Discussion
Hi
Just wanted to see if anyone has any experience with these? Reliability / things to look out for etc.
It's needed as a daily. I only do circa 6k per year, but in stop start traffic (hence auto). Estate wanted for practicality.
Have found this and it looks quite tidy.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Just wanted to see if anyone has any experience with these? Reliability / things to look out for etc.
It's needed as a daily. I only do circa 6k per year, but in stop start traffic (hence auto). Estate wanted for practicality.
Have found this and it looks quite tidy.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
That's identical to mine bar the colour and mileage.
Some around this age (mine included) suffer with intake valve issues. Basically on a first cold start the engine is lumpy, misfires a bit, runs a bit rich and makes the car shake gently...sounds horrendous but once the car has had max two minutes to warm up it goes back to normal and you won't get the issue again throughout the day usually. You can get it fixed by a Saab specialist but it's over a grand to do it so I haven't bothered.
Your main issue viewing a 2.0T is that if the garage warm it up before you arrive you won't know if it's one of the ones that suffers so ideally ask them or arrive to view without an appointment in the morning.
Max I get is 28 MPG...usually closer to 20 MPG on my commute.
Otherwise they're a good lump of car. I was really struggling to find a cheap petrol auto estate (and i'm a car dealer) and this ticks a lot of boxes. Slightly unusual badge, still good looking, amongst the most comfortable heated seats out there. A pleasant thing to live with.
Some around this age (mine included) suffer with intake valve issues. Basically on a first cold start the engine is lumpy, misfires a bit, runs a bit rich and makes the car shake gently...sounds horrendous but once the car has had max two minutes to warm up it goes back to normal and you won't get the issue again throughout the day usually. You can get it fixed by a Saab specialist but it's over a grand to do it so I haven't bothered.
Your main issue viewing a 2.0T is that if the garage warm it up before you arrive you won't know if it's one of the ones that suffers so ideally ask them or arrive to view without an appointment in the morning.
Max I get is 28 MPG...usually closer to 20 MPG on my commute.
Otherwise they're a good lump of car. I was really struggling to find a cheap petrol auto estate (and i'm a car dealer) and this ticks a lot of boxes. Slightly unusual badge, still good looking, amongst the most comfortable heated seats out there. A pleasant thing to live with.
I'll sure there's some bulkhead issue where it can crack. Symptoms can be pedal(s) movement when you turn the steering wheel.
I find the 9-3 quite cheap feeling inside, especially considering they were supposed to be premium. I suspect that's the GM running through them.
But I can't help but love SAAB. The clamshell bonnet, the engine, the ergonomics. The 2.8 V6 remapped is frightening not only because it's fast (when full traction is achieved - you really need the AWD version) but because it doesn't have overpowering stability control etc, there's a lot more reliance on the driver.
The 2 litre will be quick also, best to go for the high pressure turbo but personally I'd go for the 2.8 as it's bags of fun. I'm sure this engine was developed by Holden (owned by GM) in Australia but SAAB got heavily involved whist also being responsible for the turbocharging side back in Sweden.
I find the 9-3 quite cheap feeling inside, especially considering they were supposed to be premium. I suspect that's the GM running through them.
But I can't help but love SAAB. The clamshell bonnet, the engine, the ergonomics. The 2.8 V6 remapped is frightening not only because it's fast (when full traction is achieved - you really need the AWD version) but because it doesn't have overpowering stability control etc, there's a lot more reliance on the driver.
The 2 litre will be quick also, best to go for the high pressure turbo but personally I'd go for the 2.8 as it's bags of fun. I'm sure this engine was developed by Holden (owned by GM) in Australia but SAAB got heavily involved whist also being responsible for the turbocharging side back in Sweden.
You don't get bulkhead issues on these and the valve issue doesn't seem to be as prevalent in the UK as it is in the US but still worth looking out for.
I've got this exact model and have been impressed with it. They can throw the odd electrical gremlin but otherwise solid cars. Gearbox oil should have been changed by now if it hasn't been. Check everything electric works too.
Don't forget they are in the higher tax band so its just over £500 per year.
Expect mid to high 20's mpg if youre just doing stop/start. If you're inclined (I haven't been) a cheap remap will take you 250bhp.
Also one last thing those front seats have been pushed all the way forward for the rear seats photo so it gives an unrealistic view of the space, if its important to you they aren't as spacious in the back as you might expect.
I've got this exact model and have been impressed with it. They can throw the odd electrical gremlin but otherwise solid cars. Gearbox oil should have been changed by now if it hasn't been. Check everything electric works too.
Don't forget they are in the higher tax band so its just over £500 per year.
Expect mid to high 20's mpg if youre just doing stop/start. If you're inclined (I haven't been) a cheap remap will take you 250bhp.
Also one last thing those front seats have been pushed all the way forward for the rear seats photo so it gives an unrealistic view of the space, if its important to you they aren't as spacious in the back as you might expect.
Edited by glenmore3685 on Tuesday 27th November 20:55
Edited by glenmore3685 on Tuesday 27th November 20:57
I have a 9-3 2003 aero so 2.0T manual. Now on 140k.
Rear leg room isn’t the best as stated. I paid £500 for mine as a stop gap but honestly it’s better than I expected. Done 20k miles in a year, passed MOT in Jan so next one due and going to keep it another year. Done tyres, brakes, wheel bearing, thermostat, plugs, 2 ignition coils, front down pipe and 2 services in that time all in has cost under a grand in service/repairs for a year not too bad for how much I paid for the car.
Broke down once, left it parked up for a month and battery went flat.
Costs coming up hand brake needs adjusting and putting it in for another service. Things I was told to look out for was the suspension, springs are prone to snapping and ignition coils. I think the update version you are looking at should be fine but newer ones were made of chocolate. Other than that chain driven engine is pretty solid.
Fuel wise I have managed 45mpg on my motorway commute keeping it at 55-60mph but usually get 38-40mpg that’s cruising 65-70 on the gps tank calculated with shell vpower.
Around heavy London traffic 20-25mpg and heavy footed B road 25-30mpg.
Can tune them easy check out noobtune.
Rear leg room isn’t the best as stated. I paid £500 for mine as a stop gap but honestly it’s better than I expected. Done 20k miles in a year, passed MOT in Jan so next one due and going to keep it another year. Done tyres, brakes, wheel bearing, thermostat, plugs, 2 ignition coils, front down pipe and 2 services in that time all in has cost under a grand in service/repairs for a year not too bad for how much I paid for the car.
Broke down once, left it parked up for a month and battery went flat.
Costs coming up hand brake needs adjusting and putting it in for another service. Things I was told to look out for was the suspension, springs are prone to snapping and ignition coils. I think the update version you are looking at should be fine but newer ones were made of chocolate. Other than that chain driven engine is pretty solid.
Fuel wise I have managed 45mpg on my motorway commute keeping it at 55-60mph but usually get 38-40mpg that’s cruising 65-70 on the gps tank calculated with shell vpower.
Around heavy London traffic 20-25mpg and heavy footed B road 25-30mpg.
Can tune them easy check out noobtune.
Edited by Aiminghigh123 on Tuesday 27th November 21:56
Edited by Aiminghigh123 on Tuesday 27th November 21:58
glenmore3685 said:
ninjag said:
Is it just the older ones which were prone? (pre 2007)
Pretty sure its just the convertible first gen 9-3's that suffered from that (1998 - 2002).
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