Need a barge...Saabs?

[RadoVR6]

Just sold the Corrado which was my only car and used it for a daily 50 mile commute. There was no point in having it as i was not enjoying it as much because of being stuck in traffic.

New plan is to buy a Caterfield as a toy and a commute barge for £1500.

So what is the thoughts on Saabs in this price range?

They seem reliable enough. I don't know how expensive they are to run or any common problems on them.

I have had a look about and there are plenty of 9-3's out there.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

[Fartgalen]

All I can say is - I ran a 900s (one of the last before the 9-3) for over 5 years. Not a single problem.

[farrendahl]

RadoVR6 said:

Just sold the Corrado which was my only car and used it for a daily 50 mile commute. There was no point in having it as i was not enjoying it as much because of being stuck in traffic.

New plan is to buy a Caterfield as a toy and a commute barge for £1500.

So what is the thoughts on Saabs in this price range?

They seem reliable enough. I don't know how expensive they are to run or any common problems on them.

I have had a look about and there are plenty of 9-3's out there.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

Having just picked up a 9-3 I'm loving them.

What I will say if you are looking at anything before an 02 plate, check for signs of bulkhead separation and be prepared to be friends with your local petrol station (although being a former rado owner you'll probably be used to that already)

Can happily say though as a daily runaround, it still manages to put a smile on my face, and is a nice enough place for me to do 70 mile daily round trip, while at the same time being a bit different from an A4 or 3 series

[Tommy Winchester]

One of the cars we have is a 2.3lpt 9-5 on a 'v' plate. Cost £900 and is as strong as ever, still looks as new.

Pretty damn quick too!

[FrostyCab]

I had a Saab 9000 2.3 lpt and couldn't fault it. drove wonderful, was comfortable, good on fuel. basically everything you could ask for in a barge!

My brother on the other hand had a 900 convertible (the gm one!) and it was god awful! Always broken!

[davidjpowell]

9-3's can suffer from damage where the steering column passes through the firewall.

9-5's are a better option. I bought one a year ago, 114k two owners, last owner had it from 40K or so, and changed the oil every 6k, as opposed to the 12K to avoid sump of death. Can achieve up to 38mpg, cost me other than servicing £300 for a new throttle body.

Quite like the car, but am likely to be changing it in the very near future.

[N Dentressangle]

Echo all the above.

Compared to stuff of a similar age, they're quite simple to work on with loads in scrapyards, so can be run for bugger all if you're happy doing some work yourself.

I had a 1995 900 convertible - reliable and very cheap to run, with rotten handling and a wallowy ride. It used to make Mrs D carsick...

[Cecil]

I have had loads of 9000's and can recommend them, never been a fan of the 93 and 95 variants, check out one of the more specialist sites for more info like http://www.saabscene.com/

[Horns]

Proper Saabs rock. But the more recent GM-era ones are just fancy Vauxhalls.

[mattviatura]

I bought a 9-3 Convertible to run around for a couple of months while I work out what I want next.

Crap, crap, crap.

Worst car I've ever owned. Today's problem... the rear section of the top won't close.

Another trip to the garage tomorrow then it's in Autotrader.

I knew the handling was duff but deary me....

Seriously poor car.

[aka_kerrly]

Me and my dad have ran a Saab 93 TID for the last 6 years as a company pool car and it has racked up close to 180k. Apart from the front shocks, lots of front tyres and a EGR valve it has been largely faultless and i can assure you my dad does NO maintenance whatsoever other than anything required for a MOT.

To call it bombproof is a understatement it really is tough as old boots and will take any punishment.

[hairykrishna]

I've had a couple of 9000's. Quick, handle well for a big car and totally bomb proof. A good one will be well under £1500.

[edo]

If the mileage is right, this seems like a bargain?

2001 SAAB 9-5 2.3t SE 4dr Saloon
Trade Seller: The Car Care group


2001 (Y reg)
33,500 miles, Full service history, MOT 12/ 4/2011, TAX 9/2010, Leather heated seats, Electric windows, Electric mirrors, Traction Control, Cruise control, Diver & Passanger & side air bags, ABS, 4 Door Saloon, Green, Petrol, Manual, Trip computer, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Remote central locking, Height adjustable drivers seat, Heated door mirrors, Radio/CD. £1,595.

[WhoreSaab]

got a 9-5 aero, love it to bits

[Nimbus]

pretty much whats already been said.

They make good motorway commuting barges, but the handling really is.. barge like.

I ran a £360 145k '97 900s for a couple of months this summer, and whilst I actually quite liked it, the oh couldn't stand it. To big apparently...

I managed 32mpg by very careful driving, the fuel guage and rev counter had a mind of their own but other than that it was fine. Very relaxing on the way to work..

Got my £360 back when I resold it, and now have a 'smaller' 306 gti-6

I'd have another one tho...

[Garett]

I've had an ng900 and now have a 9000 cse turbo, its the best car I've owned.

Good ones are getting harder to find and they're getting thin on the ground in general, but they are excellent cars for the money and extremely versatile, massive boot etc. Have a look in my garage if you want more info.

[NiceCupOfTea]

9000 or 9-5 in my opinion.

9-3s are nice places to be as well, but they suffer from the bulkhead issues like the gm900s. Whatever you do don't go for a non turbo 2.0, they are neolithically slow, but still very thirsty.

[Wolands Advocate]

NiceCupOfTea said:

9000 or 9-5 in my opinion.

Agreed. I used to own a K-reg 9000 CSE 2.3. Not exactly fun to drive but they go and grip reasonably well and the thing ran like a Swiss watch despite having 160k on the clock and being worth about £500. Mine was in full "kitchen sink" spec (as many are) and all the gadgets (leccy seats, climate control, cruise, sunroof etc) still worked perfectly.

Sold it to a woman in the next village and I still see it around so presumably it's still giving sterling service...

[NiceCupOfTea]

Agreed - my dad's had a 2.3T for 10 years and drives it pretty hard. Only thing other than consumables it has ever had is a clutch master cylinder. If you ever try to take one apart you will discover just how well built and engineered 9000s are!

[davidjpowell]

edo said:

If the mileage is right, this seems like a bargain?

2001 SAAB 9-5 2.3t SE 4dr Saloon
Trade Seller: The Car Care group


2001 (Y reg)
33,500 miles, Full service history, MOT 12/ 4/2011, TAX 9/2010, Leather heated seats, Electric windows, Electric mirrors, Traction Control, Cruise control, Diver & Passanger & side air bags, ABS, 4 Door Saloon, Green, Petrol, Manual, Trip computer, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Remote central locking, Height adjustable drivers seat, Heated door mirrors, Radio/CD. £1,595.

Looks very cheap, although mileage looks unusually low. Would make me worry about a) is it genuine or b) has the services been kept up or c) has it been stood....

I'm tempted, but must not look.........