Just thought id say Hi

[Stangbanger]

Hey all, just thought I'd say hello, just got a 2008 9-3 Vector Sport TiD ( 150 ) quite happy with it and its ticking all the boxes for economy and looks etc so far. Actually the most suprising thing i have noticed is the cornering, it drives like its on rails and turns in very quickly. AFAIK the first owner had the saab handling pack fitted so thats probably why it feels a lot more planted than i had expected but im deffo putting a lot down to the 4 wheel steering.

I've been after a Saab for quite a while but a few year back i was going to get one till i looked into the new ( then ) vectra and managed to get a 2 month old vectra with ALL the accessories catalogue already fitted as a demo wagon for 300 quid more than a 3 year old 9-3 with not even electric mirrors!!
The vectra was traded for a V8 Mustang as i simply HAD to have one and now 2 years on SWMBO wants a house change so i had to get rid of the stang to save a silly pile of cash and then blow it all again on a house, that will probably swallow every penny i earn till she is happy with how pink its became, so along came the Saab.
As far as i was aware the vectra and 9-3 are running the same engine and a load of mechanical parts....... there is deffo something different about the engines that as my vectra could never get the kinda fuel economy the 9-3 is putting out..... anyone know if the main components are the same? turbo, map etc?

The only thing i need to sort out is another key, the previous owner never turned it in. £27 for the remote bit, £24 for the blade, £40 for the dealer whacking a few buttons, not fair lol!! but it needs done.


Jeff

[quinophex]

Hi,

As far as I know the components are pretty much identical but SAAB tweaked the engine ecu which may explain better economy. As for the key price, that isn't that bad really, many makes you're looking at £200-£300 for a single replacement key!

[Stangbanger]

I dont mind throwing money at a car but normally you getting items that are a tad more substantial than a bloody key lol!!!! Id rather look into a diag/tech 2 type system that would let me program it myself and look after all the other bits an bobs when they happen, Im not sure if the vauxhall ones would work on the 9-3 tho, has anyone tried?
Ideally id like to add bluetooth and satnav to the car although im torn as i kinda like the 6 disc frontloader thats in there already, but sat nav is pretty cool too when its all built in.

Next item is remapping the car, whats the general concensus on here? Remap or one of the tuning box types, DtUK have a nice new system out thats rather tempting at 208hp but i have always had my cars done with the mad scientist and a laptop but its pretty permanent thats way and being able to remove and sell on after is tempting. Ive seent the Hirsch setup getting good reviews but its pretty damn expensive and getting 20 odd hp more for less money is making it less attractive.

[sgould]

Hirsch is good and will be the only remap that has access to the original map and design. It's designed to allow full performance all day, every day. Prices are not as fixed as they seem and for cars out of warranty the negotiation start at 30% off. Get a few quotes from dealers.

And don't get confused looking at the hp figures. The important figure is the torque figure. Look at the increase in torque at the lower revs in the 2000 rpm plus range where you are 99% of the time. That's when you feel the difference!!

[Stangbanger]

Ill deffo look into it more, need to take a scoot down to the dealership next weekend and get some prices for it and the bluetooth setup, I assume since the steering wheel has the buttons in all 9-3's that its something that can be fitted at anytime?

[davidt]

I have to agree with sgould, I have just had my Turbo X Hirsched and it only adds an extra 20bhp but the extra Torque is amazing.

I'm not a mad driver but the other day I had been stuck behind someone doing 20mph for almost 4 miles, there was dual carriageway ahead so put my foot down and was literally pushed back into the seat as I sped past!!

You seem to get the extra Torque at lower revs which is ideal for overtaking in low gears, I had only really noticed it before on motorways.

As far as I'm concerned it as worth the money plus the peace of mind knowing it's not going to damage the engine, gearbox etc.