J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Well, have put a deposit on it.

Buying from a dealer, seems like a good deal, its a 2001 Y 9-3 2.0t.

Anyway, have put 200 quid down and the car is 4 grand following a recent price drop, its only the base spec but with the 2.0 turbo engine and has everything I want anyway, nice met blue with 72,000 miles and a full Saab service history, few little ding but nothing major, prooves it hast had any paint ! All the tyres are nearly new, 3 * Michelin Pilots plus one random Pirelli, it pulls really well for such a plain jane car, 0-60 in 8.0 dead according to the book and it felt like it

Got my mechanic (who happens to be my dad as well) to have a look and all he spotted was a weeping driveshaft seal into the gearbox, otherwise all ok, is the dealer obliged to fix this seeing as I put a deposit down, not a massive job but I want it right, also what are my legal rights when buying from a dealer, I am paranoid after a bad experience with a FIat Coupe Turbo, you live and learn.

Also, after a run of a few miles he left it running and the fan kept cutting in, my thoughts being its quite warm and its had a spirited run and it has a turbo so its normal, just after some reassurance really that this is normal, Temp gauge stayed in the middle and the coolant was on the max, was clean and it didnt seem overly hot.

Seeing as he has dropped the price by 400 quid there was no discount and he wouldnt tax it for me but looking at the prices its cheap, his other stock is TT's, BMW's etc so this is at ther cheaper end of his stock, he has been there 30 years on the same pitch.

Basically after a couple of disasters I am looking for a bit of reassurance or pointers to avoid another, the car feels right but I am paranoid !

Trem

iTrader: (3)

I love Saabs. Never heard of the fan thing, it used to do it on my Ford RS Turbo but never on any of my Saabs.

The Saabs used to have weak clutch cylinders but I am guessing they sorted that out.

I wouldn't worry too much, we all have ****ty stories to tell of bad car purchases, if this Saab is a good one it will last you forever and f*ck what people say about them, I love them!!

They are quick for big cars as well.

BrettC

Sorry mate, I hardly know anything about the newer GM cars but welcome to saab ownership anyway. I am still on Saab number 7! I just bought a nice classic 900 turbo convertible for my dad.....im not sure if he is actually going to get it though!

I have a few links of some good places to buy your bits and pieces from. I'll PM them to you if you want them.

cheers

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Brett, that would be most appreciated.

BrettC

J4CKO

You have PM

dtriggs

I have just sold my Saab 9-5 - loved it but it was too big for the minimal use I gave it and it was very high mileage and think I was about to get a big bill !!

Anyway I found the Saab forum at Saabscene very useful and www.partsforsaabs.com were great for buying the odd thing like brake pads/discs. Being GM parts it is cheaper than you think.

Kevin Mc

Look at this thread for common problems on 9-3's:


If it's got air con as opposed to climate - check the heater controls work smoothly. Stiff ***** (oo err Mrs ) probably means dashboard out and £400 at a Saab Dealer to fix. I had this on mine - got an indy to do it for about £150

Great cars with a big boot - safe transport too. Little cramped in the rear though.

Don't cost much to tweak either

oreA

My 2002 9-3 Aero fan was constantly kicking in & out when the car was left to tick over - it was never a problem.

Another tuning option here: http://www.maptun.co.uk/ecu/9-3/20t1...003/index.html

Enjoy your Saab.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Cheers for the info, this one doesnt have aircon or climate, its the poverty spec one, thats why its four grand and not six, less complextion and you cant worry about the operation of something you have not got.

Dealer is now being pleasant again as he got a bit sniffy when I told him to sort the leaky driveshaft seal, not a big job but not one I want to do, he is MOT'ing it at the same time.

Its funny how everyone seems to like Saab's when you say you are getting one.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Saab 9-3 2.0t
150 Hp/240 Nm Original

Stage 1
225 Hp/340 Nm

£588.87



Wow, how many turbo cars of 2 litres can be chipped to gain 75 bhp, most claim 30/35, is this because the LPT is actually the same turbo as the more powerful models just reigned in a bit ?

How would it put up with it, do they stay reliable, do they melt pistons ?

oreA

The 150 bhp & 185 bhp models are basically the same except for the software. There are differences when you get to the 'High Output Turbo' (HOT/Aero) models - I think the turbo is different, they have larger injectors and maybe more efficient intercoolers, but someone with more robust knowledge will confirm this.

There will be no melted pistons! The engines are soild and go on for hundreds of thousands of miles, just change your oil more frequently if you chip it.

Some Saabers have had their DI (Direct Ignition) casette give up the ghost when they first chip their car, but this might just be making an existing problem symptomatic. Easy enough to replace, but £150.

Try http://www.saabscene.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

&/or http://www.saabcentral.com/index.htm

Kevin Mc

They are excellent cars - just expensive to fix when they go wrong. Though probably no more expensive than a Merc / BM etc. I keep coming back to them despite this.

Now have a 1998 9-5 2.0LPT - 150BHP, but am considering a Stage 1 upgrade to take me from 150BHP to:

for £470!

http://www.elkparts.co.uk/product_in...2026a509ff40a1

See this thread for 9-3 peeps with a Maptun Stage 3 (260-270BHP)

Maptun seem to do more extreme upgrades eg. this Stage 7 Saab 9000 CS 500 Hp, 600 Nm!! Not cheap though!

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Kevin, just got mine and am really pleased with it, did you get the upgrade ?

brickboy

Wow, stage 3 @ 260bhp thru the front wheels? Nice

Having had a Volvo T4 I have two words -- torque & steer Good fun on wet roundabouts

BrettC

J4CKO.

I assume that you have now got your new saab.

Whats the verdict? Do you like?

I have just bought a 9000 Aero.

cheers
brett

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Brett, Yes I am enjoying it, still seems quite a new car, performance is good, enought to keep a Focus ST170 honest earlier.

BrettC