your 9-3 is incredible.
I was infuriated in some ways- like the tempremental electrics- but there are things I miss too. It was a deeply competent long distance cruiser that swallowed people and luggage and whisked them hundreds of miles in cruise-controlled comfort.
I wonder what's the nearest modern equivalent. A Volvo S60? The German companies don't offer the same, and Insignias/Mondeos etc just aren't as nice a place to be.
I used to own the 9-3 derived Cadillac BLS. I was shocked how much car there was for the money then, (£6k for a 2 year old car with 20,000 miles) but the price of your 9-3 is incredible.
I was infuriated in some ways- like the tempremental electrics- but there are things I miss too. It was a deeply competent long distance cruiser that swallowed people and luggage and whisked them hundreds of miles in cruise-controlled comfort.
I wonder what's the nearest modern equivalent. A Volvo S60? The German companies don't offer the same, and Insignias/Mondeos etc just aren't as nice a place to be.
Kitchski said:
Handles like a Vauxhall unfortunately (stepping out of an S-Max and into this really highlighted how vague and wooly the steering is, but some bushes are worn so I might upgrade to poly if it's not crazy money and see if it improves) but on the motorway and pottering around, it's very nice.
That reminds me- that doesn't sound typical. It's no Elise and still handles similarly to a Vectra but I've driven my BLS, borrowed 9-3's and hired Vectras. The 9-3 should be a steering a little better than what you describe. They're not as vague as Vectras I've hired (though whether that's because the Vectras were knackered hire cars is open to debate!).Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff