I'm loving my new Saab but....

[Maycott]

Hello all

I'm a new Saab owner, I picked up my 06 9-3 diesel Cabriolet two weeks ago and I really love it. I had a 328 Cab previously and thought I'd miss it like crazy (had it a long time) but I truly love the Saab....

...except for the bloody interior trim rattles and creaks...the dealer I bought it from says they will look at it but has anybody else had this problem and had it successfully dealt with?

Its spoiling an otherwise great car

[moffspeed]

Sorry..they all do it. My '05 Vector has had countless visits to the dealer for various other problems (17 weeks out of the car in 2 years....)and I tend to ask them to have a go at the rattles whilst they tackle other problems. You only need to poke around the dashboard or door panels to realise how flimsy the fittings are. I had a go with some cycle silicone spray as suggested by various forums but it achieved little.

My car was returned to the technical centre at Luton 8 weeks ago tomorrow and they still haven't sorted it fully. I don't want to depress you but the options are a) turn up the stereo or b) turn your back on Saab and buy something Japanese or, possibly, German - although I'm having to resort to legal action against GM/Saab who presently are refusing to buy mine off me even at a sensible price.

[Wadeski]

basically, in much the way Lotus "add lightness" to their cars, for the current generation 9-3 General Motors "added vauxhall" to Saabs.

my run-out hatchback 9-3 feels like its made of granite - i sat in the brand new (2008) 9-3 and the interior plastics were a big step back. Nice one general motors...felt just like the Astra rentacars i get on holiday.

[K321]

the old saabs are supringly better built than the newer ones. i was in a new shape 9-3 cab and amazed by how crap the dashboard was compared ot my ng 900, the plastics used are worse.
anyhow. so much for 'progres'

[moffspeed]

Any doubt about GM's cost-cutting on the 9-3 is answered when you open the boot. On one side the boot stay has a plastic cover which also conceals the wiring loom.

So in the interest of aesthetic purity the other stay has a matching cover, right ? Wrong, just the bare metal.

Rusty wheeelnuts a problem ? Don't worry GM will be to the rescue. Zinc-plated replacement nuts ? Well not quite, but a snazzy set of black plastic covers that fit over your rusty originals, that's what you call aeronautical technology...

[Maycott]

Thanks for the replies

The poor build quality is a real shame, the rest of the car is brilliant.

I made a conscious decision to not have another BMW this time. I still think the Saab was the right car but the ratlles and squeaks do seriously let it down.

My local dealer (Newbury Saab) seem to be good though and also confident that they can address the rattles.....we'll see. I'll get it booked in over the next couple of weeks and let you all know if they make any difference

[loafer123]

I'm quite surprised to read this - my 07 9-3 1.8t Linear is solid as a rock with no rattles.

BTW I think I read somewhere that some guys have invented a CD which plays sounds which replicate vibrations so you can work out where the rattles are whilst the car is stationary. Might be worth a go...

[K321]

maycott, just turn your music on louder or spray wd40 all over the interior

[rob1964bike]

I test drove a SAAB 9-3 recently a 2.2 td and I was gutted at how bad it was. I couldn't believe the interior plastics it had lost its colour completely in some areas it was also very noisy. A big let down for me as I was expecting much more I obviously didn't buy it and I wouldn't even consider one in the near future.

[NiceCupOfTea]

My dad is a Saab afficionado of old - 3 classic 900s including a ragtop, a ng900, and 2 9000 2.3 turbos. He recently bought a 9-3 sports convertible and has just let it go. Was really disappointed by it, lots of electrical problems and he said it felt like white goods and not a Saab. Absolutely characterless.

He still has his modified 9000 2.3T - I drove it last week, I had forgotton what a fantastically competent car it is. I have first dibs on it if he ever wants to sell it

I wish Saab could find their way again

[Maycott]

NiceCupOfTea said:

My dad is a Saab afficionado of old - 3 classic 900s including a ragtop, a ng900, and 2 9000 2.3 turbos. He recently bought a 9-3 sports convertible and has just let it go. Was really disappointed by it, lots of electrical problems and he said it felt like white goods and not a Saab. Absolutely characterless.

He still has his modified 9000 2.3T - I drove it last week, I had forgotton what a fantastically competent car it is. I have first dibs on it if he ever wants to sell it

I wish Saab could find their way again

I think its got bags of character. I really love the car. Its just the rattles from the trim, they are driving me insane! My Land Rover rattles less!!

Its still far more engaging than a current BMW though

[Wadeski]

chip and suspension upgrade :bigthumbup:

torque steer is fun!

[NiceCupOfTea]

Maycott said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

My dad is a Saab afficionado of old - 3 classic 900s including a ragtop, a ng900, and 2 9000 2.3 turbos. He recently bought a 9-3 sports convertible and has just let it go. Was really disappointed by it, lots of electrical problems and he said it felt like white goods and not a Saab. Absolutely characterless.

He still has his modified 9000 2.3T - I drove it last week, I had forgotton what a fantastically competent car it is. I have first dibs on it if he ever wants to sell it

I wish Saab could find their way again

I think its got bags of character. I really love the car. Its just the rattles from the trim, they are driving me insane! My Land Rover rattles less!!

Its still far more engaging than a current BMW though

It has character if you're talking about contemporary cars which are all designed to be as alike as possible so they don't lose sales due to "quirkiness". However, get into a classic 900 and you'll find out all about Saab character

[Maycott]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Maycott said:

NiceCupOfTea said:

My dad is a Saab afficionado of old - 3 classic 900s including a ragtop, a ng900, and 2 9000 2.3 turbos. He recently bought a 9-3 sports convertible and has just let it go. Was really disappointed by it, lots of electrical problems and he said it felt like white goods and not a Saab. Absolutely characterless.

He still has his modified 9000 2.3T - I drove it last week, I had forgotton what a fantastically competent car it is. I have first dibs on it if he ever wants to sell it

I wish Saab could find their way again

I think its got bags of character. I really love the car. Its just the rattles from the trim, they are driving me insane! My Land Rover rattles less!!

Its still far more engaging than a current BMW though

It has character if you're talking about contemporary cars which are all designed to be as alike as possible so they don't lose sales due to "quirkiness". However, get into a classic 900 and you'll find out all about Saab character

I've driven 900's and 9000's in the past. Memories of those are one of the main reasons I looked at a 9-3 this time. Great cars

[Maycott]

Quick update

Car went in yesterday for a full day. The dealer has been brilliant and managed to confirm that it does indeed rattle. I don't know how they do it.

They have managed to cure the rattles doming from the centre console but are going to have it back to remove the dash entirely, regrease all the mountings and replace the (knackered) glove box.

That should keep them busy

I was very surprised at the courtesy car they lean't me. A 2.0t convertable which I thought was very generous.

I was even more surprised to find that I prefer my diesel version. Never thought that would happen!