2002 Aero Coupe

[pmanson]

Evening All!

A rare venture into the Saab forum for me!

I've been thinking about getting a new car and I think i've found one....

What do you think?

What sort of price should I be paying?

Anything to look for?

I've driven a 9-5 2.3t lpt a few years ago so I like the power delivery etc but it'll still be a big step up from my 1.8 Golf!

Thanks,

Phill

Edited by pmanson on Monday 2nd October 21:33

[aeropilot]

pmanson said:

Evening All!

A rare venture into the Saab forum for me!

I've been thinking about getting a new car and I think i've found one....

What do you think?

What sort of price should I be paying?

Anything to look for?

I've driven a 9-5 2.3t lpt a few years ago so I like the power delivery etc but it'll still be a big step up from my 1.8 Golf!

Thanks,

Phill

Edited by pmanson on Monday 2nd October 21:33

Looks OK......apart from the Viggen alloys which I'd want to replace as they are notoriously soft material wise and are prone to going out of shape if you crash into a big pothole etc.

Don't forget to factor in the cost of an Abbott Racing 'Viggen Rescue Kit' which is really an essential mod to an Aero as much as it is on a Viggen.

As for price...well what ever you can get it for below the price quoted I suppose will be a good deal..

[Aerofoil]

I you are seriously thinking of buying that, I have been toying with the idea of selling my 2001 9-3 Aero Hot. I think its got about 68K on the clock. Had full service about 1K miles ago. Black leather, carbon interior etc. Recently fitted performance rear anti-roll bar, which made a good difference. I just don't use it enough to warrant it. I sold my cerbera and got this to replace it, and at the time my wife at a KA. Which meant we used the Saab. Now she has a 3series touring be tend to use that (as we have 2 nippers and it makes access easier). The saab blows it away on performance though, so will be sad to see it go, just for the 1 or 2 times a month I use it, its doesn't seem worth it. If you are interested send me an email.

[ledger]

Aerofoil said:

I you are seriously thinking of buying that, I have been toying with the idea of selling my 2001 9-3 Aero Hot. I think its got about 68K on the clock. Had full service about 1K miles ago. Black leather, carbon interior etc. Recently fitted performance rear anti-roll bar, which made a good difference. I just don't use it enough to warrant it. I sold my cerbera and got this to replace it, and at the time my wife at a KA. Which meant we used the Saab. Now she has a 3series touring be tend to use that (as we have 2 nippers and it makes access easier). The saab blows it away on performance though, so will be sad to see it go, just for the 1 or 2 times a month I use it, its doesn't seem worth it. If you are interested send me an email.

don't seem to be able to mail you via your profile. How much would you want for the car ?.

[Aerofoil]

ledger said:

Aerofoil said:

I you are seriously thinking of buying that, I have been toying with the idea of selling my 2001 9-3 Aero Hot. I think its got about 68K on the clock. Had full service about 1K miles ago. Black leather, carbon interior etc. Recently fitted performance rear anti-roll bar, which made a good difference. I just don't use it enough to warrant it. I sold my cerbera and got this to replace it, and at the time my wife at a KA. Which meant we used the Saab. Now she has a 3series touring be tend to use that (as we have 2 nippers and it makes access easier). The saab blows it away on performance though, so will be sad to see it go, just for the 1 or 2 times a month I use it, its doesn't seem worth it. If you are interested send me an email.

don't seem to be able to mail you via your profile. How much would you want for the car ?.

6.5K would be good for me. I need to get 2 small (paintless) trolley dings removed before I sell it. Had a quote from dent devils to get them removed, just haven't got round to it yet.

[pmanson]

Interesting!

I'm off to find out how much my current car is worth!

Regards,

Phill

[Aerofoil]

Forgot to say its black with the aero alloys, which I think look better and are original, not sure why you would swap to the Viggen ones?

[pmanson]

Aerofoil said:

Forgot to say its black with the aero alloys, which I think look better and are original, not sure why you would swap to the Viggen ones?

I like the look of both but i've heard the Viggen ones are a bit soft!

Just trying to get some insurance quotes, not too pretty but not unreachable!

Where abouts are you based?

[pmanson]

Ok the bank have agreed in principle to a £6k loan (just need to check with their graduate people as i'm getting a graduate loan).

I don't know a lot about Saab engines so can any one tell me should I look for:

eg. Cambelt changes? Or are they chain driven?

Also does any one know any decent Saab garage's in Bucks?

This weekend will be spent tidying the Golf up so that I get as much money as possible for it! (Oh yeah and getting some insurance quotes on the Saab)

[Prof Beard]

pmanson said:

Ok the bank have agreed in principle to a £6k loan (just need to check with their graduate people as i'm getting a graduate loan).

I don't know a lot about Saab engines so can any one tell me should I look for:

eg. Cambelt changes? Or are they chain driven?

Also does any one know any decent Saab garage's in Bucks?

This weekend will be spent tidying the Golf up so that I get as much money as possible for it! (Oh yeah and getting some insurance quotes on the Saab)

They are chains not belts. As alsways HISTORY is useful - the more complete the better.

For known problems etc look on:

www.saabcentral.com

www.saabscene.com

www.uksaabs.co.uk

www.saabforum.co.uk

[aeropilot]

pmanson said:

Also does any one know any decent Saab garage's in Bucks?

Depends whereabouts in Bucks, that's quite a big area!

If your in the Bucks/Berks/Herts area then you've got BPV at Slough, or Danny Close at TDC Car Care in Watford.

If you are in the northern part of Bucks then you may well be closer to West Midlands Saab or Nottingham-Saab, who are both very well regarded.

[pmanson]

aeropilot said:

pmanson said:

Also does any one know any decent Saab garage's in Bucks?

Depends whereabouts in Bucks, that's quite a big area!

If your in the Bucks/Berks/Herts area then you've got BPV at Slough, or Danny Close at TDC Car Care in Watford.

If you are in the northern part of Bucks then you may well be closer to West Midlands Saab or Nottingham-Saab, who are both very well regarded.

I'm in Aylesbury

[aeropilot]

Aah.....right in the middle......

Hmmmm.......might be looking at a bit of a journey then for a decent Saab specialist..

Edit: Just remembered there's a well recommended one in the MK area I believe, but I can't remember what it's called. I know one of the mods on Saabscene has used them for a number of years.

Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 5th October 15:16

[pmanson]

aeropilot said:

Aah.....right in the middle......

Hmmmm.......might be looking at a bit of a journey then for a decent Saab specialist..

Edit: Just remembered there's a well recommended one in the MK area I believe, but I can't remember what it's called. I know one of the mods on Saabscene has used them for a number of years.

Edited by aeropilot on Thursday 5th October 15:16

Watford or MK doesn't sound to bad. I know my Dad used to use Squire Furneaux in Dunstable when he had his Saab but thats a main dealer

[pmanson]

Aerofoil said:

Forgot to say its black with the aero alloys, which I think look better and are original, not sure why you would swap to the Viggen ones?

Would you be open to offers? (that don't take the piss obviously)

Also is it a 2001/51 or a 2001/Y

Edited by pmanson on Thursday 5th October 15:35

[Aerofoil]

pmanson said:

Aerofoil said:

Forgot to say its black with the aero alloys, which I think look better and are original, not sure why you would swap to the Viggen ones?

Would you be open to offers? (that don't take the piss obviously)

Also is it a 2001/51 or a 2001/Y

Edited by pmanson on Thursday 5th October 15:35

Its a 51. If the offer wasn't taking the p1ss there would be some room for dicussion I have got the dent person coming round next week to remove the small dents. I can send you a pic if you want (was taken at night (not home during the light hours), let me know your email address and I'll send it to you.

Have stuck picture on profile.

Edited by Aerofoil on Friday 6th October 12:05

[pmanson]

If you could send the pic to phill @ phillmanson.co.uk that would be great!

Looks good in the small pic though!


Regards,

Phill

[pmanson]

Sorry to drag this one up again but whats everyones views on the Saab soft tops?

I know they suffer from the scuttle shake (although i've driven one so can't say how bad it is etc)

The reason I ask is i've seen an R reg, dark blue 185bhp SE model for sale for £6k (On onlysaab again) and it has the new 9-3 aero alloys, also it only has 70k on the clock.

Its a shade under £6k so within my budget and its also about £200 cheaper to insure than aero.

I'm planning to go and test drive the Aero and the Convertible and see which one I like. (I prefer the looks of the Aero but i'm not sure i'd miss the 20 extra horses?) Saying that the suspension is different as well IIRC.

Phill

[900T-R]

To be bluntly honest (and having had extensive exposure to either in their day) - unless you're going to extensively modify the suspension on a GM900/9-3 to make it somewhat more of a driver's tool, the convertible makes the most sense. If it's an effortless cruiser you want (in a compactish size), why not take the one in which cruising is actually the most enjoyable? Aesthetically, this model really seems to 'gel' as a convert, too. Scuttle shake is always a companion on British roads I guess, but I didn't find it too intrusive really. The 150 bhp soft-turbo mill is a perfect match, any more power is a bonus on smooth tarmac and a liability when the going gets twisty and/or bumpy.

[pmanson]

So this:



or.....


this:



Maybe the new style Aero wheels on the black coupe would like nice though.

Swings and roundabouts. The car is primarily going to be a cruiser although my better half is looking at getting an MX5 next year so the Coupe would be more practical its also a younger car (2001/02 v 1998) and has the Aero styling that I really like. On the other hand the Conv will hold on to its value more than the Aero (IMO) and is cheaper to insure.