Saab V 307

rev_henry

pitkin2020 wrote: »

generally engine parts are never really an issue but body panels etc can be problematic. Rover went years ago yet nearly every part you could want is still on the shelves or being made. If the market is there suppliers will continue to make the parts.

Don't know about saab but I know the rover parts business was immediately bought by Xpart, and is thus effectively alive and well as it was before MGR went bust.

As you're used to a 5-series, what about a 90s merc s-class or something? A cursory search on ebay brought up something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1993-MERCEDES-BENZ-S-CLASS-3-2-LPG-LUXURY-CAR-LEATHER-PX-WELCOME-/160707666815?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item256aec637f#ht_1235wt_1270

I know its been around the world but something a bit more expensive, newer and with lower miles?

pitkin2020

rev_henry wrote: »

Don't know about saab but I know the rover parts business was immediately bought by Xpart, and is thus effectively alive and well as it was before MGR went bust.

Totally correct, and I too have no idea on the Saab situation but I would be very surprised if there weren't already a pattern part for pretty much every part on the saab already.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

i reckon the saab is good vehicle, a neighbour has swarn by the petrol version and had a ltd ed telladega not so long back never complained it broke down, never complained parts were epensive or service bits.

merc are highly priced and has trouble with the auto box's. not somethging you want in an auto car

rev_henry

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

merc are highly priced and has trouble with the auto box's. not somethging you want in an auto car

Not the old ones (up to late 90s). Though of course an old mercedes will be just as expensive to maintain and run as a new one, albeit at a fraction of the price to buy the car initially.

ventureuk

Trebor16 wrote: »

Just bear in mind that Saab have just gone bust so parts availability in future years could be problematic.

Swedish law means that parts suppliers have to have spares available for 10yrs following the collapse of a brand produced there and when combined with the fact many major components are GM based this will not likely be an issue at all.

I have two 9-3s one being a petrol convertible, the best buy is a well spec'd 1.8t petrol, don't buy the diesel too many problems, the 2.0T Aero commands a much higher price.

Find a 1.8t with the TX pack and it is very close to the spec of an Aero but with half not full leather and without the harsh sports suspension.

The engine in all the 9-3 petrol is essentially the same, the major difference in the software. For less then £500 you can have the 1.8t upgraded to the 2.0T Aero engine software using approved software from Hirsch ( this is a Saab approved upgrade) but you will save much more than £500 by buying the 1.8t.

Saab are in receivership but there is a good chance the Turks or Chinese may be allowed to buy them.

Saab over Peugeot anytime btw but I am biased and Sweden is a wonderful country full of fantastic people

Whatever you buy, make sure the roof is down as much as possible, use it for what what it was intended and enjoy.


https://www.saabsunited.com

I should add that servicing a 9-3 petrol is very competitive if you find a good local specialist and service intervals can stretch as long as 20,000 due to the use of fully synthetic high quality oil.

An interim service at a Saab specialist can be had for £99 +vat and a major service £179 +vat.

I've just had an oil change only with fully synthetic oil for £60.

kaggy

Thank you all so much for your help, sorry I haven't been back on here but my knee got even worse so I have been spending quite a lot of time at my doctors. I went to see a Saab 9:3 1.8T Vector Convertible today and take delivery of it tomorrow, it drives beautifully and I was very happy with the deal I got. Yet again I have bought a car without my husband even looking at or driving it, he did at least tell me to get it this time

Once again, many thanks

Karen

lighting_up_the_chalice

There's a very good reason why people with Saabs replace them...... with Saabs. You won't regret it.

Strider590

The Saab IS a Vauxhall Vectra in a frock.... The GM Epsilon platform to be precise.

Amazing how people slag off Vectra's and then turn around to say how great Saab's are.... lol

Telling people their Saab is a Vectra, is nearly as much fun as telling a Jag x-type owner they paid 30k for a Ford Mondeo

verityboo

Be aware that the saab 9-3 suffered from cracked bulkheads around the steering rack (like the vauxhalls they were based on). A simple test is to try and turn the steering wheel with the engine off. It will be heavy of course, but you have to watch to see if the pedals move (they shouldn't of course)

Many cars will have been repaired under warranty and if you google the problem, you can buy a strengthening kit quite cheaply which would definitely be recommended to try and prevent problems in the future if you decide to buy one

ventureuk

Strider590 wrote: »

The Saab IS a Vauxhall Vectra in a frock.... The GM Epsilon platform to be precise.

Amazing how people slag off Vectra's and then turn around to say how great Saab's are.... lol

Telling people their Saab is a Vectra, is nearly as much fun as telling a Jag x-type owner they paid 30k for a Ford Mondeo

Beetle - 911
Any Skoda - Any Audi - Any SEAT - Any VW - Lamborghini
Phaeton - Bentley
Rolls Royce - BMW
Ford - Mazda - Fiat
Vectra - Cadillac - Saab - Fiat - Mini
Peugeot - Mini - BMW
Alfa - Fiat - Ford
Toyota - Peugeot - Citroen

The list is endless, there is barely a car on the market that does not contain a platform, running gear, electronics or plastics from another manufacturer, it makes sound business sense.

As a qualified vehicle examiner your statement is meaningless in this context, it always makes me smile looking at the broken plastics inside a Bentley and seeing the VW badge but the Bentley is a much better car, as was the X Type over the Mondeo and the Saab over the Vectra/Cadillac.

There are really only half a dozen car manufactures in the world, the majority are just brands adapted, improved and kitted to a price to suit a market or customer.

Walk down the bread aisle at any supermarket, it's pretty much the same.