Saab advice from a saab virgin

[Wheelrepairit]

Hi folks.

After a 2nd car for the summer, got my eye on a 02 9-3 aero with lots of toys.

This little baby http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

Tell me folks, I dont even know if if they are front/rear wheel drive.

Always liked Saab, worked as a subcontractor at Saab city in london for over 10 yrs so seen plenty of them.

Need an auto due to a leg injury.

So, any tips and advice would be great.

Pete

[Harleyman]

Hi Pete,

The Aero is an awesome piece of kit, I am now on my 3rd cheap to run and lots of performance per pound. They are front wheel drive but dont let that put you off, they still handle well and boy are they fast.

I know you are looking at the ebay one but I have my mint 02 reg Aero convertible for sale, im the second owner and had it for the last 6 years. Always garaged and its got a full sevice history its only done 32000 mile (only comes out when the sun shines) you wont find a cleaner convert for the money I need to sell it as I have a new one so its got to go 4500 pound

I can be contacted on 01429 222287 or [e-mail]

Nidge

Edited by Harleyman on Monday 25th January 17:07

[WildCards]

They're all FWD BTW.

[Wheelrepairit]

Nidge,

Is it an auto, I need an auto due to a injury.

[Max M4X WW]

I agree with everything said here, But watch out for cracked bulkheads - I think mines cracked

[Wheelrepairit]

Ref the car shown in my original post.

Whats it worth guys, he keep relisting it with a lower and lower buy it now.

Last 2 auctions ended at £3600 and £3200

Any help would be great.

This car is fairly local to myself so handy to go for.

But dont want to be turned over and pay to much

Thanks

Pete

[WildCards]

Whatcar valuation reads;

Dealer £3,895
Private £3,510
Part exchange £3,455
Trade £3,275
Cost new £22,540

If he can't prove the 255bhp claim with a dyno print out i'd take it with a pinch of salt. I believe the timing chain will need replacing at 60,000 miles, my 9-5 was done recently at a cost of £800 which was quite cheap.

[markCSC]

Hi Pete

What happened to the Nissan?

I have the little turbo (150bhp) on mine which is smooth if a little dull sounding. It torque steers a fair bit so good knows what 250bhp would be like!

Build quality on Saabs isn't the best, loads of little thing seem to go wrong but nothing major.

The automatic aerial often fails
The dash display thingy looses pixels
Ventilation selector sticks then breaks
Fan controller can fail so it only works on 1 speed
Head can leak oil - should just need to be re-torqued

All the above was on my car and all seem to common problems


On the whole Saabs are nice comfortable, good looking cars with a lot of performance per £ but not much character.

[I know I'm going to be flamed for the last comment]

Edited by markCSC on Thursday 18th February 15:29

[Wheelrepairit]

markCSC said:

Hi Pete

What happened to the Nissan?

Sold to a 56 yr old builder from Dartford,well he said he was a builder, although I dont know many builders with over 50k in cash in these economic times.

Wouldnt be surprised if I see him on tonights "my big gypsy wedding" programme.

[Saabanger]

values differ a lot depending on how they have been cared for. you can get one of those for 2k (or less) but I would avoid. Clean Aeros with good history can go fur much much more.

2 main things to look out for:
1) cracked bulkhead. this is how you find out: when stationary, turn the steering from lock to lock and back again. If the pedals move, the bulkhead's cracked. walk away.
2) sludge. higher performance models and Aeros especially need fully synth oil regulary, no shortcuts. what can happen is sludge in the strainer/sump which starves the engine of oil. that spells The End. So ideally needs to have had a "sump drop and clean" with maybe updated oil breather kit.

Don't let this put you off, a good one is a great joy (and reliable) arguably the biggest bang for your hardearned £££.

look on uksaabs.co.uk for more details