hi all,

Saab 9-3 AERO 2.0T

has anyone ever owned or driven one of these? i dont really know much about them. never driven one before.

are Saabs good quality cars?

I drive one quite regularly at work - on a 53 plate.

I think its got oodles of subtle power - 210bhp, but I've noticed its not all that progressive and I find I hit the limiter all the while when I want more boost. Its a big heavy car too, but the one I use certainately goes round bends OK.

Has a 6 cd stacker in the dash, climate, electric this and that.

However, I looked at the prices when she was buying new (company car though) and I thought

I've got a 9-3 Aera 04 plate - traded in my Octy Vrs for one.

Excellent build quality both inside and out. Looks the business. NCAP 5 star rating (8 airbags) and scores 100% for Which! breakin security tests (only 1 other car achieves this, the lexus LS400)

MPG is ok'ish, but nowhere near the Octy.

Mid range grunt is fantastic, although 1st and 2nd gear are a bit short (mine's the 6 speed).

Most things are optional extras, such as the 6 cd player, or unbelievably, 'one-touch' window closing FFS! What'll be next, winders.

Handling is good due to the 4 wheel steering - takes a bit of getting used to tho.

Quirky key thing that goes in next to the gear stick takes some getting used to as well. Often I've reached for the key only to discover their not there!

Octy better value for money, but 93 not that common, so gives a special almost exclusive feel.

The Aero is due to be superceded early next year by a new model which is a 2.5 V6 with 250 BHP.

Brian

Had two saabs and now a 93 old shape and a 95 se estate and some members may remember I would rather travel around on a dried piece of dog poo rather than have another saab. Numereous faults occured with both which when allegedly fixed by the main dealer I would drive the car home only for the fault to re-ocure.

Faults

93 - Check engine light came on about 6 times (they eventually changed the lamada sensor at a cost of 600 quid to themselves), squeaky drivers seat cradle (eventaully replaced), various other little faults.

95 - Climate control went stupid with one fan blowing hot and one blowing cold (took them three attempts to rectifiy this - new unit in the end), clunking on front sub frame (it sounded like bushes to me but they never rectified it so I sold it and lost a boat load of cash)

The MPG on the 95 was 22mpg on a good day (17mpg on one trip to the golf club), servicing ranged from

Oh, and if you ever get one Kenny, I got some nice wheels for it.

Viggen Alloys

On to a winner with these wheels at the moment!