9-3 Ttid

[Tazza]

Thinking of replacing out ageing 9-5 Aero estate and since the replacement 9-5 still seems to be a fair way away, we are looking at the Ttid Aero. Has anyone got one and wish to pass on their views? What is it like to drive and own, and what is the built quality like?

Thanks

[jas xjr]

been driving one for six months but its not an aero.and its an auto ,but very boring to drive,turns in nicely .everything works.cruise control is a bit of a strange design. gives 40 - 45 mpg. seems quite well built ,nothing fallen off yet.quite nippy do not have any trouble on a roads or motorway. but i would not take it out for fun. but as an every day hack .it does the job,and it stands out from mondeos etc.but the last shape mondeo was a good drive.have not driven the new one

[aeropilot]

Tazza said:

Thinking of replacing out ageing 9-5 Aero estate and since the replacement 9-5 still seems to be a fair way away

It seems fairly certain that the new 9-5 will be out in the autumn of next year. The new Vectra or Insignia or whatever GM want to call it, is in this months rags, and it's the first Epsilon2 platform car out, and IIRC the 9-5 was going to be the next Epsilon2 car, which would fit with a late 2008 release.

Tazza said:

we are looking at the Ttid Aero. Has anyone got one and wish to pass on their views? What is it like to drive and own, and what is the built quality like?

Not enough out there yet, engine is supposed to be good from the Saab owners that I know who have driven one.
The interior is a bit of an improvement over the previous 9-3 poor quality, but it's not a 9-5.
It's no where near as comfortable (seats are awfull if youre over about 5' 8-9&quotespecially coming from a 9-5 Aero, and you really have to spend on speccing them up to get near the level of kit you have with the 9-5 Aero.

I specced up a new 9-5 Aero with an equivilent spec 9-3 TTid Aero and the 9-5 was significantly the cheaper of the two.
I suppose if you do lots of miles then the diesel will save money, but other than that, having driven a good number of 9-3's, I'd still rather have a new current 9-5.

[robrobc]

I agree with aeropliot, I looked long and hard at the 93 Diesel Ttid before opting for a 95 Aero, one of the biggest issues was space both in the drivers seat area and also rear legroom behind the seat, once the seat was right back. I found that for me personally once I had the seat back far enough to accommodate my legs then I had to reach for the wheel as there appeared to be insufficient adjustment, for me an issue at 6ft 5ins tall. That said, I think the 93 is a nice car, very nice in fact, but it is not a 95 Aero when all is said and done.

[Tazza]

Well, first impressions of our 9-3 TTid Aero estate are very positive. The chassis seems much better than the old 9-5 (which had served us brilliantly for 80K+) and it is very comfortable. Stacks of torque and so it is lovely between 30 to 70 (and I obviously couldn't comment on what it was like above the legal limit!!) I think having driven them back to back, the 9-5 does feel like an old car in comparison. My wife did 350 miles and averaged 42mpg despite a fair amount of stop start.
So far it seems like an excellent engine - power where you need it and lots of economy too. OK, it's no track car, but then my Caterham ain't much of an estate either!