Saab 9-3 - anyone know anything about them
05 February 2014, 10:54 PM
#31
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Silver one was my fave too and a good reason for the sale, well under budget and low miles, I love black blobs so thought i'd sneak that one in, the red one does look a little tatty with the wheels but it has PPP and I know your last one was red so thought you might like it.
Sadly though I think WRX wagons are off the menu, the arches seem to intrude too much into the cabin and it isn't wide enough for my needs. If it ever stops raining I will go and look at one, but that is liely to be May LOL! This country really is ****!
06 February 2014, 07:27 AM
#32
Well all this talk of the boot not being big enough has made go to the garage and get the tape measure out.
So at it's narrowest point, suspension turrets it's 93cm, there is a wider point of 134cm at the lip of the boot that will fit a golf bag in well two in fact, then with the back seats folded down and the fronts all the way back which is my normal driving position (i'm 5'11") there's 160cm, with the seats up theres 90cm x93cm.
As for black I jet wash mine once week in winter and it gets the "Rally Look" the rest of the time, mud flaps help though and in summer I wax it about once a month with some cheap carnauba wax from lidl does the job well enough to keep a nice shine, but i'm not too fussy about my daily drivers.
I'm determined to get you back in an impreza, you know you want to, the Wagons don't seem to attract the same sort of attention / image as the saloons either, I recon the gold wheels and huge spoiler on saloons screams chav, where as the Wagon just looks a little more subtle and grown up especially in new age form, nice drive too I think they're a much nicer daily than a classic, and cover ground deceptively quickly on the crap UK roads, I think you'll probably like it more than your last new age STI because of the suspension and gear ratios.
Go on get one, you know it makes sense.
So at it's narrowest point, suspension turrets it's 93cm, there is a wider point of 134cm at the lip of the boot that will fit a golf bag in well two in fact, then with the back seats folded down and the fronts all the way back which is my normal driving position (i'm 5'11") there's 160cm, with the seats up theres 90cm x93cm.
As for black I jet wash mine once week in winter and it gets the "Rally Look" the rest of the time, mud flaps help though and in summer I wax it about once a month with some cheap carnauba wax from lidl does the job well enough to keep a nice shine, but i'm not too fussy about my daily drivers.
I'm determined to get you back in an impreza, you know you want to,
the Wagons don't seem to attract the same sort of attention / image as the saloons either, I recon the gold wheels and huge spoiler on saloons screams chav, where as the Wagon just looks a little more subtle and grown up especially in new age form, nice drive too I think they're a much nicer daily than a classic, and cover ground deceptively quickly on the crap UK roads, I think you'll probably like it more than your last new age STI because of the suspension and gear ratios.Go on get one, you know it makes sense.
06 February 2014, 08:59 AM
#33
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Well all this talk of the boot not being big enough has made go to the garage and get the tape measure out.
So at it's narrowest point, suspension turrets it's 93cm, there is a wider point of 134cm at the lip of the boot that will fit a golf bag in well two in fact, then with the back seats folded down and the fronts all the way back which is my normal driving position (i'm 5'11") there's 160cm, with the seats up theres 90cm x93cm.
As for black I jet wash mine once week in winter and it gets the "Rally Look" the rest of the time, mud flaps help though and in summer I wax it about once a month with some cheap carnauba wax from lidl does the job well enough to keep a nice shine, but i'm not too fussy about my daily drivers.
I'm determined to get you back in an impreza, you know you want to, the Wagons don't seem to attract the same sort of attention / image as the saloons either, I recon the gold wheels and huge spoiler on saloons screams chav, where as the Wagon just looks a little more subtle and grown up especially in new age form, nice drive too I think they're a much nicer daily than a classic, and cover ground deceptively quickly on the crap UK roads, I think you'll probably like it more than your last new age STI because of the suspension and gear ratios.
Go on get one, you know it makes sense.
So at it's narrowest point, suspension turrets it's 93cm, there is a wider point of 134cm at the lip of the boot that will fit a golf bag in well two in fact, then with the back seats folded down and the fronts all the way back which is my normal driving position (i'm 5'11") there's 160cm, with the seats up theres 90cm x93cm.
As for black I jet wash mine once week in winter and it gets the "Rally Look" the rest of the time, mud flaps help though and in summer I wax it about once a month with some cheap carnauba wax from lidl does the job well enough to keep a nice shine, but i'm not too fussy about my daily drivers.
I'm determined to get you back in an impreza, you know you want to,
the Wagons don't seem to attract the same sort of attention / image as the saloons either, I recon the gold wheels and huge spoiler on saloons screams chav, where as the Wagon just looks a little more subtle and grown up especially in new age form, nice drive too I think they're a much nicer daily than a classic, and cover ground deceptively quickly on the crap UK roads, I think you'll probably like it more than your last new age STI because of the suspension and gear ratios.Go on get one, you know it makes sense.
06 February 2014, 09:05 AM
#34
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Well all this talk of the boot not being big enough has made go to the garage and get the tape measure out.
So at it's narrowest point, suspension turrets it's 93cm, there is a wider point of 134cm at the lip of the boot that will fit a golf bag in well two in fact, then with the back seats folded down and the fronts all the way back which is my normal driving position (i'm 5'11") there's 160cm, with the seats up theres 90cm x93cm.
As for black I jet wash mine once week in winter and it gets the "Rally Look" the rest of the time, mud flaps help though and in summer I wax it about once a month with some cheap carnauba wax from lidl does the job well enough to keep a nice shine, but i'm not too fussy about my daily drivers.
I'm determined to get you back in an impreza, you know you want to, the Wagons don't seem to attract the same sort of attention / image as the saloons either, I recon the gold wheels and huge spoiler on saloons screams chav, where as the Wagon just looks a little more subtle and grown up especially in new age form, nice drive too I think they're a much nicer daily than a classic, and cover ground deceptively quickly on the crap UK roads, I think you'll probably like it more than your last new age STI because of the suspension and gear ratios.
Go on get one, you know it makes sense.
So at it's narrowest point, suspension turrets it's 93cm, there is a wider point of 134cm at the lip of the boot that will fit a golf bag in well two in fact, then with the back seats folded down and the fronts all the way back which is my normal driving position (i'm 5'11") there's 160cm, with the seats up theres 90cm x93cm.
As for black I jet wash mine once week in winter and it gets the "Rally Look" the rest of the time, mud flaps help though and in summer I wax it about once a month with some cheap carnauba wax from lidl does the job well enough to keep a nice shine, but i'm not too fussy about my daily drivers.
I'm determined to get you back in an impreza, you know you want to,
the Wagons don't seem to attract the same sort of attention / image as the saloons either, I recon the gold wheels and huge spoiler on saloons screams chav, where as the Wagon just looks a little more subtle and grown up especially in new age form, nice drive too I think they're a much nicer daily than a classic, and cover ground deceptively quickly on the crap UK roads, I think you'll probably like it more than your last new age STI because of the suspension and gear ratios.Go on get one, you know it makes sense.
I think I will have a look at that at the weekend and if I can modify it sensibly then a wagon it will be.
Will have a look at the silver one on Saturday anyways
06 February 2014, 01:10 PM
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personally I wouldn't bother with a saab, yes back in the day when a saab was a "proper saab" they were good cars, never rusted and were reliable. if your looking to buy a more modern one, be prepared to run it into the ground as they depreciate like a stone. I've had 2, an old saab 900 back in the 80's, good car but thirsty as hell, then a 51 plate lpt 93. these have nasty cheap plastics inside, are still pricy for parts given they were gm. when I was trawling the classifieds I was amazed just how many had engine issues and I was advised to avoid the diesel versions due to engines being troublesome. if its just for a daily hack or lugging your stuff about I'd say your Vectra is a better bet, I've had 12 vec b's and apart from a v6 engine failure cant fault them really.
06 February 2014, 01:22 PM
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personally I wouldn't bother with a saab, yes back in the day when a saab was a "proper saab" they were good cars, never rusted and were reliable. if your looking to buy a more modern one, be prepared to run it into the ground as they depreciate like a stone. I've had 2, an old saab 900 back in the 80's, good car but thirsty as hell, then a 51 plate lpt 93. these have nasty cheap plastics inside, are still pricy for parts given they were gm. when I was trawling the classifieds I was amazed just how many had engine issues and I was advised to avoid the diesel versions due to engines being troublesome. if its just for a daily hack or lugging your stuff about I'd say your Vectra is a better bet, I've had 12 vec b's and apart from a v6 engine failure cant fault them really.
Won't be getting a Vectra... the cars are sort of OK for a daily hack, but every Vauxhall dealership I have ever dealt with has been populated by utter bell ends! They make Mercedes look good!
06 February 2014, 02:44 PM
#39
I've had a wagon and the boot IS like a hatchback boot when seats are up, so not that big or even a normal estate size. With the seats down yes their a bit longer but the seats don't fully go flat and I needed my back seats to be up for child and passengers (purely depends on your needs)
And yes they still look chavy like imprezas albeit a little less.
F1, thought about a BMW e46 m sport touring? (but petrol 143hp 2.0 engine) However it's rwd if that's an issue. Go on forever, and don't forget over 100k on them is just run in
And yes they still look chavy like imprezas albeit a little less.
F1, thought about a BMW e46 m sport touring? (but petrol 143hp 2.0 engine) However it's rwd if that's an issue. Go on forever, and don't forget over 100k on them is just run in
07 February 2014, 12:15 AM
#42
Saab changed a lot of stuff that GM wanted them to use, part of their downfall.
I would avoid diesel, Fiat engine, need frequent cambelt change and water pump too or they can seize and shred the belt.
Coil springs are prone to snapping, look for hirsch upgraded springs.
Buy a wagon, and fit a roof rack, or a trailer
If you didn't know, the 9-3 is back in production, under different ownership, as SAAB Nevs. The initial batch of new 9-3's that have been produced use the old petrol turbo unit, but the plan is to switch to an electric power unit.
I would avoid diesel, Fiat engine, need frequent cambelt change and water pump too or they can seize and shred the belt.
Coil springs are prone to snapping, look for hirsch upgraded springs.
Buy a wagon, and fit a roof rack, or a trailer
If you didn't know, the 9-3 is back in production, under different ownership, as SAAB Nevs. The initial batch of new 9-3's that have been produced use the old petrol turbo unit, but the plan is to switch to an electric power unit.
Last edited by WRXrowdy; 07 February 2014 at 12:49 AM.
15 February 2014, 07:18 PM
#44
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OK the slver one went before I could get to it, no surprise there, but I have since made a decision. I'm keeping the Volvo V40 for 5- 6 months and will look for a Scoob in the summer when the weather is better and people aren't thinking how great 4WD is for the winter weather!!
There is nowt wrong with the V40, it's just terminally dull, but with spring hopefully around the corner the AMG should be coming out to play a lot more so the Volvo will get less of a look in and I won't be yearning to drive something with some power all the time!
There is nowt wrong with the V40, it's just terminally dull, but with spring hopefully around the corner the AMG should be coming out to play a lot more so the Volvo will get less of a look in and I won't be yearning to drive something with some power all the time!
16 February 2014, 06:27 PM
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I run a 9-3 2.2 Tid as my daily (Now W/E) car
Good points
Saab's turbo tech, even in Tid form you still get the shove and that light floaty feeling as the turbo kicks in from approx 1500 rpm
Diesel preheater - if fitted get it turned on, heats the car up mega quick in winter and sounds like a jet fighter once its running lol
Heated seats, godsend in the colder months
Fuel economy, realistically expect 30-35mpg round town
on a run you can hit 45+ with cruise at 70mph
Seats, once set up properly are super comfortable, and the head rests are the best yet
Bad points
Saabs unique interpretation of every electronic component
SID - displays go at about 60K+ fixes are available at about £50
Radio - Married to the car's Vin
6 stack CD unit in boot again married to the cars vin
OBDII codes, only 1 reader will deal with them properly
Tech II and they cost a small fortune 1K+
You can get some SW & reader ELM that will read and clear OBDII codes,
but thats all it will do
All other options - coding ecu features (door locks heaters etc) can only be done with Tech II (budget £30 per half hour with an indy ) it used to be £50 at a dealer
Parts,
Not to bad, but the links to the Vaux carry overs are blurred, so you end up getting saab specific, mucho money sometimes
Some stuff is dealer only and expensive!
Not the most involving drive, but will eat M/way miles with ease.
Mines comming upto 120K now but is starting to die,,
GLowplug circuit problems & turbo overboost
Would i have another No! to leftfield to be practical
Mart
Good points
Saab's turbo tech, even in Tid form you still get the shove and that light floaty feeling as the turbo kicks in from approx 1500 rpm
Diesel preheater - if fitted get it turned on, heats the car up mega quick in winter and sounds like a jet fighter once its running lol
Heated seats, godsend in the colder months
Fuel economy, realistically expect 30-35mpg round town
on a run you can hit 45+ with cruise at 70mph
Seats, once set up properly are super comfortable, and the head rests are the best yet
Bad points
Saabs unique interpretation of every electronic component
SID - displays go at about 60K+ fixes are available at about £50
Radio - Married to the car's Vin
6 stack CD unit in boot again married to the cars vin
OBDII codes, only 1 reader will deal with them properly
Tech II and they cost a small fortune 1K+
You can get some SW & reader ELM that will read and clear OBDII codes,
but thats all it will do
All other options - coding ecu features (door locks heaters etc) can only be done with Tech II (budget £30 per half hour with an indy ) it used to be £50 at a dealer
Parts,
Not to bad, but the links to the Vaux carry overs are blurred, so you end up getting saab specific, mucho money sometimes
Some stuff is dealer only and expensive!
Not the most involving drive, but will eat M/way miles with ease.
Mines comming upto 120K now but is starting to die,,
GLowplug circuit problems & turbo overboost
Would i have another No! to leftfield to be practical
Mart
19 February 2014, 09:31 AM
#47
OK the slver one went before I could get to it, no surprise there, but I have since made a decision. I'm keeping the Volvo V40 for 5- 6 months and will look for a Scoob in the summer when the weather is better and people aren't thinking how great 4WD is for the winter weather!!
There is nowt wrong with the V40, it's just terminally dull, but with spring hopefully around the corner the AMG should be coming out to play a lot more so the Volvo will get less of a look in and I won't be yearning to drive something with some power all the time!
There is nowt wrong with the V40, it's just terminally dull, but with spring hopefully around the corner the AMG should be coming out to play a lot more so the Volvo will get less of a look in and I won't be yearning to drive something with some power all the time!
Yes, they are pretty dull, but they are bullet proof.
I still wish I kept my old T4, real wolf in sheeps clothing, although difficult to get the power down in the wet.
Sold mine with about 140k on the clock, that was 2 years ago, dvla check says its still on the road.
As they are the same basic floor pan as an old evo, you could do an evo engine/drivetrain transplant, that would liven it up a bit
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