2006 Saab 9-3 convertible

[maf260]

Having recently sold my Fiat coupe 20v turbo project I realised I was in great need of another car to fettle and enjoy. The impending summer (still waiting) turned my thoughts to how great it would be to find a suitable convertible for some top-down fun. I've only ever owned 2 convertibles in my almost 40 years of motoring:


A beautiful E30 I renovated and improved over 5 years, fitted 2.8l 24v running gear to and regretted selling as soon as it drove away. It was replaced with:


A late Audi 80 convertible, 2.6l V6 powered in a very rare colour. I improved this cosmetically over a year or so and moved it on as the drive was rather dull.

After looking at all sorts of different options, from BMW Z4s to Audi TTs to Merc SLKs the right candidate appeared before me. There's a huge amount of nostalgia in this purchase as my father owned a new car from this manufacturer every few years from 1978 until he passed. Mostly 'Classics', then a later modern diesel model. My parents' favourite of all of these cars was a bright red turbo Classic nicknamed Nellie, which they took all over Europe and Ireland after my father retired. My next car was a no brainer...

[maf260]

I agreed a price with the seller while I was away on a short break and made some travel arrangements for the following week.

I flew to Scotland and was wafted back to the seller's home in a lovely Audi A8 to meet the latest addition to my fleet.

A brief inspection, the car was as described thankfully, money transferred and I was on my way home. Just the matter of 400+ miles in an unknown to me quantity.

I had nothing to worry about; a relatively leisurely cruise home via Gretna Green, Tebay services and a visit to a friend in Cheshire, I arrived home that evening without drama as the car performed faultlessly. It rained the entire journey, though. So much for topless motoring!

I haven't had much chance since to do much with the car, but have started to make a few plans to bring it up to the standard I want.

First job was having the tracking checked and adjusted. The steering wheel wasn't centred, although the car didn't pull to the side.



Money well spent; the car drives even better now and the steering wheel is straight which satisfies my OCD.

[maf260]

While I'm waiting for a few bits and pieces I've ordered to arrive I have had a good look over the car and will start with a very thorough clean of both the exterior and interior. This is a job I really enjoy as the results are instant and obvious. So that I can plan what's needed with the little free time I seem to have I made a start.

Cream interiors, especially on convertibles really show any grime and dirt. This car is no different. I grabbed some leather cleaner to see if I could make any improvements:

Before


After a quick clean:


The driver's seat is understandably the worst. Upon closer inspection I found that somebody has previously 'renovated' the seat. The treated areas of the seat have a different texture to the rest of the leather which hasn't worn well and cracked; it's also a different colour to the rest of the interior!



I need to add a leather restoration kit to the list.

The shiny steering wheel gave up years of oils and dirt from the hands of the previous owners after a very thorough clean and now looks like new, with the matt/satin finish it should have. Steering wheel filth picture below, clean wheel picture to follow.

[LowStandards]

I have just taken ownership of a 2004 2.0t Vector in black from a deceased Aunt


She'd owned it from new and I have a stack of history


Few little fixes to do, mainly on things I guess she couldn't hear and wouldn't be picked up on the yearly service



Great cars, just wish it was an auto

[rob112]

I had a 2005 aero convertible great car.

I now own a 2000 reg 9-5

Love Saab's

[maf260]

Jun 19, 2024 10:26:27 GMT rob112 said:

I had a 2005 aero convertible great car.

I now own a 2000 reg 9-5

Love Saab's

Having grown up with them for most of my life I have a real attachment to them. Not a great deal of love for them on here, though!

[LowStandards]

Bit new and vanilla aint they



Take the engine out and bash it in a Lada, that would get us all excited