[Aero]

I've had my C32 for 6 months now, and it's been fine (fine sums it up, certainly not blown away by it). Someone ploughed along the whole drivers side of the car a month back and caused a whole load of damage (& did a runner). Whilst it was being repaired I was loaned a Nissan Micra and got done speeding!!!! So I've lost my no claims and got 3 points on my license so my insurance is going through the roof.

I used to have a GM 93 Aero which I thoroughly enjoyed so I'm thinking of Saab again.

Do you guys with new 93SS's think I'll be able to live with one? I talking about reliability and build quality really.

Any opinions gratefully received.

Many thanks

 

[redleicester]

Reliability and build quality - there's very little to chose between the current crop of Mercs and Saabs - both are more than adequately screwed together, whilst neither really hold a candle to Audi for the feeling of having a dashboard hewn from solid granite (and about as inspiring).

Yes the 9-3 Aero will be cheaper to insure, and probably vastly more economical, however, do be aware it simply isn't as fast as the Saabs of old. Yes the midrange is still there, yes it's nippy enough, but compared to a current 9-5 Aero, or the previous 9-3 Aero, it's really a tad slow.

Personally, I don't like it, thankfully my wife drives it most of the time, and I really don't think it's half the car my old 9-5 Aero was. Having said that, I'm still in the honeymoon period of chucking in all that luxury for hairy chested TVR driving.

The thing I find most odd is that the new Aero handles impeccably, far better than any other Saab I've ever driven, but crucially it doresn't feel like it does - it just goes - there's no drama, no fuss, but no real excitement either.

Anyway, I'll stop wittering - it's undoubtedly a very good value, talented car, and the only way you'll know is if you go and play with one for a couple of hours - make sure the dealer gives you that time, if not, find one who will. Only then will you really know if it's your cup of tea.

Hope that helps.

 

[Aero]

Originally posted by H - The Return:
[qb]Hope that helps. [/qb][/b]

Yes it does, thanks.

Originally posted by H - The Return:
[qb]but crucially it doresn't  feel like it does - it just goes - there's no drama, no fuss, but no real excitement either.

[/qb][/b]

...and TBH thats the problem with the Merc, it masks all the fun.

But, what if I chip the Saab with one of those new fangled 6 minute jobbies from Elkparts, will that instill some excitement?

I'm also considering an A4 1.8T, but they are just 190PS and a miserly 240NM torque (cf Saab 210BHP & 300NM, chipped 247BHP & 388NM)

Thanks again.

 

[redleicester]

Whooooaaaaahhhh there Silver! I test drove an A4 1.8t a while back (when the new shape/model came out), and by God it was dreadful! The engine was wheezy and ran out of puff at about 2.1 rpm.

Urk..... no...... must....get ....away....

I know I'm going to get flamed into the ground for this one - but if it's excitement you're after, try a 9-5 Aero.... just don't tell anyone I told you!

(or better - get a TVR )

In truth you clearly have the same problem that I do - keen driving spirit, and feeling let down by virtually everything on the market -

Too refined to be fun - Jag
Too clinical - Audi/Merc
Too expensive - Aston / Lambo / Pagani
Too dreadful - Daewoo

I think it's really down to what you want to spend and what you want/need to get out of it. The 9-3SS is a cracking little car, well specced, well built, relatively quick compared to the competition (but not to anything serious like your AMG) and a tidy little handler. Unfortunately in this day and age, every sensation seems to be getting dialed out of a car in the name of "drivability" - IE, so any beggar can turn corners. Gone is the day when a car was rated for being "a challenge" to drive.

Personally it was the latter I have always been seeking, thus I wasn't put off early Saabs because of "deadly torque steer" - the 9-3 Viggen was one of the most entertaining cars I've driven, why? Because you had to drive it - you couldn't just sit back and let it go.

Now obviously I've just jumped to the worst case scenario with TVR - try and drive a non power-assisted TVR with one hand..... and clean trousers. But I love it to death, and every single drive leaves me grinning from ear to ear, and most drives end up twice or three times as long, just because I can't help myself!

So cat among the pidgeons time - here are some mad suggestions - you didn't say what you needed the car to do for you, so some will be inappropriate.... but give it a go.

Saab 9-3 Aero - new or 2nd, 230 or 250bhp, plenty of kit, cruise forever, and still make you grin on the twisties. Group 17, but deemed low-risk by most insurers.

Saab 9-3 Viggen - as above but with added dose of nuttiness! Hard to find, but getting cheap 2nd hand. Group 17, bit more risk but not much. Good ole hatchback Saab.

Seat Leon Cupra-R - left field choice, a bit boy-racer in some colours, but fun to drive, while the ride is a bit bobbly. Cabin 80s Audi-style black dullness.

Lotus Elise - plenty of them about, not "fast" fast, but cracking handling shopping trolleys - except you won't fit any shopping in them! Getting cheaper to insure now they're proven.

MG Rover ZT - the biggy based on the 75, tidy handling, painful fuel economy, but again getting cheap to insure.

Jaguar S-type Sport - 3.0V6/4.0V8 facelift model - luxury with a dose of spice - IMHO the best car Jag currently produce. DON'T get swayed into the now dirt cheap earlier version!

Jaguar X-type Sport - again, avoid the SE, and expect a few cheaper looking bits, but the 3.0V6 Sport is neat, quick and still looks Jag-ish, even if it is a Mondeo in drag!


I really must stop wittering and go and do some work, hope that helps out a bit - personally, despite all the extras in that list, I'd still go for one of the Saabs - which one is down to budget and needs....

Hope that helps once again.

 

[potto]

I've been toying with what to get next for a while (will probably take me over a year to do it mind you) and have had the same trouble.

Don't want a BMW. Don't want a big Ovlov.
Don't really want a Mondeo ST220 or Vectra GSi

Thinking about a Subaru Legacy, the 3.0R sounds fun. I very mad moments I think of a Forester XT but they're so boxy and obviously 4WD, and a bit agricultural.

What else is there?

 

[jrogula]

Following the earlier comments regarding build quality, I've had my 93 Vector for 7 months now, and the general consensus is 'reasonably good car', however having had VW/Audi in the past, its a shame SaaB were stuch with the rather questionable GM interior fit, trim & plastics used, which do not quite come up to the required standards in the class they are playing in.

 

[Aero]

Originally posted by H - The Return:
[qb]Whooooaaaaahhhh there Silver! I test drove an A4 1.8t a while back (when the new shape/model came out), and by God it was dreadful! The engine was wheezy and ran out of puff at about 2.1 rpm.

Urk..... no...... must....get ....away....    

[/qb][/b]

Chortle! I drove a Seat Cupra (Non-R) (same engine as the Audi I believe) and agree with the above comments, but I assumed it would need chipping.

I thought about a Cupra (again not R, just the 180BHP version 'cos it doesn't look so boy-racerish), but I need a family car and the Seat is just too small really.

That rules out TVR, Elise etc.

Part of the reason for losing the C32 is because it is 2 years old and that for me affects the value for money 'feeling' I get. Would love a 5 dr Viggen or Aero, but again they are a little
too old for me.

Might give a 9-5 Aero a blast. I'm off to the dealer tomorrow for a drive of the 9-3SS, perhaps I'll look at th 9-5.

Originally posted by H - The Return:
[qb]I really must stop wittering .....[/qb][/b]

I like witterings

Originally posted by H - The Return:
[qb]Hope that helps once again. [/qb][/b]

Indeedy - basically there's nothing left anymore that caters for a chap who wants a bit of fun whilst still catering for those family things one does

Thank you for your witterings

 

[Eric van Spelde]

Originally posted by fliptop (9-5 V6 AgaPower):
[qb]I've been toying with what to get next for a while (will probably take me over a year to do it mind you) and have had the same trouble.  

Don't want a BMW.  Don't want a big Ovlov.
Don't really want a Mondeo ST220 or Vectra GSi

Thinking about a Subaru Legacy, the 3.0R sounds fun.  I very mad moments I think of a Forester XT but they're so boxy and obviously 4WD, and a bit agricultural.

What else is there?      [/qb][/b]

An MG ZT V8 (never mind Jezza's pipe and slippers pi**take, and the time the Stig turned in was pretty respectable - faster than a Scooby WRX or Civic Type-R - despite their saying it was slow)?

 

[imelville]

Thinking about a Subaru Legacy, the 3.0R sounds fun. I very mad moments I think of a Forester XT but they're so boxy and obviously 4WD, and a bit agricultural.  [/b]

My previous car was a Forester turbo with the Prodrive performance pack. It was indeed boxy, and so quite spacious, but a combination of chipped ECU and 17" Speedline alloys with P zeros transformed it into quite a Q car.
Great fun to drive, and not much slower that the 9-5 aero wagon I now have, but with a much greater fuel consumption.

I too like the Legacy idea, but I'd want to wait for the B4 version or even better if they do an STi. (they do a Forester STi, which has 265bhp for the home Japanese market, which is lowered and STi style suspension, 18" alloys and so forth)

But as with everyone else here, it seems difficult to think of anything else which is as much of a complete package as the 9-5 aero for general family/ performance/ comfort/ quality criteria that doesn't cost silly money.

 

[potto]

Originally posted by Eric van Spelde:
[qb]An MG ZT V8 (never mind Jezza's pipe and slippers pi**take, and the time the Stig turned in was pretty respectable - faster than a Scooby WRX or Civic Type-R - despite their saying it was slow)? [/qb][/b]

Nah, I thought about that for 5 seconds and it's not me. Also too damn thirsty - I do 25-30K miles a year and 20mpg would crucify the bank balance.

Sounds like what I need is a fairly economical petrol car, or a big diesel. Hmm, sounds familiar? Aero or V6 TiD. So why am I not too excited by the prospect?

A new 530d Touring for 25 grand might convince me into a BM though...shame it'd cost another 10.

 

[captain aero]

Could I suggest a Mazda RX8?

At £22,000 for the 'high power' model it's a bargain. The 'high torque' version is £2k cheaper, though not as well spec'd.

Performance is very, very good and the RWD handling is claimed to be entertaining with lots of character.

Head-to-head the RX8 will make a Saab 93SS Aero look like it's going backwards.

Downside is the 22 - 24 mpg and a fairly small tank although now many UK cars are fully run in, a 300 mile range from one fill up is being achieved by some owners.

It's really worth £26-28k in my estimation - it's just the poor record of the old RX7 that has put off some buyers and that of the rotary engine, and so Mazda have pegged it low.

Mazda UK are currently 're-chipping' all RX8's following a flooding and loss of power problem, so all early production model niggles are now sorted. Models built after March 04 have the new "M" chip which cures all ills.

Residuals are projected to be in the Audi/BMW league after 3 years.

 

[aeropilot]

I have to say I'm intrigued by this new 2.7 DOHC twin turbo V6 wood-burner that's being offered in the revised S-Type Jag......
With 206hp and a stonking 435Nm of torque figure, 80% of which is available from 1500rpm, and the option of a 6 speed autobox as well, which if the ZF one is widely regarded as the best in the business.....oh and nearly 50mpg at 56mph....

20 mpg from that V8 MG.....yeah right, driving like the Queens chauffeur perhaps, but having fun'll put that down nearer 13-14mpg....

But with the huge amount of performance stuff available from Ford-Motorsport USA and aftermarket companies aswell does make for an attractive proposition despite the hideous fuel consumption...400+ horses with obscene torque wouldn't be that expensive....

 

[zippy9-3]

Head-to-head the RX8 will make a Saab 93SS Aero look like it's going backwards.
 [/b]

No it doesnt,we borrowed a high power RX8 and tested it against my 9-3ss Aero and a new Impreza WRX and my SAAB had it every time and the Subaru killed it just as easy.

Low down and into the midrange i was gone it was only at well into 3 figures did the gap close as the lighter car (Mazda)at high RPM made up some ground.

We swapped cars to prove it wasnt down to driving styles either.

The major problem with the RX8 is the torque which is pitifull and add to that you have to drive it like you have stolen it to get it to move, oh and the 1 litre of oil needed every 1k

Yes the Mazda looks nice but it drives like a micra around town and sounds awfull below 4000 rpm.

 

[captain aero]

No it doesnt,we borrowed a high power RX8 and tested it against my 9-3ss Aero....[/b]

Perhaps.

Road tests on TV and the journals would say otherwise.

The RX8 requires a totally different driving style to extract performance from the engine.

It's horses for courses and will appeal to a limited audience. That said, waiting time for delivery from dealers is typically 6+ months.

The 93SS Aero in my experience is pitiful in the performance department and a serious retrograde step compared with the c93 Aero. Granted it is more solid and has superior handling. But that's it.

 

[satch]

have long since traded both my saabs in for a audi s4 and audi a3.

I hope the 9-3ss goes some way to convincing GM to pile more money into saab. The day they dump a twin turbo V6 in there couple with awd and slap on the aero tag, ill be the first one in the queue.

 

[Aero]

Well, following my test drive yesterday I've placed an order for:

9-3 Aero
Steel Grey Metallic
Xenons
AS2-7 Audio Upgrade
Park Assist
5 Speed manual (avoided 6 speed based on probs peeps have had)

I feel that this is the car for me. No reservations so far.

Thank you for your replies/comments.

Cheers.

 

[captain aero]

Aero

Good luck with your new car. I hope all goes well.

Good choice of colour!

 

[9000CS23T]

Originally posted by satch:
[qb]I hope the 9-3ss goes some way to convincing GM to pile more money into saab. The day they dump a twin turbo V6 in there couple with awd and slap on the aero tag, ill be the first one in the queue. [/qb][/b]

Rumour has it that this is already planned.

 

[aeropilot]

And in the meantime, assuming you've got a bit of loose change in your pocket and you don't want to void that warranty, there's the new Step2 upgrade from Hirsch.....252hp/370Nm

Hirsch Step2 Aero

 

[redleicester]

Glad you've come to a decision!

What colour exterior/interior? What made your mind up for you?