I have read elsewhere on this forum of bulkhead cracks which lead to expensive repairs. See:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=23...#
When I come to inspect a 93 would I be able to identify this problem? If so where do I look? My automotive knowledge is sorely lacking - I have no idea where the bulkhead is to begin with!
My budget limits me to models dated 98 or 99 but just below the 100k mileage.
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I may be wrong butI think bulkhead cracks only relate to the convertible. My partner has had a 9-3 Tdi for 7 years and apart from horrendous depreciation it has been a very reliable but slightly boring car. It was about £22k new and is now worth £4k. The paintwork is particularly good - it is metallic red and looks brand new when washed and leathered.
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IME a stodgy drive (chassis is actually based on the '88 to '95 Cavalier) though well built and will last for ever, the 2.2 diesel is a bit unrefined though the turbo petrols give a reasonable turn of speed. Later ones, around 2001/02 very well equipped. I agree with above, bulkhead issues are convertible only.
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Cheddar
I'd agree. Had a 2.0 900 (similar car). Horrendous depreciation, definitely not a sporty drive (very understeer prone), heavy on front tyres. Poor ventilation, must have sunroof or air con. 2.0 underpowered and thirsty. Drove an early diesel and 'unrefined' is spot on! Turbo is great fun.
Even the saloon suffers from scuttle shake, so no surprise the convertibles crack bulkheads.
Plus side - comfortable seats, smooth engine, quiet at speed.
JS
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Unfortunately, you are wrong. It is some time since your post and it has since become apparent that the saab 9-3 bulkhead separation issue affects the three and five door hatchback versions, aswell.
For more information on this, take a look at this reports on:
Saabscene:
www.saabscene.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=316267...7
www.saabscene.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=316184...9
www.saabscene.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=531447
Saab 9-3 Bulkhead
www.saab9-3bulkhead.com/
Saab GB is currently paying out on a percentage basis depending on age and mileage of the vehicle. That said, some vehicles over 100,000 miles have had 100% of costs paid on fixing them.
Much more information on the links above.
Hope this helps.
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Thanks for the replies. I'm looking for something safe, reliable, comfortable with a big load space.
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>Thanks for the replies. I'm looking for something safe, reliable, comfortable with a big load space
What about a 9-5, then?
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Have you seen this post about it on the Saabscene website:
snipurl.com/n9s4
There is also a sticky topic at the top for "9-3 reliability".
I dont think the bulkhead separation is a very common fault, something to look for when buying but not otherwise be concerned about IMO.
Are you after a petrol or diesel?
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Thanks also for the link.
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I think the 9-5 has a boot while the 9-3 is a hatchback. Am I right?
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Not sure these are cars to run on a budget. Do lots of research as i think repairs will be pricey, they do not score well in reliability surveys. Look for in independent Saab dealer/repairer in your area. If safety is no1 look at Volvo but for the price of a 7 yo Saab you could get a more modern run-of-the-mill car like the Vectra/Mondeo/Laguna/Avensis that have good NCAP figures.
Prestige cars need prestige money to run.
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"I think the 9-5 has a boot while the 9-3 is a hatchback. Am I right?"
Yes, for the models you're looking at that's correct. The Saab 900 and subseqent 9-3 were hatchbacks - until Saab changed to a saloon for the current model.
There's also the estate version of the 9-5 if you fancy a bigger car with the practicality of a hatch.
- Gromit
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Hi,
Do not buy a Saab with a petrol engine without full and accurate service history.
These engines from '98 to '03 have had considerable timing chain problems due to oil starvation.
Saab have an additional five year support policy for these problems over and above the normal three year warranty. They will pay 100% of the cost but cars must have FSH.
HJ's CBCBD gives timing chain as a £1500 job on these cars.
Regards DougB.
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Speaking as someone who recovers vehicles for a living working for one of the two main breakdown companies, I would respectfully suggest avoiding Saab like the plague.....
They currently top our charts for most-breakdowns-per-prestige marque !
They are regular visitors to our despatch computers and are well known by most of the patrols. Several relatively new Saabs have recently burst into flames (must be electrics - we dont actually get to know why when recovering from this type of incident).
Wouldn't touch one with the proverbial barge pole.
Stick to Subaru and you wont go wrong ......
jdc
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Much as liked the '55 reg 95 auto I recently drove, I must confess that I would be wary of buying one with my own money. SAABs have never been particularly reliable cars. I have fixed number where the HT cassette has failed and the timing chain problem mentioned above is a well-known deterrent.
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I just read HJ's CBCBD for the 93 1998-2002. I note the warning about timing chain but I can't see the figure of £1500.
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>Thanks for the replies. I'm looking for something safe, reliable, comfortable with a big load space
Take the choice of all Northern mini-cabbers - the Avensis estate!
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Pos,
Just checked CBCBD (Saab 9-5). It does actually say 'timing chain cover'. Not quite sure what that is, apart from the obvious.
Sorry to mislead you, but would still advise caution,
Regards DougB.
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Pos,
As quoted above these cars take serious money to run. Yes they can run to high miles but you need to spend money to do it.
I had a '94 900 V6 auto which is basically the same car underneath.
I never got change out of £500 for a service from SAAB and that was ten years ago with 20% dealer discount. Brakes were a regular service item, discs and pads.
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We have a Saab 9-5 estate which we really like, but you need to find a good independant to service and maintain a Saab if you are running one on a budget. Main dealer prices are very expensive. Depreciation is very heavy, but this does mean they can be sensible used buys if you get a good one.
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I have an acquaintance who had endless trouble with a newish 9-3. He was in dispute with the dealer or perhaps Saab and getting short shrift. He is a well-known person and I advised him to threaten publicity, but cautiously. Don't know what happened in the end.
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I ran a 9-3 2.0 (non-turbo) as a company car from 1998 to 2002, in which time the only non-routine item it needed was a power steering pump, which failed in the workshop while it was being MoTed. It certainly never required new brake discs, and I'd have to check the service sheets to see if they ever replaced the pads. Ignore anyone (sorry chaps) who says the 900 was essentially the same; I had a 900 before the 9-3 and for once the hype about '1,100 improvements' was spot on. Biggest of all was the hydraulic clutch, which actually made it possible to drive the thing smoothly - not that that will matter if it's an auto! The 9-3 also has vastly better steering, side airbags and the lever-operated 'active' head restraints, and did not allow you to inadvertently pop the hatch ajar. That leaves 1,096 for others to point out.
The 130hp non-turbo version isn't quick but it only really comes up short when you're baulked by a truck on a motorway hill and have to change down to get back to speed; I imagine the 150hp LPT engine overcomes this. Otherwise, it's a thoroughly pleasant travelling companion and revs very nicely. I averaged something like 31mpg over 55,000 miles, with a best of 37.4 on the last long trip I did in it; it prefers 98 RON but not enough to justify the UK price premium. The diesel is horrible, not that economical and quite unsuited to the car.
Much as I respect the qualities of the Volvo that replaced the Saab, and which I still have, I really liked that car, especially the dashboard, which is superb; the wonderfully clear high-mounted audio/computer unit; and the boot, which will take four full-size suitcases standing upright and lock itself as the car moves off. Whether I'd have another one now, I'm not sure. They're all getting old, and the 'active' seats steal a lot of kneeroom from the back seat, which would be a problem for my family now. Might be worth consulting one of the Saab specialists occasionally recommended here would give you an idea what it might cost you to run one.
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Ignore anyone (sorry chaps) who says the 900 was essentially the same; I had a 900 before the 9-3 and for once the hype about '1 100 improvements' was spot on.
Shame they didn't see fit to fix the cracking bulkhead problem which was present on both the C(h)avalier and the 900 then.
I averaged something like 31mpg over 55 000 miles with a best of 37.4 on the last long trip I did in it;
I averaged 26.9mpg regardless of where, when or how I drove it.
it prefers 98 RON but not enough to justify the UK price premium.
Mine preferred 10/40 after 74k miles. That's what you get for buying a GM engined SAAB.
Much as I respect the qualities of the Volvo that replaced the Saab and which I still have I really liked that car especially the dashboard which is superb; the wonderfully clear high-mounted audio/computer unit; and the boot which will take four full-size suitcases standing upright and lock itself as the car moves off.
Have to agree with you. I loved that car for covering long distances. The Panel light switch was a stroke of genius. All lights off except the Speedo, then switch on the fuel or temp lights if you were getting low on fuel or there was an engine problem otherwise do not distract the driver. That computer told you pretty much everything you needed to know about the car.
I considered a new 9-3 when we were looking at the end of last year. The interior quality (or lack of - and that was moving from a Pug206) put me off, we bought an S60.
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