2003 Saab 2.3T Aero HOT - Good Value or a Bad Risk?

[a_bloke]

Found this last night on autotrader.

Is something like this the bargain it seems, or are there reasons why the Aero HOT is cheap? I've seen more about near this price.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_popup.jsp...

[GavGav]

That's about the right price, maybe a little cheap for a 60k mile example. However, it doesn't mention any history and is being offered as a Trade sale only. You'd be better off finding a private sale from someone that has looked after it and has paperwork to back it up.

As for why they're so cheap? No idea. I think they're an absolute bargain. I'm more than happy with mine.

[aeropilot]

a_bloke said:

Found this last night on autotrader.

Is something like this the bargain it seems, or are there reasons why the Aero HOT is cheap? I've seen more about near this price.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_popup.jsp...

Probably about right, and it's a lowish miles car for the year, not surprisingly for a NI car though. It's an early MY2004 car and a rare manual. The prices have dropped a lot on them purely as the replacement has been a long time coming and Saab have heavily discounted them new in recent years so causing a corresponding drop in used prices.

[a_bloke]

aeropilot said:

a_bloke said:

Found this last night on autotrader.

Is something like this the bargain it seems, or are there reasons why the Aero HOT is cheap? I've seen more about near this price.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_popup.jsp...

Probably about right, and it's a lowish miles car for the year, not surprisingly for a NI car though. It's an early MY2004 car and a rare manual. The prices have dropped a lot on them purely as the replacement has been a long time coming and Saab have heavily discounted them new in recent years so causing a corresponding drop in used prices.

Cheers Guys.

I'm going to be selling my 535d soon as we're building a new house and the cash would be handy. Its seems to be a lot of car for the money, given its power, toys and that its a current model. Any BMW / Audi / Merc at that price point is going to be at least one generation back.

[jboy72]

a_bloke said:

aeropilot said:

a_bloke said:

Found this last night on autotrader.

Is something like this the bargain it seems, or are there reasons why the Aero HOT is cheap? I've seen more about near this price.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_popup.jsp...

Probably about right, and it's a lowish miles car for the year, not surprisingly for a NI car though. It's an early MY2004 car and a rare manual. The prices have dropped a lot on them purely as the replacement has been a long time coming and Saab have heavily discounted them new in recent years so causing a corresponding drop in used prices.

Cheers Guys.

I'm going to be selling my 535d soon as we're building a new house and the cash would be handy. Its seems to be a lot of car for the money, given its power, toys and that its a current model. Any BMW / Audi / Merc at that price point is going to be at least one generation back.

I own a BMW 530i and have previously owned a 9-5 HOT aero. I didnt enjoy the manual 9-5 box. The 530i is better screwed together. The 9-5 aero corners well with little roll but does suffer from oversteer. The rwd BMW is point and shoot - no correction needed. The 530i feels lazy and apathetic compared to the 9-5 aero. The 9-5 aero gearing suits my driving style more. The 530i feels much less torquey even at revs where it is supposed to be comparable. If you owned any I6 n/a 5 series, I would definitely advocate the aero option. As it is, I think you will miss the 535d as it is the best of all worlds. If it is simply a case of needing the cash then I would consider a remapped e39 530d option OR a cheaper 5 series petrol and buy a 9000 running crazy boost to go with it. But then what do I know - I used to own a Smart Forfour.

Edited by jboy72 on Sunday 28th June 23:02

[GavGav]

jboy72 said:

...any V6 n/a 5 series...

Straight 6? Sorry...

Personally I think the 5-series is the better car, by a distance. But as you stated, for the age, performance, spec etc I don't think much comes near it for the price. Previously I had a 4.3 V8 E-class, and there's not a big difference in performance, but running costs for my Aero have been a fraction of the Merc's costs.

[jboy72]

jboy72 said:

a_bloke said:

aeropilot said:

a_bloke said:

Found this last night on autotrader.

Is something like this the bargain it seems, or are there reasons why the Aero HOT is cheap? I've seen more about near this price.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_popup.jsp...

Probably about right, and it's a lowish miles car for the year, not surprisingly for a NI car though. It's an early MY2004 car and a rare manual. The prices have dropped a lot on them purely as the replacement has been a long time coming and Saab have heavily discounted them new in recent years so causing a corresponding drop in used prices.

Cheers Guys.

I'm going to be selling my 535d soon as we're building a new house and the cash would be handy. Its seems to be a lot of car for the money, given its power, toys and that its a current model. Any BMW / Audi / Merc at that price point is going to be at least one generation back.

I own a BMW 530i and have previously owned a 9-5 HOT aero. I didnt enjoy the manual 9-5 box. The 530i is better screwed together. The 9-5 aero corners well with little roll but does suffer from oversteer. The rwd BMW is point and shoot - no correction needed. The 530i feels lazy and apathetic compared to the 9-5 aero. The 9-5 aero gearing suits my driving style more. The 530i feels much less torquey even at revs where it is supposed to be comparable. If you owned any I6 n/a 5 series, I would definitely advocate the aero option. As it is, I think you will miss the 535d as it is the best of all worlds. If it is simply a case of needing the cash then I would consider a remapped e39 530d option OR a cheaper 5 series petrol and buy a 9000 running crazy boost to go with it. But then what do I know - I used to own a Smart Forfour.

Yikes - That's a howler. Now corrected!!

Edited by jboy72 on Sunday 28th June 23:01

[RedLeicester]

jboy72 said:

The 9-5 aero corners well with little roll but does suffer from oversteer.

????!!!!????!!!!

[jboy72]

AAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh. understeer, oversteer. I was having a bad day.

Edited by jboy72 on Monday 6th July 12:02

[RedLeicester]

Would be a very bad day if you were oversteering a FWD car!

[jboy72]

Indeed! Or maybe a very good one?!?!?!? Ha, ha

http://www.modernracer.com/tips/frontwheeldriveove...

[captainzep]

I've got a 53 plate MY04 manual Aero.

Just got in from a 300 mile journey from West Wales to East Kent, a journey I've had to do a few times in the last couple of weeks due to see-sawing between illness/death in wife's family and pressing issues back home at work.

Just the sort of mercy dashes which require a totally reliable, un-temperamental, comfy, stress free but swift drive to swallow the miles.

The Aero hasn't missed a beat. Some warp-speed motoring at times but still hovering around the 30mpg mark, even with cheap 95 RON unleaded.

Its not a track day entertainer but its been a brilliant straight line, long distance fast saloon and my respect for it is growing with every mile.

[RedLeicester]

Can only agree on that - I've now had two Aeros in my time, both of them went to well over 100k (in fact my second, now owned by a friend is currently banging on the door of 180k), and there is little to match their pace, economy and comfort. No they're not going to be the last word in handling, but the midrange makes progress SO easy.

[T5GRF]

Sorry for being a bit off topic, I have just put a deposit down on a 58 plate 9-5 Turbo Edition Saloon with just about every extra, 16000 miles and paid £13500 for it, very pleased!

I intend to do something about the handling, the Hirsch upgrade is the obvious answer at around £1100 plus fitting has anyone gone down this route and care to share their thoughts? Has anyone tried any other options?

Also my car is fitted with 17 inch wheels, I am not keen on the design and intend to change to an 18 inch wheel, any thoughts on how this might sharpen up the handling with the suspension upgrade or will I be spoiling the ride comfort?

[aeropilot]

T5GRF said:

Sorry for being a bit off topic, I have just put a deposit down on a 58 plate 9-5 Turbo Edition Saloon with just about every extra, 16000 miles and paid £13500 for it, very pleased!

Blimey.....not surprised your pleased at that price

T5GRF said:

I intend to do something about the handling, the Hirsch upgrade is the obvious answer at around £1100 plus fitting has anyone gone down this route and care to share their thoughts?

Do it now

I had the Hirsch suspension and 18" six spoke alloy rims fitted to my Aero when it was just over a year old.....and it transformed the car, both in terms of improved steering response and feel, roadholding and most importantly, much improved ride comfort because of the progressive springs. The lighter Hirsch rims with reduced unsprung weight has helped here as well. The Hirsch suspension also seems to have increased tyre life as well, and I've seen other Hirsch owners agree with this too.
It's by far the best suspension for the 9-5, don't even bother with any other choices. I've been in various 9-5's with Koni, Bilstein and Eibach suspensions and only the Eibach Pro setup is the only one that comes close to the Hirsch one, again because of the progressive springs. But I'd still go with the Hirsch without question.

[900T-R]

RedLeicester said:

Would be a very bad day if you were oversteering a FWD car!

Um, remember Saabine? After a track day, the rear tyres looked like they've had a harder time than the fronts...

[T5GRF]

Thanks for the advice Aeropilot Hirsch it is then!
I can't make up my mind about the wheels though, I know the Hirsch rims are excellent quality and lightweight but I am not sure I am that keen on the current range, has anyone got a recommendation for another quality 18 inch wheel and maybe a few pictures of them fitted to a 9-5?

[aeropilot]

T5GRF said:

has anyone got a recommendation for another quality 18 inch wheel and maybe a few pictures of them fitted to a 9-5?

Unfortunately there just arn't that many decent lightweight wheels available in the right PCD and offset combination for a 9-5. Plenty of heavy 'style' wheels but not proper decent lightwight ones, unless you can afford a set of Dymag's

If I didn't have the Hirsch 6 spokes, I'd go for the BBS CK, click on the linky below to see this much modded 9-5 Aero with them on (although these are 19" versions)

http://www.maptun.com/customers.php?car=5&cid=...

[RedLeicester]

900T-R said:

RedLeicester said:

Would be a very bad day if you were oversteering a FWD car!

Um, remember Saabine? After a track day, the rear tyres looked like they've had a harder time than the fronts...

Fair point!

[T5GRF]

Thanks for the link Aeropilot, the BBS CK wheels look lovely on that 9-5, price seems reasonable too so we might have a winner!