Saab 9-3 Convertibles - Cool or Whack?: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Feb. 22, 2010 12:47 a.m. pres589 Reader

I'll start this off by admitting I'm a planner. I like planning things way in advance. Why is this important? Because I am considering different vehicles to replace my Olds Intrigue with but I can't do that for a few months. Want to write a check, need to make the money first, all that good stuff. At first I was heavily considering the Acura RSX but then I noticed cars like these;

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1607536268.html

1999 Saab 9-3 with ~86,000 miles. $3,000 with some hail damage, but all glass is there and the top looks okay from pictures. I know this car won't be there when it's time to buy, but what's the story on these things? What's the top like to deal with? Can they be de-powered? I've seen prices for complete new hydraulic top cylinders and they make me nervous, how often do they die?

It seems like you get a lot of car for your money vs. a similar year BMW 3-series, and I can't think of much else that would compete really.
Feb. 22, 2010 3:08 a.m. plance1 HalfDork

I had one, thought it was an ok car, mine was not in great shape, I paid 900 for it, top worked fine, shop around for one cheaper, BMW 3 series would be a better choice.
Feb. 22, 2010 7:29 a.m. pres589 Reader

plance1 wrote:

I had one, thought it was an ok car, mine was not in great shape, I paid 900 for it, top worked fine, shop around for one cheaper, BMW 3 series would be a better choice.

You had a 9-3 for $900? The car came out in 1998, was it wrecked? $3k seems pretty cheap for a semi-lux car with less than 100,000 miles on it... To put it another way, when I was looking at RSX's with less than 100,000 miles I was seeing prices starting around $7000 so this seems like a good price.

Where are BMW 3-series cars that are "a better choice" (with no supporting statements) for the same or similar pricing?
Feb. 22, 2010 7:50 a.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

Turbo convertible saabs are badass. Get one with a turbo.
Feb. 22, 2010 7:55 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

My brother had a hardtop of the same year, and ran into problems with getting parts. A new headlight had to be flown in from Sweden and it cost a fortune! He got rid of it when something broke that they just didn't offer anymore. Couldn't find it anywhere and would up selling the car.

On the other hand, a guy used to autocross a convertible Saab around here and it really went like stink!
Feb. 22, 2010 8:05 a.m. Gearheadotaku HalfDork

non-turbo is really slow. Top may not leak, but oddly will dump water on you when lowered after a rainstorm if it has issues.
Feb. 22, 2010 8:32 a.m. pres589 Reader

In reply to pinchvalve:

http://www.amazon.com/Saab-CONV-HTBK-HEADLIGHT-LAMP/dp/B001TJ5024

Headlights for ~$250 on Amazon.com, each. Not what I'd call cheap, but...

I know of the usual fears with these things, the DI cassette for instance, but that's not convertible specific. I'm kind of surprised no one has figured out how to convert them to more common parts like Ford EDIS coils or something similar.
Feb. 22, 2010 8:35 a.m. 81gtv6 Reader

Any 9-3 will have a turbo, but the one to get is a 99 9-3 SE with a 5spd. With that you get the turbo and intercooler from the Viggen coupled with the T5 engine management system that is much easier to "work" with.

On the parts front, there are a few online places that have good prices and the chassis is a version of what was under the L Saturn so there is some parts interchange.

With less than $100 in parts: MBC and some 3 in thinwall PVC, you can really wake kup those cars. Add a 3in DP and a 2.5 in exhaust you can have a lot of fun.

Just be sure you get one that has had its oil changed on time, other than that they are pretty reliable. Mine had almost 200K and I have replaced the fuel pump, the AC comp and it now needs front wheel bearings, I have been running wider tires on it since I got it.

Turbo fun, great mileage, cheap and the ability to put regular fuel in them make these great buys in my opinion. Good luck.
Feb. 22, 2010 9:07 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

I will admit, as much as I HATE working on my NG900 (can you do anything on that car without having to drop the subframe?) when I drive it, it runs great! It's fast, it handles reasonably well (now that I have the bigger rear sway bar) and nothing on the road looks like it.

Saabs are an aquired taste.. and unfortunately, too many people tried to own them on a honda budget while thinking they got a BMW competitor..
Feb. 22, 2010 9:30 a.m. 81gtv6 Reader

I think the DI cassette thing is overblown. As long as you use the factory secified plugs and keep them within the specs they will last a long time. My car is on its 2nd one since new.

On a side note, I got a spare DI from the Junkyard for $15. If anyone comes across those in a yard they are woth at least $100 if they work.
Feb. 22, 2010 9:33 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

yes, I grabbed a working one from a yard for $15 too... good investment
Feb. 22, 2010 7:31 p.m. pres589 Reader

So the tops on these aren't that bad? I've been reading about leaky cylinders and some Lucas oil treatment to add if things aren't quite working right. I'd kind of like to hear about de-powering the top and removing all that junk to be honest, since it's weight and I could sell bits of it off that aren't in bad shape if I wanted.

mad_machine: I wonder how many of your problems were because it was an NG900 and not the 9-3, it seems like a lot of things were improved with that change.

plance: Still waiting...
Feb. 22, 2010 8:24 p.m. billy3esq SuperDork

I've never owned one, so I can't add much other than that my wife and I had a '99 9-3 convertible as a rental on our honeymoon. I really enjoyed my week with that car.
Feb. 23, 2010 12:31 a.m. plance1 HalfDork

pres589 wrote:

plance1 wrote:

I had one, thought it was an ok car, mine was not in great shape, I paid 900 for it, top worked fine, shop around for one cheaper, BMW 3 series would be a better choice.

You had a 9-3 for $900? The car came out in 1998, was it wrecked? $3k seems pretty cheap for a semi-lux car with less than 100,000 miles on it... To put it another way, when I was looking at RSX's with less than 100,000 miles I was seeing prices starting around $7000 so this seems like a good price.

Where are BMW 3-series cars that are "a better choice" (with no supporting statements) for the same or similar pricing?

Sorry, mine was a 900s and yes it was in fact wrecked.
Feb. 23, 2010 1:15 a.m. mtn SuperDork

I'll put a vote in favor of it. I have an 02 9-5, and like it. Fun car, feels solidly built. Until something breaks. But its a fun car, and for your case the top goes down. Real good gas mileage on these suckers too. As nice an interior as you'll find for that money, and quirky too, and I've yet to find a bad quirk. Some aren't any improvement, whereas some are wonderful.

Just remember
Swedish
Autos
Always
Break
Feb. 23, 2010 1:19 a.m. JeepinMatt HalfDork

I'm not Saab expert, but wasn't it the V6 on these models that has an infamous reputation general PITA-ness?

Personally I would get a coupe, but I almost always prefer coupe/hardtop versions to convertibles of cars.
Feb. 23, 2010 1:46 a.m. mtn SuperDork

JeepinMatt wrote:

I'm not Saab expert, but wasn't it the V6 on these models that has an infamous reputation general PITA-ness?

Personally I would get a coupe, but I almost always prefer coupe/hardtop versions to convertibles of cars.

I doubt its a 6.
Feb. 23, 2010 7:57 a.m. pres589 Reader

JeepinMatt wrote:

I'm not Saab expert, but wasn't it the V6 on these models that has an infamous reputation general PITA-ness?

Personally I would get a coupe, but I almost always prefer coupe/hardtop versions to convertibles of cars.

All of the 9-3's had a turbocharged four cylinder. You're thinking of the early 9-5 that had an optional GM based six with a turbo hung off of one bank (meaning the other didn't have a turbo aft of the exhaust ports).

This generation of 9-3 used an engine based on the older Saab H-type, like what they had used for a long time, just updated and using balance shafts.
Feb. 23, 2010 8:15 a.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

JeepinMatt wrote:

I'm not Saab expert, but wasn't it the V6 on these models that has an infamous reputation general PITA-ness?

Personally I would get a coupe, but I almost always prefer coupe/hardtop versions to convertibles of cars.

The old Saab 900 V6s were epic pieces of E36 M3.