Advice pre purchase - 93 Aero or 95 Aero?

[finmac]

Looking for a new car for my wife. Will be an 06 plate or so, either 9-3 Aero 2.8 SportWagon or 9-5 HOT Aero estate.

Whats the best drivers car and how do they both compare in terms of servicing intervals/costs/MPG etc. Owners views welcome please?

[John D9395]

I had an 04 9-5 3.0 Tid from new which I kept for 4 years, and an 05 Aero Rag top from nearly new (which I still have).

9-5 is:-

more comfortable
better build quality

That said the 9-3 is a good car, but most of my pleasure comes from the rag top.

I replaced the 9-5 with an S Type Jag which if I am honest is probably only 90% as comfortable as the 9-5. Saab do know how to make seats, shame the 9-3 seats were influenced too much by GM!

[NST]

take alook at my history for my 9-3 2.8 .

9-3 is more nimble than 9-5 and the more modern car. build quality is what lets it down.

[aeropilot]

Echo comments about 9-3 being a more modern design, with a more nimble chassis, but the 9-5 is better built, although even that deteriorated a bit after 05/06 and the introduction of the Dame Edna look 9-5's with all the GM parts bin stuff in the dash etc.

Seats are way better in the 9-5, although this might not be such a problem as the car is for your missus (unless she's very tall).

I still prefer the 'old' B235R engine in the 9-5 Aero more than the 2.8V6 but that's a personal preferance.

I'd still have the 9-5 Aero, but it would be a tougher call if it was a choice between that and a 9-3 Turbo-X.

Edited by aeropilot on Monday 7th September 08:12

[Phil Dicky]

aeropilot said:

I'd still have the 9-5 Aero, but it would be a tougher call if it was a choice between that and a 9-3 Turbo-X.

Edited by aeropilot on Monday 7th September 08:12

Another vote for the 9-5 Aero, mines at 145k and still running strong, better than the Volov which has just destroyed its engine.

[NST]

finmac said:

Whats the best drivers car and how do they both compare in terms of servicing intervals/costs/MPG etc. Owners views welcome please?

servicing at saab dealers is expensive. 250 minor 400ish for a major. service intervals on the 2.8 depends on the driver. i get around 15K between services, max is 18K.
mpg depends on the right foot, easily get low 30s on the motorway, mid 30s is possible if keeping the speed below 85. town driving usually 25-28mpg.

get the hirsch map fitted and have some fun.

i wouldn't say the 9-3 is a particularly good 'drivers' car. it is a good fast motorway car. the in gear acceleration is what makes the car special.

[Scoobysnax1963]

Hi,
I have had Saabs fornearly 20 years. I now have a 9-5 Aero HOT Estae and it is fantastic, ok, admittedly it is tuned by Abbott Racing, however. The 9-3 is a newer build, but the 9-5 is better overall. Go for it. I gave up my 9000 Abbott CSE Anniversary for my 9-5 and haven't looked back.
regards
mark

[finmac]

Thanks guys, had a 9000 HOT aero years ago, nice old thing it was, as yoiu say great seats!

Been thinking of a dame edna 95 estate. Out of interest what are the Diesels like (either with or without the Hirsh chip)?

[JamesK]

They are great cars, the auto is very good too. I am currently deciding whether I want to pay the best part of £11k for a 2006 dame edna aero auto this close to the new model being released. Seems like top money to me, allbeit from a dealer with warranty and 54k service.

Any views?

[finmac]

JamesK said:

They are great cars, the auto is very good too. I am currently deciding whether I want to pay the best part of £11k for a 2006 dame edna aero auto this close to the new model being released. Seems like top money to me, allbeit from a dealer with warranty and 54k service.

Any views?

A bit expensive I reckon, will take a whack when the new one materialises.

Most Aeros seem to be Auto, which is frustrating - much prefer the manual myself

[aeropilot]

JamesK said:

They are great cars, the auto is very good too. I am currently deciding whether I want to pay the best part of £11k for a 2006 dame edna aero auto this close to the new model being released. Seems like top money to me, allbeit from a dealer with warranty and 54k service.

I would say there's there would likely be a lot of movement on that price by the dealer tbh, and if not walk away laughing.

Why would the new model being released make any difference...?

Current 9-5 prices are deflated as it is because it's percieved as being way out of date, even though the 'new model' won't have any better performance and has worse C02 emissions, even though every other manufacturer on the planet is trying to improve it's new cars.

Personally I'd go for the proper Saab and get a current 9-5 and enjoy it for some years until the Koeniggesegg influence will take effect some years down the road after they have hopefully removed a large chunk of GM dna with a significant update etc.
The new model is soooo close to an Insignia mechanically that youre better off spending less money and get one of those.

[JamesK]

I have tried on money - they are reluctant to budge below £10,500 I reckon. It's a nice car, not flawless mind you. I think they paid too much for it in part-ex as the guy is local and bought a new car from them.

I'll leave it for now and see if it sells.

I'm not sure the new model will have a dramatic affect on pricing as you say aeropilot - one thing is for sure though, any affect is going to be a negative one.