Well, had a nice 20min test drive..

Very impressed, very well put together, solid and quieter than the Skoda. Felt more executive.. The car had full leather so I was expecting more squeaks and rattles than the Skoda.. Instead, no it was silent!

Spec is great, has bi-xenons and DRLs, 18s, sits lower and wheels fill arches better than the Skoda

It's a pretty thing, just like my Octavia. Interior slightly dated over the Octavia.. But otherwise beautifully built.

Luckily, it's a one owner car.. And looks very loved.. Couldn't find any marks!

The big bit? Performance.. Well it feels bigger, no different in acceleration low down... But on the motorway you can defo feel the extra torque... It's also smoother and less bangy on bumps.. Still runs 18s too!

I like it, been offered great deal... Thinking it over with glass of wine tonight but pretty sure I want it... Feels special!

 

the 900 / 9-3 from those days was really an old cavalier in drag.  

 

the more modern car seems a lot better - a mate has had convertible 900 / 9-3 & new 9-3 and thinks the most recent is by far the best quality wise he loves it (and it's petrol turbo)

Really? They are just as good as any other premium brand, no squeaks or rattles and built to last.

You must be luckier than the people I know who have / had them. Bits of trim falling off etc.

I looked at the Saabs when on the hunt for my current car.  They were unbelievably cheap for what you got, especially the V6 versions but as Lee01 said, they were a bit pipe & slippers.

 

Nowt wrong with a well made pipe and slippers says the man with an Accord.

 

Plod and pikies ignore you

Edited 21 December, 201411 yr by Aspman

Well, had a nice 20min test drive..

Very impressed, very well put together, solid and quieter than the Skoda. Felt more executive.. The car had full leather so I was expecting more squeaks and rattles than the Skoda.. Instead, no it was silent!

Spec is great, has bi-xenons and DRLs, 18s, sits lower and wheels fill arches better than the Skoda

It's a pretty thing, just like my Octavia. Interior slightly dated over the Octavia.. But otherwise beautifully built.

Luckily, it's a one owner car.. And looks very loved.. Couldn't find any marks!

The big bit? Performance.. Well it feels bigger, no different in acceleration low down... But on the motorway you can defo feel the extra torque... It's also smoother and less bangy on bumps.. Still runs 18s too!

I like it, been offered great deal... Thinking it over with glass of wine tonight but pretty sure I want it... Feels special!

Sounds lovely mate.

I wouldnt blame you if you went for it.

Its not such an old persons car. I like em and im 22, id have one. So does most car enthusiasts i know actually.

Oh wait, i drive a fabia. But nevertheless.

Nowt wrong with a well made pipe and slippers says the man with an Accord.

 

Plod and pikies ignore you

 

You're onto something there as I attract attention from both groups you mentioned....

 

I like it, been offered great deal... Thinking it over with glass of wine tonight but pretty sure I want it... Feels special!

 

Sounds like you've made your mind up.  It's a nice looking car and if you're happy with the deal then why not? 

 

p.s. I totally agree about the wheels filling the arches properly.  the Mk3 Octavia is even worse for that and looks like the old Commer van from the 60's with it's wheels tucked right into the arches. :(

I was going to buy one but it was at the time when they were about to fold, and I couldn't get the right deal bought a octavia Vrs instead.

To be fair the aero Ttdi is awesome and I wouldn't have any other model, really comfy aswel but Skoda has better build quality and hold there value better.

But I'd still buy a Saab. (perhaps as a second car)

Edited 21 December, 201411 yr by Cyberstaff

id have one in a heart beat if i could afford one thats been minded, is on the cheaper road tax rates, and was gaurunteed that i could get bits for it for at least 5yrs...

My Dad has one. Bought from new 58 plate.

Side plastic panels detached both sides on the interior B pillar trim, harsh ride, seems to crash over bumps, fuel economy is absolutely awful (he does have the petrol so not really a problem for you), pilots seat has worn horrendously, the lower base bolster has all but collapsed, drivers side front window goes up electrically, but when it reaches the top it drops down again (I suspect it thinks some fingers are trapped when they're not) and I dislike how cramped the interior felt.

Other than that, it's alright to drive.

I think dads has done about 42k

Personally, I wouldn't swap my wife's 02 plate ghia focus for it, let alone my Octavia.

But each to their own!

(Sorry if I've sounded a bit negative, I actually love the styling of them and did contemplate one before my Octavia, just didn't like it when I drove one)

Edited 21 December, 201411 yr by Bcc212

To be fair, they have always looked sharp. The Aero HOT on paper looked very attractive indeed, and there were some spectacular deals around when they were new.

The car I test drove was a 2008 model, one owner and 70,000 miles on the clock. There was not one thing wrong with it... I was amazed.

Interior was solid, rattle free and mint... My only issue is its a little dates over the Skodas modern interior.

The problem is, all my top criteria for a car the saab does better at this stage... However I've woken this morning still worry about my choice...

Mike

Edited 22 December, 201411 yr by MCD

Then you shouldn't buy it.

I don't think I'd commit to a car that I wasn't 100% sure on.

The car I test drove was a 2008 model, one owner and 70,000 miles on the clock. There was not one thing wrong with it... I was amazed.

Interior was solid, rattle free and mint... My only issue is its a little dates over the Skodas modern interior.

The problem is, all my top criteria for a car the saab does better at this stage... However I've woken this morning still worry about my choice...

Mike

 

What are your worries then?  Is it what people are saying on here or is it something else?

 

Then you shouldn't buy it.

I don't think I'd commit to a car that I wasn't 100% sure on.

 

I agree, it's a good idea to be sure before shelling out on something that worries you.  I guess that very few second hand cars are going to be totally fault free and there'll always be a worry that you've just bought a car that the previous owner has got rid of for some reason.

I test drove three 93's before settling for the Superb.  One of them was a '08 TTiD and I thought it was rather lovely.  It was certainly in the running and better inside than the Octavia and Passat estate that I'd also driven - interestingly contrary to what other have said in this thread about quality.  I had a 9-5 HOT Aero before and would have another one in a trice. And I'd equally have likely had a 93 if the Superb hadn't popped up.

 

Gaz

just did a little googling  and a pre-2008 1.9TiD 9-3 would be €710 road tax over here, as its 1910cc engine... VW 1.9 is €670 as its 1897cc (under 1900).

Post 2008 depends on exact model, due to emissions bands - 1.9TiD = 150bhp  - €570, but 120bhp - €370, both 2008 regged on Carzone that i looked at..

I just cant afford any of them, so I wont be changing for a while.

and tbh id miss the lift back boot on the Octy which makes transporting big/awkward stuff a lot easier (i know estate version available, but im not gone on the rear shape of estate 9-3...)

It's just me... Worrying about better the devil you know!

But... Seriously like this Saab! things like this always stress me out. I've spoken to the dealer today, told him I want Cambelt and water pump doing... I can tell he wants mine. He's coming back to me. If that's included... Then I'm in. Otherwise I'll keep looking!

Got mine on eBay for what I feel is great price! Not a bite... Wrong time of year I guess?

Mike

Well, thanks for all the feedback guys, went for it this morning, deal done! Collect on 4th January. They going to service, mot, cambelt and water pump, full track alignment set plate transfer all in the deal. (Basically all the things I did to skoda when I got it!) Very clean example.. Great spec, feels special!

Edited 23 December, 201411 yr by MCD

Lovely looking thing. Much better looking than the Octy IMHO. A different class of car.

 

Its when you move away from Skoda that you realise what build quality should be....... :-p

 

Enjoy the new motor, i'm in the Stockport area too, will be looking out for it!

Nice.  Glad you're happy with the car & the deal and well done for being a bit different.  I'll be interested to see how you get on with the car and how it is to live with.

Well, I now own the above Saab. Collected tonight. Sad to see the Octavia go .. But loving the refined, well built feel of the Saab.

Time will tell, but i already feel special driving this new car! Will share more in due course!

Mike

only reason i wouldnt buy a 9-3 is the road tax cost for one in my price range over here. I couldnt come to newer than 07 so would be on old capacity tax rate like me octy, but a 2.2l, almost all over here seem to be, would be mad money to tax. My 1.9tdi is 670 quid /yr. I wasnt sure about the parts etc after the factory closed. Glad theres still loads around!

I went car shopping here for my mum for a car with the cheapest tax - a Mazda 3 1.6d, that cost £30 per year here, is €180 over there. Madness.

Isnt the TTiD a twin turbo?

Yes - or at least I was under the impression the the first ones were and then they became single turbo and retained the badge designation. Although my internet browsings contradict that.

I came close to buying the V6T 9-3 before I bought my Octavia, I think I just preferred the Skoda.

My FiL had about nine 9-3 diesels - his car policy was a new one every 10k miles, so every 12-14 weeks or so for at least 2.5 years. He was just picking different colours in the end. Under GM ownership they were nice cars but I drove a couple of 'Turbo Editions' that must have been made by Spyker (>2010) and I felt the quality had started to go down.

Yes mine is Twin turbo, it's within one unit, so 180bhp/300lb later TTiDs I see are listed as 160bhp??

Yes I also recall reading that and why I thought they'd gone back to single turbo.

There were two TTiDs, 160 and 180 and I think later a 190 in the last 95.  The TTiDs had better alternators etc than the problematic stuff in the earlier 93s.  I had a 93SS TiD and had a few problems.  I had a 95 Aero HOT at the same time and it felt a class above.  I believe by the time yours came along the quality issues had been addressed.

 

I had similar cars to yours as courtesy cars and certainly the 160 felt a smooth and rapid lump and the full leather improved the seats.  Coming from VAG seats you will probably find them far comfier.

 

Good choice.  Try UKSaabs. best online Saab community and very friendly.

Are you a member on UKsaabs Guy?

I registered over Xmas, they still haven't sent me activation e-mail. Keep asking for new one and nothing happens. There is no contact details for me to get help!

Looks a good forum though!