Would you buy a Saab?

Just about to reluctantly sell my wife’s 9-3 turbo diesel. 140,000 relatively trouble free miles on the clock. the biggest bill in the last three years was £500 for an alternator, a week after mine went in my Volvo. Ouch! It’s quite a nippy car as well, much better acceleration than my 2.0l V50.

Re parts was chatting to a colleague about his saab this mornig (think it’s a 53 plate) someone smashed the wing mirror so he took it to a local garage, they couldn’t get a mirror pod in the correct colour so suggest he gets the one they did find resprayed and he had to order the glass of e bay as they could not get that either

Northwind – Member

I was shopping further down the price range but as much as I liked the 9-5, it just didn’t seem to be a better deal than the equivalent Mondeo- which are better nailed together, by a company that still exists.
Sure they might have that Scandinavian cool image, but the above statement is true.
I have an old school friend who works for a German car mag and if they have to drive errands will always take a Focus or a Mondeo over pretty much any other car as its drama free & nice to drive.

As above, my retired Dad bought a Saab petrol and had loads of problems with it (no idea of year/model/milage), wiring loom issues, engine bolts loose, timing chain snapped recently destroying the engine.
My Mondeo 2002 Diesel has done 182000 and has been fault free for 12 years bar the usual wear and tear stuff. The engine/sus is good for another 100k IMO with just wear and tear upkeep.

Love the 9-5. had a 2.0t estate for 7 years, did 90,000 miles in it – great car. Sold it with 185,000 miles on the clock to another Saab enthusiast.

Upgraded to a ’04 9-5 Estate Aero in May last year – picked it up with 130k miles on it – interior is still like new, with the wonderful comfy seats. All the toys, and all for £2k.

There are still plenty of Saab indys around for servicing, parts are not a problem to get hold of.

And i agree with the earlier poster – the interior ergonomics and layout is brilliant – everything is where you need it, in order of priority.

I had a 9-3 Lpt (150bhp) proper Saab shape one and then a 9-5 Lpt (150bhp) both were 1999 cars.

Both were excellent cruising type cars. The 9-3 was rapid, got 140 on an autobahn in it, 9-5 was so comfortable, great cup holder!

Both very reliable. I took them over 130,000 miles with no problems to speak of other than consumables.

I’d love another if they weren’t so long in the tooth

Sad about Saab.

I would buy an Aero.

10k? Not a chance.

Why not a newshape Mondeo estate?

Saab Parts

I spoke to the MD of the UK division of the ‘new’ Saab company. They are signing up dealers and most of these are old official dealers or Saab specialist. 90% of parts should be available on a first pick basis and they have a system in place to scour all the European dealers for stock.

And don’t forget most of the mechanical parts are found on GM vehicles – the exception being some of the twin turbo engine parts.

Hth
Marko

http://www.saab.com/en-gb/uk/the-company/about-us/saab-automobile-parts-uk/

Lord Summerisle – when it comes time for me to look, could you give me advice on a Aero when I get drilled down to 1 particular car locally?

Slightly dated but decent buyers guide for 9-5 here

http://www.serioussaab.co.uk/guide_pages/9600_p1.html

There’s a STW of the Saab world if you want it UKSAABS. Or various other more US based ones like Saabscene, Saabcentral etc

I was shopping further down the price range but as much as I liked the 9-5, it just didn’t seem to be a better deal than the equivalent Mondeo- which are better nailed together, by a company that still exists.

Having owned both a 9-5 Aero and a mk3 Mondeo 2.0 Ghia I’d disagree with this. I know they’re not directly comparable in the model range but the 9-5 has a much nicer interior, percieved build quality is better, it’s more comfortable and vastly quicker, but then again it did cost £10k more when new. Fuel usage isn’t all that different, 27mpg vs 32mpg averages with my not exactly ecconomical driving style. The only way in which the Mondeo was better was in terms of steering feel.

It’s also not that difficult to find one/two owners cars with fsh that have been treated well for under £3k unlike the Mondeo market which just seems to be dross.

I’ve owned a mondeo estate and a Jag 3.0 Sport estate. Build quality, refinement, performance are worlds apart. Kept the Jag for five years and regret selling it. Definite recommend.

Hora – no worries: pop up to Edenfield and have a look at the 2 Aeros at TK Autos: http://www.tkautosltd.com/cars.php?id=3
Trev and the lads look after my Saabs when i need anything

Had a SAAB 9-5 2.3t 2002 – loved the look, hated the drive, came to despised the engineers. SAAB dealer had the cheek to charge £95+vat ph labour same as AUDI, BM and Merc all of who make superior cars that don’t break as often. My SAAB blew up quite spectacularily leaving a huge plume of smoke akin to a Shuttle launch, about 15minutes after the warranty ran out.

Buy a Kia.

Buy a Kia.

In a couple of weeks I’m going to be hiring a car ‘Ford Focus or similar’.

If they roll out a Kia C’eed or hyunda i30 I’ll use my Citroen C1 instead. I want to hire a Ford Focus.

Gribs- petrol 2.0 mondeo? Schoolboy error that I’m afraid!

Look nice interiors in the ones i looked at were beyond bland not great to drive not bad but not good sporty or comfortable just meh.
As to buying one with an eye on reliability and parts i wouldnt worry good support network still in place for them and a loyal band of nutters who love them.

http://www.tkautosltd.com/cars.php?id=3

4 owners and only 67k in 8yrs…
8 stamps- all the selling garages…

and its a Cat D.

Jaguar X-type? Now, I know there’s nothing wrong with them but I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t just buy a Mondeo? Could always buy some aftermarket fake wood dashboard trim if that’s what’s important…

Still got a 900 (new shape) and runs happily.

One thing I’d caution is that I shopped around for insurance on last renewal, current home insurance provider said their underwriter would no longer insure Saabs – parts and reducing chance of getting it fixed being main issue.

Any opinions of a 9-5 around 2005 era?
We need a car ASAP and there is one near by. Not the ideal car long term, so it would be an interim solution.

Low miles, around 50,000 and 2.0t petrol in Linear trim. Asking price is £3k. Not sure if that is a bit overpriced?

Looking for something reliable first and foremost but don’t want to loose out on depreciation either.

I had an 06 9-3 Vector Sport 1.9Tid

I put over 100k on it and the only issues were a couple of EGR valves which is a common issue with that engine weather it is fitted in a Saab, Alfa or Vauxhall.

Very nice spec inside and out reasonable performance with good economy.

I then went to a Volvo V50 Drive. Better built, better fuel economy but no go whatsoever!!

I prefer my current Jeep to either of the above though 🙂

I’ve been looking at the Seat Exeo ST. Not the biggest estate but it’s to replace a golf estate and I’m happy with the size. Anyone any thoughts?

mtbmatt, i’m guessing you haven’t been to see it yet. I was never going to buy a ‘grandad’s car’ until the wife dragged me off to see our 9-5. It’s a lot of car for £3k, very refined and comfy, not quite an audi or bmw but way ahead of ford, vauxhall.
I can’t see how saab prices can really fall any lower, if i didn’t already own one I would be buying one now they really are selling for peanuts due to the fear over parts. I also have a 20 year old Lancia so I know all about parts shortages but this is not something saab are going to suffer from for a long time yet.
We have ’01 3.0 tdi 9-5 Vector whic has been great. Apparently it’s the same engine as the Izuzu trooper but retuned with a bigger turbo. 160k miles now and still going strong. Had a couple things go wrong this year (split pipe, wheel bearing, etc) but nothing major and I have put 15k on it so I’m still happy.
Go and see it.

#sneaky edit# I think they got a facelift about 2005, ours is 2001 and has a tape player (FFS) and CD but the later one got touchscreens with Sat Nav. Other than that I think it is cosmetic stuff on the outside?

If they roll out a Kia C’eed or hyunda i30 I’ll use my Citroen C1 instead. I want to hire a Ford Focus.

hora, I cant speak for the hyundai but I wouldn’t dismiss the c’eed. I’ve had one at work for the last few months and it’s comfortable, quick and well put together. tbh the build quality is at least as good as the focus and golf we have

Jaguar X-type? Now, I know there’s nothing wrong with them but I just don’t understand why you wouldn’t just buy a Mondeo? Could always buy some aftermarket fake wood dashboard trim if that’s what’s important…

They are 2 different cars, much like comparing a Seat and an Audi.

I’ve the 3.0i, and its Jag-only engine plus AWD. A lot of the running gear is shared with the Mondeo, but that can only be a good thing – reliable and keeps the price down.

the Tape/CD/Radio unit was an upgrade over the basic system, also included a better speaker set up too.

There was an update to the model in around 2002. Sat Nav was added as an option, which included a 6 CD changer in one of the cubby holes in the boot. The sat Nav unit was updated in late 2005 to include a slot for CD to be inserted into the head unit, plus the CD changer in the boot – The SID unit was removed and the heater controls & steering wheel changed to a stock GM part. The post 2005 cars also had the Dame Edna headlight trim and the dash made out of hard plastic, rather than the earlier soft feel the older car had.

Personally i dont like the interiors of the post 2005 cars as much as the 1997 – 2004 cars.

b r – Member
They are 2 different cars, much like comparing a Seat and an Audi.

I’ve the 3.0i, and its Jag-only engine plus AWD. A lot of the running gear is shared with the Mondeo, but that can only be a good thing – reliable and keeps the price down.

Aren’t they both Duratec engines with different valves and engine management?

Wish I had not started looking at Saab’s!
I’ve gone from looking at linears to Aero HOT’s.

k

mtbmatt – Member

Wish I had not started looking at Saab’s!
I’ve gone from looking at linears to Aero HOT’s.

Matt I run a 2005 Aero Estate, great car pleanty of bike room, quick when you want it to be and very comfortable. It’s only drawback is the fuel consumption, I get 26 commuting and 32ish on the motorway. But to buy an equivilent aged 5 Series you’ll need to spend close to £7k. I also worked for a Saab dealer and Saab GB.

If you want to know anything else my email is in my profile.

Mike

have a 9-3 IIRC at work. Nice engine but the 6 speed box is horrid- very close gated and easy to miss shifts. Interior trim quite fragile and had a major water leak that wrecked some major electricals.

The Mr’s has a petrol Volvo V70 estate – awesome car, decent money and V reliable. and huge

I had a 57 plate 9-3 estate with leather heated seats, sat nav. It needed a cambelt change and 4 new tyres. I couldn’t afford it so I sold the car 🙁 Wish i’d sold a kidney & kept the saab

I didn’t find any problems with the gearbox, after the 3-series I’d had previously it was the nicest car I’ve owned. Would I have another? Possibly. But then I’d possibly have another Alfa too…

The best Saabs are those from before GM got their grubby mits on them – ‘classic’ 900s and 9000s. Totally robust and would go on for ever. I drove 2 to over 200K, and sold them running well. Gearboxes have been their only weakness. Their amazing engineering and build quality is why you still see so many around now.

Saabs decreased in quality the longer GM owned them. GM were basically asset strippers – they bought into Saab during the 90s, to compete with Ford buying Volvo and Jaguar – but whereas Volvos became better under Ford, Saabs became worse and worse under GM. GM wanted to plunder some of Saab’s innovations and improve GM build quality, but in return they made Saab dip into their dodgy common parts bin. Thus you had engines which would blow up after 50K, and suspension which would need total replacement by 7oK – not to mention a host of electrical gremlins.

So newer Saabs are by no means as good and as long-lived as their forebears, and they will therefore cost you more to run. However, when everything works, they can still feel very good (and Saab kept some control on things like the driver ergonomics and the seat comfort.) I’ve currently got a 55 reg 9-3 TiD sportswagon, and I’ve had to replace most of the usual weak points identified by others, but at 167K it still drives well and handles beautifully, and I am determined to take it up to 200K at least (which at my rate of mileage will be by Christmas of this year!)

Matt – go for it – 9-3s are worth it if you can buy them cheaply enough, and I believe the later ones are better screwed together than the earlier ones. 9-5s are also lovely and cavernous in terms of interior space (loadsa bikes!) but less economical – and they are more dated.

However, the truth is, I still find most other cars boring to drive….I think only the Octavia VRS estate floats my boat (substitute appropriate Mr Toad metaphor) in terms of VFM loadcarrying rocket potential.

So the proper “looking” starts this afternoon, Saab still on the list, the jag is still in there, Alfa 159 sw poss Volvo s70? Anything else? I know I’m gonna end up with something like a bloody 5 series saloon if we’re not careful!

Rusty the 2.4?

Great info. Hasn’t put me off them at all.

yep 2.4petrol, averages 30mpg on local and nearly 40 on m-way. Dosnt have injector issues of the diesel and holds value worse than diesel equiv which is fine if you intend to keep.

Not had any issues with wishbones/bushes which is a common fault area, but rear handbrake shoes&cables needed re building and two new rear calipers – genuine volvo parts aren’t bad price.

Plush interior with leather heated memory seats, dual air con, brilliant radio/cd changer etc etc

Loads of brilliant ‘swedish’ design features – load nets that pull out of seat backs to stop stuff coming through from rear when you drop the seats, 2lt bottle holders, ‘secret’ compartments under load area etc etc

Built like a tank-wife crashed into a wall with it so I replaced bumper and bonnet, really impressed with how solid it is underneath.

No rust anywhere (galvanised) on a 55 plate.

Fitted with proper winter tires and ‘snow’ button on auto box -was pretty unstoppable in snow over last few years.

Not much of a drivers car – too heavy and soft but brilliant long distance load lugger.

Wife went from a MX5 to the V70 under protest (for her business) but would now not change to anything else-loves it. Would buy another tomorrow if stolen/written off.

wrightyson, I thought you wuz a builder, not an arse-i-tect, no? 😛

Well we’re getting rid of our 9-3 tdi. Nothing but trouble, inlet manifold went, wheel brearings, both front springs broke, vehicle ecu, clutch master cylinder & alternator have all failed in the last two years. Great car when it works just expendive. I wouldn’t by car with the 1.9tdi engine now (its in quite a few makes)

The ironing is the my 2.4 desiel alfa has been more reliable.