Saab 9-3 2.0T > Reviews (10)

currently own a Saab 93 ss on a 54 plate 05MY and have owned it since May 2005, I purchased it from my usual dealer in Cornwall, Before this I owned a 2003 53 Saab 93 ss 2.2 TiD

The Sport saloon was introduced in September 2002 with the line up of 1.8t 150bhp actually a 2litre turbo, a 2.0t a 175bhp turbo engine and 2.2TiD a 125bhp Diesel Spec levels were Linear the basic trim level, Arc had full leather seats, Vector A more sporty interior. The Aero was not introduced until 2003 and has a 2.0T 210bhp turbo engine which is different to the 1.8t and 2.0t
In 2004 the 2.2Tid was replaced by 2 common rail 1.9litre diesel engines producing 120bhp and 150bhp used accross the GM range the Arc spec level was dropped and in popped 2 new specs Linear Sport and Vector Sport both offering a few options as standard extra over the non sport models, and just after this Saab introduced a 122bhp 1.8litre non turbo engine also used in other GM cars
In September 2006 an all new 2.8V6 250bhp turbo engine was launched which is also the same engine used in some of the Vauxhall VXR range
All 07MY cars have a revised dash layout and touch screen sat nav is now an option and BOSE speakers are also an option
All engines except the 1.8 122bhp can be tuned by Hirsch performance which is a Swiss tuner approved by Saab and it will not affect your warrenty unlike tunit and Abbott Racing where by if you use their products it will invalidate your warrenty
www.hirschperformance.com is their site and now all Saab dealers are approved to sell and fit the upgrades

Well back to the Aero Cost New £24995 with options£27930
What I got OPTIONS
ES3 -13 Sat Nav 7" colour screen with 13 Speakers £1800
6 disc in dashcd changer £200
Espresso Black a kind of black but in the sun it looks like a cup of coffee £500
6 speed manual £200
18" light sport alloys taken of the previous car instead of the ALU50 17" standard wheels £2000 but i also have the original wheels too so i can fit them when I sell the car
Heated Seats £235
Purchased 9months old 14000miles for £17200 with free service

Standard equipment includes
2.0 Litre High Output Turbo engine 210Bhp
Xenon lights with auto leveling
Sports suspension and chassis
Sports body kit and rear boot lip spoiler
Sports Seats
SIlver Dials and inserts on steering wheel and doors
Slate grey 1/2 leather seats with parchment centres
Cruise Control
Driver Information Computer
Cat 1 Alarm
ESP and Traction control

The car returns about 30MPG to work and back and on a run goes to high 30's
Overtaking is effortless and the engine is responsive
Saab have built a reputation for safe cars so if you want a quick 0-60mph car yes they are rapid but as the turbo boost is limited in 1st and 2nd gear they are not designed for off the lights drag racing.
Saab give you power when you need it like overtaking at speed 40-70mph most saabs since the late 90's are quicker in 4th gear than a Porsche 911 Turbo.

The seats are highly adjustable and very comfortable but having driven a car with the electric seat option i think the electric seats go lower.

You can get out after a long drive and feel fresh and also Saab are one of the only cars to be recommended by doctors for people with bad backs

Design- You really stick out in this car as it looks different to BMW and Audis and bith the german marks must have been worried, because since the launch of the 93 SS both BMW and Audi have revised their models with face lifts and full model updates

Dashboard- The dash looks like the bridge of the USS Enterprise with buttons for this and that but all are clearly visable in the day and night. There is a button called night panel and this turns off a lot of the lights on the dash leaving only the important one lit but dont worry if you run low on fuel it will light up.

Engine- Responsive powerful and economical but very useable too

Heating system and Auto- Climate Control systems both work very well and its dual zone

Suspension- On the aero is firm but soaks up the bumps well

Handling- Since the car has re-axis suspension you can push it hard into corners and the rear will follow because the rear wheels toe in when turning to increase grip but this is not the go ahead to push it past its limits

Build Quality- Is good and the plastics of the dash are high quality although there are a few cabin rattles

Insurance- I have my car insured with Directline for about £320 Fully comp and I have declaired the options including the wheels

Cost of running-the fuel costs can be high if you plant your right foot down hard all the time but I have fun in my car and still get 30mpg, service costs are about £200 every 18000 miles

Tyres- I hate the pirelli p-zero rossos originally fitted to the car and now run sportcontact m3 same as they fit to BMW M3's they cost about £104+vat each and are 225 45 18

I love saabs and have owned a 9000 T16, a classic cabriolet, NG900 Cabriolet, 93 2.2tid and 93 Aero, i am in the process of buying a 93 sport wagon 2.8T V6 and will review this when i get it
OK THE SPORTWAGON IS ORDERED AND DUE EARLY MARCH FULLY HIRSCHED UP

Options I Wish I Had
Convenience Pack cost £355 and has auto dimming mirror, folding mirrors and auto-sensing wipers and comfort closing windows