Saab TiD

albionrovers

Any Saab lovers/haters out there?
I'm thinking about a 57 plate from Motorpoint but haven't committed to anything. A 150hp Linear comes in about 12K.

120hp v 150hp? - what's the difference, I hear the 120 is ok?
Linear v Vector - what's the difference?
All opinions welcome.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Horrid, squeaky cheaply-built cars. Bargepole.

wuckfit

I had a 54 plate 120bhp Linear Sport, no problems with torque. it's economical too, getting around 500-600 miles to the tank. the 150 is not quite so economical. I thought that I'd read somewhere that the 120 was so successful that they'd stopped doing the 150.

As far as I can remember, the trim level goes Linear, Linear Sport, Vector, Vector Sport, Aero. when I got mine, the Linear Sport and Vector Sport levels (and the aero) had parking sensors, the linear and vector did not. The LS had cruise control, dual climatic air con and basic cd player and rear parking sensors. The vector had some more toys as well but I can't remember what they were.
If it's the saloon, I'd say that rear parking sensors are a must due to the lack of rear visibility - it's easy to forget the boot is there. with the sportwagon it's probably less of a big deal.

harveybobbles

Avoid at all costs unless it has warranty. they are trully hateful things! Ok to drive, but relaibilty is just a disgrace!

Manifolds, rails, fuel pumps, EGR valves, turbos, condensers, rear suspension arms, dual mass flywheel to name just a few things we do on near enough every Saab diesel we get in...

albionrovers

Cheers guys, views appreciated.

Now that I've snapped out of it, I think i'll continue to drive my 8 year old 5-series, it never misses a beat.

Kinda wish it was a diesel though, my mileage may be increasing somewhat very soon.

wuckfit

I have to concur with harveybobbles. Mine was never right from day one - it would hiccup occasionally at speed. Had something go and take out the turbo. also had numerous EGR valves fitted, and every time the engine light came on it usually meant emptying the wallet...
final straw for me really was when the front off-side suspension spring failed very soon after the MOT (total cost was a grand on a four year old car, including brake discs), which caused a virtually new tyre to blow out. On the motorway, I'd just merged onto the motorway at the time, but as it's the weird junction on the M8 it joins on the fast lane. So I had to fight the car across four or five lanes of motorway traffic on three tyres. It could have been a *lot* worse.

That said, the Saab was nice to drive, very comfortable, but its reliability, and running costs were a big negative point for me. I now drive a top-spec (L&K) Octavia Diesel estate.

harveybobbles

them L&K Skuds are brilliant! Value for money or what...?!

Oh, the other things we do on Saab's is front springs - they snap so easy. Also the alternator will suddenly fail, cusing loss of lots of the electrics - such as the PAS! However, Saab issued a recall on the alternator...

Chippy_Minton_2

120hp v 150hp? - what's the difference


Is it 8 valve v 16 valve?
Tis with Vauxhall and your are talking about a GM car.

Stick with the BMW.

Alan_M_2

I run two of these as company vehicles, assuming this is the 9-3.

Both are '57' plate Vector Sport Anniversary models. One a Sportwagon manual, the second a saloon.

In the two years we;ve owned these from new the only warranty claim we've had is for a new seat cover for split stiching in the wagon.

The wagon is now approaching 43,000 miles the saloon auto 30,000. Neither has missed a beat, both 150 bhp models, both average around 37mpg.

Both are due for renewal in Aug 09 one will be replaced by a Mercedes 350 cdi, which has more to do with business improving than car disapointing.

I have to say on the experience of running two of these both have been very good. How many of the previous posters have actually owned one rather then read problems on the internet?

IMO these are good cars and good value for money,

Alan_M_2

Chippy_Minton wrote: »

120hp v 150hp? - what's the difference

ECU, simply engine management, these are fundamentally the same engine.

Chippy_Minton_2

Alan_M wrote: »

Both are due for renewal in Aug 09 one will be replaced by a Mercedes 350 cdi, which has more to do with business improving than car disapointing.

Sorry to have to be the one to tell you, but it's November 21st today.:rolleyes: