Opinions on cheap Saab's as runaround?

BeenThroughItAll

verityboo wrote: »

Need to check for a cracked bulkhead on the Saab 9-3

This can be done by turning the steering wheel with the engine off (will be heavy!), you should check the peddles don't move

Most will be repaired or strengthened by now but worth checking

Not on an 04/05 SS you don't. Bulkhead a problem on the GM900 only.

Herzlos

getmeouttahere wrote: »

Thanks. The 2.8/3.7 may not be the best option then as I'm trying to save money in terms of fuel consumption. My mother suggested getting a small Peugeot but not keen on them really.

How much more are you willing to spend on a car to save £25/week in fuel?

zappahey

verityboo wrote: »

Need to check for a cracked bulkhead on the Saab 9-3

Only on the convertible, no?

BeenThroughItAll

zappahey wrote: »

Only on the convertible, no?

And only on the GM900 as I said. Not the 04/05 cars suggested in the OP.

verityboo

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

And only on the GM900 as I said. Not the 04/05 cars suggested in the OP.

Not sure why you say that. The 2002 9-3 Hatch I had needed the strengthening kit. I used the ABbott Racing kit - made specifically for that car because they suffered just like the earlier GM900 cars

Perhaps you shouldn't post if your not sure about these things, it affected both GM900 and 9-3 cars, both convertible and hatchback

BeenThroughItAll

verityboo wrote: »

Not sure why you say that. The 2002 9-3 Hatch I had needed the strengthening kit. I used the ABbott Racing kit - made specifically for that car because they suffered just like the earlier GM900 cars

Perhaps you shouldn't post if your not sure about these things, it affected both GM900 and 9-3 cars, both convertible and hatchback

Erm... Because the MY2002 9-3 IS the GM900 platform, just redesignated as the 9-3 in MY1999.

SS was introduced for MY2003 using the Epsilon platform. The SS did not suffer from bulkhead problems.

Perhaps you shouldn't post if you're not sure upon which platform your car was built.

TonicBristol

I bought a 52 plate Saab 9-3 Vector 2.0t with 54,000 on the clock over two years ago for a couple of grand and it hasn't missed a beat.

It's sailed through three MOTs in that time and the only thing needed apart from standard servicing/oil/tyres has been a new suspension arm.

They're fast, comfortable, cheap to run and also cheap to insure. Just got insurance for the next year for £202 and I'm a 30 year old guy.

getmeouttahere

Thanks everyone. Will be going to look at both cars today.

On getting insurance quotes, the saab 9-5 seems to be about £10/month more than the 9-3, but it's newer and only had 1 owner. The 9-3 looks nicer inside (from the photo's), but not sure about its history.

Will let you know how I get on.

TonicBristol wrote: »

They're fast, comfortable, cheap to run and also cheap to insure. Just got insurance for the next year for £202 and I'm a 30 year old guy.

Who are you insured with? Cheapest quote I've managed is £450 with 5 years protected no claims.

wiltsguy_2

i have had a couple of SAAB's, 900 & 9-3,both good cars and no mechanical issues. Only trouble i had was with the roof(both soft tops) which are tempermental but if you know what you are doing they were easy to fix!

The only thing i found annoying was the keys in the centre console and having to put the car in reverse to get them out!! not sure if they do that now on newer models..

CHR15

My 2004 9-3 didn't need to be in reverse but it does take a bit of getting used to having the key in your left hand when getting in.

Top tip for a new owner - If you blip the key three times when you are out of range to open it, the key unlock is disabled. You need to pull the metal key out of the housing and open the door manually.
Many have tripped over that little feature.
It's designed to stop someone nicking the keys and randomly walking around car parks trying to see which one it fits.