Rich Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 OK I know Saab is not really talked about on here but this is still the best car forum I have found so thought I'd see what people think in general: About 9 months ago I changed my S3 for a Focus to save money, well I've had enough of the Focus it does absolutely nothing for me and I end up caining it everywhere to get half decent performance, meaning the fuel costs of it being diesel are not massive over the S3. When I walked away from the S3 I could not help but look back, with the Focus I just walk. So I want to change, but again to something thats around the Focus price as I'm still trying to save hard, yet have enough toys/performance and pride to keep me happy. After looking around, and a test drive, I think I've settled on a Saab 2.0t vector, lots of toys and a 2 litre turbo engine with 175bhp and torque not too far behind the S3. I'm looking upto 2 years old as Saab depreciate heavily. I've seen one that takes my interest, its a 2003 52 reg with 43k on the clock. Saab warranty is 3 yrs or 60 miles (first 2 years unlimited mileage so warranty is still valid). Would anyone think this car is not worth looking at? I don't think the mileage is too excessive and I plan to keep the car for 3, maybe 4 years (if not longer) with approx 15k a year going on it. Also does anyone know much about Saab servicing, how expensive it becomes at higher mileage, i.e. 60k plus. How long would you expect a turbo to last? Cheers Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 Sorry, can't help as I don't know, but I think used Saabs are nice cars and good value because they seem to depriciate much quicker than the usual BMW/Audi/Merc brigade, but don't seem to have the reliability issues like Alfas etc. Sounds to me like a lot of car for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BURTON Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 I like Saabs.. they are very nice cars!! Have always liked them. A MD has one and has had it played with.. Lovely cars for the money.. But the only problem I can see is the resale value is not very good.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 I am aware of the resale value, but I'm expecting to keep the car to when its atan age it would be worth nothing anyway, so chances are I'd just pass it onto my Dad as his little runaround car or something like that. I like Saabs too, especially the look sof the current 9-3. Its just I have little info on servicing and reliability, although I believ both to be reasonable. I just like to have as much info as possible. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupramax Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 One of my mates has a new shape 93 Aero. Nice motor and pretty rapid now its been remapped at http://www.abbottracing.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chav Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 i think the 93 aero looks lovely. same with the cab one too. the interior is a bit lacklustre, but overall theyre quite nice really Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjack Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 [ QUOTE ] OK I know Saab is not really talked about on here but this is still the best car forum I have found so thought I'd see what people think in general: About 9 months ago I changed my S3 for a Focus to save money, well I've had enough of the Focus it does absolutely nothing for me and I end up caining it everywhere to get half decent performance, meaning the fuel costs of it being diesel are not massive over the S3. When I walked away from the S3 I could not help but look back, with the Focus I just walk. So I want to change, but again to something thats around the Focus price as I'm still trying to save hard, yet have enough toys/performance and pride to keep me happy. After looking around, and a test drive, I think I've settled on a Saab 2.0t vector, lots of toys and a 2 litre turbo engine with 175bhp and torque not too far behind the S3. I'm looking upto 2 years old as Saab depreciate heavily. I've seen one that takes my interest, its a 2003 52 reg with 43k on the clock. Saab warranty is 3 yrs or 60 miles (first 2 years unlimited mileage so warranty is still valid). Would anyone think this car is not worth looking at? I don't think the mileage is too excessive and I plan to keep the car for 3, maybe 4 years (if not longer) with approx 15k a year going on it. Also does anyone know much about Saab servicing, how expensive it becomes at higher mileage, i.e. 60k plus. How long would you expect a turbo to last? Cheers Rich [/ QUOTE ] Hi Rich, I brought a second hand Saab (an old shape 93 2.0t) and am loving it. As you say Saabs are good to drive, so far they seem to be good to own. I've also found the dealers to be spot on and the service first class. Apparently Saab in the UK benefit from among the strongest brand loyalty of any car manufacturer and as a Saab owner I can understand why. I've had no problems with my car, but a friend with a similar car needed the cars turbocharger replacing after around 50,000 miles. Apparently the cost of replacing the turbocharger is an eyewatering 2k, but you will be covered by at least 1 years warranty if you get our Saab from a main dealer so a blown turbo will be no big deal as long as you keep the car in warranty. A full service from a Saab dealer is around £400 I'm told and parts such as brakes are very good value compared to those of other premium brands such as BMW so I'm told. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 I quite like the interor actually, in photos it looks very dated, but its completely different when its in front of you. The display panel for info etc is all in the middle bu the lower part of the windscreens o its really easy to see. Its also quite funny, I found a Saab Forum (admittingly mostly American and no where near as busy or informative as this site) but they really give Audi's a hard time. I don't really have favourism to any brand, but I do rate Audi products, I find it quite funny how people get a brand then suddenly nothing else can compare to it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saab Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 They are good value and depreciate more quickly than the equivalent BMW or Audi although I think this is only something which started to be an issue when GM took over the firm in 1993 and relaced the classic 900 with essentially a rebodied Vauaxhall Cavalier. Until the 'new' 9-3 was launched GM were never terribly proactive with the development or marketing of Saab and even now it is generally considered that they are being quite cautious in their development of the brand. People often compare this situation to that of Volvo and Ford where Volvo have really flourished under Ford's ownership. All this having been said a newish Saab must be a sensible purchase which should be a fun car to own and good for a high mileage. Like any brand dealers are very variable but they are known for being quite expensive and Saab certainly used to be notorious for needing special tools for doing some fairly routine work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saab Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 Oh you may wish to try www.saabcentral.com or uksaabs websites if you haven't already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 Saab spare part prices Their diesels are also uninspiring (Fiat engine). Comfortable mind, and sharp to drive, but servicing and repairs aren't cheap should you need them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 my mate test drove a saab. salesman asked him what he thought. "drives like a Vauxhall." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 A colleague bough a new Saab 93 Aero - and he loves it. However, he has had it 2 years and was devastated recently when he looked at P/X against another new one. The discount they can offer on the new one in no way makes up for the huge amount it has lost in depreciation when compared to another marque. He's keeping it. It's a lovely car mind you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 Well I'm looking to buy one 2 years old so the worst of the depreciation has been swallowed by someone else!! Still I expect to depreciate at a high level, but I'm planning to keep it long enough that I'll have savings in the bank by the time I'm looking again.....how much depends on the house front!! As for the drives like a Vauxhall, the one I drove was definately better than any Vauxhall I have personally driven. I actually quite liked the drive, it did not get the chance to chuck it round corners, but felt sturdy and solid and capable. 95% of my driving is motorway so as long as its comfy and fast ish I'm generally happy.....it can't be worse than the Focus anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted January 27, 2005 Report Share Posted January 27, 2005 I like em, always have but the two things that I was advised about were a) bad residuals b) spare part costs Older Saab's, well looked after will do lots of miles. Knew a guy who had an old 900Turbo, it was minted, drove very well and had over 200k on the clock - and that was in the 90's. I think he's still got it and its still going. 95 Areo Estate is my Fav Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 28, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2005 As I said, I'm not too bothered about the residuals, any car I buy in my budget and keep for the time/mileage I'm expecting too would be worth next to nothing after anyways, so even if the Saab is a few grand less, its covered by the extra fun/toys/comfort its given me during that time...at least thats what I hope! Standard servicing costs are cheaper than Audi/BM but the sales guy said ntohign about the costs as it gets older and spare parts costs. Although I would keep the service history all up to date, once the warranty has gone I don't think I will be too bothered about it being a Saab service history, so hopefully that will make it more manageable. On the Abbotts Racing site I see they do a replacement uprated turbo for £425 exchange, so if I have to replace the turbo down the line I would not expect the costs to be too bad, maybe £1k? Saying that I have decided on a Saab partly because I expect it to be reliable! Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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