9-3 vert 2.0 Aero or 2.8?
Discussion
I have a 2007 9-3 Aero 'vert 2.0 litre and before that had a 1.9 Vector diesel 'vert.I cant speak for the 2.8 but I love the 9-3 'vert generally and especially my Aero 
I test drove/viewed the 3 Series, Audi A4 and Volvo (60 or 70 I cant remember) and there was only 1 choice for me. The 9-3 seats 4 comfortably plus you can get a boot full of luggage in if you and the Mrs want 2 weeks grand touring in Europe (NB Do some measurements with the roof retracted and shop around for luggage: I got a 3 piece set from Argos which all fit with the roof down. Dead cheap too).
You also have the back seat for stuff as well.
If you go 9-3 get a wind deflector thingy for the cab - it makes a big difference. Having owned a number of convertibles it is by far the best with the wind deflector in, in terms of less wind (and less moans from Mrs O regarding her hair blowing around
)
I find the handling fine for my needs but you can spend some dosh and upgrade (look for some threads on here). If you go 2.0litre then a visit to SaabNoob is a MUST who for 80 quid and a couple of hours of your tme will tune it up to 250bhp/370NM of torque. Karl is a nice bloke too and v knowledgeable.
Tax is a kick in the 'nads as its over £400
but that has to be a buyers decision when purchasing I reckon 
It hurts every year but soon forgotten
MPG isnt the greatest but depending on your driving style and the type of driving you do, over 30mpg is bandied around on here. I get late 20's on sensible long runs, less around town and if giving it beans, naturally
I think they have real presence plus there are not toooo many of them around either.
Cheers
I test drove/viewed the 3 Series, Audi A4 and Volvo (60 or 70 I cant remember) and there was only 1 choice for me. The 9-3 seats 4 comfortably plus you can get a boot full of luggage in if you and the Mrs want 2 weeks grand touring in Europe (NB Do some measurements with the roof retracted and shop around for luggage: I got a 3 piece set from Argos which all fit with the roof down. Dead cheap too).
You also have the back seat for stuff as well.
If you go 9-3 get a wind deflector thingy for the cab - it makes a big difference. Having owned a number of convertibles it is by far the best with the wind deflector in, in terms of less wind (and less moans from Mrs O regarding her hair blowing around
)I find the handling fine for my needs but you can spend some dosh and upgrade (look for some threads on here). If you go 2.0litre then a visit to SaabNoob is a MUST who for 80 quid and a couple of hours of your tme will tune it up to 250bhp/370NM of torque. Karl is a nice bloke too and v knowledgeable.
Tax is a kick in the 'nads as its over £400
but that has to be a buyers decision when purchasing I reckon It hurts every year but soon forgotten MPG isnt the greatest but depending on your driving style and the type of driving you do, over 30mpg is bandied around on here. I get late 20's on sensible long runs, less around town and if giving it beans, naturally
I think they have real presence plus there are not toooo many of them around either.
Cheers
Hey oblio, thanks for detailed reply, much appreciated. I've had numerous convertibles over the years and agree about the wind deflector. How do you find the noise level with the roof up pn the motorway? I appreciate they will never be anywhere near as quiet as hardtops but I have had varying degrees of noise with different soft tops. I had a Z4 which was pretty noisy even with the roof up, and an XK8 which was almost silent with the same!
Thanks again...
Thanks again...
I purchased a 2.0 Aero convertible last week, so limited mileage/experience.
However, at 70 mph on the motorway (windows up/no wind deflector) it was superb.
There was a small amount of buffering (to be expected) but nothing to detract from the roof down experience.
PS I am off to see Karl at the end of the month for the £80.00 'tweak' of the ECU - looking forward to the results
However, at 70 mph on the motorway (windows up/no wind deflector) it was superb.
There was a small amount of buffering (to be expected) but nothing to detract from the roof down experience.
PS I am off to see Karl at the end of the month for the £80.00 'tweak' of the ECU - looking forward to the results
THEROCKETMAN said:
Hey oblio, thanks for detailed reply, much appreciated. I've had numerous convertibles over the years and agree about the wind deflector. How do you find the noise level with the roof up pn the motorway? I appreciate they will never be anywhere near as quiet as hardtops but I have had varying degrees of noise with different soft tops. I had a Z4 which was pretty noisy even with the roof up, and an XK8 which was almost silent with the same!
Thanks again...
HiyaThanks again...
No issues here. Obviously there is some noise, buffeting etc and tbh motorways are not the best way to enjoy soft tops as we know but still better than the others I have owned. My TVR was a Griffith so had a back hood which could be up or down, which was pretty good (but over the V8 you couldnt hear much anyway
). The Saab is better than the 2 Astons Iv owned, by far!Resse: best 80 quid you'll spend
THEROCKETMAN said:
Hi all. I am considering a facelift (2008)9-3 Convertible. Can anyone provide feedback or advice on pros and cons between the 2.0 and 2.8? Also, opinions generally on ownership greatly appreciate :-)
Thanks in advance....
Have a look at www.uksaabs.co.uk as well - you may pick up some pointers there.Thanks in advance....
NB Other Saab forums re available...its just that I havent joined them
before i bought my 2.0 i test drove the 2.8 and the differece is a bit more grunt but more fuel. so i took the middle road and the dealer gave it a Hirsch remap which made all the difference. Really is best of both worlds.
http://www.saabparts.com/Global/PDF/UK/Hirsch_Broc...
http://www.saabparts.com/Global/PDF/UK/Hirsch_Broc...
oblio said:
RESSE said:
oblio:
Agreed
The forum topics I have read about Karl are very good/positive and I am looking forward to meeting him.
Nice fella Agreed
The forum topics I have read about Karl are very good/positive and I am looking forward to meeting him.
Knows a lot about Saabs
Sound bloke
The mid range grunt is much, much better and the car pulls so smoothly.
Best £80.00 ever spent on a 'tweak'.
Karl helpfully pointed out a couple of things I can get done at small cost.
1. Replacement dummy shark's fin aerial for the boot as mine is cracked.
2. Replacement fan blower buttons for the air con as mine are worn out.
Prawnboy said:
before i bought my 2.0 i test drove the 2.8 and the differece is a bit more grunt but more fuel. so i took the middle road and the dealer gave it a Hirsch remap which made all the difference. Really is best of both worlds.
http://www.saabparts.com/Global/PDF/UK/Hirsch_Broc...
you want to try a remapped 2.8T, they really do go wellhttp://www.saabparts.com/Global/PDF/UK/Hirsch_Broc...
2 litre is pretty lethargic out of the box, comes alive with a remap.
2.8t is about the same power as a remapped 2.0, depending on age/model as there's several variants of that engine from 260-300bhp.
They are capable of good economy - I get 30ish on a run from my 2.8T auto, and that's dragging the 4WD system with it too, six speed manuals should be good for mid 30s on a run. The 2.8, particularly the autos will obviously do less around town.
Then as loco says, there's always the remap option for the V6.....
Oh and tax is £500 on the V6s... so it's another small chunk more. Lovely engine though.
2.8t is about the same power as a remapped 2.0, depending on age/model as there's several variants of that engine from 260-300bhp.
They are capable of good economy - I get 30ish on a run from my 2.8T auto, and that's dragging the 4WD system with it too, six speed manuals should be good for mid 30s on a run. The 2.8, particularly the autos will obviously do less around town.
Then as loco says, there's always the remap option for the V6.....
Oh and tax is £500 on the V6s... so it's another small chunk more. Lovely engine though.
We ran a V6 2.8 for a couple of years which had the Hirsch upgrade
The difference from standard was immense, in gear acceleration was crazy, but the mpg was improved.
Be prepared for massive torque steer and desire to eat front tyres.
The sound was awesome with the top down through tunnels
The difference from standard was immense, in gear acceleration was crazy, but the mpg was improved.
Be prepared for massive torque steer and desire to eat front tyres.
The sound was awesome with the top down through tunnels
JZW 110% 
I think (check this though) your clutch is a bit beefier than mine and can take the extra torque no problem, mines slipping. I think the TX clutch is the same as the Insignia VXR? Mines same as the Vectra.
Trust me....it'll PIN you into the drivers seat & you'll be giggling like a school girl!! To give an idea it's like going straight to stage 5 on a 9000 Aero! Really REALLY quick! This is actually quicker than my old 9k below 80/90. Shocked the hell out of me, I knew a remap would liven my Aero up a bit... but this was ridiculous (this is how it should have left the factory & give the M3 a run for its money...but with a stronger clutch!!) Awesome.
John (JZW) has pulled out all the stops on these v6 tunes! Really impressive
I think (check this though) your clutch is a bit beefier than mine and can take the extra torque no problem, mines slipping. I think the TX clutch is the same as the Insignia VXR? Mines same as the Vectra.
Trust me....it'll PIN you into the drivers seat & you'll be giggling like a school girl!! To give an idea it's like going straight to stage 5 on a 9000 Aero! Really REALLY quick! This is actually quicker than my old 9k below 80/90. Shocked the hell out of me, I knew a remap would liven my Aero up a bit... but this was ridiculous
(this is how it should have left the factory & give the M3 a run for its money...but with a stronger clutch!!) Awesome. John (JZW) has pulled out all the stops on these v6 tunes! Really impressive
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