95 buyers guide
Discussion
Hi all, I'm sure this has been asked before but I can't find anything...
I'm looking at buying a 95 Aero estate for upto £12k. Is there anything in particular that I should be looking out for, any good web sites - this forum seems quite quiet (perhaps nothing goes wrong with Saabs?!?), anything else I should know
and one silly point, do the seats get more grippy when all the cleaning fluids that dealers use wears off?
I'm looking at buying a 95 Aero estate for upto £12k. Is there anything in particular that I should be looking out for, any good web sites - this forum seems quite quiet (perhaps nothing goes wrong with Saabs?!?), anything else I should know
and one silly point, do the seats get more grippy when all the cleaning fluids that dealers use wears off?
fredf said:
... and one silly point, do the seats get more grippy when all the cleaning fluids that dealers use wears off?
Not sure what you may have felt. The seats in mine are about the same (for lateral surface grip) as the leather I had in the previous Omega an the Senator before that.
If you really push on round bends all the time it might be an issue - perhaps one of those track day seatbelt tighteners would help. But normally even with enthusiastic travel I don't have a problem.
The build quality on my MY02 Aero Est. seems excellent. Mostly looks and feel like new at 4 1/2 years old and 110k miles on the clock. In 2 years (almost) I have had a slightly weeping water pump changed under warranty, aircon seals replaced (failed over the winter and I didn't notice it) and have recently needed a new battery (1st replacement). There were a couple of other minor wear and tear items at the last service - rear washer jets and a couple of bulbs - stuff like that.
Apparently the early MY 02 models came with a lot of the options included. They are worth little now but will probably last for ages yet. You might save some cash by looking at that age band without worrying too much about mileage providing the service history is OK and the car looks like it has not been subject to abuse.
LongQ said:
Apparently the early MY 02 models came with a lot of the options included.
Not correct.
It was the later MY02 (from about March 02 onwards) cars that had all the extra kit included as standard.
This included in the price kit was carried over into the MY03 cars as well, before disappearing back in the the 'extra cost options' listing for MY04.
So, up an to £12k budget will certainley put you into the late MY02 spec as well as MY03 cars easily.
These are certainley the ones to be looking at.
If you are looking for an auto rather than a manual, the only difference in spec is the MY03 cars had the flappy paddle manual shift facility on the auto gearboxes, the MY02's just had a 'normal' 5-speed auto.
Only other difference between late MY02 and MY03 cars is the MY03 had the option of the power folding door mirrors, and the useless Saab Nav system as well.
Edited by aeropilot on Wednesday 23 August 14:15
aeropilot said:
LongQ said:
Apparently the early MY 02 models came with a lot of the options included.
Not correct.
It was the later MY02 (from about March 02 onwards) cars that had all the extra kit included as standard.
This included in the price kit was carried over into the MY03 cars as well, before disappearing back in the the 'extra cost options' listing for MY04.
So, up an to £12k budget will certainley put you into the late MY02 spec as well as MY03 cars easily.
These are certainley the ones to be looking at.
If you are looking for an auto rather than a manual, the only difference in spec is the MY03 cars had the flappy paddle manual shift facility on the auto gearboxes, the MY02's just had a 'normal' 5-speed auto.
Only other difference between late MY02 and MY03 cars is the MY03 had the option of the power folding door mirrors, and the useless Saab Nav system as well.
Edited by aeropilot on Wednesday 23 August 14:15
Ah! I stand corrected and will kick the stuffing out of the guy at the Saab dealer next time I see him! On the other hand mine was registered in April 02 so I think the spec includes most things of importance, which was really what his message was at the time.
Flappy paddle might be fun but to be honest my auto seems fine as it is, especially in sport mode. The power mirrors would also be nice to have but no big deal for me under normal circumstances.
Prices for 3 to 4 year old examples will be very low, enjoyment factor and comfort should be very high for the type of vehicle. Plenty of power for when the moment allows. The chassis systems may not be the nimblest around but are certainly OK and seem able to cope with clear miscalculations without causing concern (or indeed breaking onto a sweat ...)
LongQ said:
Ah! I stand corrected and will kick the stuffing out of the guy at the Saab dealer next time I see him!
A great many of 'em don't actually know that much about the various spec's from my experience. The all too few 'old established' dealers that are left usually have the better staff, but even then it's no guarentee from my experience.
fredf said:
Off to look at the Hirsch web site
Why stop at 300hp/440Nm when you can have 470hp/580Nm....
Also have a look here.....
www.maptun.com
www.nordictuning.com
Both have UK agents.........
aeropilot said:
LongQ said:
Ah! I stand corrected and will kick the stuffing out of the guy at the Saab dealer next time I see him!
A great many of 'em don't actually know that much about the various spec's from my experience. The all too few 'old established' dealers that are left usually have the better staff, but even then it's no guarentee from my experience.
I think these guys are OK - long term relationship with Saab and they seem to be in tune with what they are about. Still worth asking him a few questions though!
fred - the Saab Aero is a docile as they come and just like a normal sort of car really. Just avoid exciting the turbo when you have passengers and you will be fine ...
It may not be your cup of tea but if you get the chance to try an auto box model run a few miles in full auto and see if you think management would find it acceptable and then press the sport button (on the older ones, not sure if there is an equivalent on the flappy paddle stuff) and see if YOU find that acceptable. Mine seems able to accelerate at a 'useful for overtaking' rate for as long as I allow it to. Gear shifts are pretty seamless as well. Mine is standard I am told.
LongQ said:
It may not be your cup of tea but if you get the chance to try an auto box model run a few miles in full auto and see if you think management would find it acceptable and then press the sport button (on the older ones, not sure if there is an equivalent on the flappy paddle stuff) and see if YOU find that acceptable. Mine seems able to accelerate at a 'useful for overtaking' rate for as long as I allow it to. Gear shifts are pretty seamless as well. Mine is standard I am told.
The Sentronic auto's (with the flappy paddle shift) still have the 'S' for 'Silly' button
, switching into manual mode also changes the settings in the same way as the 'S' button. I have to say that I think the auto's are a better bet than the manual cars, as the manual gearboxes are a bit agricultural, not to mention more prone to problems. The only advantage of a manual is that you can fit one of those nice Quaife ATB LSD's....
Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 24th August 21:57
Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 24th August 21:58
aeropilot said:
LongQ said:
It may not be your cup of tea but if you get the chance to try an auto box model run a few miles in full auto and see if you think management would find it acceptable and then press the sport button (on the older ones, not sure if there is an equivalent on the flappy paddle stuff) and see if YOU find that acceptable. Mine seems able to accelerate at a 'useful for overtaking' rate for as long as I allow it to. Gear shifts are pretty seamless as well. Mine is standard I am told.
The Sentronic auto's (with the flappy paddle shift) still have the 'S' for 'Silly' button
, switching into manual mode also changes the settings in the same way as the 'S' button. I have to say that I think the auto's are a better bet than the manual cars, as the manual gearboxes are a bit agricultural, not to mention more prone to problems. The only advantage of a manual is that you can fit one of those nice Quaife ATB LSD's....
Hmm. Other than the virtually entire absence of engine braking and the loss of potential that leaves for balancing the thing on the throttle through corners, I have to say that the Auto on mine is excellent with the usual proviso about rapid takeoff from standstill. (Can be done but it's not at its best if done on the spur of the moment!). Once moving at all the thing just seems to head for the horizon at what seems to be a constant rate of acceleration (where space allows, etc., etc. ) with almost imperceptible gear changes for as long as you keep your foot down.
Even well loaded with gear, as mine has been in the back and on the roof for the last couple of months, the performance does not seem much diminished in practical terms - I just have to remember that I have a lot of extra weight to bring to a stop!
All round it's good enough to make me smile each time I drive it.
aeropilot said:
fredf said:
Off to look at the Hirsch web site
Why stop at 300hp/440Nm when you can have 470hp/580Nm....
Cost mainly!
The stage 3 provides a great mix of grunt and cost... going baove that starts to get very pricey for what your getting in real world terms. So I've spent mine, and sticking with what I got zoom zoom.. oh no thats mazda!
Well an auto is something to thing about and I imagine in this sort of car makes it lot of sense. But since I haven't been in an auto since I was about 10, yet alone driven one, it might be a bit too much of a change (and I'll have to find out how to drive a auto - too lazy for that)
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