9-3 aero 2.0 210hp, any good?

[willmagrath]

Hi everyone, thinking of selling my Skoda fabia vrs to get something bigger and different. I've been a big fan of the 9-3 since my dad had a sportwagon TID a few years back and would love to get an aero. I'd need some power as my fabia is very quick, so an aero would do nicely. But are they any good? Seen very mixed reviews everywhere really and confused, some saying they're slow and some saying they're very quick. Anyone had one? Silly question really

[griffin dai]

The 2.8 v6 is a fair bit quicker especially remapped (torque monster). If your looking for more performance and can live with an auto (I'd get the auto starting again!!) its a better base for big numbers as there's no uorated clutch & DMF or solid flywheel to sort.

Mines running a JZW stage 1 map on a 6 speed manual box (6 speeds crap btw....very clunky/notchy....of go for an auto!)) goes very well though but my clutch needs upgrading....and its eye wateringly expensive especially to hold the torque on a stage 5 tune

http://www.jzwtuning.com/product/v6-2-8-cars-i-fla...

[willmagrath]

Ahh thanks awesome, can't really find a decent pre 06 2.8 within my budget though (£3000). How about a 2.0 with a remap?

[griffin dai]

willmagrath said:

Ahh thanks awesome, can't really find a decent pre 06 2.8 within my budget though (£3000). How about a 2.0 with a remap?

Still quick mate, I think your looking at 250hp and similar torque with a remap. Google Noobtune.....he is the one to ask here, much cheaper than a pro tune and has an excellent rep in Saab tuning

Take a look on Uksaabs forum as these loads of tuned 9-3's there

[oblio]

I have a 2007 93 Aero 2.0 convertible which Saab Noob remapped to 250bhp/370NM torque. It was sharp before he tinkered with it but noticeably quicker afterwards (and better mpg as well

Plenty quick enough for what it is...plus the bonus of 4 proper seats in a 'vert AND less wind in the cabin than at least 2 high end convertibles I have been lucky enough town in my life.

I cant speak for non convertible Saabs as both have mine have been ragtops.

It's my second Saab: I really like them

[-crookedtail-]

I bought a 2.8T for under your budget in October, they are quite rare at this price point especially not tired knackered looking ones. Mine is standard and quick enough at the moment but am looking into an upgrade as griffin dai has suggested, I'm not sure I'd have my licence too long though if I did upgrade it

Great car though and I'm really happy with mine, its been mentioned before but try to avoid a car with the billy basic radio, just buttons, as these have terrible sound quality. Mine has the Sat Nav, poor non post code version, and had 7 speakers. Sound isn't brilliant but not as bad as I expected. You can't really upgrade either, well not if you want you sanity intact eh griffin

[willmagrath]

griffin dai said:

Still quick mate, I think your looking at 250hp and similar torque with a remap. Google Noobtune.....he is the one to ask here, much cheaper than a pro tune and has an excellent rep in Saab tuning

Take a look on Uksaabs forum as these loads of tuned 9-3's there

Brilliant thanks, i'll check them out!

[willmagrath]

oblio said:

I have a 2007 93 Aero 2.0 convertible which Saab Noob remapped to 250bhp/370NM torque. It was sharp before he tinkered with it but noticeably quicker afterwards (and better mpg as well

Plenty quick enough for what it is...plus the bonus of 4 proper seats in a 'vert AND less wind in the cabin than at least 2 high end convertibles I have been lucky enough town in my life.

I cant speak for non convertible Saabs as both have mine have been ragtops.

It's my second Saab: I really like them

Great thanks for the review, dont really want a convertible as i've heard they're a bit wobbly??

[willmagrath]

-crookedtail- said:

I bought a 2.8T for under your budget in October, they are quite rare at this price point especially not tired knackered looking ones. Mine is standard and quick enough at the moment but am looking into an upgrade as griffin dai has suggested, I'm not sure I'd have my licence too long though if I did upgrade it

Great car though and I'm really happy with mine, its been mentioned before but try to avoid a car with the billy basic radio, just buttons, as these have terrible sound quality. Mine has the Sat Nav, poor non post code version, and had 7 speakers. Sound isn't brilliant but not as bad as I expected. You can't really upgrade either, well not if you want you sanity intact eh griffin

Very interesting, yeah there's one in my area for my budget, but its an auto. I'd love the 2.8 so much, sound great and they're very rare!

[willmagrath]

willmagrath said:

-crookedtail- said:

I bought a 2.8T for under your budget in October, they are quite rare at this price point especially not tired knackered looking ones. Mine is standard and quick enough at the moment but am looking into an upgrade as griffin dai has suggested, I'm not sure I'd have my licence too long though if I did upgrade it

Great car though and I'm really happy with mine, its been mentioned before but try to avoid a car with the billy basic radio, just buttons, as these have terrible sound quality. Mine has the Sat Nav, poor non post code version, and had 7 speakers. Sound isn't brilliant but not as bad as I expected. You can't really upgrade either, well not if you want you sanity intact eh griffin

Very interesting, yeah there's one in my area for my budget, but its an auto. I'd love the 2.8 so much, sound great and they're very rare!

I lied, i've found a manual but its the later one with the stupid tax!!

[-crookedtail-]

willmagrath said:

I lied, i've found a manual but its the later one with the stupid tax!!

Yeh mine falls into the highest bracket unfortunately, by about 15 days

Not so much of an issue though, especially if you want to break in up monthly.

[griffin dai]

willmagrath said:

Very interesting, yeah there's one in my area for my budget, but its an auto. I'd love the 2.8 so much, sound great and they're very rare!

Better off with the auto imo especially if your going to remap with JZW. The manual might be ok if the clutch is new but mines been slipping since Ioaded the map. Upgrade clutches are pretty expensive on these, there's only really 2 options. Sachs for up to stage 3+ and SPEC stage 3+ for up to stage 5 (JZW tunes)

With the auto you only really need a bigger intercooler, 3" Downpipe & midpipe then stage 3+ map and your at 350/360bhp & 450ft/lbs

(Plus better brakes!!)

[philmh]

I've owned my 2004 2.0 Aero for 3 years now. It's had its faults, but what 10 yr old 100k car doesn't? No timing belt to snap, timing chain stretch is not a common problem on this engine. Around town I average 24/25 mpg, 30-35 on a run. Seats are super comfy, 10 airbags and one of the safest cars on the road.
Decent size boot, (mine's a saloon), mine's the billy basic stereo with 4 speakers, doesn't bother me, still sounds ok, may replace speakers in time. Running standard 207 bhp, but hoping to get a Noobtune remap this year, highly recommended on UKSaabs forum.
Had to replace turbo in 2013 as an electrode snapped off a plug, cost £320 (Neo Brothers) plus £260 fitting, last year had DMF/clutch/slave cylinder all in one go £650. Hoping that'll last another 10 years now.
Twice I've thought about changing to something different, but both times decided to keep the Saab, think I'd regret getting rid. If you're still after one and you're close to Leeds, you are welcome to have a look over it and I'll take you for a run. Will try upload a pic, HTH.

Edited by philmh on Saturday 17th January 20:47

Edited by philmh on Saturday 17th January 20:50

[willmagrath]

philmh said:

I've owned my 2004 2.0 Aero for 3 years now. It's had its faults, but what 10 yr old 100k car doesn't? No timing belt to snap, timing chain stretch is not a common problem on this engine. Around town I average 24/25 mpg, 30-35 on a run. Seats are super comfy, 10 airbags and one of the safest cars on the road.
Decent size boot, (mine's a saloon), mine's the billy basic stereo with 4 speakers, doesn't bother me, still sounds ok, may replace speakers in time. Running standard 207 bhp, but hoping to get a Noobtune remap this year, highly recommended on UKSaabs forum.
Had to replace turbo in 2013 as an electrode snapped off a plug, cost £320 (Neo Brothers) plus £260 fitting, last year had DMF/clutch/slave cylinder all in one go £650. Hoping that'll last another 10 years now.
Twice I've thought about changing to something different, but both times decided to keep the Saab, think I'd regret getting rid. If you're still after one and you're close to Leeds, you are welcome to have a look over it and I'll take you for a run. Will try upload a pic, HTH.

Edited by philmh on Saturday 17th January 20:47

Edited by philmh on Saturday 17th January 20:50

Brilliant thanks for the mini review and offer of drive! Unfortunately I'm down south so bit difficult. Those costs don't scare me too much tbh as much skoda has cost me nearly 4k in repairs in the 2 years I've had it!!!!

[R Mutt]

I want a 9-3 convertible for under 2 grand (seems like they've not depreciated that much since this thread stared 5 years ago!) but am I better factoring another 500 for the remap or paying more for the 2.8?

[oblio]

R Mutt said:

I want a 9-3 convertible for under 2 grand (seems like they've not depreciated that much since this thread stared 5 years ago!) but am I better factoring another 500 for the remap or paying more for the 2.8?

I sold mine a few years ago now but I do remember Saabnoob's remap was only 80 quid. I took the car to him (in Nottingham I think) and spent a couple of hours there with him. Nice bloke and very knowledgeable. If he is still doing them it may have gone up by now mind...

[MrB.]

R Mutt said:

I want a 9-3 convertible for under 2 grand (seems like they've not depreciated that much since this thread stared 5 years ago!) but am I better factoring another 500 for the remap or paying more for the 2.8?

Not sure of I am too late to offer some advice, however, I have had 6 Saabs (looking for my 7th) and 3 of these were 93 Aero Cabs. Two of them were 2.0 and the last was a 2.8. I thought I would fall for the 2.8 as I love a six cylinder engine, but in my honest opinion, it didn't get under my skin. It's very smooth, and sounds nice, even stock, but it's much more of a cruiser, whereas the 2.0 Turbo gives you that Saab turbo kick you expect. Fuel economy wasn't much different, and performance, I suspect, isn't the gulf you might expect.

Personally, I'm going back to the 2.0 turbo, and will probably get Noobtune to upgrade it to the 250bhp of the V6 and I'll be happy.

Otherwise, great cars, and probably the best bang-for-buck you can get in my opinion. Give me a shout if you have any questions and haven't found yourself anything yet.

[R Mutt]

MrB. said:

R Mutt said:

I want a 9-3 convertible for under 2 grand (seems like they've not depreciated that much since this thread stared 5 years ago!) but am I better factoring another 500 for the remap or paying more for the 2.8?

Not sure of I am too late to offer some advice, however, I have had 6 Saabs (looking for my 7th) and 3 of these were 93 Aero Cabs. Two of them were 2.0 and the last was a 2.8. I thought I would fall for the 2.8 as I love a six cylinder engine, but in my honest opinion, it didn't get under my skin. It's very smooth, and sounds nice, even stock, but it's much more of a cruiser, whereas the 2.0 Turbo gives you that Saab turbo kick you expect. Fuel economy wasn't much different, and performance, I suspect, isn't the gulf you might expect.

Personally, I'm going back to the 2.0 turbo, and will probably get Noobtune to upgrade it to the 250bhp of the V6 and I'll be happy.

Otherwise, great cars, and probably the best bang-for-buck you can get in my opinion. Give me a shout if you have any questions and haven't found yourself anything yet.

I'll probably wait for next Summer now the weather's gone but I've still got them all in my watch list

Thank for steering me towards the 2.0 I'll focus my search on those even though that will double my road tax but reduce insurance.

[MrB.]

R Mutt said:

MrB. said:

R Mutt said:

I want a 9-3 convertible for under 2 grand (seems like they've not depreciated that much since this thread stared 5 years ago!) but am I better factoring another 500 for the remap or paying more for the 2.8?

Not sure of I am too late to offer some advice, however, I have had 6 Saabs (looking for my 7th) and 3 of these were 93 Aero Cabs. Two of them were 2.0 and the last was a 2.8. I thought I would fall for the 2.8 as I love a six cylinder engine, but in my honest opinion, it didn't get under my skin. It's very smooth, and sounds nice, even stock, but it's much more of a cruiser, whereas the 2.0 Turbo gives you that Saab turbo kick you expect. Fuel economy wasn't much different, and performance, I suspect, isn't the gulf you might expect.

Personally, I'm going back to the 2.0 turbo, and will probably get Noobtune to upgrade it to the 250bhp of the V6 and I'll be happy.

Otherwise, great cars, and probably the best bang-for-buck you can get in my opinion. Give me a shout if you have any questions and haven't found yourself anything yet.

I'll probably wait for next Summer now the weather's gone but I've still got them all in my watch list

Thank for steering me towards the 2.0 I'll focus my search on those even though that will double my road tax but reduce insurance.

Your road tax will only go up if it’s a post March 2006 with an auto box. Manuals remain at £325 p/a.

[Aiminghigh123]

I had a saloon 2.0T for 3 years and got a 2.8 manual a few weeks back.

I personally find it so much better than the 2.0.
Around London traffic fuel is pretty bad 20mpg at best whereas 2.0 would easily do 25 in heavy traffic. On a run not as much difference.
Performance wise 2.8 is so much better with a smoother power delivery and you can get to silly speeds and doesn’t feel like it. Mine is standard but plan on getting an Aura tune. It’s £400 odd but is a rolling road tune and will give around 300bhp and 500NM. Wish I had got a 2.8 few years ago.
Ps only paid £900 for it.