Hi...I am thinking of buying a SAAB 9-3 around the 98/99 model. I am from
the UK and would like to know any bad points about them ie cost of parts,
fuel consumption, resale value etc etc. Can you please offer any advice,
good or bad to help my decision. Much appreciated. Thanks

Oscar79 wrote:
My advice is to use google (groups). I'm pretty sure this one has been
covered eleventy billion times before.

--
-Fred W

On Mon, 05 Feb 2007 07:15:54 -0500, Fred W <malt_hound (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote:
Way to welcome the newcomer there... in theory, nearly every topic here
has been discussed. So maybe we sholdn't ask anything any more?

Dave Hinz wrote:
Perhaps you are right. Nothing new here, move along...

Actually, if it had been a specfic question it may have been worth the
time to answer. A general question such as that would require writing a
book.

BTW - I noticed that you didn't answer his question either, Dave. ;-)

--
-Fred W

On Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:38:38 -0500, Fred W <malt_hound (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote:
Or a clarifying question.

My experience with 9-3's is zero. Hardly the same as chasing the guy
away.

"Oscar79" <mdking1979 (AT) yahoo (DOT) co.uk> wrote

Goodo! Other people have detailed the background.

This can be expensive.

In UK terms, the petrol models are all pretty similar for consumption.
Their official book figures are typically ~19 for the urban cycle and ~40
for the extra urban cycle with combined cycle figures of around 30 to the
gallon. The diesel, well, you're looking at ~32, ~61, ~46 respectively.

The sweet spot of the range is either the 2.0t (150 / 154 bhp, 2.0, low
pressure turbo) or the 2.2 TiD (but I like diesels so I'm biased). SE
specification gets lots of toys but optional heated leather interior.

I particularily like the 2.0t because it produces decent thump lower down in
the rev range, Saab have given it reasonably tall gearing so it's quiet on
the motorway but picks up nicely when you give it a boot. It doesn't need
revs for decent acceleration (unlike the non-turbo 2.0), which probably
helps keep consumption down in real world terms. The 2.2 diesel isn't all
that quiet at idle but on the move it has a lovely* diesel thrum about it,
its multivalve 2.2 engine is keen to rev beyond the red line and it's also
not too bad on fuel. It is no economy champion but mine returns ~50 mpg
with my driving. That's why I run the diesel, I'm tight.

I'd avoid the 2.0 non-turbo. It's just as thirsty as the other machines, it
feels slower than the diesel on the road (despite being more powerful) and
whilst it doesn't have quite the same traction issues as the turbos, it's
just, well, erm... not as nice as the 2.0t.

The 2.0T has 185 or 205 bhp, feels perky in the upper gears. The 2.3
non-turbo is smooth but not especially rapid, it has ~150 bhp as I remember.
The 2.3 Viggen is viciously quick... it feels silly. 230 bhp or so, front
wheel drive, what feels like short gearing... Lovely. And no thirstier
than the boggo non-turbo 2.0 either. :-)

....but all 9-3s of this generation are limited by their traction. They
wheelspin. Lots. Even the 115 bhp diesel without it being chipped. It's a
Saab thing...

Of this age, they're cheap. They will get cheaper.

First off, find out if there's a decent Saab specialist nearby. I live in
York, I use a specialist in Boroughbridge, Griffin Autotechniks; they're
materially cheaper than a Saab main dealer but they know their stuff.

Secondly, get yourself down to the Saab forums and read up on the common 9-3
issues, such as the SID screens not working, the diesel's duff mass air
meter and importantly the bulkhead seperation issue type thing. These are
not to put you off but to help you spot it... I bought my 2000 TiD with a
duff mass air meter. It's a £250 part from Saab, I knocked off £400 from
the price and found a nearly new but used spare for £60...

Things to note about the 9-3 include the fact that the interior should be
rattle free, the heater and air conditioning should be powerful, the car,
well, solid to drive if uninspiring in the ordinary models. Don't get me
wrong, I like the way my 9-3 TiD drives, but it isn't exactly sporty
feeling.

--
The DervMan
www.dervman.com

Dave Hinz wrote:

How about a summary of all the top tips ?

Graham

"DervMan" <thedervman (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

I bought a 2003 93 in May and although I realise it's a later model I found
out everything I wanted to know..and some things I didn't !! at
www.saabcentral.com