Saab Convertible - 205HP model ideally - guidance please !
Discussion
Hi all...Know very little about Saabs but considering a 9-3 convertible for a 3000 mile european trip. Fancy the idea of the 2.0 205hp model as almost as many horses as my old MY99 Subaru Turbo/WRX. Realise its a very different car, but the grunt would be good. Any advice out there please?
Prefer manual i think unless you tell me the auto is better
Are these chip-able for a bit more HP, or could i get the 150hp model and chip that?
What should i look out for when buying?
I assume parts are still easy to come by even though Saab have gone (in their old form at least)
Up to £5K to spend
Cheers
Prefer manual i think unless you tell me the auto is better
Are these chip-able for a bit more HP, or could i get the 150hp model and chip that?
What should i look out for when buying?
I assume parts are still easy to come by even though Saab have gone (in their old form at least)
Up to £5K to spend
Cheers
I’m on my 5th Saab (looking at a 6th) and 2 of these have been 9-3 Aero Convertibles. If you’re looking at what is commonly known as an OG 9-3 (Original Generation) which ran from late ‘90s to 2003, and was a face lifted 900, then you have to tread with caution. Slugging issues with the engine, bulkheads cracking etc. Nice cars, but must be bought with care.
The NG (New Generation) car from 2003 is a much more modern car, and doesn’t suffer from these issues. The Aero had a 210bhp engine, and as has been mentioned, can be taken to 240/250bhp without too much hassle. Karl at Noobtune is your man. Electrical issues with these cars, occasionally corrosion around the rear arches and tonneau cover, but otherwise a spacious and comfortable touring car.
£5k will get you quite a new, low mileage car, but around £3k you will find some love very cars giving you a bit left over for tweaks. I’d spend that and get front suspension overhauled as they can be quite “clunky” with worn shocks and drop links.
There is also a 2.8 V6 turbo engine, which I’ve never owned, but these attract the higher VED bracket (as do 2.0 autos from March 06, so be aware) and not as tweakable as the 4 cylinder cars.
Happy to answer any questions you might have.
Bryan
The NG (New Generation) car from 2003 is a much more modern car, and doesn’t suffer from these issues. The Aero had a 210bhp engine, and as has been mentioned, can be taken to 240/250bhp without too much hassle. Karl at Noobtune is your man. Electrical issues with these cars, occasionally corrosion around the rear arches and tonneau cover, but otherwise a spacious and comfortable touring car.
£5k will get you quite a new, low mileage car, but around £3k you will find some love very cars giving you a bit left over for tweaks. I’d spend that and get front suspension overhauled as they can be quite “clunky” with worn shocks and drop links.
There is also a 2.8 V6 turbo engine, which I’ve never owned, but these attract the higher VED bracket (as do 2.0 autos from March 06, so be aware) and not as tweakable as the 4 cylinder cars.
Happy to answer any questions you might have.
Bryan
Get over to uksaab website for more info.
To add I have 2003 NG aero manual. Been pretty cheap to run. I have added 30k miles in 18 months, showing 152k, as my daily and still love it. Still surprises me sometimes, very torquey and returns genuine 38mpg at 70mph gps. 60mph will do over 40mpg easy.
Points to note I wouldn’t get a 2003 model again would get 2004 onwards. It has 314mm brakes as standard which is great but I have found not as many brake pad options available. This model also has a slightly different fuel tank which means the centre exhaust is trickier to get hold of, 2004 onwards are all the same so no issues. Another issue is it had an SAI pump fitted which often fails so throws engine management light. It doesn’t effect anything but is annoying having the EML on all the time. Again 2004 onwards didn’t have it fitted.
Clutch is an £800-£1k job on manual cars so make sure this doesn’t need doing unless you factor it in to your budget. Engines are chain driven.
Other than that they are cheap now. Find a good indie with tech 2 to help read any issues.
See above for the OG. I looked at one before but the bulk head issue kills them.
To add I have 2003 NG aero manual. Been pretty cheap to run. I have added 30k miles in 18 months, showing 152k, as my daily and still love it. Still surprises me sometimes, very torquey and returns genuine 38mpg at 70mph gps. 60mph will do over 40mpg easy.
Points to note I wouldn’t get a 2003 model again would get 2004 onwards. It has 314mm brakes as standard which is great but I have found not as many brake pad options available. This model also has a slightly different fuel tank which means the centre exhaust is trickier to get hold of, 2004 onwards are all the same so no issues. Another issue is it had an SAI pump fitted which often fails so throws engine management light. It doesn’t effect anything but is annoying having the EML on all the time. Again 2004 onwards didn’t have it fitted.
Clutch is an £800-£1k job on manual cars so make sure this doesn’t need doing unless you factor it in to your budget. Engines are chain driven.
Other than that they are cheap now. Find a good indie with tech 2 to help read any issues.
See above for the OG. I looked at one before but the bulk head issue kills them.
Many thanks all... One final question for anyone who has a convertible.... What are they like on the twisty bits? Part of my euro trip involves some of the passes (like Stelvio pass) and while it's no go kart is it something of a boat?.. I was going to get a NC MX 5 which would be fun on the passes, but less enjoyable on the 1300 mile, mostly motorway trip home
sjtgeray said:
Many thanks all... One final question for anyone who has a convertible.... What are they like on the twisty bits? Part of my euro trip involves some of the passes (like Stelvio pass) and while it's no go kart is it something of a boat?.. I was going to get a NC MX 5 which would be fun on the passes, but less enjoyable on the 1300 mile, mostly motorway trip home
It’s more of a Grand Touring car than sports car, although again, there are kits that can sharpen it up a little. The Aero sits lower and has a different set up than the Vectors or Linears, so you’d notice a difference. What I would suggest, however, is even if you get an Aero, get it polybushed and check the front subframe and drop links. They can be clunky, and you’ll soon notice poor shocks. As they can be quite tough mechanically, I’d suggest putting a bit of your budget aside for suspension tweaks rather than making it go faster.On motorways, though, they are supremely comfortable. Some of the best seats you can get, tight hood and torquey engine. I’m looking to buy another one myself.
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