The Bargain Saab 9-3 of fail.

Tom|Nbk · 20 Oct 2018 at 06:09

jpaul said:
... you know for sure it was not already mapped ? given wheels

I don't but I will do Tuesday when Karl looks at the ecu

Jamauk · 20 Oct 2018 at 09:02

sigma said:
Remaps are usually pointless on non-turbo cars unless they have a lot of mods.

Why would the mods get involved with the Saab, currently the only one who has commented in this thread is @Maccy ?!

On a more serious note, if the running gear gives up there should be lots of GM parts available, even though Saab did have the habit of doing everything their way which ultimately led to their demise, the visible exterior might be a little harder to source, so don't bin it and don't let it rust.

Tom|Nbk · 20 Oct 2018 at 09:24

Jamauk said:
Why would the mods get involved with the Saab, currently the only one who has commented in this thread is @Maccy ?!

On a more serious note, if the running gear gives up there should be lots of GM parts available, even though Saab did have the habit of doing everything their way which ultimately led to their demise, the visible exterior might be a little harder to source, so don't bin it and don't let it rust.

My dad's 9-3 has rusted and rotted on the arches terribly which is a shame. The running gear etc is all still excellent and its on 160k on the V6T

59k on mine with no signs of any rust at all.

mjt · 21 Oct 2018 at 06:34

Tom|Nbk said:
My dad's 9-3 has rusted and rotted on the arches terribly which is a shame. The running gear etc is all still excellent and its on 160k on the V6T

59k on mine with no signs of any rust at all.

You sure it's not clocked or Cat C or something? £750 with 59k seems awfully cheap.

Tom|Nbk · 21 Oct 2018 at 07:34

mjt said:
You sure it's not clocked or Cat C or something? £750 with 59k seems awfully cheap.

MOT verifies mileage. In all honesty I don't care if it lasted a year it's bargain motoring at its best and probably worth more in parts anyway

Uther · 21 Oct 2018 at 07:59

My father in law has had a couple of them, I think they are great cars for very little money. Road tax (or whatever it's called) is a bit painful though I think.

Tom|Nbk · 21 Oct 2018 at 08:10

Uther said:
My father in law has had a couple of them, I think they are great cars for very little money. Road tax (or whatever it's called) is a bit painful though I think.

Falls below the tax rip off. £26 a month

Uther · 21 Oct 2018 at 08:20

Tom|Nbk said:
Falls below the tax rip off. £26 a month

Ah that's good, for some reason I thought they were in the £500 a year range! Maybe it's my age but I think they are nice looking cars, and super comfortable.

adam cool dude · 21 Oct 2018 at 10:31

Uther said:
Ah that's good, for some reason I thought they were in the £500 a year range! Maybe it's my age but I think they are nice looking cars, and super comfortable.

Depends on which gearboxes they have. Even still my 9-5 Aero is £300 a year tax.

mrk · 21 Oct 2018 at 12:51

sigma said:
Remaps are usually pointless on non-turbo cars unless they have a lot of mods.

Very much depends on the N/A engine in question. There are a handful of exceptions.

adam cool dude · 21 Oct 2018 at 16:00

mrk said:
Very much depends on the N/A engine in question. There are a handful of exceptions.

GT86 comes to mind completely changes it with a remap. MK3 MX5 can gain similar with a manifold.

sigma · 22 Oct 2018 at 05:28

mrk said:
Very much depends on the N/A engine in question. There are a handful of exceptions.

I doubt the Saab engine is included in that list

Akagi · 23 Oct 2018 at 08:38

ajf said:
Really love these cars. At those prices, perhaps give one a go one day!
Are these ones basically GM/Opel underneath?

P.S what’s the issue with blakcs wheels?!

P.P.S is the cabrio cover a different colour?

Yes and no, they are heavily re-worked by Saab.

They're awful, silver wheels all the way.

I wondered that too, probably had a roof transplant somewhen.

Tom|Nbk · 23 Oct 2018 at 11:10

Pleased to report the saab of fail flew through its MOT today.

Getting it mapped to 250bhp tonight

wedrum · 23 Oct 2018 at 11:11

hehe this has go me looking at the 9-3 2.8 v6

sigma · 23 Oct 2018 at 11:51

Tom|Nbk said:
Pleased to report the saab of fail flew through its MOT today.

Getting it mapped to 250bhp tonight

You clearly can't justify using the name fail then

Rannoch · 23 Oct 2018 at 11:54

Tom|Nbk said:
MOT verifies mileage. In all honesty I don't care if it lasted a year it's bargain motoring at its best and probably worth more in parts anyway

Looks good, if the mileage matches the MOT it’s a good buy.

Armageus · 23 Oct 2018 at 12:00

mrk said:
Very much depends on the N/A engine in question. There are a handful of exceptions.

adam cool dude said:
GT86 comes to mind completely changes it with a remap. MK3 MX5 can gain similar with a manifold.

offtopic but R50 Mini One as well

xdcx · 23 Oct 2018 at 13:25

I have a Hirsch 9-3 2.8 V6 with all the Hirsch goodies from factory. The few dyno tests I seen for these last run of the pre-faces were testing around 300bhp but the Hirsch remap was only meant take them to 275.

I have had 6 years of pretty much trouble free motoring in it but 2 years ago had to replace steering column universal joint which was eye watering £400.
Last month for MOT needed new wiper mech and motor as well as 2 front springs and brake hoses on the front = £350 all in.
Now with a valid MOT and at the opposite end of the country it starting pouring steering fluid. Garage has replaced all connectors and couplings which seemed fine but now leaking again, pump seems alright.

2007 with 94k on it now and I think it is the beginning of the end.

Handles like a barge but it is certainly quick. 6th gear is superb at motorway speeds it just bloody goes.
Nothing special to 60-70 really but at bad man speeds on private road only of course, it is silly quick. A shame the power/speed is all located where it is illegal on public roads!

Tom|Nbk · 23 Oct 2018 at 14:44

xdcx said:
I have a Hirsch 9-3 2.8 V6 with all the Hirsch goodies from factory. The few dyno tests I seen for these last run of the pre-faces were testing around 300bhp but the Hirsch remap was only meant take them to 275.

I have had 6 years of pretty much trouble free motoring in it but 2 years ago had to replace steering column universal joint which was eye watering £400.
Last month for MOT needed new wiper mech and motor as well as 2 front springs and brake hoses on the front = £350 all in.
Now with a valid MOT and at the opposite end of the country it starting pouring steering fluid. Garage has replaced all connectors and couplings which seemed fine but now leaking again, pump seems alright.

2007 with 94k on it now and I think it is the beginning of the end.

Handles like a barge but it is certainly quick. 6th gear is superb at motorway speeds it just bloody goes.
Nothing special to 60-70 really but at bad man speeds on private road only of course, it is silly quick. A shame the power/speed is all located where it is illegal on public roads!

My old man's (same as yours) is on 170k he's had it from new, you have life in yours yet it all depends if you see value. I agree with you the boost is gradual rather than a shove.

Hoping the remap tonight brings me more of a shove than gradual