Tell me about Saab 9-3 2.0T Aero

ajstan

ajstan

ajstan

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Hi all,

I'm looking at buying a Saab 9-3 2.0T Aero (5speed) (07reg)

I just wondered if any owners on here could tell me about servicing costs, reliability, mpg and anything else worth knowing. I'm trying to get an idea of how much they cost to run.

Also does anyone know what you do for things like coding a new key (previously done by a main dealer). Can you take it to a Vauxhall dealer or anything like that?

Thanks for any help!
 
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Loads of threads already about these.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18011678
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18321491
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18127755

In summary, they're okay. It really boils down to how much you can get the car for, but it does represent a lot of car for the money. You could probably get an 07 Aero for less than £5k as prices have been hit by the Saab insolvency. Parts should be okay though as a new parts company (formed by the old MD of Saab GB) has sprung up and utilised about half of the existing dealer network - see www.saab.co.uk

Downsides IMO are that mpg sucks a bit unless you're on the motorway, and you feel every bump and ripple in the road though with that sports supension and LP tyres though. In terms of running costs, its really not that different to any other mid-premium brand. Think closer to Volvo/Audi/BMW rather than Ford/Skoda. They're pretty reliable and a lot of early gremlins (which in any event were only minor) were ironed out from production in the 05+ cars. As long as its been maintained properly, particularly frequent oil changes / oil at correct spec, the only issue that I'm aware of is that springs will eventually break on high mileage cars (that stiff suspension and UK roads).

Why do you need to code a key? Just buy a car with two keys. They're not known to fail.
 
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I had one for a year, it was nice and great value at the time, £5k and three and a half years old. There are much better cars but imo there's not many that are better value.
 
I am also interested in a 9-3. I realise that the dash has too many buttons but I actually like the look of the it, plus I like the look of the overall car.
I do about 5000 miles per year and am looking for a replacement to my 2000 1.0 Micra. I would like to get a lot of car for the money and am wondering if a 9-3 2.0T is a good idea or not.
I have never driven one nor do I know someone who owned one. Would I be silly to ignore the 2.8 version? I realise the tax is circa £450 and the mpg is appalling but I really don't drive very far as I walk to work.
 
Oh woops, forgot to say thanks for the replies. I can't make up my mind about the damn car. I'm really scared of the servicing costs in the future. I guess the parts will get rarer and become more expensive...?
 
ajstan said:
Oh woops, forgot to say thanks for the replies. I can't make up my mind about the damn car. I'm really scared of the servicing costs in the future. I guess the parts will get rarer and become more expensive...?
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It is very unlikely that there will be a shortage of parts in the near future. There are still loads of Rover/MG cars around and they went bust in 2005.
I have no idea about the Saab 4wd system, but in general no 4wd system is cheap to fix when it goes wrong. Neither is an auto box. I would hazzard a guess that if you get a manual front wheel drive version a few of the potential big bills are gone right away,
 
MarkDavis said:
Loads of threads already about these.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18011678
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18321491
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18127755

In summary, they're okay. It really boils down to how much you can get the car for, but it does represent a lot of car for the money. You could probably get an 07 Aero for less than £5k as prices have been hit by the Saab insolvency. Parts should be okay though as a new parts company (formed by the old MD of Saab GB) has sprung up and utilised about half of the existing dealer network - see www.saab.co.uk

Downsides IMO are that mpg sucks a bit unless you're on the motorway, and you feel every bump and ripple in the road though with that sports supension and LP tyres though. In terms of running costs, its really not that different to any other mid-premium brand. Think closer to Volvo/Audi/BMW rather than Ford/Skoda. They're pretty reliable and a lot of early gremlins (which in any event were only minor) were ironed out from production in the 05+ cars. As long as its been maintained properly, particularly frequent oil changes / oil at correct spec, the only issue that I'm aware of is that springs will eventually break on high mileage cars (that stiff suspension and UK roads).

Why do you need to code a key? Just buy a car with two keys. They're not known to fail.
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Basically what this guy said.

I've had mine a month now, any questions you have please ask and I'll answer best I can.

Mines an '03 Aero.
 
Parts won't be an issue - I can still get every part new off the shelf for my Rover 75 the same day.

You don't need to worry about that - while there's money in spares (and there will be for a long time to come) someone will make them.
 
OpenToSuggestions said:
A few questions:
- Are runflats on all of them?
- What model is yours?
- Is there a minimum trim level to aim for?

Afaik Aero is the best looking spec.
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No idea about the run flats, mine certainly hasn't got them and when looking at tyres recently places like camskill didn't specify run flats when I type my reg in.

Mine is a Saab 9-3 2.0T 210bhp variant, '03 plate, sports saloon.

With Saab, while Aero is a model it's basically the trim model as well...it'll have half leather as standard, sports suspension, aero body kit (something I think the Sports Saloon looks crap without)...inside standard goodies are dual zone climate, 6 speed box, electric windows all round etc...it makes them very good value for money.
 
Phate said:
No idea about the run flats, mine certainly hasn't got them and when looking at tyres recently places like camskill didn't specify run flats when I type my reg in.

Mine is a Saab 9-3 2.0T 210bhp variant, '03 plate, sports saloon.

With Saab, while Aero is a model it's basically the trim model as well...it'll have half leather as standard, sports suspension, aero body kit (something I think the Sports Saloon looks crap without)...inside standard goodies are dual zone climate, 6 speed box, electric windows all round etc...it makes them very good value for money.
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I don't think the 6speed box is standard, I drove one with a 5speed :)

Do you have any trim rattles on yours phate? I'm really interested in them but they do seem to have a few issues.

Also, I found the steering overly light and lacking in feel (this is compared to an old mk3 mondeo) but maybe I'd get used to it..
 
Phate said:
No idea about the run flats, mine certainly hasn't got them and when looking at tyres recently places like camskill didn't specify run flats when I type my reg in.

Mine is a Saab 9-3 2.0T 210bhp variant, '03 plate, sports saloon.

With Saab, while Aero is a model it's basically the trim model as well...it'll have half leather as standard, sports suspension, aero body kit (something I think the Sports Saloon looks crap without)...inside standard goodies are dual zone climate, 6 speed box, electric windows all round etc...it makes them very good value for money.
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Without wanting to sound like a ****, the 6 speed box wasn't standard. It was a £120 upgrade and most people would (buying used) rather have the 5 speed from what I've read.
 
Spamalot said:
Without wanting to sound like a ****, the 6 speed box wasn't standard. It was a £120 upgrade and most people would (buying used) rather have the 5 speed from what I've read.
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My bad, I thought it was standard as every single advert I looked at for one had the 6-speed.
 
ajstan said:
I don't think the 6speed box is standard, I drove one with a 5speed :)

Do you have any trim rattles on yours phate? I'm really interested in them but they do seem to have a few issues.

Also, I found the steering overly light and lacking in feel (this is compared to an old mk3 mondeo) but maybe I'd get used to it..
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One thing you HAVE to remember about this car, even though it car handle when chucked it is certainly no 'drivers' car....it is at the end of the day, at home on the motorway.

Nope, no rattles on mine...only one if I turn the radio right up with the bass on full to be honest, but I never have it like that so it doesn't bother me.

Very well nailed together cars to be honest.
 
The 6 speed is notchy on 2nd gear, BUT is miles better than the 5 speed... simple and the fuel economy of the 6th gear on motorway is incedible... I know because I've owned a 93 Aero 2003 for 3.5 years now... and I can do 95mph at 3000rpm in 6th!

Performance is top notch and you can go like me for the 254bhp chip which ups the torque to around 280lbs! Restrictor lifted to 165mph at same time. Handling as long as it's got the correct 30mm lowering pack like mine is great for a saloon... not BMW granted but decent... it's a shed load of car for the money.

Problems, well I've had two fuel pumps, the sensor also goes on ALL pre 2007 93's and you can't just fit that, you have to buy the whole pump, not cheap and I've doen this twice.... if original springs they've had a problem in the past... err... apart from that been bomb proof. Bought mine on 61k miles on 145k miles now! I've cobbled the fibre optic system to incorporate a GPS/DVD player in the front (which means I run some 6x9's in the rear shelf giving 9 speaker system), something you have to do upto 55 plates I think until they dumped the firbreoptics on the newer dash... so you'll not have to worry with a 2007 plate. if you don't get one with the AUX enabled, then Saab or whoever now will charge £50 notes for the 30 second job! Disgusting! I upgraded the brake discs (which as standard on 2003 are awesome as they're gugse at 314mm on front, this dropped to 292mm I think post 2004 ish)... with mTec cross drilled and grooved, keeping standard calipers... it really does brake incredibly well now! Just replacing all the springs as we speak with 30mm lowered springs, as front NS sheered last week on the drive... so replacing all four.

mtec_silver_edition2.jpg


Mine's got all the options BAR the factory GPS which is notoriously *****... so, had the limted leather, Xenons, winter pack, lowering pack... bluetooth with SIM in the rear... basically everything. When the guy bought it in 2003, he paid £26.5k for it... I paid in July 2008 £5850... now THAT IS A BARGAIN! Full 12 months MOT, 6 months tax included. Result... not really let me down although I'm not looking at replacing soon with a M3/M5 so... time to say goodbye soon!

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interior1.jpg


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stereo2.jpg


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For arguements sake say I was after a 2007 one, what should I be aiming to get?
I certainly don't want one with a hard ride (mainly the runflats!).
Did the sat nav system ever get any better?

Nice post pugheaven!
 
OpenToSuggestions said:
I certainly don't want one with a hard ride (mainly the runflats!)
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Jeez, stop obsessing about runflats. Given that the tyres would have been replaced several times by now by the owner, its hardly likely, and in event its not even specced as a requirement for there to be runflats.
 
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When I was looking at 9-3s before I bought mine (TiD Vector Sport), I don't remember seing runflats mentioned in any Saab information. I'd guess the Aero is the same as mine, so it probably is spec'd for tyres with reinforced sidewalls (XL)

Only you can decide if the ride is hard, so I'd say go down to Holdcrofts to get a test drive in one. They've always given me good service.
 
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