Viewing 22 posts - 1 through 22 (of 22 total)
  • Buying a second hand Saab
  • rhysw
    Free Member

    Im thinking about buying a 2008 Saab 9-3 TTiD aero. You get a lot of car for your money but as they’ve gone bust, I’m worrying about selling it on and issues with spares. Does anyone own one of these or have any info on what there like to own?
    I’d be looking to keep it for at least 4 years, as long as its a good runner

    Cheers

    john_drummer
    Free Member

    I had a 57 plate 9-3TiD, lovely car but the Campbell was due a change at 72k miles. £600+ and 4 new tyres led me to get rid. If it’s a later model I think the cambelt change was due at 90k.
    Mine also had an occasional “flat spot” when cruising at 70.

    At the end of the day it’s a second hand car and they will depreciate. Spares shouldn’t be an issue

    spacemonkey
    Full Member

    We bought an 06 TDi Sportwagon from a main dealer last year (for similar reasons: you get a lot of car for your money). This was pre knowledge of any takeover. Have had a couple of warranty issues resolved (with free loan car) by said dealer. They reckon they’ll be around for a long while yet with their only problem being delays in getting hold of certain parts.

    FTR, look at indie options for servicing. Our’s is also okay for 2yr intervals – that’s not something Saab will tell you. If you dig around and find your car is eligible then tell them and they’ll admit it.

    Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middling Edition

    Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middlin...
    Latest Singletrack Videos
    stanley
    Full Member

    Hi John!
    Bought an 09 plate 9-3 TiD Sportwagon in January.
    I needed an auto as I have a shot left knee. Wanted to get something fairly solid (considered a V50 too)and these Saabs seem great value for money.
    Didn’t bother me that Saab had just gone bump; my car had already been made, they still make spares, and people know how to fix them!
    A good few thousand miles in and I’m happy with it. Auto means high fuel consumption around town, but great on the motorway- Better at 90mph than 40mph!
    A lot of car for the money. Buying cheap now means you can sell them cheap too if need be.

    hora
    Free Member

    I don’t see a problem plus the 1.9 diesel engine is well liked (as long as you stick religiously to the cambelt change intervals). Interms of parts supply – how many cars are there out there that are no longer made yet still kept on the roads? There will be parts available for a longtime yet.

    V8_shin_print
    Free Member

    We have an old ’01 V6 3.0 TiD 9-5 which i love! Had it a couple of years (4?) and it’s been pretty good, a couple of issues but not bad for a car which has done 155k miles. Parts are still ok to get and I wouldn’t expect there to be any problems for a long time.

    hora
    Free Member

    IF there ever was an issue Salvage yards etc sell parts.

    I’ve used salvage yards for cheap parts on my Subaru’s (which are alot rarer on the roads than Saabs).

    rhysw
    Free Member

    To be honest I’m stuck between the Saab, BMW 320d or an Audi A4

    john_drummer
    Free Member

    I’ve driven all of these, and owned 2 of them.

    I test drove an Audi A4 Avant, hated it. Like riding a rigid bike. Told the salesman, he thought I was having him on.

    Settled for a BMW 320d Touring (2004 plate), which I kept for 5 years. Small boot compared to the Saab, but chain cam engine should never need the camchain changing. I wish I’d kept it. apart from the pale grey cloth interior, that was a bad decision.

    greaseham
    Free Member

    Bought a 2008 9-3 1.9TiD two weeks ago… And totally love it.

    Between my wife and I, we’ve had 8 Saabs. We go to other makes but ALWAYS come back to a Saab. My 9-3 is extremely comfortable. Pretty quick (when you get the turbo spinning) and very economical.

    I drive a 70+ commute and I’ve almost halved my fuel costs since changing from a 2lt petrol. After doing some sums, I’m getting approx. 55 mpg.

    They may not have the same respect as BMW, Audi etc but you do get just as much car for virtually half the price.

    As for parts, Saab UK have started up again as a parts importer,and there’s plenty of spares out there.

    hora
    Free Member

    A4 or bland 3 series?!

    Nay!

    palmer77
    Free Member

    Hey, had a 2.3 Aero 9-5 and now have a 2.0 Aero 9-3. Great cars both of them. You noticed the turbo more in the older cars, the current one is more of a consistent power band. I take mine to Saab Tech who have now relocated to Welwyn Garden City. According to them spares have actually become more readily available as the stock held by the main company has been released.

    br
    Free Member

    If I was buying a Saab it would have to be far cheaper than an equivilent BMW/Audi/Merc/Volvo etc.

    donsimon
    Free Member

    As a bit of an aside. Isn’t the engine the same as the Alfa 1.9JTD and therefore contain interchangeable components? Other bits and bobs too?

    If I was buying a Saab it would have to be far cheaper than an equivilent BMW/Audi/Merc/Volvo etc.

    I think they are. 😀

    dr_adams
    Free Member

    are the engines not from the general motors comp? didn’t know they borrowed the alfa lot?

    dekadanse
    Free Member

    The 1.9 TiD engines are part of a joint GM/Fiat Group development, so cover Vauxhall, Opel, Saab, Fiat, Alfa and probably Lancia too. They’re widely used and mechanical spares are widely available (but be aware, Saab did some tweaking of their own) but not frankly the most reliable of engines. Cambelts should be changed religiously in tandem with water pumps, and there also can be inlet manifold issues, plus a tendency to go through alternators, dual mass fly wheels, and ERG(?) valves. They go very well when they go, though, especially on Saabs, and the TTiD variant you’re considering is the cream of the crop – sh1t off a shovel and better CO2 and fuel consumption too.

    Re spares and repairs, yes it is true, Saab UK have now become a spares importing business, but it’s far and away best to use a Saab specialist rather than an ex-main dealer. They’re cheaper, way more knowledgable, and generally have better integrity. Saabflight in E Sussex, 2-Stroke in Herts and Malbrad in Yorkshire are all outstanding, but there are about 50 others around the country that are worth seeking out.

    General build quality is not what it was before Saab were taken on by GM, when Saabs were bullet proof mechanically and in terms of bodywork – think how many classic 900s and 9000s you still see around. Sadly GM contibuted little other than their own mediocre parts bin, so as well as the mechanical issues listed above, modern 9-3s and 9-5s have quite a few electical problems plus the suspension is more fragile these days. However, they still are just about the most comfortable cars in the world, and feel (to me at least) very involving to drive.

    I’ve got a 55 reg 9-3 Sportswagon which is on 152K miles and racking them up at the rate of at least 30K a year. I plan to keep it until at least 200K.

    Oh, and finally – the 1.9 TiD engine is no great lover (along with other modern more spohisticated diesel engines) of supermarket fuel. Too much secret biofuel additives (up to 15%) means that you get biochemical reactions in your tank, which gets full of algae-like gunk and everything clogs up. Can be expensive in terms of particulate filters etc.

    donsimon
    Free Member

    I don’t know, but clicking the Z19DTR link in Wiki sends you off o the JTD Alfa page.
    The question still applies in that parts must be available from other sources.

    hora
    Free Member

    I was looking at a A4 estate as they do look nice (but a wee bit of a reverse-tardis). I came across one on here and it had a recent 3k bill. I 😯 and did some more research…not uncommon for Audi’s to have a combined high bill of consumables etc so don’t ‘worry’ about a Saab not being as reliable as a secondhand VAG.

    The GM/Fiat 1.9 engine is good- as I mentioned earlier though you need to religiously stick to the 40k cambelt change interval. Otherwise its good and has been in the Fiat fold for a longtime.

    rhysw
    Free Member

    Cheers for the info guys, very helpfull. I still want the Saab 9-3 TTid aero, just gotta sway my Mrs away from the Audi’s

    wwaswas
    Full Member

    reported

    Harry_the_Spider
    Full Member

    roady_tony
    Free Member

    get a skoda!

Viewing 22 posts - 1 through 22 (of 22 total)

The topic ‘Buying a second hand Saab’ is closed to new replies.