E30 Zone

Really really fancy a 9-3 , had a craving for one for a few years since my dad's Missus had one new in 2005 and think i'am going to take the plunge once ive sold this 2006 corsa ive got sat on my drive

Something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-9-3-2-0T ... 052wt_1185

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-SAAB-9-3 ... 535wt_1185

They seem really good value for money ?

Any problems to look out for with one ?

whats the best engine out of the bunch?

Fancy an Aero but a loaded up 1.9tid (150) or 2.0t takes my fancy too.

Are they Just vauxhall engines ?

They are cheap because they are rather crap. The fact that they are dead and buried probably doesn't help either. An E46 is a better car in every way, albeit for more money.

Badge engineered Vectra.

Alex there actually a pretty nice car to drive. My younger brother has had a few all were very reliable but expensive to service. The best engine is the 1.9 twin turbo diesel its bloody quick and still manages a good 45 MPG.

If you can find one at a decent Price the turbo x is a proper beast, 4 wheel drive 2.8 turbo I think. Went out for test drive in one with my brother in it and the noise it made was pretty immense but it was also 22k at a year old.

They share a few components with the old vectra but not much to be fair.

Last but not least the estate and cabby hold there money better.

Pistonheads types seem to love them

IIRC they do a "t" and a "T" Turbo models - the big "T" ones are the ones to have.

Wasnt there a problem with the bulkheads cracking on some of them ?

Only driven one - a 900 2.3. It was yawn-inspiring.

Recently had a saab 900 se turbo on a p reg ha 97k on the clock full service history picked it up for 250£and it swayed.my.opinion on saab as a whole I was really impressed, not a bad car as.for the.newer models.i cant say for sure but I think if your happy who cares what peeps say read up on reviewsetc im sure you will find the info u need

The one to have is the 900 based 9-3 that arrived in around 1999 and ended in 2002/3. They're a good strong car that drives quite well, have a nice interior (get one with the wood and leather) and a massive boot. They're worth absolutely bugger all - a grand will buy a really nice tidy one on an X/Y/51 plate. The non Turbo 2 litre is the best buy. They use Cavalier Mark 111 running gear and there's nothing wrong with that.
Whilst Saabs weren't a pound for pound competitor with BMW when new, they make good secondhand cars now. The 2 litre Petrol mis the old 16 valve Saab unit which, with regular oil changes will go on forever. The post 2003 Vectra based one predictably wasn't as robust and iirc the 1.9 diesel can have issues, along with every other diesel made in the last 10 years.

This is the original 9-3:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Saab-9-3 ... 483fabbebd

£1400 is a bit strong as well - you'll pay 800 quid for that in an auction.

I had a 54 plate 9-3 Vectra sport, 1.9 Turbo diesel and I really enjoyed. Had her from new and my only real gripe was that it went through Pirellis in next to no time. You can pick one up now for beer money.

Bloody hell Alex, you change cars more frequently than Chelsea change managers!

Dont like the original 9-3's there hideous, would be a 2002 onwards 4 door one.

Is the twin turbo diesel 1.9 the 150bhp one ?

Andyboy wrote:They use Cavalier Mark 111 running gear and there's nothing wrong with that.

bss325i wrote:

Andyboy wrote:They use Cavalier Mark 111 running gear and there's nothing wrong with that.

What goes wrong with it? It's not exotic, but it's cheap, simple and tough.

Cv boots and link arms...^^^^^

Do they have the trademark Vauxhall clutch pedal squeak ?

Try looking for a series of Top gear IE the series which has just finished,they did a really good article all about Saab's.Here you go I found it!

Andyboy wrote:

bss325i wrote:

Andyboy wrote:They use Cavalier Mark 111 running gear and there's nothing wrong with that.

What goes wrong with it? It's not exotic, but it's cheap, simple and tough.

So is a horse drawn cart.

Or an E30.......

bss325i wrote:

Andyboy wrote:

bss325i wrote:

What goes wrong with it? It's not exotic, but it's cheap, simple and tough.

So is a horse drawn cart.

LOL