SAAB Vector VS Linear, Whats the difference? Options

[Roteiro]

Hi all,
I am newbie, still dont have SAAB, but looking to buy and i am all my head into it.Looking everywhere.Well i am looking for SAAB 2004-2006 with up to 125k miles , diesel.But the thing is i see SAAB 1.9TiD Linear[150] and SAAB 1.9 TiD Vector[150] or event Arc and i dont see any difference in them,neither interior or exterior.Any one can explain?I made this topic becouse i could find any topic where they are compared.Please if some one have info tell here.

[lags72]

i'm assuming from the engines mentioned that it's the SAAB 9-3 model you're interested in (?) .... rather than its larger cousin, the 9-5

the variations can be very confusing and it's not made any easier by the fact that Saab have frequently changed the specifications

in very broad terms the Vector is marketed as more of a 'Sports' model than the Linear but the differences aren't really major

best place to look for a detailed breakdown of the model specs is at www.parkers.co.uk

here is an example page http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/equipment/De...spx?deriv=28576 and by navigating your way around the site you can check out every model variation across all years, with full information on equipment & options

hope that helps
good luck

[Mark E]

Welcome

Take a look at the official Saab used car brochure

[Roteiro]

Yeah you are right i am looking for 9-3.Thank you for info i will deffenately will check.

[quinophex]

Main differences between a linear and a vector (usually anyhow, there are exceptions!).

Generally the Vector has larger alloy wheels, body colour bumpers, body colour trims & inserts etc. Climate control, extra interior trim, leather seats, uprated stereo, cup holder the linear is more of a base spec but some may have had extra options added to them. Usually the Vector would be far higher spec than a linear.

[Roteiro]

And i assume Arc gonna be Top rate?Still cant decide, probably will go for Vector, althought HOT AERO ar the the best looking and going, from all i have tried,i love that they are bit lower than other models.Well thank you very much for info, hope soon can show of my SAAB.

[Geoff1951]

I ran a 9-3 Arc 2.0t (175bhp) ('04 plate) for 6 months in 2005 before switching to a 9-5 Vector. As you'll see from the used brochure (Mark E's link) the Arc was comparatively short lived. Trim levels were comparable sideways between 9-3 and 9-5 back then. The Linear was and is on the bottom rung. The Arc trim had the accent on "comfort/luxury" - fake wood trim, leather seats climate control - while the Vector was more the "sporty" option, with part-leather seats standard. The Arc and Vector overlapped to a substantial degree and again you'll see where in the brochure. Around the age you're looking - 2004-06 - the standard trim levels were fairly stable, but then as ever buyers will have specified different extras - parking sensors, etc.
Enjoy the hunt, but don't dismiss the petrol engines!

[Roteiro]

I love petrol engines...but i am young and with a family and dont have 20k+ a year job, but working towards that petrol engine running costs bit to expencive for me...+ taxes are twice more expencive than diesel and i travel fairly long distance to work and going to europe on car also.Althought i think petrol far better than diesel anyway i will go for diesel.

[sgould]

You need to get a modern diesel well warmed up on a regular basis. Otherwise the emissions control stuff will gum up and break!

[quinophex]

Diesels cost more to service and repair when they go wrong, I've calculated that the break even point with a diesel is somewhere around 20k-30k a year. If you are below 20k a year then a petrol will most likely be the cheaper option. My sources for this data is going over our customer records and bills that they have had over the year, working out difference in fuel costs, taking into account road tax etc. and how much more a diesel costs to buy in the first place.

[WelshWizard]

Main differences between a linear and a vector (usually anyhow, there are exceptions!).

Generally the Vector has larger alloy wheels, body colour bumpers, body colour trims & inserts etc. Climate control, extra interior trim, leather seats, uprated stereo, cup holder the linear is more of a base spec but some may have had extra options added to them. Usually the Vector would be far higher spec than a linear.

That will earn you a WRONG BONG!

On a 2003-2006 9-3, the standard stereo option on ALL 9-3 Variants was the ES1-4, no in dash screen (the radio information was given in the small screen on top of the dash) and 4 very poor speakers. Upgrades on all variants include 7 or 13 speaker outputs probably different wattages too... giving you ES1-7 or ES1-13. Another option was the an in-dash mono screen (ES2-4, ES2-7 or ES2-13) and if you really had £2000 to waste you had the full colour screen with in-built SatNav (ES3-13). Linears are most likely to have the ES1-4 systems, whereas in Vector, Arc and Aero models you have a better chance of ES2-4 or ES2-7.

You will see numerous threads commenting on how poor the 9-3 audio is and ways of improving it, if you do end up with a 4-speaker (or 7-speaker) car..

The earliest Vectors (52 or 03) are likely to have Sports Suspension fitted, making it firmer. Later ones are tamer...

Vectors have part leather part cloth trim too.

[quinophex]

That will earn you a WRONG BONG!

Hence why if you read very carefully what I have written it says *generally*. As *generally* speaking a Vector of the same model year as a linear has a "higher spec" (but yes, obviously it's still rubbish as it's in a 9-3) stereo fitted.

Linears are most likely to have the ES1-4 systems, whereas in Vector, Arc and Aero models you have a better chance of ES2-4 or ES2-7.

Which erm, entirely agrees with what I had written.

[WelshWizard]

Hence why if you read very carefully what I have written it says *generally*. As *generally* speaking a Vector of the same model year as a linear has a "higher spec" (but yes, obviously it's still rubbish as it's in a 9-3) stereo fitted.
Which erm, entirely agrees with what I had written.

I did read what you said, but I do not completely agree. In fact you have rather alienated me with your patronising response.

I shall rephrase...it is not a default that Vectors generally have a higher spec audio than the Linear. Only that you are probably less likely to see Linears that have had the upgrade, the audio upgrades were not a cheap option and private buyers shied away from this, some choosing to replace the speakers with other after-market components. The Vector was intended as the most 'popular' variant and therefore the most numerous model on garage forecourts, and dealer demonstrators are more likely to have a better specification too.

[quinophex]

I did read what you said, but I do not completely agree. In fact you have rather alienated me with your patronising response.

Sorry, but you had already alienated me by trying to sound "clever" when in fact you entirely agreed with me, again your response still agrees with everything I originally wrote. Also giving someone a "wrong bong" is very patronising especially when what you have written is wrong.

In your response you have failed to note that higher spec audio was standard on all Vector Sport and Aero models from 05 onwards, which you will note is fully in agreement as my original post and your "correction" to mine is quite obviously wrong.