Saab 9-3 lpt Convertible.

[peter96]

Ok on a roll tonight. Thought I would start a thread about my vert. Swapped my 9-5 for this about six months ago and really like it. Currently sorned as I 've got my Rover on the road. Might see if I can get a limited mileage policy for it and use it during the Spring/Summer or might sell it and get something older. I'll get a few more photos up tomorrow.

[anils]

Nice. B204E engine (red top)?

If so, quite tuneable.

[peter96]

I think so. Truth be told after having a full fat 9-5 Aero it does feel a bit pedestrian. I'll be leaving it as it is as I wouldn't know where to start tuning and I'm a cruiser rather than a speed freak. Fast enough for me.

[madwelshman]

looks very nice Peter.

[peter96]

Cheers. Always wanted one and couldn't say no when I got the offer.

[madwelshman]

I haven't had a 9-3 or 9-5, but had a 97 NG900 Talladega 2.0i
That was a nice car and went quite well. Bought it for 200quid, put brakes and tyres on it, then used it to go to the Saab International in Holland 2009. 38mpg avg and comfy black leather. Was lovely.
Mot ran out a week after we got back and it was stripped as the gearbox was starting to get noisy.

I keep looking at 9-5's and quite fancy one, one day.

[peter96]

You have to do it especially if you can get a full fat Aero. Mine only cost me £600 and apart from servicing and a couple of new tyres it only cost me petrol. My mate still has it and loves it to bits. As long as they're run on fully synthetic oil you shouldn't have too many problems.

[peter96]

Ok long time no update. Since I bought the Rover the Saab has been sulking in my lock up. Now I had intended to sell this in favour of another MGF/TF, however, as my Rover's clutch is playing up I need to get a car on the road. I'm already insured with Admiral so managed to organise a multi-car policy as nobody would touch it on a classic policy. I had pushed it out of the garage on Sat last but had to start it with jump leads. Of course the battery is flat again and my jump leads are lying inthe Rover four miles away. So looks like it'll possibly need a new battery. Anyhow heres a couple of photos from a few months back

[Mercdan68]

Looks very tidy Peter,is that not a better drop top than a mgf?
Love my mgf but I'd think a Saab must be a big step up?

[peter96]

Sorry Dan only saw this now. For me the best thing are the higher seating level and nice big wide doors for getting in and out. Build quality is a lot better and if you're into it a nice tuneable engine. Still get scuttle shake but the hood is great as its lined on the inside. They are just as much fun to drive and personally I think that the original 9-3 vert is the best looking of the Saab convertibles. Of course its not rear wheel drive and its not an MG. If I could swing it and had the space I wouldn't mind a TF as well as I haven't had one of these yet. But two verts is just being greedy and not at all practical especially in wet and windy NI.

[peter96]

Well managed to unearth the Saab yesterday. Battery was dead so tried bumping it to no avail. Got a lift from my Da in law to get a new battery. It was then I discovered that my tool box with all my spanners and sockets was lying in the boot of the Rover which is still at my mechanics. One frantic hunt later I found some old Skoda spanners left over from my dad's old 80's Estelles. Of course there's precious little room to remove the clamp holding the battery on but after what seemed an age managed to get it off and the new battery in place. Car fired straight away and celebrated by taking it for a spin hood down over some back roads. I'll stick a few photos up later.

[peter96]

New battery above.


Billys hill with Woodburn Forest behind


Sleepy hollow

[peter96]

Who says convertibles aren't practical. Wife gave up her allotment so had to move some bushes back up to our house. Saab came in practical as a pick up truck.

[Mercdan68]

Do like that car peter, been out for a run in the mgf this morning , our Labrador seems to like it!!

[peter96]

[img src="i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/peterhwilson/Mobile%20Uploads/20170409_111631_zpsv22irdfs.jpg" style="max-width:100%;"]

I had a spin out this morning over the back roads behind the Cave Hill.

[peter96]

Apr 9, 2017 11:59:15 GMT Mercdan68 said:

Do like that car peter, been out for a run in the mgf this morning , our Labrador seems to like it!!

Can't beat it Dan. No dogs with me. Our whippets hate the car especially when the hoods down. 

[dubbelduwwel]

Lovely car!
Are sufficient spares available? Where do you source from?

[peter96]

Thanks for that. Spares are ok your local motor factors should be able to supply you with consumables. Main problem is if there are any electronic problems and then you might need someone with the Saab computer. Other than that they are fine. This is my forth GM Saab and I can't say anything negative about them. They're cheap to buy and great fun to drive. Check out UKSaabs if you're thinking of buying one.

[dubbelduwwel]

Thank you! I am in South Africa. Anything that moves is worth money here - nothing cheap, no cheap donor cars. Saab owners here still expect collectors piece money for their cars. BUT! My neighbour has a convertible (don't know further particulars)which has not been driven for at least a year and was apparently replaced by a C class coupe. I wonder if someone around here has the Saab computer!

[Geordie]

Smart looking convertible Peter. I do like the 9-3's. They've always looked great as a drop-top.

I like those 'Double Y' alloys too. I have been mulling over a change on my early 9-5 to some of these, or some Hammerheads, but to be honest, I think I've decided to keep my money to put into the Stanza, so the original three spokers will be staying.