NCD + Man Maths = Saab 9-3??
Discussion
When LV kindly mirrored my full No Claims Discount onto my Monaro, I found myself with 4 years NCD needing a home if not to be forfeited. As something of a self-confessed Saab fan-boy, the situation was only ever likely to be resolved in one way.
To be a vaguely spiritual replacement for my much missed 9000 Griffin ( Winter Tyres + man maths = Saab 9000??) the intention was, again, to see how much Saab I could get for has little money as possible (without actually setting a budget)...
Initially I was looking at 9-5 Aero Estates but failed to find one at sensible money and in the sensible tax band that wasn't starting to rot, or otherwise looked as though it had been banger raced and then afterwards used as a dog kennel.
In addition I've always liked the looks of the late, large bumper '98-'02 9-3 Aero models despite the general consensus on UKSaabs being that they are very much the poor relation to the 9-5, something of a disaster dynamically and suffer the same sludge issues as the 9-5 with the added bonus of bulkhead cracking thrown in. They can also rust a bit.
This then, needed to be a carefully considered and researched purchase. I should take my time to find the right car with a known history, preferably with a few fastidious forum / owners club owners, an impeccable service record and ideally a few tweaks to address the known shortcomings.
Or not. I bought the first one I went to look at.
It is bog standard, has had no fastidious owners and has been run on semi-synthetic oil since the last couple of services (instant sludge death if you believe all that you read).
Job jobbed!
I also discovered upon arranging insurance that LV were still the cheapest and, again, happy to mirror my full NCD. So I still have four years' going begging. My failure, it would seem, is complete...
Only half-decent picture I have at the moment:
To be a vaguely spiritual replacement for my much missed 9000 Griffin ( Winter Tyres + man maths = Saab 9000??) the intention was, again, to see how much Saab I could get for has little money as possible (without actually setting a budget)...
Initially I was looking at 9-5 Aero Estates but failed to find one at sensible money and in the sensible tax band that wasn't starting to rot, or otherwise looked as though it had been banger raced and then afterwards used as a dog kennel.
In addition I've always liked the looks of the late, large bumper '98-'02 9-3 Aero models despite the general consensus on UKSaabs being that they are very much the poor relation to the 9-5, something of a disaster dynamically and suffer the same sludge issues as the 9-5 with the added bonus of bulkhead cracking thrown in. They can also rust a bit.
This then, needed to be a carefully considered and researched purchase. I should take my time to find the right car with a known history, preferably with a few fastidious forum / owners club owners, an impeccable service record and ideally a few tweaks to address the known shortcomings.
Or not. I bought the first one I went to look at.
It is bog standard, has had no fastidious owners and has been run on semi-synthetic oil since the last couple of services (instant sludge death if you believe all that you read).
Job jobbed!
I also discovered upon arranging insurance that LV were still the cheapest and, again, happy to mirror my full NCD. So I still have four years' going begging. My failure, it would seem, is complete...
Only half-decent picture I have at the moment:
Edited by 99t on Monday 13th June 13:26
Edited by 99t on Monday 13th June 13:27
Excellent purchase. I think these are one of the best looking 4 seater convertibles out there.
Although it was a diesel and 5 door as opposed to a petrol coupe or drop top, I really enjoyed the 93 I had as my first 'proper' car. They are handsome and relatively classless. Yours has got the best alloys too!
Although it was a diesel and 5 door as opposed to a petrol coupe or drop top, I really enjoyed the 93 I had as my first 'proper' car. They are handsome and relatively classless. Yours has got the best alloys too!
No problem.
Positives
It has done 82k with a fully stamped up history and some receipts to verify. Four previous owners, which is ok for a fourteen year old 'vert as they often change hands a bit more than tin-tops in my opinion. Decent branded tyres all round and no major damage to the body, roof or interior. No sign of any flex in the bulkhead or pedal box when moving the steering and no whines (when cold) or rattles from the engine that might indicate sludging issues.
Paint is good, no lacquer peel or mis-matched panels (but also see negatives below). It looks very clean underneath but the skirts need to come off for a full assessment.
Negatives
Paint is very scratched and scuffed in places. The bonnet in particular looks as though a family of cats has been using it as a slide! I reckon a machine polish with sort 99% of it though.
Aircon isn't working (although the vendor agreed to include any parts needed to get it working as part of the deal, as he breaks them as a side-line)
Passenger seat electrics completely dead as are the electric mirrors.
One tiny spot of rust on one rear arch, about 2mm diameter, but definitely a perforation rather than a stone chip, so it will need attending to soon.
Roof has a few scuffs and is quite green in places but appears watertight.
Due to the rust spot and dead passenger seat, I haggled a few quid off the price and got it for a smidgen over SOTW money, if that is sufficiently precise?
Positives
It has done 82k with a fully stamped up history and some receipts to verify. Four previous owners, which is ok for a fourteen year old 'vert as they often change hands a bit more than tin-tops in my opinion. Decent branded tyres all round and no major damage to the body, roof or interior. No sign of any flex in the bulkhead or pedal box when moving the steering and no whines (when cold) or rattles from the engine that might indicate sludging issues.
Paint is good, no lacquer peel or mis-matched panels (but also see negatives below). It looks very clean underneath but the skirts need to come off for a full assessment.
Negatives
Paint is very scratched and scuffed in places. The bonnet in particular looks as though a family of cats has been using it as a slide! I reckon a machine polish with sort 99% of it though.
Aircon isn't working (although the vendor agreed to include any parts needed to get it working as part of the deal, as he breaks them as a side-line)
Passenger seat electrics completely dead as are the electric mirrors.
One tiny spot of rust on one rear arch, about 2mm diameter, but definitely a perforation rather than a stone chip, so it will need attending to soon.
Roof has a few scuffs and is quite green in places but appears watertight.
Due to the rust spot and dead passenger seat, I haggled a few quid off the price and got it for a smidgen over SOTW money, if that is sufficiently precise?
that's lovely, such a bargain and sounds like all the niggles are easily sorted. Who needs air con when you can put the roof down!
A few weeks back I entered into saab 9-3 ownership as I needed a reliable barge for the wife for not much money as we are planning a house a move.
We ended up with a 2006 9-3 aero with all the extras in great condition. All for shed money. It has really grown on me and it is certainly more than just a vectra in drag.
A few weeks back I entered into saab 9-3 ownership as I needed a reliable barge for the wife for not much money as we are planning a house a move.
We ended up with a 2006 9-3 aero with all the extras in great condition. All for shed money. It has really grown on me and it is certainly more than just a vectra in drag.
Nice choice . They are excellent value
I've had mine for 3 years and its proved a good car. I still enjoy the way it accelerates when the turbo comes on stream
My roof was also green- use Milton sterilising fluid and a nail brush to clean it, then use the autoglym spray (if you're feeling affluent) or fabsil tent spray (if you're not) to waterproof it
Problems I've had:
- the bulkhead went after about a year. £600 fix by my local Saab specialist
- the crankshaft positioning sensor failed intermittently which means the car wont start; £200 fix and been fine for 18 months
Oh- and the seats are so comfortable and it makes an excellent pick up truck with the roof down....
. They are excellent valueI've had mine for 3 years and its proved a good car. I still enjoy the way it accelerates when the turbo comes on stream
My roof was also green- use Milton sterilising fluid and a nail brush to clean it, then use the autoglym spray (if you're feeling affluent) or fabsil tent spray (if you're not) to waterproof it
Problems I've had:
- the bulkhead went after about a year. £600 fix by my local Saab specialist
- the crankshaft positioning sensor failed intermittently which means the car wont start; £200 fix and been fine for 18 months
Oh- and the seats are so comfortable and it makes an excellent pick up truck with the roof down....
Thanks all, more positive comments and less "Cavalier in drag" than I was expecting!
Now I'm not sure whether the scourers had actually been used on the car, or if instead it had previously been owned by these guys:
but much of the bonnet and tops of the front wings look much like this:
Fortunately the rest of the car is nowhere near as bad!
jamesb2001 said:
My roof was also green- use Milton sterilising fluid and a nail brush to clean it, then use the autoglym spray (if you're feeling affluent) or fabsil tent spray (if you're not) to waterproof it
It came with a half-used Autoglym roof cleaning and proofing kit in the boot, which was nice. Also some scouring pads, which was worrying!! Now I'm not sure whether the scourers had actually been used on the car, or if instead it had previously been owned by these guys:
but much of the bonnet and tops of the front wings look much like this:
Fortunately the rest of the car is nowhere near as bad!
Some fixes are nice and easy The dead passenger seat electrics turned out to be a disconnected plug under the seat. Bit of a fiddle to reconnect but all working now.
Will keep an eye on things to make sure it wasn't disconnected for a reason but I didn't emerge from under the seat with my hair on fire after I connected it back up!
The air-con is proving less straightforward - took it for a recharge last week. The system held pressure ok but still wouldn't work as the cabin sensor was throwing an error. Turned out that too was disconnected, but plugging it back in made no difference so assumed it to be faulty.
The vendor, true to his word put a sensor in the post on Friday and it arrived Saturday. Swapped it in but the compressor still won't kick in. AC people did say the fault might need clearing manually before it would work so they can have another look at it tomorrow...
Started improving some of the paint at the weekend, took it very steady as I'm a total novice with the rotary polisher but unfortunately only managed one wing before rain stopped play, but achieved a fairly decent improvement I think.
This is pretty much the same spot the picture in the previous post was taken!!
If I can get the rest of the car like this I'll be pretty happy
The dead passenger seat electrics turned out to be a disconnected plug under the seat. Bit of a fiddle to reconnect but all working now. Will keep an eye on things to make sure it wasn't disconnected for a reason but I didn't emerge from under the seat with my hair on fire after I connected it back up!
The air-con is proving less straightforward - took it for a recharge last week. The system held pressure ok but still wouldn't work as the cabin sensor was throwing an error. Turned out that too was disconnected, but plugging it back in made no difference so assumed it to be faulty.
The vendor, true to his word put a sensor in the post on Friday and it arrived Saturday. Swapped it in but the compressor still won't kick in. AC people did say the fault might need clearing manually before it would work so they can have another look at it tomorrow...
Started improving some of the paint at the weekend, took it very steady as I'm a total novice with the rotary polisher but unfortunately only managed one wing before rain stopped play, but achieved a fairly decent improvement I think.
This is pretty much the same spot the picture in the previous post was taken!!
If I can get the rest of the car like this I'll be pretty happy
They get a lot of bad press these vert's especially in Saab land but I quite liked mine, just never really had much chance to get the roof down 
I'm still getting grief for swapping it for the v6
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=111...
They do need a few quid spent on the handling side to get the best out of them though. Subframe brace & steering rack clamp/brace are well worth it and cut down on scuttle shake. Can also piggy back the rear arb if you don't want to shell out on the 22mm bar
I'm still getting grief for swapping it for the v6
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=111...
They do need a few quid spent on the handling side to get the best out of them though. Subframe brace & steering rack clamp/brace are well worth it and cut down on scuttle shake. Can also piggy back the rear arb if you don't want to shell out on the 22mm bar
I said:
Swapped the cabin sensor in but the compressor still won't kick in. AC people did say the fault might need clearing manually before it would work so they can have another look at it tomorrow...
And we have working air conditioning! 
As they say, one step forward, one step back.
It rained pretty hard last night. I was quite pleased to only see a couple of drips on the passenger seat.
I was less pleased when I got to the first corner and the headlining dumped about half a pint of water in my lap
Edited by 99t on Monday 27th June 13:47
Few little jobs ticked off this weekend...
The locking wheel nuts looked rather rounded and ropey and I didn't fancy trying to get them off on a rainy night (why do all envisaged punctures always happen on a rainy night?)
This was a good call as it turned out - none would have been easily removeable at the roadside without the assistance of a lump hammer to smash the key fully into the nut. Fortunately, after some minor brutality, all four cracked and undid, just.
Next up was changing the thermostat, which was easy to access and a nice straightforward job. Coolant and cooling system looked nice and clean but took the opportunity to replace the coolant anyway.
Now runs at near enough 89C on a cool evening with the top down and heater on full blast - previously it was dropping into the high 60's under those circumstances.
Also swapped a headlight bulb whilst the bonnet was open as one main beam was out. Only noteworthy as again access was old-school easy and took about one minute in total - including carefully getting the bulb out of its packaging without touching it!!
Finally, gave the roof a damn good soaking with Renovo which may reduce the amount of leakage next time it gets rained on....
The locking wheel nuts looked rather rounded and ropey and I didn't fancy trying to get them off on a rainy night (why do all envisaged punctures always happen on a rainy night?)
This was a good call as it turned out - none would have been easily removeable at the roadside without the assistance of a lump hammer to smash the key fully into the nut. Fortunately, after some minor brutality, all four cracked and undid, just.
Next up was changing the thermostat, which was easy to access and a nice straightforward job. Coolant and cooling system looked nice and clean but took the opportunity to replace the coolant anyway.
Now runs at near enough 89C on a cool evening with the top down and heater on full blast - previously it was dropping into the high 60's under those circumstances.
Also swapped a headlight bulb whilst the bonnet was open as one main beam was out. Only noteworthy as again access was old-school easy and took about one minute in total - including carefully getting the bulb out of its packaging without touching it!!
Finally, gave the roof a damn good soaking with Renovo which may reduce the amount of leakage next time it gets rained on....
Nice one! I too picked up a 'vert shed almost 2 years ago as a temporary stop-gap....they are so much better than they should be for the money and is just a capable and fun cruiser that I use for early morning/late night dashes to and from Heathrow.
Treated mine to some new wheels at the weekend:
I must do my roof (Milton fluid, Johnson's baby bath (Blue), Renovo & Fabsil is the recommended process), and hopefully I might be in a position to liberate some extra horses next month
My girl's story:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Treated mine to some new wheels at the weekend:
I must do my roof (Milton fluid, Johnson's baby bath (Blue), Renovo & Fabsil is the recommended process), and hopefully I might be in a position to liberate some extra horses next month
My girl's story:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Cheers! Fat Albert, your new wheels look great, been following your thread with much amusement at the carnival float antics
Well, last post I gloated over how easy the headlight bulb change was. Unfortunately I gloated before testing it, assuming the bulb would sort it. It hasn't and the nearside main beam still doesn't work.
Will revisit that one but replacing the original PCV system with Saab's updated "anti-sludge" setup was more pressing. To be fair most of the larger hoses weren't too bad, only one feeling a bit like Plasticine when squeezed. The small bore vac hoses were in dire need of replacement though...
Armed myself with the replacement kit...
...and got stuck in. Fortunately the fitting instructions are quite straightforward, only the oil trap, attached to the back side of the engine block was a bit of a chore. It is the circled black plastic lump with two hoses at the top and a lower return to the sump and besides being tucked behind a few things it had to be accessed from underneath, one handed through a small gap between the cat, driveshaft and subframe. Not fun!
Anyway, all done and tested, no EML, good boost, all seems well.
Really now I should do a sump drop to clean out the oil pickup as that is what kills these engines. Even though it is a chore and a pain of a job, I really should.
However I have no absolutely no symptoms of sludging, the pipes that came off all looked very clean inside and no bits came out of them when banged on a desk. It is little bits of crud and degraded pipe that find their way into the sump and eventually block the oil pickup. There are usually symptoms before the situation becomes critical and I have none of these. No whining from cold (indicating the oil pump straining to suck cold oil up), the oil light goes out within half a second after firing up when cold and on the first turn of the engine when cranking (before it fires) warm.
I am tempted just to fit a mechanical oil pressure gauge (a lot less hassle than dropping the sump and never a bad thing to have anyway) and just monitor the situation....
Well, last post I gloated over how easy the headlight bulb change was. Unfortunately I gloated before testing it, assuming the bulb would sort it. It hasn't and the nearside main beam still doesn't work.
Will revisit that one but replacing the original PCV system with Saab's updated "anti-sludge" setup was more pressing. To be fair most of the larger hoses weren't too bad, only one feeling a bit like Plasticine when squeezed. The small bore vac hoses were in dire need of replacement though...
Armed myself with the replacement kit...
...and got stuck in. Fortunately the fitting instructions are quite straightforward, only the oil trap, attached to the back side of the engine block was a bit of a chore. It is the circled black plastic lump with two hoses at the top and a lower return to the sump and besides being tucked behind a few things it had to be accessed from underneath, one handed through a small gap between the cat, driveshaft and subframe. Not fun!
Anyway, all done and tested, no EML, good boost, all seems well.
Really now I should do a sump drop to clean out the oil pickup as that is what kills these engines. Even though it is a chore and a pain of a job, I really should.
However I have no absolutely no symptoms of sludging, the pipes that came off all looked very clean inside and no bits came out of them when banged on a desk. It is little bits of crud and degraded pipe that find their way into the sump and eventually block the oil pickup. There are usually symptoms before the situation becomes critical and I have none of these. No whining from cold (indicating the oil pump straining to suck cold oil up), the oil light goes out within half a second after firing up when cold and on the first turn of the engine when cranking (before it fires) warm.
I am tempted just to fit a mechanical oil pressure gauge (a lot less hassle than dropping the sump and never a bad thing to have anyway) and just monitor the situation....
Edited by 99t on Sunday 3rd July 09:56
I said:
Well, last post I gloated over how easy the headlight bulb change was. Unfortunately I gloated before testing it, assuming the bulb would sort it. It hasn't and the nearside main beam still doesn't work.
Ok, tonight's five-minute-fix, same as on my 9000 actually - headlight relay, hot soldering iron over all the main connections (all of which looked absolutely fine), working main beam both sides :smug:Have ordered some +60% bulbs as Devon holiday "road trip" is beckoning and if the forecast looks good I'll be taking the Saab (if it looks grim it'll be the Monaro). I want some decent lights if I'm likely to be negotiating Devon lanes at night!
Recently returned from a week around North Devon in the 9-3.
Covered a trouble-free 700 miles and averaged a touch over 35mpg which I thought was pretty good given the narrow lanes and hills nature of much of the driving down there. The motorway portion average was nearer 40mpg at a sensible cruise, roof up and a/c on. Special mention to the Aero seats, which proved truly excellent on the long motorway runs getting down there and back.
Mid-holiday we had nearly 48 hours of unrelenting rain. The missus and I mostly filled this time indulging in some petty bickering but I took solace in noting that my roof re-proofing efforts appear successful as it was still beading nicely after the first 24 hours, and although it had stopped beading by day two, no leaks were apparant.
A few pics
First stop, Cheddar village car park after a surprisingly clear four hour run down the M6 and M5. Some possibly more PH metal in the background...
Closer look, it's a nice rep, anyone on here?
Parked atop Porlock Hill enjoying the views of the Exmoor coast
Aftermath of 48 hours rain combined with the Devon lanes
Finally, nowt to do with the car but I always try to include either a funicular or cable car into each trip where possible - in this case the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway,very nice and followed by great fish and chips in Lynmouth
Covered a trouble-free 700 miles and averaged a touch over 35mpg which I thought was pretty good given the narrow lanes and hills nature of much of the driving down there. The motorway portion average was nearer 40mpg at a sensible cruise, roof up and a/c on. Special mention to the Aero seats, which proved truly excellent on the long motorway runs getting down there and back.
Mid-holiday we had nearly 48 hours of unrelenting rain. The missus and I mostly filled this time indulging in some petty bickering but I took solace in noting that my roof re-proofing efforts appear successful as it was still beading nicely after the first 24 hours, and although it had stopped beading by day two, no leaks were apparant.
A few pics
First stop, Cheddar village car park after a surprisingly clear four hour run down the M6 and M5. Some possibly more PH metal in the background...
Closer look, it's a nice rep, anyone on here?
Parked atop Porlock Hill enjoying the views of the Exmoor coast
Aftermath of 48 hours rain combined with the Devon lanes
Finally, nowt to do with the car but I always try to include either a funicular or cable car into each trip where possible - in this case the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway,very nice and followed by great fish and chips in Lynmouth
We have the later one - a pre-facelift version from 2006.
Sadly, this means a Vauxhall derived turbo lump, rather than a proper Saab lump - but it's still very Saab-y overall.
Had a few minor issues - steering angle sensor and an HID controller. The roof sensor in the boot sometimes plays up if you haven't used it for a while, and the stereo (even though it's the high-end upgrade) is shocking, but almost impossible to change.
I love it. In many ways I prefer it to my Boxster. I think the gearbox (both are autos) in particular is better than the Porsche box and it doesn't feel much slower on the road.
Sadly, this means a Vauxhall derived turbo lump, rather than a proper Saab lump - but it's still very Saab-y overall.
Had a few minor issues - steering angle sensor and an HID controller. The roof sensor in the boot sometimes plays up if you haven't used it for a while, and the stereo (even though it's the high-end upgrade) is shocking, but almost impossible to change.
I love it. In many ways I prefer it to my Boxster. I think the gearbox (both are autos) in particular is better than the Porsche box and it doesn't feel much slower on the road.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff