Saab Aeros - why so cheap?
Discussion
I'm selling my current motor, and one of the cars on my mental list (doesn't every petrolhead have a list of cars to own?) is a Saab Aero.
I have been looking at both 9-3 and 9-5 Aeros, circa 2001-2005 and they seem to retail for what I consider to be low price.
Can anyone shed any light on why this is?
Are they hideously unreliable? Expensive to run?
From what I have read, people tend to rate the 9-5 Aero as a decent large, fast estate - not sure about the 9-3.
Anyone got any experience of them? Any horror stories or the opposite?
Thanks,
Steven
I have been looking at both 9-3 and 9-5 Aeros, circa 2001-2005 and they seem to retail for what I consider to be low price.
Can anyone shed any light on why this is?
Are they hideously unreliable? Expensive to run?
From what I have read, people tend to rate the 9-5 Aero as a decent large, fast estate - not sure about the 9-3.
Anyone got any experience of them? Any horror stories or the opposite?
Thanks,
Steven
I know that Saab's have a strong following - on here as well as elsewhere. However, when I drove a 9-3 about 3 years ago (with a view to buying one for my folks), I really didn't get on with it. Admittedly it wasn't an Aero - it was a high-spec turbo diesel model. I genuinely wanted to like it; I love the styling, the image and the performance figures were good. And, as you said, the price seems very good for what you get on the second hand market. However, I found the handling to be dire, the engine utterly uninspiring (the power band was amazingly narrow) and the rear seats were remarkably uncomfortable.
FWIW, they went for an Octavia instead, which struck me as a better car in pretty much every respect, other than appearance.
Oli.
FWIW, they went for an Octavia instead, which struck me as a better car in pretty much every respect, other than appearance.
Oli.
I think they are a car that are underrated and consequently not as desirable.
The badge does not have quite the same status as say Merc or BMW used to. I have a 9-5 that I need to sell and I quite like the image. From an outside view it's difficult to point and say he's a car nut, he's an Audi Cock, Pretentious Merc. It's a Saab and consequently 'different'.
It's also quieter, quicker, and more refined than a Vectra, better equipped. Not driven an Aero, but would expect them to not handle quite as well as say the equivalent BMW, but to be as quick in a straight line, and more economical.
Also Yes they are good value.
The badge does not have quite the same status as say Merc or BMW used to. I have a 9-5 that I need to sell and I quite like the image. From an outside view it's difficult to point and say he's a car nut, he's an Audi Cock, Pretentious Merc. It's a Saab and consequently 'different'.
It's also quieter, quicker, and more refined than a Vectra, better equipped. Not driven an Aero, but would expect them to not handle quite as well as say the equivalent BMW, but to be as quick in a straight line, and more economical.
Also Yes they are good value.
Anything big and non-German get's molested on the used market.
The 9-5/9-3 are older designs, not overly cheap to run, the future of the company is unsure and they don't really "fit in" with many people's criteria. Think they're cheap in the classifieds? They get slaughtered at auction
The 9-5/9-3 are older designs, not overly cheap to run, the future of the company is unsure and they don't really "fit in" with many people's criteria. Think they're cheap in the classifieds? They get slaughtered at auction
CampDavid said:
Anything big and non-German get's molested on the used market.
The 9-5/9-3 are older designs, not overly cheap to run, the future of the company is unsure and they don't really "fit in" with many people's criteria. Think they're cheap in the classifieds? They get slaughtered at auction
Most Aeros do seem to get picked off as being worth more - there are enough traders that realise what they are seeing. Run of the mill 3s and 5s do get hammered though!The 9-5/9-3 are older designs, not overly cheap to run, the future of the company is unsure and they don't really "fit in" with many people's criteria. Think they're cheap in the classifieds? They get slaughtered at auction
If you're having a Saab on your Must Own list get a real one.
The real ones have longitudinal engines and double wishbone front suspension.
The real ones handle better than they have any right too and are quite definitely Proper.
Turbos are worth having, gearboxes and early shaft driven waterpumps the only real weaknesses.
The real ones have longitudinal engines and double wishbone front suspension.
The real ones handle better than they have any right too and are quite definitely Proper.
Turbos are worth having, gearboxes and early shaft driven waterpumps the only real weaknesses.
I run a 2004 SAAB 9-5 Aero and are very pleased with it. In the 12 months of ownership it's cost me a AUD$300 service and $8 on windscreen wiper blades. It's fast(ish), very comfy, carries 5 adults easily, and has a huge boot (bigger than my mates E-class Merc). The handling isn't Lotus Elise standard (somewhat nose heavy) and the brakes could be better but for day-to-day use it's fab. Avoid pre-2001 models and if you get an auto make sure it's the 5 speed version. 9-5's are less GM'y than 9-3's and the pre-Dame Enda look versions are better built.
Ignore the badge snobs and those who insist it's a Vectra in a posh frock because that is a very long way from the truth. It's no more a Vectra than a VW Passat is the same as an Audi A6.
For comfy, semi-express barge type motoring you can't go wrong.
Ignore the badge snobs and those who insist it's a Vectra in a posh frock because that is a very long way from the truth. It's no more a Vectra than a VW Passat is the same as an Audi A6.
For comfy, semi-express barge type motoring you can't go wrong.
Edited by pauldc259 on Thursday 23 December 03:47
I don't have an Aero, I have a Vector (2.0T), and I think the costs come down to desirability, which is exactly why I bought it...
I had a toss-up between A4 Cab and 9-3 Cab....the Saab, IMHO, blew the Audi away in every department....
Cheaper to buy, cheaper to insure, cheaper to run (tax/service etc), less common, more kit for the money and dare I say it, better looking.
I think Aeros can be a expensive to repair if they go wrong, but other than that, the only reason I can think of for them being well priced, is the cache still attached to them....
JCB (yes - an Architect)
I had a toss-up between A4 Cab and 9-3 Cab....the Saab, IMHO, blew the Audi away in every department....
Cheaper to buy, cheaper to insure, cheaper to run (tax/service etc), less common, more kit for the money and dare I say it, better looking.
I think Aeros can be a expensive to repair if they go wrong, but other than that, the only reason I can think of for them being well priced, is the cache still attached to them....
JCB (yes - an Architect)
I bought my '05 93 Aero just over a year ago (with 86k on it); it has done another 20k since then and hasn't missed a beat. They're not everyone's cup of tea and I would say that my dad's old 330i was more fun to drive (and the ride wasn't as harsh as the 93's) but I still like the amount of grunt my car has (Hirsh S1). I got luck and found a fully loaded model with sat nav and all the trinkets for £5k in Northern Ireland. I don't have a huge motoring budget but so far maintenance has been very reasonable; although does go through a fair bit of 0w10 (have to top up every 3 or 4 months) and mpg around town is 27ish at best (lower in this weather).
ETA: If you are seriously considering an Aero I'd probably recommend the 95, just don't expect top-notch dynamic handling, think more powerfull barge
ETA: If you are seriously considering an Aero I'd probably recommend the 95, just don't expect top-notch dynamic handling, think more powerfull barge
Edited by boomboompow on Thursday 23 December 09:11
I'm currently rocking around in my dads 2002 9-5 (HOT) aero estate as my e39 is in the garage (again). To be honest I love it, its fast enough for my 60 mile round trip commute has the power to overtake (lots) when needed. Its comfortable and has the toys that are needed.
He brought it about 3 years ago with 55k on it its now on 106k with nothing other than normal service items (tyres, brakes etc).
I am seriously considering swapping to one in the new year, great value for money IMHO, plus I like the image (or lack of one!).
He brought it about 3 years ago with 55k on it its now on 106k with nothing other than normal service items (tyres, brakes etc).
I am seriously considering swapping to one in the new year, great value for money IMHO, plus I like the image (or lack of one!).
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