Saab 9-3 1.9TiD Vector Sport [150] Diesel Sport buyers tips
Discussion
Hi Guys I am thinking of buying a Saab 9-3 1.9TiD Vector Sport [150] 4dr Diesel Sport Saloon 2006, never had a Saab before though.
Does anyone who's had this car got have any advice on it e.g. how is it to drive? any issues mechanical/engine wise that youve had or that i should be aware of?
Also is the car known to have any major problems? I have read a few stories about engine failure?
Are parts easy to get hold off/affordable?
Finally I am looking for a used car under 90,000 miles what kind of price range should I be looking at? Ive seen one at £6000 and another similar milage one(75,000 miles) at £4300 (the price difference has sent some alarm bells ringing esp with the latter car i.e. could be something wrong with it? hence the price difference).
Any other advice about the car would be greatly apprrciated.
Does anyone who's had this car got have any advice on it e.g. how is it to drive? any issues mechanical/engine wise that youve had or that i should be aware of?
Also is the car known to have any major problems? I have read a few stories about engine failure?
Are parts easy to get hold off/affordable?
Finally I am looking for a used car under 90,000 miles what kind of price range should I be looking at? Ive seen one at £6000 and another similar milage one(75,000 miles) at £4300 (the price difference has sent some alarm bells ringing esp with the latter car i.e. could be something wrong with it? hence the price difference).
Any other advice about the car would be greatly apprrciated.
I had a 55 reg 2006 model year, 9-3 1.9TiD 150 Linear Sport (basically the same as the Vector Sport, other than ride height and trim, The Linear Sport had full leather 16in rims, the Vecrtor has half leather, 17in ruimes, etc). I bought it 2 years ago at £4500 with 77k on the clock, it was written off a couple of months ago (whilst parked!!!), it then had nearly 120k on the clock.
Issues not many if you are a long distance driver otherwise you can get DPF issues, alternators are also weak (I had mine replaced), front springs prone to failure, but this is true of a lot of modern cars.
Very comfortable, good mpg 43-47 all round (I had an auto) and 55 easily on a long motorway journey. Baser stereo is crap, better to get one with the Option 2 upgrade.
Regarding price, thats a tricky one, prices should be falling through the floor, my insurance co offered me just under 3K for my car, which I considered to be fair. I would have thought that around £4.5K for a 2006 70-90 miler would be about right, but be aware that some parts are now in short supply, mechanically it's easy as most of the bits can come from a vauxhall, but body parts, trim, light clusters, etc are in short supply, and the prices are being wound up. When the repairer tried to get rear lights for mine, Saab had none, and the pattern suppliers were charging as much as Saab did, because they could.
davidy
Issues not many if you are a long distance driver otherwise you can get DPF issues, alternators are also weak (I had mine replaced), front springs prone to failure, but this is true of a lot of modern cars.
Very comfortable, good mpg 43-47 all round (I had an auto) and 55 easily on a long motorway journey. Baser stereo is crap, better to get one with the Option 2 upgrade.
Regarding price, thats a tricky one, prices should be falling through the floor, my insurance co offered me just under 3K for my car, which I considered to be fair. I would have thought that around £4.5K for a 2006 70-90 miler would be about right, but be aware that some parts are now in short supply, mechanically it's easy as most of the bits can come from a vauxhall, but body parts, trim, light clusters, etc are in short supply, and the prices are being wound up. When the repairer tried to get rear lights for mine, Saab had none, and the pattern suppliers were charging as much as Saab did, because they could.
davidy
Edited by DavidY on Monday 3rd September 22:14
Hi,
I've had a '56 reg Dec 2006 (2007 interior) 1.9 tid 150 Sport Vector Sports Wagon now for 3 1/2 years and completed over 60k in that time. Prior to that I had a BMW 335d touring.
The problems I've encountered seem to be pretty common and so I'd always suggest checking for the things I've had to sort, namely:- replace the alternator, manifold Swirl Valves and, a very common problem (and expensive), the dual mass fly wheel . Google it, you'll see plenty of mentions.
In the late 2006 models Saab introduced the latest interior which was to appear in the MY07 model and I'd highly recommend you seek one out. Prior to that the interior was awful in terms of build and quality.
Beyond those find one with a solid service history and I think they make a great buy. When I was looking there was chat of reliability problems but the 1.9tid engine is solid if not that exciting and, for my daily commute, it’s been a perfect car considering the relevant price of equivilant German manufacturers. It can cruise at a decent speed, it returns around 48mpg and is very quiet and comfortable. Also, the Sports Wagon is a good looking car (IMO and why I went for it over the saloon) and offers proper estate proportions without being overly large.
In terms of price they seem to currently range from c.£5,000-£6,500 depending on spec and condition. I’m considering selling mine as I’ve no need for an estate (feel free to PM me if you end up considering a Sport Wagon) and with all the recent work done I'd be hoping for around £5,250.
Frankly, whilst I don't really need an estate should I come across a late model Aero with the X pack kit (discrete body kit) I would be sorely tempted to go again with a 9-3.
Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Coolhurst.
I've had a '56 reg Dec 2006 (2007 interior) 1.9 tid 150 Sport Vector Sports Wagon now for 3 1/2 years and completed over 60k in that time. Prior to that I had a BMW 335d touring.
The problems I've encountered seem to be pretty common and so I'd always suggest checking for the things I've had to sort, namely:- replace the alternator, manifold Swirl Valves and, a very common problem (and expensive), the dual mass fly wheel . Google it, you'll see plenty of mentions.
In the late 2006 models Saab introduced the latest interior which was to appear in the MY07 model and I'd highly recommend you seek one out. Prior to that the interior was awful in terms of build and quality.
Beyond those find one with a solid service history and I think they make a great buy. When I was looking there was chat of reliability problems but the 1.9tid engine is solid if not that exciting and, for my daily commute, it’s been a perfect car considering the relevant price of equivilant German manufacturers. It can cruise at a decent speed, it returns around 48mpg and is very quiet and comfortable. Also, the Sports Wagon is a good looking car (IMO and why I went for it over the saloon) and offers proper estate proportions without being overly large.
In terms of price they seem to currently range from c.£5,000-£6,500 depending on spec and condition. I’m considering selling mine as I’ve no need for an estate (feel free to PM me if you end up considering a Sport Wagon) and with all the recent work done I'd be hoping for around £5,250.
Frankly, whilst I don't really need an estate should I come across a late model Aero with the X pack kit (discrete body kit) I would be sorely tempted to go again with a 9-3.
Hope this helps,
Cheers,
Coolhurst.
Just bought one of these last week after my 1999 9-3 2.2TiD engine gave up at 165,000 miles.
It's done 62,000 miles, and I paid £4,600 from a dealer after a lot of negotiating.
Gratuitous pics:
First impressions are that it is much more refined than my previous 9-3, very comfortable, and much better value than a similar age/mileage BMW. It's a 1.9TiD Vector Sport 150bhp, and is plenty quick enough for commuting. Lots of spec including heated seats, cruise and dual zone climate control.
Phunk - It's a timing belt, and think the intervals are 70k.
Would definitely recommend one. It's even better than I thought it would be.
It's done 62,000 miles, and I paid £4,600 from a dealer after a lot of negotiating.
Gratuitous pics:
First impressions are that it is much more refined than my previous 9-3, very comfortable, and much better value than a similar age/mileage BMW. It's a 1.9TiD Vector Sport 150bhp, and is plenty quick enough for commuting. Lots of spec including heated seats, cruise and dual zone climate control.
Phunk - It's a timing belt, and think the intervals are 70k.
Would definitely recommend one. It's even better than I thought it would be.
Will - you're on holiday - get off here!
I was looking at this:
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/saab...
However I spoke to the seller who seems like a bit of a plank and insists that it has a timing chain.
I was looking at this:
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/saab...
However I spoke to the seller who seems like a bit of a plank and insists that it has a timing chain.
A rather timely resurrection of this thread, as I am considering buying one of these.
Has to be a sport wagon, it has to be a Vector Sport and ideally black.
I wanted to go for the 2007 model as I believe the interior was much improved. I understand anything before '07 caused issue if you wanted to upgrade the stereo?
Has to be a sport wagon, it has to be a Vector Sport and ideally black.
I wanted to go for the 2007 model as I believe the interior was much improved. I understand anything before '07 caused issue if you wanted to upgrade the stereo?
fin racer said:
I wanted to go for the 2007 model as I believe the interior was much improved. I understand anything before '07 caused issue if you wanted to upgrade the stereo?
the interior was slightly improved, and your right about the stereo, pre 2007 used fibre optics so there was no easy way of changing itAll the buys guide info is available on the internet if you just search carefully. Anyways, I will repeat the info...
Things to check:
Do the wipers do a full sweep? (Linkage is a common weak point)
Has the alternator ever been replaced (again a weak point)
See if you can check the intercooler. They can split at around 100k
water pumps are more common failures than the cam belt tensioner, so check if that has been done at the same time as the belt. Chances are, it hasn't.
Does the engine run smoothly? lumpy running or loss of power can mean a faulty EGR valve
Play in the steering? (Knackered track control arms. Budget around £100+ to fix)
Pads are about £70 a set a discs are from £30 for a set of fronts. Rear calipers can sieze and thats about £90 per unit. Spongy pedal will mean knackered pads and discs.
Expect dealers to be nervous about warranties due to Saab going under.
Things to check:
Do the wipers do a full sweep? (Linkage is a common weak point)
Has the alternator ever been replaced (again a weak point)
See if you can check the intercooler. They can split at around 100k
water pumps are more common failures than the cam belt tensioner, so check if that has been done at the same time as the belt. Chances are, it hasn't.
Does the engine run smoothly? lumpy running or loss of power can mean a faulty EGR valve
Play in the steering? (Knackered track control arms. Budget around £100+ to fix)
Pads are about £70 a set a discs are from £30 for a set of fronts. Rear calipers can sieze and thats about £90 per unit. Spongy pedal will mean knackered pads and discs.
Expect dealers to be nervous about warranties due to Saab going under.
Hi, (first time poster)
just been to see this example:
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I think it is a good deal personally. Body work excellent, interior good, drove well, no obvious noises, no smoke and 3 brand new tyres
The problem I have is that the service history is a bit patchy. Serviced on 64k, cam belt changed. Then the next stamp (non Saab dealer) is 110k, cam belt changed again and water filter (I think)
Would this set off alarm bells? I really like the car but this the first time I'm buying a car for myself so was interested in hearing any Saab user advice! It will need a service straightaway. It looks like it was a fleet car for less than 6 months and then had only one owner after that. It is currently being sold by dealer who is confident it will be sold very very soon!
Any tips appreciated! Anything I should look out for, I might go an see it again tomorrow.
Cheers, Alex
just been to see this example:
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I think it is a good deal personally. Body work excellent, interior good, drove well, no obvious noises, no smoke and 3 brand new tyres
The problem I have is that the service history is a bit patchy. Serviced on 64k, cam belt changed. Then the next stamp (non Saab dealer) is 110k, cam belt changed again and water filter (I think)
Would this set off alarm bells? I really like the car but this the first time I'm buying a car for myself so was interested in hearing any Saab user advice! It will need a service straightaway. It looks like it was a fleet car for less than 6 months and then had only one owner after that. It is currently being sold by dealer who is confident it will be sold very very soon!
Any tips appreciated! Anything I should look out for, I might go an see it again tomorrow.
Cheers, Alex
Hi, The link didn't work so not much to go on. I've got a 2006 vector sport 150 estate with 116k on, probably worth around £3000 ish, been a good car but not as economical as i thought and taking 2 days to find the correct replacement exhaust is a pain. Very few niggles and in my view a great car for the money.
Hi, The link didn't work so not much to go on. I've got a 2006 vector sport 150 estate with 116k on, probably worth around £3000 ish, been a good car but not as economical as i thought and taking 2 days to find the correct replacement exhaust is a pain. Very few niggles and in my view a great car for the money.
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