Tell me about Saab 9-3 2.0T Aero

[TW]Fox;21501531 said:
Isn't the V6 Turbo supposed to be really dire? Unreliable, thirsty and not really better than the 2.0T Aero's.
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Quite possibly. Obviously more things to go wrong, and it will certainly drink petrol like its going out of fashion. Not the sensible choice, but then there's nothing like the hum of a 6cyl.....

The later XWD/LSD version is hugely intriging though: http://www.autocar.co.uk/www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Saab-9-3-2.8-V6-XWD-Aero/226025/
 
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MarkDavis said:
Quite possibly. Obviously more things to go wrong, and it will certainly drink petrol like its going out of fashion. Not the sensible choice, but then there's nothing like the hum of a 6cyl.....

The later XWD/LSD version is hugely intriging though: http://www.autocar.co.uk/www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Saab-9-3-2.8-V6-XWD-Aero/226025/
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Yeah basically it's the Turbo X I mentioned (the 280bhp model), same engine and tuning basically... PLUS chipped will poke 300+bhp.

Personally, my one regret when I bought my 2.0T was I should've bought the 2.8lr V6 model... that much quick? 1s to 60mph and faster top end and better pull... HOWEVER a V6 burble does sound nice, slap a Turbo on it and job done....

if you don't mind losing 6-7mph on fuel... then go the V6 matey!
 
MarkDavis said:
I don't like the way they restyled the external looks of the car, but the drifting on a wet track in this video is just insane!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXRzOOK1MVg
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Yeah they changed the front... depends I suppose, looks are always to personal taste tbh... I lile them, think it looks quite mean... yeah they can be good fun... get mine back tonight so will see how it runs on the new 30mm springs tonight...
 
I drove two over the weekend. I found the old dashboard very squeaky and some bits of trim rattly.

The facelift model though (with the new dash) was perfect. Only problem is I'm not a massive fan of the looks - especially those aftermarket look rear light clusters.

So I'm looking for the new style dashboard but pre-facelift :p. I think I may have my work cut out to find one :(
 
ajstan said:
I drove two over the weekend. I found the old dashboard very squeaky and some bits of trim rattly.

The facelift model though (with the new dash) was perfect. Only problem is I'm not a massive fan of the looks - especially those aftermarket look rear light clusters.

So I'm looking for the new style dashboard but pre-facelift :p. I think I may have my work cut out to find one :(
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I think some colours suit the later rear lights more than others.

My 9-3 is from the batch you want, so they are about. I didn't get rear parking sensors as, AFAIK, they arrived with the exterior updates.
 
ajstan said:
I drove two over the weekend. I found the old dashboard very squeaky and some bits of trim rattly.

The facelift model though (with the new dash) was perfect. Only problem is I'm not a massive fan of the looks - especially those aftermarket look rear light clusters.

So I'm looking for the new style dashboard but pre-facelift :p. I think I may have my work cut out to find one :(
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I'm so glad I'm not an interior whore, mine is functional and fine, doesn't rattle either! I must have a good one! :eek:
 
OpenToSuggestions said:
OP: Did you go out and buy one? I am still unsure if they are a fantastic bargain or cheap because they are poo.
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They are cheap because they are poo compared to the competition but they have now reached the point where they are so cheap that the competition is so much more expensive that they are no longer poo compared to similar cars at similar money and now make good buys.

Does that make sense? :p
 
[TW]Fox;21517405 said:
They are cheap because they are poo compared to the competition but they have now reached the point where they are so cheap that the competition is so much more expensive that they are no longer poo compared to similar cars at similar money and now make good buys.

Does that make sense? :p
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Yep it does make sense.

To me it seems like this - The ride is a bit crap and the dash isn't up to the mid-premium saloon standard that is expected, but when a 2007 2.0T Aero model can be had for £6000 the value is fantastic.
I would just be a bit worried about getting a £600 bill for something simple like a sensor.
 
[TW]Fox;21517405 said:
Does that make sense? :p
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Clear as crystal :p

However, it's now making me paranoid about mine as everyone should be seeing it in a couple of weeks :eek: :(
 
Phate said:
I'm so glad I'm not an interior whore, mine is functional and fine, doesn't rattle either! I must have a good one! :eek:
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Ah, maybe I'll keep trying with the old dashboard. I assumed they would all be like that.

OpenToSuggestions said:
OP: Did you go out and buy one? I am still unsure if they are a fantastic bargain or cheap because they are poo.
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Not yet, still looking. I just want a new car before I go on travelling through europe in June. I don't trust my old mondeo anymore :p
OpenToSuggestions said:
Yep it does make sense.

To me it seems like this - The ride is a bit crap and the dash isn't up to the mid-premium saloon standard that is expected, but when a 2007 2.0T Aero model can be had for £6000 the value is fantastic.
I would just be a bit worried about getting a £600 bill for something simple like a sensor.
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The seats more than make up for the ride though!!!
 
[TW]Fox;21517405 said:
They are cheap because they are poo compared to the competition but they have now reached the point where they are so cheap that the competition is so much more expensive that they are no longer poo compared to similar cars at similar money and now make good buys.

Does that make sense? :p
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Mmmmm... not sure using POO is the right wording, for the price of a 2.0T Aero new, what other cars were options for a decent sized 4 door saloon? Trying to think here... but the market at the price the Aero was released at I'm sure you wouldn't get a similar spec/performance from BMW/Merc or Audi for the same price? The Saab was never marketted aginst them to be fair... (even if Saab think they could compete)... so that leaves Mondeo's, Vectra's... Misubishi's etc etc? Trying to think actually now who the heck Saab were competing against lol... but to say Saab's are Poo, that depends on what you're comparing against to be fair! My 39 Aero is deffo not Poo but compared to a £50k car? Yeah suppose it would be.
 
That would depend on what you meant by 'outdrive', though last time I checked it was the 335i Saloon the Saab 9-3 TurboX would have needed to outdrive rather than a discontinued 5 Series.
 
pugheaven said:
Mmmmm... not sure using POO is the right wording, for the price of a 2.0T Aero new, what other cars were options for a decent sized 4 door saloon? Trying to think here... but the market at the price the Aero was released at I'm sure you wouldn't get a similar spec/performance from BMW/Merc or Audi for the same price? The Saab was never marketted aginst them to be fair... (even if Saab think they could compete)... so that leaves Mondeo's, Vectra's... Misubishi's etc etc? Trying to think actually now who the heck Saab were competing against lol... but to say Saab's are Poo, that depends on what you're comparing against to be fair! My 39 Aero is deffo not Poo but compared to a £50k car? Yeah suppose it would be.
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Unfortunately for Saab the 3 series is exactly what people were comparing the 9-3 to when new.

Certainly it's what auto journos were comparing it to, unfavourably.
 
[TW]Fox;21523026 said:
That would depend on what you meant by 'outdrive', though last time I checked it was the 335i Saloon the Saab 9-3 TurboX would have needed to outdrive rather than a discontinued 5 Series.
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The 335i only seems to get a 3/5 rating here :p

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives...BMW-335i-facelift-CAR-review/?content-block=0

Someone also seems to have stolen from the 335i, the e-LSD / Haldex clutch that comes with the Turbo X, which also seems to be quicker than your car as well... ;)
 
MarkDavis said:
The 335i only seems to get a 3/5 rating here :p
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Looks like 4/5 to me :confused:

The 'readers rating' doesn't count any more than it would count for the Saab as it'll get downvoted by irrelevent 'bmw haterz' just like morons will vote the Saab 1/5 for no reason as well. It's cool to dislike BMW.

Someone also seems to have stolen from the 335i, the e-LSD / Haldex clutch that comes with the Turbo X, which also seems to be quicker than your car as well... ;)
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The E90 uses the DSC system to act as an e-LSD. It is not a proper LSD but then of course neither is that fitted to the 9-3X.

My thoughts and dislike for Haldex are well known.
 
Pff do it properly and get the Saab 9-5 Aero. It's just a better car than the 9-3 aside from perhaps styling - there's no denying the 9-3 is better looking :)

Tunes better and from all reports I've read is put together better too, no crashy ride for example :)
 
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