Saab 9-3 convertible - £1K challenge car
Discussion
Hi all, never done one of these before so I hope it's entertaining. In another thread I set myself the challenge to get a functioning convertible for under a grand. Last night I bought this 2005 Saab 9-3 20t auto:
Doesn't look too bad... until you see the interior:
There's more, but you get the idea. The guy I bought it from is a detailer, and seems to know his stuff. He claims to have bought it but didn't have time or place to work on his own car, blah blah - story rang true but whatever, the car is what it is.
In summary then, it runs well. Starts, drives, steers and stops very nicely. New brake pads and the discs aren't lipped very much. He's cleaned the engine and done a bit of exterior polishing so it's doesn't look too scummy. The roof is in great shape and works very smartly indeed, apparently the PO to the PO had some issues with the roof and put a new pump and top cover sensor in. The boot linings all need to be refitted but it's all there and that's a nice easy job. Previous MOT in 2017 had an advisory on a ball joint which didn't show up in 2018, so may have been done, which would explain the steering wheel not being straight and a slight pull to the left. Or... there's a slightly odd panel gap on the left front wing, so the whole car may be bent. I probably should have thought of that - but there's no evidence of paintwork in that area. A/C works!
Bad points:
The interior. Firstly, it's pretty mucky. Not terrible, but really needs a good clean. Then the dashboard... it's got some sort of hard glue on where phone mounts have been stuck in. PO had tried steaming it, but might be a superglue so that should be run. The black finish has come off many buttons and the shifter indicator panel. One button missing from the radio. Split passenger seat, but it's on the seam so may be repairable if I can't get a pair from a breaker - the driver's one has a hole in the bolster. Scrape on the rear right upper panel. Oh, and the centre vents are just broken lots. And the driver's side speaker grille is broken, but there are new JVC speakers in the doors so could be worse.
Otherwise... Shark fin aerial broken off. Scrape on front right wheel arch. Front tyres are dead but rears are fine. Pad retainer missing from front right calliper but a new one is in the car. Tinny rattle over bumps, nothing obviously loose under the car though.
So the plan is to get tyres and an alignment done asap and sort the brake pad retainer to make it safe, clean it up and get on eBay for interior parts. I want to take my daughter on holiday sometime in October to France in it, at least that's the plan!
Doesn't look too bad... until you see the interior:
There's more, but you get the idea. The guy I bought it from is a detailer, and seems to know his stuff. He claims to have bought it but didn't have time or place to work on his own car, blah blah - story rang true but whatever, the car is what it is.
In summary then, it runs well. Starts, drives, steers and stops very nicely. New brake pads and the discs aren't lipped very much. He's cleaned the engine and done a bit of exterior polishing so it's doesn't look too scummy. The roof is in great shape and works very smartly indeed, apparently the PO to the PO had some issues with the roof and put a new pump and top cover sensor in. The boot linings all need to be refitted but it's all there and that's a nice easy job. Previous MOT in 2017 had an advisory on a ball joint which didn't show up in 2018, so may have been done, which would explain the steering wheel not being straight and a slight pull to the left. Or... there's a slightly odd panel gap on the left front wing, so the whole car may be bent. I probably should have thought of that - but there's no evidence of paintwork in that area. A/C works!
Bad points:
The interior. Firstly, it's pretty mucky. Not terrible, but really needs a good clean. Then the dashboard... it's got some sort of hard glue on where phone mounts have been stuck in. PO had tried steaming it, but might be a superglue so that should be run. The black finish has come off many buttons and the shifter indicator panel. One button missing from the radio. Split passenger seat, but it's on the seam so may be repairable if I can't get a pair from a breaker - the driver's one has a hole in the bolster. Scrape on the rear right upper panel. Oh, and the centre vents are just broken lots. And the driver's side speaker grille is broken, but there are new JVC speakers in the doors so could be worse.
Otherwise... Shark fin aerial broken off. Scrape on front right wheel arch. Front tyres are dead but rears are fine. Pad retainer missing from front right calliper but a new one is in the car. Tinny rattle over bumps, nothing obviously loose under the car though.
So the plan is to get tyres and an alignment done asap and sort the brake pad retainer to make it safe, clean it up and get on eBay for interior parts. I want to take my daughter on holiday sometime in October to France in it, at least that's the plan!
Look almost the same as mine. Great car, but the interior is a bit flimsy.
Seats from the convertible are pricy from breakers. If you do swap them, TAKE THE SEATBELT OUT OF YOURS! They break for a pastime and are very expensive to replace (if your's ever stops retracting, there is a cheap repair you can do).
Worth getting Noobtune to fettle the ECU. IS only £100 but it transforms the drive. Much more midrange poke so more relaxing to drive.
Oh, and the rattle could be the heat shield above the rear exhaust silencer. The bolts pull through. Replace the nut and use a large penny washer and you can resecure it.
Seats from the convertible are pricy from breakers. If you do swap them, TAKE THE SEATBELT OUT OF YOURS! They break for a pastime and are very expensive to replace (if your's ever stops retracting, there is a cheap repair you can do).
Worth getting Noobtune to fettle the ECU. IS only £100 but it transforms the drive. Much more midrange poke so more relaxing to drive.
Oh, and the rattle could be the heat shield above the rear exhaust silencer. The bolts pull through. Replace the nut and use a large penny washer and you can resecure it.
Edited by boyse7en on Wednesday 24th July 09:24
Edited by boyse7en on Wednesday 24th July 09:25
Thanks guys, I did suspect a heat shield somewhere. When I get it home and retrieve the jack stands from under the other project I'll take a look. I did see the many threads about seat belt issues and will certainly keep those, but I feel I can repair the seats so will have a try first.
Off to eBay for dash parts (and the tune is only £100? Yay, sounds like fun).
Off to eBay for dash parts (and the tune is only £100? Yay, sounds like fun).
mr_spock said:
Pad retainer missing from front right calliper but a new one is in the car. Tinny rattle over bumps, nothing obviously loose under the car though.
The metallic rattle will likely be the lack of the pad retainer.I wouldn't advise spending too much on it as far as the interior is concerned. I'd prioritise mechanical repairs and rust prevention/control.
Other thing is I'd probably forget about wanting to upgrade the audio in that car. Think it uses some fibre optic setup, and the headunit isn't just a headunit, but it's part of the whole car computer system. Upgrade is possible but not really worth the hassle. Some people hide parts of the original unit and install an upgrade alongside it.
I can't see where the aux input is on your car, but the best value solution for my car I've found is a brodit phone mount, wired in behind the cigarette lighter. Then as sort as possible aux cable between the phone and the aux input.
Edited by bluezedd on Wednesday 24th July 12:49
Thanks for joining in, it's nice to have you following along! I agree, first priority is mechanical/safety things. I may get my local garage to do an oil change and inspection while it's up on the ramp, I can do the filters and plugs myself. Then refitting the boot lining, and tackling the cleaning. I'll get into interior repair at some point - I may buy bits from eBay if they can be sniped at a price I'm happy with, mainly the air vents, cup holder and little easy things like the boot badge and shark's fin aerial cover.
The seat repair looks like a fun project. The split seam should just be a removal and sewing job, the damaged bolster might be a fun test of a leather repair kit. Or I'll see if I can get some from a breaker locally who seems to have one of these in.
The scuff on the wheelarch... I may have a go myself. I'm not too bad with a spray can... worst case I can get it repaired locally if I feel like it.
I'm not planning to try to upgrade the audio, since it already has better speakers in the front anyway, but I may add a Parrot for phone/DAB if I enjoy driving it enough. Or just a BT speaker. Whatever, not important.
The seat repair looks like a fun project. The split seam should just be a removal and sewing job, the damaged bolster might be a fun test of a leather repair kit. Or I'll see if I can get some from a breaker locally who seems to have one of these in.
The scuff on the wheelarch... I may have a go myself. I'm not too bad with a spray can... worst case I can get it repaired locally if I feel like it.
I'm not planning to try to upgrade the audio, since it already has better speakers in the front anyway, but I may add a Parrot for phone/DAB if I enjoy driving it enough. Or just a BT speaker. Whatever, not important.
I can agree that the noobtune from Karl transforms the car for daily driving. The convertible versions look very nice and wish I had purchased one of them instead of the saloon I had. Shame about the interior on yours though, they generally last quite well.
I had an Eibach kit on mine and sort of wish I stayed standard as it scraped everywhere.
I had an Eibach kit on mine and sort of wish I stayed standard as it scraped everywhere.
Hi,
small world. I saw that 93 conv advertised too :-) ive been looking around for a low mileage, met. grey, cream leather 9-3 auto conv. Ive seen a few met. grey + grey leather but am holding out. I realise they are getting old but I always loved the shape, the look.
Looking forward to reading / following this thread. Ive read that the interior is a little flimsy / rattley too so be interested to see what you do.
Great purchase.
Simon
small world. I saw that 93 conv advertised too :-) ive been looking around for a low mileage, met. grey, cream leather 9-3 auto conv. Ive seen a few met. grey + grey leather but am holding out. I realise they are getting old but I always loved the shape, the look.
Looking forward to reading / following this thread. Ive read that the interior is a little flimsy / rattley too so be interested to see what you do.
Great purchase.
Simon
Good luck Simon! If I could have, I'd have picked a later car and spent maybe 2K on it. But I couldn't justify that for a weekend toy at this point. Also I really like the Volvo C70 hardtop convertible, but no rear seat space and boot space by comparison.
I'll try to keep this thread updated - and if you're near Huntingdon, PM me and you're welcome to come and have a look at the Saab.
I'll try to keep this thread updated - and if you're near Huntingdon, PM me and you're welcome to come and have a look at the Saab.
Ive got a 2/2.5K budget. Ive seen a few at 3K but these currently have the summer time tax added.
I will wait, hold my cash, I reckon on the turn of winter I will get something.
They are a classic shape, the way the roof works is amazing.
What's the 210bhp feel like ? Last conv I had was a M3 Evo conv, lovely but did suffer body flex. Im not a manual man anymore hence the search for a auto.
I will wait, hold my cash, I reckon on the turn of winter I will get something.
They are a classic shape, the way the roof works is amazing.
What's the 210bhp feel like ? Last conv I had was a M3 Evo conv, lovely but did suffer body flex. Im not a manual man anymore hence the search for a auto.
sbk1972 said:
Ive got a 2/2.5K budget. Ive seen a few at 3K but these currently have the summer time tax added.
I will wait, hold my cash, I reckon on the turn of winter I will get something.
They are a classic shape, the way the roof works is amazing.
What's the 210bhp feel like ? Last conv I had was a M3 Evo conv, lovely but did suffer body flex. Im not a manual man anymore hence the search for a auto.
Mine is a 175. It's a convertible, it seemed enough. There's a yellow one on AT up for £2200 IIRC, looks to be very clean.I will wait, hold my cash, I reckon on the turn of winter I will get something.
They are a classic shape, the way the roof works is amazing.
What's the 210bhp feel like ? Last conv I had was a M3 Evo conv, lovely but did suffer body flex. Im not a manual man anymore hence the search for a auto.
I brought it home last night, about a 1 hour drive up the A1. And, of course, some interesting things came to light.
First, the tyres are shagged. I knew the fronts were bad, but one was down to 8psi in a week! I pumped it up to 35, and it was down to 28 by mid-journey. Even with it inflated it pulls to the left a little and the steering wheel isn't straight, but I'm hoping it wasn't aligned when they changed the lower ball joint. One rear won't inflate, looks low, but the valve is stuck.
I just ordered 4 new tyres, I really don't feel happy on these old things. Let's see if that helps, then I'll get an alignment too.
The engine runs well, but doesn't reach temperature. I'm guessing the thermostat is stuck open, so although I could do it I'll probably book it into my local Saab specialist to do an oil, coolant and thermostat change and an end-to-end check just to be happy that it's safe.
Otherwise it's not too rattly given that all the boot lining is loose and there are spared banging about back there.
First, the tyres are shagged. I knew the fronts were bad, but one was down to 8psi in a week! I pumped it up to 35, and it was down to 28 by mid-journey. Even with it inflated it pulls to the left a little and the steering wheel isn't straight, but I'm hoping it wasn't aligned when they changed the lower ball joint. One rear won't inflate, looks low, but the valve is stuck.
I just ordered 4 new tyres, I really don't feel happy on these old things. Let's see if that helps, then I'll get an alignment too.
The engine runs well, but doesn't reach temperature. I'm guessing the thermostat is stuck open, so although I could do it I'll probably book it into my local Saab specialist to do an oil, coolant and thermostat change and an end-to-end check just to be happy that it's safe.
Otherwise it's not too rattly given that all the boot lining is loose and there are spared banging about back there.
I'm going to preface this by saying that I'm not trying to be antagonistic 
I often see people talk about getting a cheap convertible for the summer. For me, at least, half the fun of a summer car / convertible is that I can enjoy the car and it makes me feel good. A cheap shed that's got issues and isn't in great nick wouldn't make me feel good - roof down or not.
I'm kinda left wondering "why bother?"
I do hope you enjoy it though!
I often see people talk about getting a cheap convertible for the summer. For me, at least, half the fun of a summer car / convertible is that I can enjoy the car and it makes me feel good. A cheap shed that's got issues and isn't in great nick wouldn't make me feel good - roof down or not.
I'm kinda left wondering "why bother?"
I do hope you enjoy it though!
Edited by TheJimi on Monday 29th July 13:28
TheJimi said:
I'm going to preface this by saying that I'm not trying to be antagonistic
I often see people talk about getting a cheap convertible for the summer. For me, at least, half the fun of a summer car / convertible is that I can enjoy the car and it makes me feel good. A cheap shed that's got issues and isn't in great nick wouldn't make me feel good - roof down or not.
I'm kinda left wondering "why bother?"
I do hope you enjoy it though!
I know what you mean. I could have probably spent 2K and still had to do tyres, service etc., so I thought I'd start with a decent base but not pay for alleged service history etc. I hope by the end of next week it will be very usable. Or I'll find out it's utterly bent and I'm a fool.I often see people talk about getting a cheap convertible for the summer. For me, at least, half the fun of a summer car / convertible is that I can enjoy the car and it makes me feel good. A cheap shed that's got issues and isn't in great nick wouldn't make me feel good - roof down or not.
I'm kinda left wondering "why bother?"
I do hope you enjoy it though!
Edited by TheJimi on Monday 29th July 13:28
I refitted most of the boot liner yesterday, some clips are missing and one mount for the manual top cover release is bust, but that's all easy stuff and readily available. Then my daughter and I started on the interior... ugh. I mean, really ugh.
The door panels started to come up OK ish with some generic interior cleaner (rubbish) and some Febreze Flash on a microfibre with some magic eraser on the hard plastics, but they really need a brush to agitate the dirt out. Gave up on that - she noticed that it seemed that the grey surface was peeling from the area at the top of the screen. Except that was filth, and it's beige! Flash didn't move it. WD40 didn't. 100% alcohol did a bit, carb cleaner did but was a bit much to use even in the open with the roof down! The steamer softened it and moved it around... but Cif with microbeads did a great job! It still took over an hour just to mostly clean that one part!
We also tried it on the undamaged leather, and it's pretty good - again, needs a brush.
I dug out my bolts box and reattached the boot lid handle (then found the original bolts and swapped them) and the read seat base. It's MUCH less rattly now!
New tyres this afternoon and then back on the interior later in the week. Obviously having the doors open for a couple of hours flattened the battery. New battery time? Bah, hope not, will give it a good charge and see.
The door panels started to come up OK ish with some generic interior cleaner (rubbish) and some Febreze Flash on a microfibre with some magic eraser on the hard plastics, but they really need a brush to agitate the dirt out. Gave up on that - she noticed that it seemed that the grey surface was peeling from the area at the top of the screen. Except that was filth, and it's beige! Flash didn't move it. WD40 didn't. 100% alcohol did a bit, carb cleaner did but was a bit much to use even in the open with the roof down! The steamer softened it and moved it around... but Cif with microbeads did a great job! It still took over an hour just to mostly clean that one part!
We also tried it on the undamaged leather, and it's pretty good - again, needs a brush.
I dug out my bolts box and reattached the boot lid handle (then found the original bolts and swapped them) and the read seat base. It's MUCH less rattly now!
New tyres this afternoon and then back on the interior later in the week. Obviously having the doors open for a couple of hours flattened the battery. New battery time? Bah, hope not, will give it a good charge and see.
I bought a cheap-ish (£1900) 55 plate C70 convertible two years ago and I have really enjoyed it.
All the things I've done to it have been mechanical. Routine maintenance (changed auto gearbox oil, new tyres, brakes, etc) and to get it through MOTs,etc.
Mine came with various alloy and paint scuffs, some lacquer peel, worn leather seats, a hole starting to develop in the roof and some other bits and pieces and I've left all those.
I'd be wary of spending too much time and effort on those as you will never recoup any of that. Just get it to a point where you're happy with it, and readjust your mindset to shed-driving!
I will keep mine going as long as I can and while it's reliable but any really major repair or borkage will see it being sold off for spares or scrap.
All the things I've done to it have been mechanical. Routine maintenance (changed auto gearbox oil, new tyres, brakes, etc) and to get it through MOTs,etc.
Mine came with various alloy and paint scuffs, some lacquer peel, worn leather seats, a hole starting to develop in the roof and some other bits and pieces and I've left all those.
I'd be wary of spending too much time and effort on those as you will never recoup any of that. Just get it to a point where you're happy with it, and readjust your mindset to shed-driving!
I will keep mine going as long as I can and while it's reliable but any really major repair or borkage will see it being sold off for spares or scrap.
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