MODERN Saabs- any good??

[Nibblet]

Considering purchasing a modern Saab (this century is modern to me), to replace my 9000 which is getting a bit beyond economic repair. No doubt there will be some pervs on here that will have sampled delights from the GM era, thoughts/experiences on a postcard please.

[AutoshiteBoy]

SHITE.

[Hooli]

My ex SiC '54 plate 95 was a decent motor, I'd still have it now if I hadn't wanted another Jaaaaag

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

If you must buy a Scaab, make sure it’s a 1.9TiD. The TTiD is a disaster and the petrols are pointless. They’re all puddings to drive and you can do better tbh. Mondeos are far better.

[AMCrebel]

Didn't Paulplom have one? a 9-5?

[Nibblet]

If you must buy a Scaab, make sure it’s a 1.9TiD. The TTiD is a disaster and the petrols are pointless. They’re all puddings to drive and you can do better tbh. Mondeos are far better.

Hrrrrrggh, don't want a diseasel. Must be petrol HP turbo. As for a Mondeo, oh dear no old boy, I'd rather not.

[AutoshiteBoy]

Mondeos are genuinely good.

[panhard65]

In a word no. The 9000 was the last decent Saab anything newer is just a shit Vauxhall in a party frock.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

The petrol 9-3 water pump is driven by the timing chain. Yep. That was a good idea.

Saabs are bangers, one owner and a reasonable sized bill away from the bridge. The seats are good though.

[SiC]

I liked my Saab 9-3 a lot. However even in 2011 when I got it at 6 years old, it was falling apart and stuff packing up. Diesel wise the 1.9 TTiD is rare and parts aren't super easy to get. The 1.9 TiD came in 120bhp 8v form and 150bhp 16v form. Don't bother with the 8v imo. All have EGR problems and the ones with DPFs weren't close coupled plus had shit software so end up regening far too much. Dual Mass Flywheels can give trouble too.

Pick of the bunch was always the 1.8t/2.0t/2.0T petrols. Essentially the same engine but in three different power tunes and bigger turbos on the more powerful. Much better go than the diesels, less problems and fuel economy isn't too different. The engines are completely different from the Saab engines of old.

However I suspect most will be pretty fucked at this point as they've been cheap cars for so long. Also remember it was co-developed with the Vectra. Shares a lot of parts - a good and bad thing.

Handling is reasonable for what it is. Of course the equivalent German cars were much better. But then they've always held their value much better too.

Then there is the 9-5. More Saab like than the 9-3 and less parts bin than it. Basically feels like a more modern version of your 9000 with more GM'ness imo. Again I really liked the one I had. Diesel is the same 2.2 GM or 1.9 GM/Fiat engines as above. Petrols are the same basic Saab unit from old. All can be noobtune remapped for good power gains. The 2.3 LPT is quicker off the line than the 2.3 FPT Aero due to the smaller turbo spinning up quicker. Remapped makes it quicker than a stock Aero. The engines aren't particularly fuel efficient nowadays though. But you'll probably find it similar to your 9000.

Auto gearboxes can be a bit of a liability. Depends if previous owners got the fluid changed. Unlike other manufacturers using the same box, Saab actually specified a fluid change and not sealed for life. Problem is, many dealers didn't do it.

Handling on the 9-5 will be like your 9000. I.e. great in a straight line but not particularly great around corners!

I'd get another 9-5 if I wanted a big car to waft around in. Problem is, they're starting to thin out in availability now too.