Talk to me about Saab 9-3's

[andy9eleven]

We like our Saabs down here! Still plenty about. There's about 6 of them within a few streets of my house. See convertibles most days too, even a nice 9-3 Cabrio with Hirsch 3 spokes kicking around Bangor. Funnily enough saw a lovely silver 2010 reg 9-3 Cab the other day. Must be one of the very last ones made/registered. Spotted this one parked in Groomsport one day. Like a new car inside too. Lovely!

 

[gpaevo]

Well when I get one that'll be another to add to the north down swede appreciation society.

 

[peter wilson]

@peter wilson

I'm afraid I can't give any advice on the later models. Mine have all been earlier cars and apart from the SID and a temperalmental inhibitor switch on the auto its just been fuel or wear and tear items. Rust on the rear wheel arches and boot floor are common enough in the earlier 9-3s but my 16 year old 9-5 didnt have any. A friend of mine now has the 9-5 and he still raves about it. Best car he's ever had.

 

[gpaevo]

So, there isn't very many negatives about the aul swede's then. Found a couple of sub 50k 2.0T's on the mainland so fingers crossed.

Thank you very much folks for all the info, very helpful.

 

[davey-dimples]

From what I've gathered they were good cars but when GM got hold of them they run them into the ground very quickly

 

[andy9eleven]

@gpaevo depending on where you get one, you could stop and see Carl at Noobtune on your way home...

 

[purplea4T]

I had a 2006 9-5 and couldn't wait to get rid of it, so many wee small niggly things that always led to big must-fix problems. Suppose it didn't help that most of it under the skin is GM.

 

[gpaevo]

Are their any Saab specialists in this country? Just fearing the worst and what I buy turns out in a few months to be a heap.

 

[Graham]

Pretty sure there is one in bangor, hawe road beside paint shop

 

[peter wilson]

Hightrees Service Centre in Bangor. Haven't used them myself but have a good reputation from what I have heard.

 

[davey-dimples]

Are their any Saab specialists in this country? Just fearing the worst and what I buy turns out in a few months to be a heap.

Saab Specialist Belfast

Saab Specialist in Northern Ireland?

Saab breakers?

 

[andy9eleven]

Yep Saab guy at Hawe Road and guy in Doagh. I haven't had to sort anything Saab specific so far. General mechanic works out ok for me touch wood.

 

[gpaevo]

As if there in one in Bangor. Great stuff

 

[Brennan]

If you want a man who knows his Saabs inside out, go to this chap.

SAAB Master Technician of 17 years
Darren Green Tel: 07979760567

He's in Newtownabby, I wouldn't bring a saab anywhere else

 

[andy.]

As said hawe road, great Fella really knows his stuff and always has a few about him too.

 

[Boksic]

If you want a man who knows his Saabs inside out, go to this chap.

SAAB Master Technician of 17 years
Darren Green Tel: 07979760567

He's in Newtownabby, I wouldn't bring a saab anywhere else

I've commented before when his name is brought up but he's not anywhere close to what he's made out to be.
He is the reason I bought a tech 2 myself and fixed the problem within 5 minutes that he said needed parts replaced and coded at £500 odd quid. Full of **** is how I would put it.

General mechanic will be able to fix near enough everything on it as it's just a fancy vectra. Any coding can be done by someone with saab/vauxhall experience and software, or if you want I'll lend you my tech 2 if you ever happen to need it.

 

[purplea4T]

I'd a similar problem with him - engine management light kept popping up, fault related to the EGR valve. I took it up to him, and as has been said, it's not Newtownabbey, it's 3 miles countryside of Corrs Corner. He "diagnosed" the problem as the cooling fan pack - £300. I took gamble and threw a cheapy EGR valve on it and it didn't happen again. A mate in work swears by him but he's bought 3 Saabs in the past 6 years, so I wouldn't trust his judgement!

 

[gpaevo]

Always good to know. Thanks

 

[purplea4T]

I did like the Saab when it was going right but Saab must have been the most thran squad of car builders in the world. Nearly everything GM gave them, they changed and put their own "special" touches to it. 9-5 Dame Edna side light bulb? Bumper off, headlights out. So many niggly faults I stopped counting!
Honestly, I'd never have another GM Saab about me. Scania Saab? Now that's a different matter!

 

[Brennan]

I've commented before when his name is brought up but he's not anywhere close to what he's made out to be.
He is the reason I bought a tech 2 myself and fixed the problem within 5 minutes that he said needed parts replaced and coded at £500 odd quid. Full of **** is how I would put it.

General mechanic will be able to fix near enough everything on it as it's just a fancy vectra. Any coding can be done by someone with saab/vauxhall experience and software, or if you want I'll lend you my tech 2 if you ever happen to need it.

Can't say I've ever had any problems with Darren, any of the issues I had with my new shape Aero TTID, he's always sorted for me. Had to leave the car overnight with him many a time, again no issues car was ready to be collected the next day, a nice chap that puts himself across in a friendly but professional manner and was never hard to pay

 

[gpaevo]

So am I right here. Pre facelift 9-3 mostly Saab, facelift 9-3 mostly GM?

 

[gpaevo]

Have spied a few cracking sub 45k facelifts in England and if the civic sell this weekend I'll be going over monday to get one.

 

[purplea4T]

9-3 all GM, the beginning of the end started with the 900 that shared Cavalier parts and subsequently became the first 9-3.

 

[Brennan]

So am I right here. Pre facelift 9-3 mostly Saab, facelift 9-3 mostly GM?

As said all Saab 9-3, prefacelift and facelift are GM

 

[mthompo]

Stevie smith is the fella at the hawe road knows his stuff was a customer or mine for many years