Saab 9-5 2.3T or Aero
Discussion
900T-R said:
In Saabland, 100K traditionally sits in the 'not quite run in yet' category. 
This is something I've frequently heard but never believed.Until I bought one, at 124K for £700
Its now at 166K and has just gone through its 3rd MOT in my ownership with no work required.
Pound for pound its been utterly astonishing.
andy665 said:
Looking at either of the above, in estate form.
Can someone give me a quick heads up in terms of mechanical differences?
Anything obvious I should look for?
If there is full history should I be overly concerned by 100k mileages?
Should I opt for manual or auto?
The 2.3T are actually quite rare compared to an Aero.Can someone give me a quick heads up in terms of mechanical differences?
Anything obvious I should look for?
If there is full history should I be overly concerned by 100k mileages?
Should I opt for manual or auto?
Engine wise, they are identical, the only difference is the slightly lower level of tune in the ECU software of the 220hp 2.3T compared to the 250hp Aero.
It will depend on what version (Vector or Arc) of 2.3T as to what suspension you get and equipement levels....Vector will be same as Aero suspension wise.
You will probably see better equipped Aero's than 2.3T, so if you want toys, then look for an Aero.
Either way, I'd opt for the auto over the manual, as the 5-speed auto is very good, but it's a personal preference.
What year(s) are you looking at...as this is probably more relevant..??
andy665 said:
Probably looking for an earlier one, one that has been offered to me is a 2000 model with 49,000 miles, absolutely immaculate - mine for £4700
Oh....I thought your choice was between a 2.3T and an Aero.....?The 2.3T didn't come out until the start of model year 2004 around Sept 2003, when this engine replaced the old GM based 3.0 V6 lpt.
I have a 2001 2.3t estate which has 185bhp I believe that the 2000 model had 175bhp versus the Aero at 220bhp for yr 2000. I may be incorrect tho.
I have a manual box and its ok but dont expect lightening gearchanges it dosent like to be hurried. overall tho I'm very impressed it returns about 30mpg on a combined tankfull I use it as my daily car. It is very comfortable and has all the toys you could want, I upgraded the audio to enable Ipod connection and the dog seems to like it to!
mine just turned 85k today so am looking to have this for a long while yet! that said I do keep thinking what 250 bhp would be like in the later Aero's
HTH
Simon
I have a manual box and its ok but dont expect lightening gearchanges it dosent like to be hurried. overall tho I'm very impressed it returns about 30mpg on a combined tankfull I use it as my daily car. It is very comfortable and has all the toys you could want, I upgraded the audio to enable Ipod connection and the dog seems to like it to!
mine just turned 85k today so am looking to have this for a long while yet! that said I do keep thinking what 250 bhp would be like in the later Aero's
HTH
Simon
siwil1 said:
that said I do keep thinking what 250 bhp would be like in the later Aero's
Puts a smile on my face...TBH.....it's not 250hp that makes me smile, but the 350Nm of torque at such low rpm.....or rather the huge area under the torque curve that makes overtaking and going up inclines and just about everything soooo effortless.......and yet still return mid-20's mpg on a daily commute within the M25 boundary, and mid-30's on a run....and that's with the auto as well.
Superb engine.
Pre-2001 cars were 4-speed autos and acknowledged as not being terribly good. The later cars had a vastly better 5-speed, including Sentronic where specced (on Aeros).
Having had both, the 2000 230bhp and 2001 250bhp Aero engines are suprisingly different. There's not a great deal of change in outright performace, but the delivery is a marked differnce - the earlier engine gave a pronounced shove in the back when the turbo spooled up, much like my much loved 900T, whereas the later engine is far smoother, the power much more progressive, yet strangely it actually never feels quite as powerful as it creeps up on you rather more, rather than telegraphing its intentions with the kick in the kidneys!
Over and above that, yes it's a cracking car - I sold my 2000 Aero saloon with 100k on it, and am currently considering selling my 2001 Aero Estate which is up to 152k though still on the original clutch and exhaust which is a testament to the solidity of these cars. Hard as I try, whilst I now fancy something a little different, I am struggling to find something which gives such sublime performance yet as previously mentioned will return high 30s on a run. As Clarkson said, there's a reason all the Saab drivers have a little smirk on their faces - quicker 50-70 than a Carrera may have something to do with it!
Having had both, the 2000 230bhp and 2001 250bhp Aero engines are suprisingly different. There's not a great deal of change in outright performace, but the delivery is a marked differnce - the earlier engine gave a pronounced shove in the back when the turbo spooled up, much like my much loved 900T, whereas the later engine is far smoother, the power much more progressive, yet strangely it actually never feels quite as powerful as it creeps up on you rather more, rather than telegraphing its intentions with the kick in the kidneys!
Over and above that, yes it's a cracking car - I sold my 2000 Aero saloon with 100k on it, and am currently considering selling my 2001 Aero Estate which is up to 152k though still on the original clutch and exhaust which is a testament to the solidity of these cars. Hard as I try, whilst I now fancy something a little different, I am struggling to find something which gives such sublime performance yet as previously mentioned will return high 30s on a run. As Clarkson said, there's a reason all the Saab drivers have a little smirk on their faces - quicker 50-70 than a Carrera may have something to do with it!
andy665 said:
Bought a lovely 9-5 Aero estate this afternoon.
115k miles on the clock but totally immaculate, manual box and superb service from a Saab specialist dealer - made buying a car totally and utterly painless.
Looking forward to collecting her next week.
welcome aboard!! and enjoy.115k miles on the clock but totally immaculate, manual box and superb service from a Saab specialist dealer - made buying a car totally and utterly painless.
Looking forward to collecting her next week.
Its a little quiet in here (forum) but we dont have many problems to moan about like other manufacturers!
Early findings on the car - firstly I'm incredibly impressed with how solid it feels, for an 8 year old car with 116k on the clock it feels like a much fresher car.
Had a slight problem with the enging check light after I'd carefully cleaned up the engine bay but thats now sorted itself out thankfully.
Deceptively fast, its so damned quiet and refined that you don't realise the speed you're travelling at.
Only downside so far is that the boot is actually smaller than the VW Bora that its replaced - the buggy we could get easily into the Bora won't go into the Saab without part of the load cover being left raised.
Looking forward to many happy miles in the old bus.
Had a slight problem with the enging check light after I'd carefully cleaned up the engine bay but thats now sorted itself out thankfully.
Deceptively fast, its so damned quiet and refined that you don't realise the speed you're travelling at.
Only downside so far is that the boot is actually smaller than the VW Bora that its replaced - the buggy we could get easily into the Bora won't go into the Saab without part of the load cover being left raised.
Looking forward to many happy miles in the old bus.
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