Saab 9-3 as a daily driver??

[robinh73]

Since starting up my own business, I have lost my company car and therefore need a daily driver. I have ploughed a good deal of cash into the new business and so don't have a huge budget (probably £4k). I have always had a thing for Saabs but since their demise, I am left wondering how sensible a 9-3 would be as a daily driver? Are spares readily available etc.?

[aka_kerrly]

Yes there are plenty of spares available but you shouldn't need a load of them as the Saab/GM vectra was an alright car.

Just don't go expecting a mid 2000s 9-3 to feel in any way interesting like a 80s 900 turbo does.

[robinh73]

aka_kerrly said:

Yes there are plenty of spares available but you shouldn't need a load of them as the Saab/GM vectra was an alright car.

Just don't go expecting a mid 2000s 9-3 to feel in any way interesting like a 80s 900 turbo does.

I can imagine a 9-3 is a fairly mundane sort of car, but it just has a bit more appeal visually than a lot of other stuff out there.

[bluezedd]

They're pretty much a vauxhall vectra in a dress. I wouldn't pay £4k for one.

Spares haven't been a problem though, except perhaps some bodywork items could be if you crash it.

They're "fine" for a daily driver. I've not been particularly impressed with the ride quality on my main one, but have driven ones with better ride quality.

Don't be taken by the sat nav headunit as it's a bit st and you'll end up just using your own external one, or replacing the headunit. That's taking into consideration the unofficial updated DVDs you can get.

Parts for it though have been cheap, but I imagine if you're not the sort to do your own repairs and are the sort to take it to a "saab specialist" then I could imagine that being quite expensive.

Edited by bluezedd on Monday 2nd September 14:52

[ZX10R NIN]

For your budget you can get a nice Insignia Elite:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Which is imo a better car than the Saab at this price point.

[robinh73]

ZX10R NIN said:

For your budget you can get a nice Insignia Elite:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Which is imo a better car than the Saab at this price point.

That is a lot of car for the money, only downside is it is petrol and I really am trying to keep motoring cheap while I am in the first couple of years. I have even looked at Volvo S40 R-Designs as again I quite like the look of them, along with Alfa 159s.

[ZX10R NIN]

robinh73 said:

That is a lot of car for the money, only downside is it is petrol and I really am trying to keep motoring cheap while I am in the first couple of years. I have even looked at Volvo S40 R-Designs as again I quite like the look of them, along with Alfa 159s.

Are you doing the annual mileage that means a diesel (12k a year is roughly the crossover point) makes sense.

The Insignia still looks like a good shout in diesel form but you should get the oil flushed every other service (I'd do this on any car at this price point) as a precaution to the pick up pipe getting blocked.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[robinh73]

You do get a huge amount of car for the money there and a much newer car at that too. I have to get over the look of the back end I think and look at the interior! I have also looked at the Astra following on from the Insignia, again a lot of car for the money.
I guess I do about 15k a year so diesel will help there.

[ilikejam]

Just to throw some other options out there, I'd be looking at some of these before the Saab. Although weirdly i tend to prefer the way the estate versions look.

Accord 2.2 EX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mondeo 2.0 Titanium X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Lexus IS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

VW CC GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Citroen C5 VTR+
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[robinh73]

ilikejam said:

Just to throw some other options out there, I'd be looking at some of these before the Saab. Although weirdly i tend to prefer the way the estate versions look.

Accord 2.2 EX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mondeo 2.0 Titanium X
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Lexus IS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

VW CC GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Citroen C5 VTR+
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I have to say that you can get a lot for your money and the Lexus and VW really do appeal. This Saab idea is rapidly fading away!

[Ankh87]

I've got a 2008 9-3 TTID and it's brilliant. I do a 75 mile round trip each day on 90% motorway. Trip says I'm getting 58.8mpg cruising at 75mph. Had it 3 months and so far it's been solid. Try get one with a good spec and that has been looked after

[Aiminghigh123]

I purchased a 9-3 aero petrol for £500. 120k miles 2 years ago now on 160k. Does 38-42mpg.
Apart from clutch going which was £800 it’s been pretty reliable.
The only reason I haven’t got rid is the seats are so comfortable.
Parts are mostly Vauxhall. Be warned there are a few Saab parts that are getting hard to get hold of and can kill the car.
I thought my ECU had gone and my specialist said if it is they are hard to source. Lucky it wasn’t that.

[robinh73]

Many thanks for all the comments on this. I have been doing some serious thinking and may have to look at the possibility of the Saab now becoming a crew cab pickup, meaning the business vehicle is also a daily driver. Sooooooo, by upping my budget a bit, does anyone have any thoughts on crew cab pickups? I should probably start a new thread for this to be honest. Anyway thanks again and nothing is set in stone with all this, I am just weighing up options.

[ZX10R NIN]

Ford Ranger or Isuzu D Max

[robinh73]

ZX10R NIN said:

Ford Ranger or Isuzu D Max

The Ford Ranger is on the list at number one, so that's good to hear

[jonwm]

Had a saab 9-3 as a company car. It was great. In basic spec it's still the comfiest car I've had (2005 9-3 linear).

It used to eat bulbs and brake discs if I recall

Was going to get one earlier this year in cab form for the summer. Friend owns a body shop and said parts are unavailable if they ever need replacing.

Running gear should be ok as many have said it's a vectra!