95 Aero Wagon

[Job38]

Guys, I'm after a 95 Aero Estate manual. Ideal spec: rear parking sensors, heated rear seats, ASC3 upgraded hi-fi.

They're proving pretty rare as it it. Is it possible to retro-fit heated rear seats, parking sensors and upgraded hi-fi?

SAAB was not on my radar, but I'm now running a classic 93 Aero Coupe and I'm really enjoying the combination of quirkyness/performance/economy.....

Also, any particular nastys to be aware of?

[aeropilot]

Job38 said:

Is it possible to retro-fit heated rear seats, parking sensors and upgraded hi-fi?

Heated rear seats should be possible....but not cheap.

Parking sensors should also be possible IIRC.

AS3 upgrade isn't a financially viable retro fit at all.

[Job38]

Thanks, aeropilot,
looks like I have a long wait to find the right car, if it is indeed the right car for me (I've read many expensive threads about the 95 Aero....)

[School boy]

Possibly give Abbott Racing a call. They can find you a decent one and sometimes have a few for sale. They would also do the upgrades.

[aeropilot]

Job38 said:

Thanks, aeropilot,
looks like I have a long wait to find the right car, if it is indeed the right car for me (I've read many expensive threads about the 95 Aero....)

6 years ago, I was looking for over 9 months waiting for the 'right car'....but I was prepared for that though, as it had taken me a similar time to find my previous 9000 Aero some years earlier.

What's your budget or what year/s are you looking at, as this will affect spec etc...?
Wanting a manual won't help, as the auto's outnumber manual's by probably 3 or even 4:1.....even more than that once you get into the newer 'Dame Edna' cars from 2006 onwards.

[DavidY]

The auto's also lob you into the highest road tax bracket.

[Job38]

Got to be a manual.

Post 2001, but pre-Dame Edna (prefer the old interior, let alone the exterior).

So, £2500 -£5000 I guess....

[aeropilot]

Job38 said:

Got to be a manual.

Post 2001, but pre-Dame Edna (prefer the old interior, let alone the exterior).

Best bet would be looking for a Mar 02 to Aug 03 car, as Aero's from this period will have the heated rear seats and rear park sensors fitted as standard, and quite a few will have the AS3 as well. Will be easier to find a manual from these years too.
The next generation 04/05 cars went back to 'poverty' spec as standard, with everything back on the extra cost options list, although park sensors were standard by now as were xenon headlights, so you will need to look for a car fitted with the optional Aero Lux Pack, which added the electric mem front seats, heated front & rear seats, AS3 audio, rain sensor wipers & power fold auto dim mirrors.
04/05 car also had the redesigned engine which eliminated the sludging engine issue of earlier cars, although, that is less of an issue with the Aero. But, manual cars will be harder to find in 04/05 cars.

[Job38]

Now that is a top quality response!
You certainly know your stuff!
Many thanks.

ps., how do you know if the car has ASC3? Most sellers don't have a clue....

[ITP]

Just look for the usual stuff, good history, no crashes, few owners etc etc. and then find a good indie to look after it.

I've got an manual 02/02 Aero wagon in black/black leather. Had it a couple of years and its been fine. Just regular servicing/tyres etc. Bought at 73k now on 101k. This age has indeed got the full spec, electric memory heated front (and back) seats, xenons, park sensors etc. No AS3 on mine though.
I should sell it for a diesel as i'm doing 750miles a week now. It's not bad on fuel, its doing bang on 30mpg at 0.85 leptons on my weekly commute, if i slowed to 0.7 it would probably do near 35mpg, but thats not viable on a 5.1/2hr commute! Problem is its such a lot of comfortable, quick car for what its worth (3-3.5k), what kind of worn out diesel would i get just for that money to save me £50/week on fuel...

[aeropilot]

Job38 said:

Now that is a top quality response!
You certainly know your stuff!
Many thanks.

ps., how do you know if the car has ASC3? Most sellers don't have a clue....

AS3 is easy to spot on an estate. Look into the back load area, on each side behind the wheel bulge there is a clip opening storage compartment. If there is one on both sides, then it has standard AS2 fitted. If the Harmon Kardon AS3 is fitted, the compartment on the righ hand side is replaced by an eighth speaker (subwoofer) unit.

Edited by aeropilot on Tuesday 25th May 13:44

[berry100]

Great ideal thread for me this!

Anyone point me in the right direction of Saab Hot Aero Wagon...

Best year and model advice appreciated for around £3k....

Thanks

[berry100]

berry100 said:

Great ideal thread for me this!

Anyone point me in the right direction of Saab Hot Aero Wagon...

Best year and model advice appreciated for around £3k....

Thanks

Oh and it needs to cope with fairly regular stop/start driving and the occasional 60 mile commute..so is Auto or manual best?

Planned use as school run car, camping 4/5 times per year (hence estate with roof-rails required)

My occasional commute to work - 60 mile...

[aeropilot]

berry100 said:

berry100 said:

Great ideal thread for me this!

Anyone point me in the right direction of Saab Hot Aero Wagon...

Best year and model advice appreciated for around £3k....

Thanks

Oh and it needs to cope with fairly regular stop/start driving and the occasional 60 mile commute..so is Auto or manual best?

Planned use as school run car, camping 4/5 times per year (hence estate with roof-rails required)

My occasional commute to work - 60 mile...

I would say auto.....but, only if you can stretch to a facelift 2002 onwards car with the 5 speed auto gearbox, which is going to be borderline at that budget.

[DavidY]

The auto is also in the top tax bracket, ok it has a pre-2006 dispensation for this year, but not for future years. Manual is one tax group lower. (All 9-5 petrol autos are in top tax bracket)

[berry100]

Should I worry about high miles?

Will do about 100 mile a week tops....so won't be putting too many miles on it...

[DavidY]

No not if it's been well maintained, should be good for 200K plus

davidy (whose only just traded in a 221k 9-5 2.3LPT)

[berry100]

Any opinions on the below? Bit pricey maybe?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2009...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

[aeropilot]

berry100 said:

Any opinions on the below? Bit pricey maybe?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2009...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Always buy on condition....but

On just the ads I'd definately have a look at the 3rd one, as being a MY03 car it has all the extra kit, and on top of that this one has the Aero Lux Pack as well by the looks of it...and it's the lower miles of the 3.
The top two have the better engine option as these are MY04 cars so no engine sludge issue. High miles though, especially the middle one, and less kit in both.

[berry100]

Thanks again, do they have a belt or chain that should have been changed?

As it's a manual...is there a specific clutch life?

Thanks in advance once again...

Only had a Saab once before and to be fair it never let me down apart from a turbo issue (diesel) which didn't seem serious