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[Kate]

I've been unable to find an Omega

I was looking for an alternative and came across a Saab estate on eBay.

Has anyone got an experience of Saabs? Are they any good?

You're thoughts would be so helpful.

[ronnyd]

It's a posh Vectra Kate.

[Bigron]

WheelerDealers did a Saab a while back. Look it up on YouTube, if you can stand the odious Fatty Brewer!

Ron.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

The one with the 2.8 V6 turbo is the one to go for.....

[Rangie]

Always fancied one of the convertibles , certainly great value for money.

[Kate]

Thanks. There is a 2.3 auto on eBay I might go for.

[henryd]

Thanks. There is a 2.3 auto on eBay I might go for.

I run an 08  9-5 Aero auto and I'm very pleased with it, check what tax band its in though as mine is £550 a year,before 2006 its less than that though

[Viral_Jim]

Thanks. There is a 2.3 auto on eBay I might go for.

I run an 08  9-5 Aero auto and I'm very pleased with it, check what tax band its in though as mine is £550 a year,before 2006 its less than that though

All petrol autos on/after 2006 are in the £500+ bracket. This includes the 150bhp 2.0t. All manual petrols are in the £325ish bracket.

As Henry days, the pre 2006 stuff is all lower (all in the £325 bracket iirc).

The engines are generally ok after 2004/5, before that look out for blue smoke on startup (turbo) or timing chain rattle when cold. Earlier cars had issues with the breather system hoses breaking down and and allowing particles of crap into the oil. This blocked the oil pickup in the sump and lead to oil starvation.

A misfire under load is usually a faulty Direct Ignition (DI) cassette. It takes about 5mins to swap out but genuine ones cost £200+ and pattern ones tend to last 2000-10,000 miles before failing again.

Those 2 issues aside they're pretty reliable units. 

[deviator]

Early 2.3 models suffer with pick up pipe getting blocked.

The early 9-3 convertibles used to break the firewall free from the car due to the fact the steering rack is mounted on the firewall.

Personally if I was picking an engine, I'd prefer the 2.0L turbo. These engines are storming if they are looked after. The standard internals will take about 450BHP and the ECU is a trionic which can be unlocked. If you are into making things faster.

There is a lot of parts cross over between Vauxhall and Saab. My FiL's 9-3 has Vectra B GSI front brake caliper brackets, standard calipers, Astra GSI 308mm discs and pads. It's always worth looking to see if there is a Vauxhall part that will work, it's nearly always cheaper.

Another thing, by default, the tyre sizes are a bit oddball. EG 215/55/16 or 225/45/17. Which is fine apart from those tyre sizes are pricey. narrow the tread a bit and they are suddenly a load cheaper, 205/55/16 & 215/45/17. Obviously this should be mentioned to insurance people 

[Bigron]

Early 2.3 models suffer with pick up pipe getting blocked.

The early 9-3 convertibles used to break the firewall free from the car due to the fact the steering rack is mounted on the firewall.

Personally if I was picking an engine, I'd prefer the 2.0L turbo. These engines are storming if they are looked after. The standard internals will take about 450BHP and the ECU is a trionic which can be unlocked. If you are into making things faster.

There is a lot of parts cross over between Vauxhall and Saab. My FiL's 9-3 has Vectra B GSI front brake caliper brackets, standard calipers, Astra GSI 308mm discs and pads. It's always worth looking to see if there is a Vauxhall part that will work, it's nearly always cheaper.

Another thing, by default, the tyre sizes are a bit oddball. EG 215/55/16 or 225/45/17. Which is fine apart from those tyre sizes are pricey. narrow the tread a bit and they are suddenly a load cheaper, 205/55/16 & 215/45/17. Obviously this should be mentioned to insurance people 

That Wheeler Dealer programme that I mentioned earlier had a cure for the firewall issue, if it applies to whatever Saab you are looking at - or maybe it will have already been implemented, if you are lucky.

Ron.

[Andy B]

Early 2.3 models suffer with pick up pipe getting blocked.

The early 9-3 convertibles used to break the firewall free from the car due to the fact the steering rack is mounted on the firewall.

Cars on this side of the Atlantic have a bulkhead!! 

[Kate]

Thanks for all the advice and information.

I've decided to go for a 9-5 VECTOR 2.3T S-A. I think the tax is £555 which is quite a lot.

[biggriffin]

It's a posh Vectra Kate.

 Yup... That's what I've got. 9-3 anniversary estate, 2.0t, GM era car,.. £315 per year tax, 26-28mpg,  costs a bit less to service than the omega,  is smaller, bit louder, not as comfy as an Omega,, why did I buy it, because it looked nice, was a good price, aand newer,, O and it's wwd,,  tyres cost the same, and are 235/45/17"..

[amba]

That's a hefty road tax each year ...thought the Omegas were robbery but that's £10 a week.

[biggriffin]

Early 2.3 models suffer with pick up pipe getting blocked.

The early 9-3 convertibles used to break the firewall free from the car due to the fact the steering rack is mounted on the firewall.

Personally if I was picking an engine, I'd prefer the 2.0L turbo. These engines are storming if they are looked after. The standard internals will take about 450BHP and the ECU is a trionic which can be unlocked. If you are into making things faster.

There is a lot of parts cross over between Vauxhall and Saab. My FiL's 9-3 has Vectra B GSI front brake caliper brackets, standard calipers, Astra GSI 308mm discs and pads. It's always worth looking to see if there is a Vauxhall part that will work, it's nearly always cheaper.

Another thing, by default, the tyre sizes are a bit oddball. EG 215/55/16 or 225/45/17. Which is fine apart from those tyre sizes are pricey. narrow the tread a bit and they are suddenly a load cheaper, 205/55/16 & 215/45/17. Obviously this should be mentioned to insurance people 

That Wheeler Dealer programme that I mentioned earlier had a cure for the firewall issue, if it applies to whatever Saab you are looking at - or maybe it will have already been implemented, if you are lucky.

Ron.

 Early GM era cars. Pre 2004 am led to believe .