Saab 9-3

I can't comment on ownership but I have driven one and it's ok when going slow but the handling is not good at any kind of pace.

Plenty of 'what to look for' here: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm

Steve.

Echo what Steve G said - if you plan to buy, allow for the cost of having the suspension upgraded (if it's stock).

Otherwise, loads of fun and remarkably reliable.

It's a very beautiful car, but also really a Vauxhall.

Is there anybody that knows if the current Saab's have the reliability of the old or are they just rebadged Vauxhalls with all that that entails?

I don't really have a problem with the rebadged Vauxhall aspect - I used to have a 5 door 1995 Saab 900 and it was dull and uninspiring to look at or drive, but it was comfortable and reliable in the three years or so that I had it.

Ultimately I'm still looking for something with a reasonable turn of speed, sensible enough for an everyday driver, reliable enough for an everyday driver, and yes if I'm looking at convertibles I guess there's a bit of "pose value" in there too

What are peoples thoughts on high mileage? I'm thinking it can go a couple of ways in that either things are going to break, or things that are expected to break have done so and have already been replaced?

I always thought Saabs/Volvos/BMWs/Mercs etc were famed for being able to eat up the miles - would I be foolish to be looking at a 100k+ car?

cheers,
Paul

quote:

Originally posted by reductionist:
Is there anybody that knows if the current Saab's have the reliability of the old or are they just rebadged Vauxhalls with all that that entails?

Less so than the previous model, although they're all built on common platforms now. I've always liked them but they're no great shakes in the handling dynamics department, the more powerful variants have difficulty getting it through the front wheels and on a much more personal note, they are FWD. Haven't driven the new one yet. They do seem like a lot of quality metal for the money.

Cheers

Harry

I have a couple of SAABs and would suggest that you get a minimum 180bhp engine. Just borrowed a loan car a 9-3 S reg with 133K on the clock (auto) and it does not feel as sprightly as the 9-5 estate auto with the 180BHP engine.

SAAB do a chip for the 150bhp engine to take it to 180bhp but you have to decide on whether to declare it to the Insurance Co(you should - if you want to remain legal)

I bought a new (MY'05) 9-3 convertible Aero last November.

here's my experience;

Lovely car, great handling but comfortable ride. Best looking four-seater 'vert by far. Excellent engine, more power than I can use.

Good after-sales service. Mine developed a knocking noise. Called the dealer to book it in, and they fell over themselves to collect it and fix it there and then. (It was a very slightly under-torqued drive shaft). No other faults.

Complaints;
I took the top audio option, and it still isn't that great.
Dashboard trim a bit flimsy looking, but whose isn't these days?
Went for the auto gearbox as advised by dealer as I drive in stop-start land, but might have been happier with a manual.
It's no sports car, but I did have an Evo VIII before so my brain is scrambled.
Petrol consumption is higher than I expected, but after the Evo anything over 10 miles to the gallon is a bonus.

If you fancy a bit of open air cruising, go for it. If you want sporty go for the Honda S2000.

The new 9-3 'vert has been around for two years now, so s/h prices are reasonable. If you try the new 9-3 'vert, you won't want the old one. My wife has the old 9-3 saloon (from new) and is happy enough with it and it has been a good reliable car.

quote:

I don't really have a problem with the rebadged Vauxhall aspect - I used to have a 5 door 1995 Saab 900 and it was dull and uninspiring to look at or drive, but it was comfortable and reliable in the three years or so that I had it.

If you don't have a problem with re-badging, you will still have a Saab that's built up of parts purchased by Vauxhall. Exact reason why I decided to switch from a reasonably new Volkswagen Group car to a (then) seven year old BMW.

quote:

What are peoples thoughts on high mileage? I'm thinking it can go a couple of ways in that either things are going to break, or things that are expected to break have done so and have already been replaced?

I always thought Saabs/Volvos/BMWs/Mercs etc were famed for being able to eat up the miles - would I be foolish to be looking at a 100k+ car?

I really think that high mileages are less of an issue today than it was twenty years ago, but that might as well be gut feeling. My car has done 186000 km's and it runs like new. I recently borrowed a BMW 316i Compact that had done 160000 km's and it ran like new.

If you're doing high mileage, you might as well consider diesel. Mercedes (CLK) and Audi (A4) do diesel convertibles.

If you don't like the sound (literally) of diesel, look for a BMW. They do straight sixes, and there's nothing quite like it.

Cheers,

Edo

Diesel convertibles don't work because of the engine noise with the hood down. that's why Saab don't make one.

The problem with owning a BMW is that everyone will think you are a BMW owner.

Saab owner=nice person
BMW owner=nasty person

GM took over Saab more than a decade ago, and there is nothing wrong with the quality of parts used. I think assembly in Sweden is a good thing, but sadly not going to last much longer.

I don't think that a BMW Z3 driver is being regarded as a nasty person. I haven't seen this car being mentioned before... fantastic car!!! The Z4 looks nastier me thinks.

quote:

GM took over Saab more than a decade ago, and there is nothing wrong with the quality of parts used. I think assembly in Sweden is a good thing, but sadly not going to last much longer.

A Saab used to be a car, now it's just a product.

quote:

Originally posted by Bas V:
I don't think that a BMW Z3 driver is being regarded as a nasty person. I haven't seen this car being mentioned before... fantastic car!!! The Z4 looks nastier me thinks.

There seems to be something fundamental against lower convertibles, I'm afraid. Some people want the pleasures of a convertible, while being seated exactly as they would be in a sedan.

Cheers,

Edo

quote:

Originally posted by Bas V:
I don't think that a BMW Z3 driver is being regarded as a nasty person..

That's because she's a girl

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
Diesel convertibles don't work because of the engine noise with the hood down. that's why Saab don't make one.

You obviously haven't heard the lovely engine note the BMW 3.0 straight six diesel produces! It has to be heard to be believed. Granted, the straight six petrol is a tad smoother but the diesel version still sounds better than many petrol engines.

Not sure what the Audi 2.5 diesel sounds like but it is a V6 I believe so it shouldn't be too bad.

On the Saab front, does the latest convertible model still have the scuttle shake that plagued the previous one?

Matt.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt F:

quote:

Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
Diesel convertibles don't work because of the engine noise with the hood down. that's why Saab don't make one.

You obviously haven't heard the lovely engine note the BMW 3.0 straight six diesel produces! It has to be heard to be believed. Granted, the straight six petrol is a tad smoother but the diesel version still sounds better than many petrol engines.

Not sure what the Audi 2.5 diesel sounds like but it is a V6 I believe so it shouldn't be too bad.

On the Saab front, does the latest convertible model still have the scuttle shake that plagued the previous one?

Matt.

Scuttle shake absent since 2003 model.

It's not the exhaust note I object to, it's the banging under the bonnet.

OK sorry to drag this one up again but..

Had an afternoon off and went to the local Saab place (Bond Street Select) near Leicester.

Basically they're a sister company to the main Saab dealers in Leicester, and they stock anything over 2 years old and 50,000 miles as it's not "small center of town main dealer" stuff.

Had a look and a drive in a very nice (IMHO) 93, details here Hope This Works

I dealt with the dealershop owner, seemed respectable/honest and he said he'd be willing do a deal on any of the convertibles because it's going into winter and he has 8 of the things

Long story short he would be willing to offer that car at around £7.7k, with my car booking at around £5k in part ex (2002 1.4l Golf S 3 door).

I had a test drive, not much I can say, drove OK, finally found out what "scuttle shake" is, seems quick (150bhp so it's got a little more than the Golf ), comfortable, bit of poser value with the roof down.

The car's in nice shape IMHO, interiror is excellent, exterior has a few stone chips and the likes that the dealer says would be taken care of, in short, I'm tempted.

The car has FSH, all Saab until the last couple of services, then a place in Coventry (I wrote down the name so I might call them to see what they can tell me). It's a 2 owner vehicle, interleasing from new, then the last chap in 2002. I also wrote down his name and address so I might see if I can get a number and call him to ask "any problems".

Anyone have any comments?

On pure money terms it's obviously around £3k to change, maybe a little more factoring in upping the warranty.

Basically I'm not so fussed over the money, more what do people think of the deal, albeit going purely off the details on the website - my only concern other the the chips and things the dealer says will be sorted are mileage - doesn't seem unreasonable on a six year old car, but if I do 13k a year should I be expecting things to go boom in a year or two? (the Golf has cost me nothing other than petrol and servicing).

Any advice much appreciated

cheers,
Paul

ive just picked up on friday a 9-3 convertible with full hirsch pack ( 252bhp urgrade/ 19" light alloys with upgraded tyres/ s/steel exhaust / sport springs / nappa leather dash )
its a lot of car for the money , it drives and handles really well
regards neil

( now i need to get the 155mph limiter off)

quote:

I do 13k a year should I be expecting things to go boom in a year or two?

No - stick with regular servicing by a dealer or a good independant (check http://www.saabscene.com) and high mileages are no problem at all. The only thing that might go pop is the ignition cassette - these will die, but it's a two minute roadside swap if you keep a spare in the boot after the 100K mile mark.

I have a '96 900SE turbo, upped to 240bhp yet at 160k miles it's running just fine - I hope to get nearly the same again with only a small investment in bits that wear out.

Funny this, 'cos we looked at saabs for the missus just last week.Spoke to a v.reputable saab independant.Great vfm & spec for nearly new
cars, but he did stress that the reliability of new saabs, especially 9-3's is not good. Mainly problems with electrics, the central "brain", etc. Shame, 'cos there is something about a saab that appeals.Also looked at a honda accord diesel estate, with the exec trim level. Now that's a nice car, with no reliability issues.-Just a thought.

quote:

Originally posted by Martin Clark:
No - stick with regular servicing by a dealer or a good independant (check http://www.saabscene.com) and high mileages are no problem at all.

Cheers Martin (and others). I think I shall try and arrange a second, proper test drive, and if that turns out OK I shall probably bite the bullet and do it.

I've spent a long time umming and ahhing about what to get and, relatively speaking, this isn't a huge amount to be spending to change cars so I think the main concern is being sensible about the car being purchased.

Paul

quote:

Originally posted by manicatel:
Funny this, 'cos we looked at saabs for the missus just last week.Spoke to a v.reputable saab independant.Great vfm & spec for nearly new
cars, but he did stress that the reliability of new saabs, especially 9-3's is not good. Mainly problems with electrics, the central "brain", etc. Shame, 'cos there is something about a saab that appeals.Also looked at a honda accord diesel estate, with the exec trim level. Now that's a nice car, with no reliability issues.-Just a thought.

But he's not looking at a new 9-3, it's the original GM 9-3 model which has good reliability, but a bit of scuttle-shake.

And, if a Saab dealer says Saabs are unreliable, he needs to find a new job.

Rockingdoc.-So if a car dealer has the temerity to tell the truth as he sees it (admittedly, an unusual sales technique),he should find a new job???
If we endorse car salesmans dishonesty,how can we ever complain about shoddy sales-people?I for one was grateful with the honesty,& a look at several reliability surveys appear that he may well have a point.He is an independant dealer, & so possibly is not under quite so much pressure to recite corporate doctrine as an authorised main dealer.
just a thought.
matt.

I pick the car up next Wednesday

Tried to be as straight as possible with the dealer, went over the little cosmetic things I wanted sorting out, got it verbally then after talking numbers I got it in black and white that it would be sorted at the price I had in mind when I walked in.

I figure you only live once and that's what warranties are for so what the hell

cheers,
Paul

p.s this dealer also explained scuttle shake to me because as he said, if you've never driven a convertible on twisty/rough roads you'll wonder what the hell's going on!