25th Jan 2007, 09:43

Hi Just up to 3K Miles now in my 93Tdi Vector Sport and its only 4 weeks old! Generally happy, but some things annoy me which I would welcome feedback on.

Display on Radio goes blank when phone cuts in... really miss having the clock display.

Steering wheel buttons not very functional anymore.. compared to my old 93.

Seats different...can't pin it down, but they are not as comfy.

Looking to get the ECU upgrade as mentioned in the first comment... BUT my insurance company want 25% loading on my policy!! Does the upgrade save any fuel?

My old 93 Tdi Hatchback did me well..176000 miles in 5 years, 1 clutch, rebuilt gearbox, couple of injectors and 2 turbos and that's it for all those miles!!

I like my new one, but it lacks character... but IMO driving is becoming really boring these days... crazy cops and too many cameras!!

Safe driving and any comments welcome.

Mark.

7th Feb 2007, 06:10

Original poster here, up to just over 6k miles and still running well. No rattles!

Have worked out how to change radio stations without getting caught out by the 'PI Seek' function - press the 'Fav' button and it cycles through each bank of 6 presets. Much easier!

Engine is beginning to loosen up - 250-mile trip to Birmingham and back at 90mph or so on the motorway showed 50.4mpg, even with two major traffic jams! It seems to help to keep the engine spinning at 2,000rpm when cruising, so use 5th on A-roads.

Seats are supremely comfortable. A bit of bass distortion identified now I have started listening to CDs, but otherwise still very happy! Although black is not the easiest colour to keep clean in the weather we've been having...

14th Feb 2007, 04:36

Hi.

Thought I would do an update on my posting from 25th January.

My 6 week old 93 SS Vector Sport Tdi is now up for sale! I simply could not stand the poor seats, indifferent controls, appalling gear change (everyone now wants auto 93's!) low seat belt, tiny boot, low head room (always banging my head on the hand grab) etc etc.

Why did Saab make so many bad “improvements” on the old 93?

I’m lucky in that I can change this car, but its going to cost me £6000 if I “sell” it back to the dealer I bought it from, interesting depreciation on a brand new car!!!

My replacement? A 5 year old 93 SE hatchback, being built for me by a Cambridge based specialist, new engine, suspension mods, brakes etc, can't wait for it!

Mark.

21st Mar 2007, 11:33

Bad head room? I'm 6'3 and I find my 9-3 extremely comfortable and easy to get in and out of. And as far as the annoying interior problems, I don't know about your dealership, but mine always takes care of the most minor blemish, granted it does take a week to order the part from Sweden. I'm happy thus far and love my Saab 9-3! The best part is, here in Southern California, nobody has a Saab!

14th May 2007, 16:42

Original poster here... now up to 13,000 miles. Still no rattles, although I have broken the ashtray mechanism so that needs to be fixed, I will get it sorted at the first service at 18,000 miles.

Otherwise, no problems whatsoever. Economy could still be better though, I'm averaging about 45-47 at the moment, and that's with a lot of motorway work keeping it at 70. A way off from the combined 53.2 quoted, but hey ho. A nice, comfortable, stylish car... but if I ordered another, I wouldn't have a cream interior. Too difficult to keep clean! Or I would go for full leather.

3rd Jan 2008, 11:02

I love my 05 plate Saab 93 Vector 1.9 Tid (120bhp.

My Boyfriend persuaded me to purchase the Saab a few months ago.. Uh Oh a women driver!! It has 19k on the clock. It has style, is comfy, economical between 43 and 51 mpg. I really feel safe in it too with my 2 kids. Loads of Air bags!!

The only negative thing I would say is that the Warning message on the clock display kept coming on saying water in fuel system, contact service provider. It would constantly stall when cold. So I changed the fuel filter and the problem gone!1st & 2nd gear can be a bit notchy, but OK when warmed up. I would say 10 times better than my last car I had, a BMW 320 Tdi saloon 53 plate. The turbo packed up on it, the Manifold Valves seized on the car. It was not cracked up to what I thought BMW should be?

My overall gut feeling about the Saab is that it is a lot of car for the money. I hope it lasts and lasts and lasts!!!

16th Jan 2008, 03:13

Having test driven 2 Brand New Saab 9-3 TiD's there appeared to be a rattling from the dashboard in front of the passengers seat. I wanted to buy the car, but following nearly a week of negotiations and talks with the sales staff and a Service Manager there seemed nothing anyone could do. Following further investigations five out of six Brand New motors had the same rattle!

I was informed that this ‘rattle’ on a brand new high spec’d car was a ‘characteristic’ of the car ….

This is one characteristic I can do without … needless to say I did not buy the car and never will look at Saab 9-3’s again …..

6th Feb 2008, 06:55

Sydney Australia We have just purchased a Saab 9-3 Linear 1.9TiD Auto Sport Combi 2007 model on the 20th January 2008.

Our selection of this Saab model was made after a great deal of research as my family intend moving to Ireland for work later this year.

In Ireland a new vehicle Tax will soon be based on the vehicles emission levels. A large component of my research involved selecting a car that would have model compatibility and have low C02 emission levels.

Our selection criteria was to save money on road tax costs as well as having a car that does not devalue excessively due to high annual road tax costs.

However it has just come to our attention that C02 figures issued by government authorities here and overseas publish are a higher C02 figure of 194g/km.

Our purchase was based on the understanding that Saab web sites indicate the Saab 9-3 Linear 1.9TiD Auto Sport Combi has a C02 level of 189g/km or less (2007 & 2008).

Since this C02 issues has been brought to our attention our investigation confirms our concerns are very serious. We are highly concerned as the Saab websites could be be interpreted as misleading concerning the 'CO2' claims made in the advertising of this Saab vehicle.

We require a Saab 9-3 Linear 1.9TiD Auto Sport Combi that is at least under 190g/km without compromising performance levels and eagerly await your official confirmation of this matter.

SAAB AUSTRALIA SAY TOUGH LUCK SUNSHINE. THE FIGHT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.

7th Feb 2008, 16:36

To the last poster who is about to battle Saab Australia on the CO2 emissions, if you really wanted a car with low depreciation levels, you would not have looked at a Saab in the first place. These things are horrible on resale value.

Best of luck with your tirade against Saab Australia/GM Holden.