Saab 9-3 2.8V6

[NST]

i'm going to hopefully take a look at a couple 55/06 plate saloon manuals hopefully today or more likely next week.

any comments on relability/ownership costs? i do 15-20K ayear with 90% being motorway at around legal limit.

anything to look out for? any known issues?

how much worse is the fuel consumption against the 2.0T aero on motorway runs?

Wife wants me to get one as she used have them as company cars (1.9 150)! i want a ST220, though i might go for the saab to get something alittle different.

NST

[aeropilot]

I've heard the 2.8V6 are a bit thirsty. Very smooth and very torquey though, and with a remap become very silly...

Although a Saab fan, I'd be leaning towards a ST220 as well instead, but that's more because I've got long legs and don't find the seats in the 9-3 very comfortable as the seat adjustment mechansim is very pecuiliar (especially with manual non-electric seats) and the seat squab is too short for me, giving a lack of thigh support. Mondeo may just have a better chassis as well, but the turbo V6 in the Saab is the better engine from a road driving point of view because of the huge laxy torque.

I'd definately have a drive of a few though to see for yourself, and compare with a ST220.

[Rocket Pepper]

aeropilot said:

Mondeo may just have a better chassis as well,

Please forgive me for laughing (at the comment - not the context). I mean it in the nicest way possible between mates

[NST]

Aeropilot,

thanks for the quick response, i am concerned about the seating, i remember driving the wifes SAAB 9-3 and finding the seat squab to soft and uncomfortable, which is why i'm thinking of getting a ST220 again the recaros are very supportive.

my main concern is that servicing isn't too expensive and mpg can get above 30mpg @ 65mph-70mph.

if i get the saab i'm definitely getting the remap !

[Adenauer]

NST, I've done exactly the opposite, gone from an ST220 estate to a 93 2.8 Aero estate. I drove the ST for five years and had it from new. It was a great car, no question, and stood up well to "spirited" driving which also included a lap or two of the ring each day The fuel consumption averaged out at about 10.5 Litres per 100 km (sorry, I don't know what that is in real money). The engine noise was nice enough and the inside of the car was big.

However, I've now had the Saab for about five months and love it to bits, it just does everything so well. The inside of the car is smaller than the ST granted, but I'm 6'2" and don't have a problem at all. The engine is bloody lovely and it'll pull like a train from any gear, it's definitely quicker than the ST. Average fuel consumption sice I've had it is 10.9 litres per 100km so a tad thirstier than the Mondeo but nothing to write home about. As for servicing costs the Saab dealerships have all been merged with the Opel (Vauxhall) dealerships over here in Germany and the costs are peanuts, well, so far at least.

In summary, I liked the ST, I love the Saab

[aeropilot]

NST said:

Aeropilot,

thanks for the quick response, i am concerned about the seating, i remember driving the wifes SAAB 9-3 and finding the seat squab to soft and uncomfortable, which is why i'm thinking of getting a ST220 again the recaros are very supportive.

my main concern is that servicing isn't too expensive and mpg can get above 30mpg @ 65mph-70mph.

if i get the saab i'm definitely getting the remap !

If you can, try and test drive a car with the manual seats, and one with the electric seats to see how you get on, as the electric seats have a bit more of a range adjustment, as the 9-3 has a strange 'rocking' seat adjustment mechanism.
Also, the electric mem seats are a big plus anyway, if the missus is gonna drive it as well, as it's so convient to just press the button to change seat/mirror positions when swapping about.
You are more likely to find a 2.8V6 Aero with extra toys than a 2.0T Aero.

Can't help as to whether you'd get 30+mpg @ 65-70mph, but I would expect so though as it would be barely turning over at 2000rpm at that speed.

[Rocket Pepper]

Twice ignored in two Saab threads - despite trying to make friends? I knew I wasn't wrong. Prick.

[NST]

thanks for the all the comments, hopefully going to see a few after the bank holiday weekend.

i have noticed that the 95 is also very good value for money might have check out these as well!

[NST]

Going to check out a 9-5 Aero HOT 260bhp estate auto tomorrow and hopefully a 9-3 2.8 auto, anything i need to look out for on the 9-5??

cheers