Calling Saab Enthuisasts

"itsjustaduststorm" (itsjustaduststorm)
03/02/2016 at 16:34 • Filed to: None

Fun fact, this is sort of the same chassis as my first car...a hateful Chevrolet Malibu.

So, Oppo...hi, first post! God, I’m nervous! Um.

I kid. So, I’m in need of a new ride to replace my much-loved-but-kind-of-a-POS Focus that got wrecked a few weeks ago. I may be moving out of the country for work later in the year, so I’m not super eager to jump into something newer that’d have to be financed.

A friend of mine is bit of a Saab enthusiast, and recommended a 9-3 Turbo (he’s got one and loves it) that he found near my area. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

I’ve done some light reading, but I still don’t know much about them. For how low the price is, though...is it worth picking up, just in the interim? Figure Oppo’s small group of Saab-lovers might be able to help me out, I’ve seen a few in Jalopnik’s comment section.

DISCUSSION (23)

Party-vi > itsjustaduststorm
03/02/2016 at 16:37

Purchase something you can sell easily. I don’t think SAABs are easy sales to the general public.

Wacko > Party-vi
03/02/2016 at 16:39

corolla or camry then, but that’s harsh man.

bob and john > itsjustaduststorm
03/02/2016 at 16:42

wow. 177 k miles, tuned, and from a company that doesnt exsist.

I like saabs. fun cars.

this is a basket case just waiting to blow up. run

FromCanadaWithLove > itsjustaduststorm
03/02/2016 at 16:45

That ad has a few red flags for me. That car has a ton of mods, and they aren’t really ideal. For the price they’re asking, you have to assume that’s the cheapest cold air intake, or the cheapest clutch, etc. The price is appealing, but I wouldn’t expect the car to work. If you’re trying to sell something back within the year, I think you’d do alright with a Saab, but something more stock.

Party-vi > Wacko
03/02/2016 at 16:47

BMW E39 540i M-Sport, since he can get $20,000 for it with low miles

/fuckingCL

itsjustaduststorm > bob and john
03/02/2016 at 16:47

That’s fair. I’m handy, but not a mechanic. I think the Ecotecs in these eventually made it to the Cobalt SS?

itsjustaduststorm > Party-vi
03/02/2016 at 16:48

Maybe a Civic wouldn’t make me hate myself. But I’d be worried about theft in NYC.

bob and john > itsjustaduststorm
03/02/2016 at 16:49

dude, this thing is a basket.

buy a saab by all means. but this particular saab, run away from.

Your boy, BJR > itsjustaduststorm
03/02/2016 at 16:56

Oh hi fellow NJ guy. Former Saab/Cadillac/Hummer mechanic here! Where ya at in NJ?

itsjustaduststorm > Party-vi
03/02/2016 at 16:57

Dude I saw that E39 530 you posted. That thing is goddamn cool but hell if I want to work on an older BMW.

(Grew up on Japanese & Euro FWD 4 bangers, otherwise known as the easiest things ever)

itsjustaduststorm > bob and john
03/02/2016 at 16:57

Solid advice.

Future next gen S2000 owner > itsjustaduststorm
03/02/2016 at 17:00

I have an 07. Engine and trans are standard GM fare. Power steering pump isn’t a great design and may mix with the engine oil. Kinda sucks because these require the expensive ps fluid, think 20 bucks or more for a quart of it. Easy to replace but you can’t get the updated pump design from your local auto parts store. There is a fairly large fan base online with some good online auto parts places.

Down side, this was just added to the Takata claymore, shrapnel to your face airbag recall. On the drivers side.

I’ve got 120K on mine with minimal issues, beyond ps pump, I’ve had to replace the plugs and a spring. I don’t know how wheel these take to extra boost. You are own your own as far as the mods are concerned. Ask the seller if he runs premium, these run better with premium. These cars are cheap though and you can get something newer for about the same price. 07 has the updated interior and 08 09? is the facelift.

The Aero is the one you really want. But beyond saying you own a Saab, there is nothing that really stands out about this gen of the 9-3.

itsjustaduststorm > Your boy, BJR
03/02/2016 at 17:02

NYC, actually, but I’m ten minutes from the Outer Bridge. 15 from the Goethals.

itsjustaduststorm > FromCanadaWithLove
03/02/2016 at 17:10

I think I’m just attracted to weird/offbeat cars. I also like the RX-8 for no particular reason.

FromCanadaWithLove > itsjustaduststorm
03/02/2016 at 17:14

RX-8s are cool! That’s a good reason.

itsjustaduststorm > FromCanadaWithLove
03/02/2016 at 17:24

RX-8s are also equipped with twirling Doritos and probably not the best thing for someone who doesn’t get to drive every day. :(

Berang > itsjustaduststorm
03/02/2016 at 17:30

Saab going bust killed resale value on these cars, which means with just a little patience you should be able to find one in better shape for around the same price.

This one looks to have been relisted several times:

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5397832085…

You could probably get them down a few hundred easily.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > itsjustaduststorm
03/02/2016 at 19:43

Jersey native?

I wouldnt touch that saab with a 30 foot pole.

itsjustaduststorm > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
03/02/2016 at 20:33

Staten Islander. Close to all the bridges though.

Dated a few Jersey girls though. Nice roads, in the right counties.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > itsjustaduststorm
03/02/2016 at 21:11

God bless you for dating a jersey girl.

itsjustaduststorm > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
03/02/2016 at 23:55

Two!

One of them was impossibly attractive. She wasn’t a fan of the Focus though, it was broken pretty often while we dated.

pip bip - choose Corrour > itsjustaduststorm
03/03/2016 at 05:42

welcome!

Party-vi > itsjustaduststorm
03/03/2016 at 07:17

The engines are reliable, but everything else in my experience is finicky. I’ve got no major complaints about my E46 except expensive spark plugs and ridiculous door seals ($300 per door!).