Saab 9 3. Invest or consume?
The Saab 9-3 II is the faithful workhorse of the scene. He enjoys, you look from the convertibles and the Turbo X, (still) no cult status. The station wagons and limousines are the most modern solution, if you want to move a Saab in everyday life. The youngest specimens are now 7 years old, the big model care is already 10 years back. The question is: invest or consume?
The question is specific, because something has built up in our 9-3 SC with its 7 years and almost 100.000 kilometers. There is a need for action, although the Saab checkbook is maintained. The last major inspection took place this spring in Bamberg, the 9-3 also got all-round new brakes from the Orio Regal, and brought to light a number of construction sites.
Starting with the seat heating, which did not work anymore, the air conditioning with small weaknesses, to the wishbones with the side rails. And then there's the rust. Slight beginnings of this on the subsoil, although the 9-3 had received an additional treatment in the year 2011 immediately after its delivery.
7 years is a magic number. Saab first owners parted ways with their vehicles, says Ralf Muckelbauer. The first defects appeared, time for a new car. If I did, someone could deliver me a Saab model year 2019.
Invest or consume?
Wishbones with side members are TÜV relevant. Seat heating and air conditioning are comfort. The rust? They are visible approaches, but they do not urge immediate action. You can keep driving, use your car - and that for several years. At some point the rust becomes a threat, then either a welding machine, a lot of money will help, or the TÜV will part. As a great unknown, the condition remains under the wheel arch liners. Does the 9-3 SC rust there too? I know copies before and after the facelift that rusted through from the inside out.
If you add up the costs, then everything adds up to an 4-digit amount. And in principle I have three options now. The consumption version: Only let the wishbone, the TÜV in the autumn waves the Saab then. The comfort variant would be in addition to invest in heated seats and climate, or in sustainability mania also to have the rust approaches eliminated.
The 5-years carefree package
Oh yes, there is also version number 4. Buy a new car. One with 5 or even 7 years warranty. A carefree promise for half a decade or more, which I can exchange for the next carefree after expiration. Tempting, except for a tiny hook. It would not be Saab anymore.
Basically, I am unwilling to invest in the spring. I consoled Ralf Muckelbauer with the hint that I have to think now. I remain unusually indecisive for the next few weeks. Mark, who drives much more miles than me a year, has long since switched to the other Swedish brand. He lives well with that, Saab remains for him free time and hobby. Somehow the desire for something new, uncomplicated lives in me. Saab driving has not become easier in recent years. On appointments in the workshops you wait longer and longer, the spare parts supply mutates again and again to the challenge. Sure, everything has gone well so far. But do I need that?
The discussion extends over weeks. In the family and with friends. The opinion remains always confusing. One pleads for a new car, the other suddenly falls in love with the ice blue headlights of the 9-3. All this does not help. Of course, my behavior is utterly illogical. I invest time, material and money in my 9000 fleet. Everything is done to keep the classics on the road. But in a relatively new car, the willingness decreases.
The word from the poison cabinet
On the other hand, this is precisely the poison that has spread the car industry for years. Cars are only consumer goods. As well as smartphones, computers, textiles. They should be consumed over a defined period of time, please speedily. Cars are only transport solutions, not more, which are exchanged for the next solution after a short period of use. In the best case, the old product ends up in export, and new cars roll over the streets. An apparent infinite loop that runs faster and faster.
The word sustainability remains hidden deep down in the poison cabinet, and nobody dares to use it. Sustainability, longer service life, that would mean less consumption, less production, less profit. No board of directors, no politician who even has a survival instinct dares to tackle this issue. It would question too much. Growth and quarterly figures (still) remain the benchmark of our society. We probably need more than a dozen hot, dry super summers for the courage to rethink.
Long service life for the environment
The blog writes about life with the cars of a brand that no longer exists. Without any sociopolitical claim, there never was one here. Nevertheless, and the longer I think about my problem, sustainability comes to the fore. The Saab still drives well and comfortably, it could do that for many years to come. As with any car, the greatest CO2 emission was during its production. The longest possible useful life is better for our planet than constantly consuming anew.
The decision is made, investments are made. Not only the TÜV relevant things are done, also the comfort and sustainability chapter is served. The 9-3 comes to Bamberg, where it stays for a few days. The subject of rust is of interest, Ralf Muckelbauer runs the full program. What he and his employees found and whether the 9-3 precaution is advisable, I will write on the blog in the next few days.
We have an amazing 2011 9-3X SC with about 100,000 miles (161,000km)…. So far, new brake pads, front wheel bearings, and headlights, are the only things we've had to replace (and tires). Drives like it was new… ..looks terrific. In the USA, a seven year old car with that mileage is considered "old." But to me, the car doesn't seem like an antique. Its style still looks better than almost anything else on the road, although I do kind of like the Porsche Cayenne. We'll continue driving it and adding 30,000km per year until it becomes unreliable to take on long trips. And then? I do not know. It seems insulting that this wonderful automobile should become what we call on Martha's Vineyard an “island car” or a “beach car ', which are typically old beat-up cars that people keep around for when they don't want to use their' good car. "
After I had my beautiful 9000 aero with less than 500T km and the 900 - he convertible 1997 300 T km with LPG gas retrofitting (in Switzerland 99 cents per liter instead of CHF 1.50 to CHF 2.–) with “multiple organ failure, heart pains and tears or gave it away as a spare part to the carrier, I still regret that I didn't have one or both of them restored for unreasonable money. I will certainly drive my 9-5 station wagon, now twenty years old, and the 18-9 convertible (3 years) with 15 km that I bought in January '170 with blowing snow and minus six degrees (including a frozen permanent smile that remained until now) how Matthias Krauer, Bauma, CH keeps them functioning safely.
It doesn't matter whether I drive a brand new Ford, a current VW model, a Renault, etc. or an exciting Cadillac owned by family and friends; with my SAAB's I'm just safe and secure at HOME again. really DAHOIM
Every investment has always been worthwhile in terms of economy, correct environmental protection and even more so with regard to emotions (there is no boredom in the SAAB)
I keep reading here about the ecological footprint and a certain sustainability when you drive / move a Saab. Sometimes there is also a certain “superiority sound”. I don't want to play spoilsport but it seems to me as if this is something comparable to the optimism of purpose ... If Saab were to build cars, many would not care about ecology and sustainability ... a new Saab would have to be 😉
A truthful comment ...
The overwhelming and persistent grief for the brand (the desire for new cars) is in contradiction to the prevailing praise of sustainability and the eternal preservation of used as long as possible.
• Maybe this contradiction is only an apparent one?
• Perhaps too many SAABs have been driven too long to make the mark worthwhile?
• Perhaps sustainable thinking has stood in the way of economic success?
At least it would resolve the contradiction. There are still 900s and 9000s in first hand. I had interesting conversations with some of their owners. Not without ulterior motives, but completely without a chance ...
The man named Ove lives, is distributed globally and has many faces and names. Sustainability is already part of the SAAB DNA. It seems a bit cheap today, but it seems to me much older than the bankruptcy.
Dear Tom,
Once again, you have summarized the emotional world of the inwardly torn Saab driver. I have both a deceived 9-3 II 1.8t convertible (MY 2005) and a 9-3 SC 2.0 T (MY2009) and in excellent condition (both around the 45T km). I want to keep you on the road as long as possible. My wife drives a car with the green shamrock, which does not work quite as well here as for example the start-stop automatic would need a whole article. So I am more than happy to sit in my two analog vehicles without cruising annoying peeping and patronizing through the countryside.
Lg from Vienna,
Christian
Recently I was the only non-VW employee at a birthday party in WOB.
After all had described extensively, what did not work on their new (!) Models, I stated succinctly that in my 9 and 11 years old Saabs actually everything works.
I've rarely seen such terrified faces 🙂
Ok, then I postponed that of course from time to time one or the other repair is required, but everything within reasonable limits.
Apart from this unspeakable diesel story, they certainly build chic cars here, but at what price ...?!
I don't just mean the purchase price (VW hasn't been a vehicle for the people for a long time ...), but as already mentioned above, the ecological footprint begins with production.
Our Saabs are individual, comfortable and potent vehicles whose maintenance costs us significantly less than a new purchase.
That's why we're avoiding backlogs and have had the convertible (MJ 06) treated with Mike Sanders some time ago.
Last autumn we were looking for a winter car to protect the convertible, and stumbled upon a 9-3 Limo, MJ 11 at an attractive price. You can't ignore that of course :-). Since the previous owner slipped a bit, we also have to invest a little here, but everything is within the framework and then it is always a fancier 'winter car' than a corresponding Golf / Astra / etc ...
So we will continue to drive, care for and maintain our sows as long as possible.
Greetings to the community
Frank
PS: By the way, the Saab virus is contagious. Our daughter (21) is recently on the way to an initial wrong track (Skoda Fabia) with a 9-3, 1,8t MJ 08 on the way, with deer 🙂
As long as I can allow myself, I will keep and care for my Saabs for the sake of the environment as well as the maintenance of tradition, but above all my personal grin when I drive them. My 901 Coupé, 902 Cabrio and two 9000s are 98 years old together and have 870.000 km on the clock. I hope for double ... at least. Greetings to the community.
In some old booklet of Saab stood once.
Service is not for what you have driven but for what you still want to drive.
Or something like that.
So you should set goals where I want to go with the Saab. 300 Tkm, H-mark, or other.
This is undoubtedly associated with costs and the question is then either regularly put something in the service or take the risk at some point without previous service to repair much and expensive.
I thought the 9-3 Combi was sold?
We maintain our two 9-3s and want to keep them, which interests us otherwise little, in Austria you do not even have to expect diesel driving bans, so you do not even have to worry about that. The 9-3II / 9-3III is just a perfect everyday car, and something special, because Saab and everything around it, and he has everything you need. The inventions of the auto industry, which has been so popular in the last few years, you almost do not need. So things like rear-view camera could even be retrofitted thanks to the Saabexperten yes.
Recently drove a car with Virtual Cockpit and find it just distracting and disturbing. Was glad to see analogue instruments with nightpanel again.
So I say, as long as it's possible to invest, take good care, drive ahead, not only saves fuel, but spares the Saab and you enjoy even longer.
We were this year also face the problem that our SAAB 9-5 2000 screamed out for attention, clean Klma, new springs and dampers Rear, strainer, cooler and even a couple other things, a total of about 3.500 €. But we also considered to keep him, because he still has a low mileage and thus the repair is still worthwhile in the long term, he has so only run 387.000 km, from 800.00 I would also do so my thoughts on major repairs
With a 03-2011 built and 04-2012 TTiD SC erstzugelassenen I ketzt 150.000 km and have never had a car, which until then had so little repairs except for brake discs and pads, now the timing belt umd two mechanical "Außeneinwirkunfen" nothing!
After rust (quite salty winter had) I have not searched. So for me that means continue to use (vehicle, no Stehzeug) and received. Only the probably diminishing speed of the spare part supply and the possibility that I would park from 1.9.2019 in the neighboring place, let me consider an additional (non-Saab) consumption vehicle to purchase.
Good evening Tom,
drive a 9.3 III TTiD with deer package (200 PS) from 12 / 2007 (an ex SAAB company car out of bankruptcy) with current 416.000 km.
Major investments were an automatic transmission at 385.000 km, two alternators, a starter and the usual
Renewal of Domlagern and coupling rods, but which may be owed part of the deer / Bilsteinfahrwerk with special rims.
Rust does not know this SAAB until today.
He is still purring like a bee and I'm happy every day to be allowed to drive in the car again.
One of these newfangled paternal and persevering boxes with built-in distraction office will never be an issue for me.
That's why last year I bought another 9.3 NEVS new car with 500 km and this spring I imported another 9.3 NEVS from Sweden with 39.000 km.
These models show noticeable improvements over the previously built 9.3 III in terms of engine, suspension, steering, seats and noise comfort.
Both NEVS were immediately “stagged” and underwent extensive subsoil treatment with ice jets,
Preservation and cavity sealing.
Vehicle No. 1 is now driven by my daughter (after a grateful 900 II, which continues to run with 280.000 km in the family without any problems) and I have put the second copy in the corner - for later.
I only hope for a long and sufficient basic supply by Orio!
Then my friend would have on their 9.3 III TTiD convertible with inzwschen 210.000 km continue to enjoy.
And one more comment at the end:
I had between 1982 and 1992 an 900 Turbo and three 900 Turbo 16 S with Heuschmid refinements.
At that time brilliant Renner against which a BMW had no chance.
But repairs at that time were more common on the engine and especially the transmission / clutch unit than nowadays.
And finally ...
Our vehicles are of the basic substance (with good care) classic cross-country skiers and it would be a waste in my opinion, this good substance is not sufficient to obtain.
Once SAAB - always SAAB!
Have a nice evening and best regards to the community.
Peter Witzel.
Even my oldtimer is barely down. Of course I don't know exactly, but if the odometer is correct, then half a million is not quite cracked yet ...
What a statement, what a commitment. I wish you a good trip at all times. In any case, for the next 416.000 Km. Great!
The anecdote about the 901 does not surprise me. The gearbox in the 901 has always been relatively weak, even for the series output. If then a so-called Tuningspezialist hand puts on premature wear is actually inevitable. It is not for nothing that the design of the deer software is usually quite conservative with regard to the gearbox load. This is not wrong, especially if you give a guarantee on your product.
Hi Peter! The “NEVS” 9-3 has the best chassis that the 9-3 II - III has ever had. Well-known Saab components have been reassembled and tuned, the result is really good. It is a shame that there was no new edition of the station wagon for MY 2015. That was planned, but for known reasons it never became a reality. Have fun with the seeds!
For a few thousand you have paid a maximum of one year lease and you do not own anything yet. Clearly invest, especially rust and the "security", climate and seat heating could. Also wait a good month 🙂
At the moment I'm moving 5 Saab 9-3 I and II. Of course I do not eat that many miles with everybody, they are relatively modest with 110000 until 140000km. Years of construction are from 1998 to 2005. But it costs me a lot of time and money to keep the 9-3er alive. In spring 2019 I have to decide for three of the five, the financial burden is just too big for me. (there is still a nice 95 NG and a 96er 1980 in my fleet)
I will never quite part with one of the 9-3er, the yellow convertible year 6 / 1998 and the blue Aero Coupe with Viggenbody I will keep safe.
Yes, it requires a lot of enthusiasm and financial effort to keep the Saab flag high. Is it worth? I hardly think the 9-3 II / III will never reach cult status.
Tom once wrote; You can not save every Saab. Two or three will surely survive with me.
Always good trip to all.
I don't understand the thumbs (currently 7 to 5) for this comment ...
Here, an owner of five (!) 9-3 and other SAABs (!) Writes that personally he can not save them all and keep them permanently. Yes, who of us could do that?
Here an enthusiast writes that two or three SAABs (or does he mean two or three 9-3?) Will surely survive with him. He wishes us all an enjoyable ride.
Who are the 5 readers who have something to complain about?
And what exactly is being suspended?
I absolutely cannot understand the thumbs down. A comment / answer would maybe help my understanding? Perhaps …
A commentary and negative Voting I think but not ansatzweise comprehensible. It remains completely incomprehensible to me and also seems lazy and cowardly!
In my opinion, every SAAB driver who wants to receive one or more SAABs only deserves thumbs up on a SAAB blog. In this case at least 12 to 0. It doesn't matter whether you share your opinion on the potential “cult status” of “9-3 II / III” or not ...
And if not, please say so. As it is, one might think that Hans S. would have got “his” thumbs down for calling quite a few SAAB his property and planning to keep some of them permanently. And that would be by far the dumbest thumbs there has ever been on this blog ...
Hello Herbert, I am only now reading your answer to my post. Thank you for your commitment. Of course, it's quick with a thumb down, that's just the way it is today. Some will think, I am a rich showman. Far from what I say there, I would not hold up the Saab and Lancia flag. With these cars, you are far from being a braggart or a proletarian. Saab / Lancia embody individualism in pure culture.
Today's value of my vehicles, well, I could just buy such a new iguana or pelican or whatever this car means for it! Do I want that? Absolutely no.
Good time and good journey
Hans S.
Definitely invest. Have a 9-3 Aero Convertible from 2005 with up to now 460800 km, engine without problems. What is broken now is the differential. Have an 6 gear shift transmission. Who can give me a tip either for a transmission or the repair. Thanks in advance to all readers
Hi Michael!
I know a Saab Spezi near Bremen. He can possibly help you. Hope this is not too far from you.
Google look for the phone number of Claas Klreemann
Greeting Björn
So my “fleet” is between 10 and 20 years old. Rust is definitely a problem with one of the older 9-5. Last year the rear left wheel arch was made and next year the spare wheel well will be on it to get TÜV again. But I also have two gasoline manifold injectors that produce almost no soot. CO2 maybe a “little” more, because it is the 3.0l 6 cylinder, which is unpopular among SAABists. Ultimately, the maintenance investments are worth it. E. Whenever you drive a lot and don't want to constantly get a new “plane”. Mileage over 200Tkm can no longer scare me. After all, they are vehicles and not “stand-alone vehicles”.
At the beginning of this unspeakable diesel discussion, I briefly thought of selling my diesel convertible. However, the prices on offer prompted me to refrain from thinking about selling. The vehicle is mainly used as a "long-range fighter". Cities that already have a driving ban or want to introduce one soon, I just ignore it. Here, too, one notices the entire absurdity of the current discussion about pollutants. With a real consumption of 5,9l / 100km (Euro 4) I produce quite little CO2 but of course more soot particles than the very latest 6d temp diesels, unless the manufacturers have “cheated” again. If breathing could be forbidden by regulation, this entire technical exhaust gas upgrade would be obsolete. Maybe that's an approach that should be considered
Hello, thank you for this very interesting article! I can only wholeheartedly agree: Invest and continue - because of sustainability, but of course also out of conviction and love for good taste and style, for well thought-out, in the best sense simple and simple design, self-explanatory and functional, too reliable and - too today after so many years - still advanced technology. Sit down, feel good, drive off, enjoy - that's Saab for me! Pure driving pleasure and timeless beauty. A Saab has always been and is - and (regrettably) more and more in recent years - something very special! There is a need to preserve so many of these wonderful cars and keep them on the road.
My question about rust: Are the 9-3 III Griffin convertibles also problematic in this respect? I consider myself extremely lucky to have bought one in spring after a long search (Bj. 04/2011, EZ 09/12 - no idea where it had to stand around for so long in his first "year of life"). I am - as you can easily see from the lines above 🙂 - in love with my new piece of jewelry! The Griffins are from the post-GM era and built again in Sweden, which I thought was an advantage so far. Or did Magna build better quality? For the Griffin Cabrio, I parted with my previous 9-3 II Cabrio built by Magna (MY 07, before the external facelift, but already inside with a double DIN navigation system, 300 watts, etc.), which I used at the time when ordered a new car. After 11 years and 110tkm it looked like new and had no rust at all!
I had the Griffin on stage after buying it from Lafrentz. Diagnosis: He must have been outside longer at the beginning, the exhaust system has set rust. I then had a cavity and underbody protection treatment done there. The exhaust must certainly be renewed in the long term. In addition, what else can, and must, do for precautionary purposes? Which positions should be critically eyed? I always wonder what is meant by anti-rust treatments - the above-mentioned cavity and underbody protection treatment? Unfortunately, although I am an enthusiastic Saab lover, but completely unaware of such questions. In addition, I have never driven my earlier convertibles so long, but then bought me a new - which unfortunately no longer works. The Griffin is therefore driven so long now, until he or I give up the ghost - which may hopefully be far off!
Question after question ... 😉 Convertibles are generally less prone to rust. There are two possible reasons: you are cared for more and less exercised. Or: Magna delivered better quality. The 9-3 station wagon described in the article rolled off the assembly line in 12/2010, making it a rather late vehicle. It was moved as an everyday vehicle and no longer treated outside of the additional rust cure in 2011. It rusts on the underbody after 7 years, which is what many vehicles do at that age. We come to the wheel arches and the rust cure in detail in the following article.
I think if you keep an eye on the subsoil, and Lafrentz has already done something, then everything is fine. Because, and you have to say that clearly, Saab has not delivered a bad quality.
I think everyone Saab has the right to get. What's gone is gone and will not come back. Especially with a brand that was already sparsely populated in Germany and differentiates itself from the standard porridge. If you have to invest 7 or 2Euro after 3000 years, it's only a fraction of the cost of a soulless new car from another brand.
Very interesting written. Have with my wife from time to time the discussion new cars or the 9.3 Vector of 2004 received. So far and I hope it stays that way, I have always prevailed. I'd rather invest a manageable amount every year than spend tens of thousands of euros on a new car. I would not know which brand other than Volvo. Although my 9.3 has 200 T Km away, there have never been major problems. I drive and get it as long as possible. It's a Saab and it's a shame to land in any press or in faraway Africa. Was last week on the Darß on the Baltic Sea. In 7 days I met 9 Saabs. All drivers have greeted. Where else is there such a thing?
I also have my convertible from 2000. That applies to the same extent.
I can understand these thoughts very well ...
We are currently moving four of the old Swedes in everyday operation and the problems and ailments are not over despite good maintenance and care by the Kaiser in Fischbach ...
Especially with my wife's 2009 Aero SC 1.9 TTID, we have now exchanged almost everything that can break with this model (hopefully) ...
But - economy or not - they are simply great cars with character that you grow fond of over the years and that you don't want to give back ...
The real alternatives are few and far between ... So continue to invest an unreasonable amount of money in the maintenance and operation of our SAABs and look forward to really fine cars every day!
Keep on SAABin '
I also invest in my 2002 9-3 sedan and the Turbo X, small rust spots are immediately eliminated, and I will continue to invest, it's worth it and when I look at them they are timelessly beautiful. Two weeks ago, my neighbor drove the Turbo X, had repeatedly asked if it was possible, he would be so nice, his form, etc. he is actually a frequent speaker, AUDI driver, but in this hour of the exit (or better flight) in the sun-drenched Taunus, he remained silent, with enthusiasm, his facial expression was completely relaxed and the smile remained in his face until today.
Hello Tom
The question of whether I would invest in your car is answered quickly (at least for me). Naturally!!!! The small aches and pains can be fixed manageable, and the mileage is the least problem. Years ago I had an 9-5 Aero with 379.000km on the clock. 1. Automatic transmission, 1. Turbo, 1. Engine. Why should an 9-3 not be able to do this? I'll keep loyalty to Saab until there's no rollable Saab left. You can not drive a car in a more economical, sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
Keep having fun with your Saabs
Everything that came to the streets after the 9000 can only be preserved in museums and collections up to the H license plate. The materials used from the mid / late 1990s are not designed to last for a variety of reasons. This affects all manufacturers. Just one example: the ban on PVC composts the harnesses after 10-20 years by itself. Have fun laying 3 or more kilometers of cable harnesses. Therefore: use as long as possible. Find the most necessary service and then the next best-preserved GM Saab and drive until major repairs stop the car.
There is something true about it and yet it is not so ...
1. Did I build a wiring harness for the engine compartment of another Sweden (EZ 1984), because the insulation crumbled after about 15 years and it came to short circuits.
Yes, right, the PVC ban had consequences, led to some manufacturers to an aging, which one did not know so far. On the other hand, cables are not rocket science and do not make a car a disposable product.
2. Was the 9000 already affected by the PVC ban.
3. Are there cables and cords. And there are and have been those that are durable even without PVC ...
I see in the cables (better: in their isolation) rather a limited problem, which some model years of some manufacturers has met. Other less. Otherwise one would have to line up the 9000 already with the problem cars.
Both at the same time (reprimanding the PVC ban as the cause of unsustainable cars and paying homage to the long-term qualities of [PVC-free] SAAB 9000) makes no conclusive comment.
The PVC issue was intended as a general, cross-manufacturer example and not specifically aimed at the 9000. Everyone can compare the quality and durability of both models (9000 & 9-5). There are hundreds of individual positions that can turn into an economic total loss beyond the basic maintenance at the GM-Saab. Unfortunately. The more cars are moved in everyday life, the faster this point is reached. If you still want to spend your money on it, you can do so. Not every commitment to Saab has to make sense from a financial point of view. But then we would be in the lovers area. And I commented on the incoming mail from a financial point of view.
"(...) then look for the next GM Saab that is as good as possible and drive it (...)"
The question remains, which SAAB should it be if you mark every SAB from 10 years as a disposable product? The clock is ticking ...
As I said, I find the comment inconclusive. Nevertheless, I have some understanding of the delayed explanation. Yes, it is true that you could possibly move another car cheaper. But which car would that be? A Dacia?
For the vast majority of somewhat comparable new cars, the fact that you could drive SAAB for several years just from the loss of value in the first year ...
I definitely don't belong to the group of SAAB drivers who claim that driving a SAAB is the cheapest way of getting around. However, the article (“Incoming Mail”) did not state this either and there is no need to argue with this.
Yes, driving SAAB is a bit of a hobby. However, maintaining your own SAAB is still a bit of sustainability. And yes, it can actually pay off ...
Beautiful and extensively written. Do you really have a lot of rust on your cab? My cab is from the end of 2005 and only had the problem under the seal of the convertible top. I fixed before 3,5 years and topp everything again. In July, I had my car on stage with built-wheel cabinets and here everything as new. I'm looking forward to the other reports.
Regards Ralf
No, not the convertible. They were built at Magna, where they put more emphasis on rust prevention than in Sweden. The article, and my comment on rusting, refers to sedan and station wagon. When convertible, the top cover, as described by you, the most famous problem.
I'm looking forward to the sequel ...
I hope there is a lot to say about the limos and the SC. If not, then it is still good for their owners to know where the weak points are, what to consider and observe.
As the owner of a 48-year-old Swede (there are older ones in my circle of friends), I am now quite relaxed about rust. But you have to keep an eye on him all the time. Without a doubt ...
Also, body work on younger cars are probably more difficult?
Nice article.
And just the 9-3 SC I think well worth preserving !!!! 😉
I find “closeness” - in many things - now quite important.
I try to use this when buying products where possible.
So also with the purchase of my current Saabs 2014.
I have (hopefully!) Planned with at least 10-12 years of use. Happy also longer !!!!
Currently he annoys me with some stupid and annoying little repairs and "quirks".
But I am of the opinion that “maintaining” is more environmentally friendly than constantly “buying new”! 😉
PS:
When I think about how many “old” iPads and iPhones I now have lying around here (but at least still use them as landline telephones, TV, music library or remote control, etc.)…. and only because my “mobile phone” contract allows it…. “Environmentally friendly” is that def. Not. 🙁
Very nice article. I came up with the same ideas with my 9-3 2007 station wagon. However, he already has 325.000 km under his belt. I have also decided to invest.
Due to our move from the city to the countryside, we need a second car. Of course you think about a new one, but it's hard after so many years to get involved in something else.
I'll go to Ralf and see the SC. Would also like to buy a well-preserved,
but my sweetheart is not pulling. That's why my 9-3 II Cab is maintained and maintained (by Ralf). until he, (or me). can not do anymore.
I'm really excited about the cart. I could cruise for hours until the tank is empty. Petrol price? So what!
Ralf is looking forward to your visit. But the 9-3 SC is not there anymore!
And what did they find in rust?
Before I buy a chubby diesel for tens of thousands of euros, I prefer to invest in a future classic car with lots of driving fun !!!
Good article. Speaking to me with my 8/07 9-5 Aero with 90Tkm from the heart. However, one passage in the report makes me sit up and take notice. "... desire for something new, uncomplicated." Uncomplicated? Really? I think about that again and again when I drive a rental car abroad. Such a “paternalistic mobile” with all harassment. It flashes and beeps annoyingly and constantly in a continuous chord on the motorway, and when parking, the all-round parking assistant switches to panic mode with a loose 20cm of air before contact with the enemy. No thanks! Since my wonderfully next Saabine has to last for years.
Whenever possible, let everything be done. If he then drives carefree for another 7 years and the repairs 'amortize' over this time, you drive a great car at the savings rate, so to speak.
Our 9-SC is 11 years old, has just 75TKm on the clock. Of course, over time will be due to work, and the associated costs. But for me, there is no alternative on the market. I'm sick of constantly having to buy things again, though you could fix them.
My 9-5 SC is the same age, but has one circumnavigation of the world (approx. 40 thousand km) down ...
And I feel the same way. I'm sick of the high frequency throwing away. But what of! Nice, if you have any choice *. At SAAB you have a choice.
Mine (2.0t deer) needed this year just like Tom's 9-3 an extensive service on the ailing air conditioning, a new ignition cassette and a new clutch. The latter was upgraded on the occasion (Aero 2.3T) and including the flywheel changed. Not cheap in total ...
But it purrs, couples and cools again like a comparable new car that would cost 20 times as much. The larger clutch disc now probably lasts 200.000 km ...
I wouldn't even book the work done under “repair”. More like service and wear parts. Is that where society has changed a lot? As soon as an oil change is due, a new car is needed. And when the batteries in the remote control are empty, a new TV ...
*
Speaking of choice, we recently got a new tumble dryer, which unfortunately made zits. Probably just a minor software problem. The device was still replaced and told us that the other (brand new!!) Now land on the scrap.
That is real environmental protection! That is sustainability 4.0. The political framework conditions are not right. The consumer and throwaway society are consciously promoted ...
Herbert Hürsch, actually I had planned at the current time a comment (desire for consumption ?, Sustainability, inexpensiveness of sustainable preservation of our Saab), after I had read in today's lunch break Tom's contribution, but could not comfortably comment.
Your clothes dryer could be expanded by countless other examples from my side (and probably yours too) over the past decade ...
Your tenor is mine (“Service”), without further words, thank you!
MORE SERVICE! ! !