Which 9-3?

[Octoposse]

Hi - a Saab virgin with a long running saga of search for a wife/toddler friendly replacement for my 944 (less urgent now thanks to purchase of fabulous Fiat Punto for £600 on Ebay!) writes.....

Want performance + leather. Looked at a couple of BMWs, a Volvo T5 and a classic 900 Turbo. A 9-3 looks a good alternative but the naming conventions seem complex. I want the T5/Turbo equivalent - is that the "HOT"? And any pecking order of desirability within that?

Thanks . . .

[NiceCupOfTea]

Are you looking at "classic/og" 9-3 (98-02ish) or the ng 9-3 02ish on?

HOT = high output turbo as opposed to the LPT (low pressure). On the classic 9-3 the LPT was 150 bhp, full turbo 185bhp, and Aero / SE Sport was 205 (HOT). There was also the Viggen which had big power (250bhp?).

I would go for the 205 bhp "HOT" personally.

[Cosworth750]

The older 9-3 HOT is 205bhp, the 02 model onwards is a 2.8 V6 found in the Vectra VXR with 250bhp.

[philmh]

I've owned my 9-3 Aero almost a year now and can't fault it. It's quick, comfy and safe.

[Octoposse]

Thanks - 205 bhp "HOT" it is!

[LesKellet]

Viggen = 225bhp.