Messages

1

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: Moving on

« on: 28 January 2019, 10:09:15 AM »

My 9-3 has finally been sold, and it appears to have gone to someone who is into cars. He has 14 of various types already. He called me to ask what engine is in it since it was far faster than any 9-3 he has ever tried.
The imminent arrival of ULEZ in London helped me to make up my mind to sell the 9-3 instead of fixing it. Sometimes I wish that I lived in the country side.

2

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: Chromebook? ??

« on: 11 January 2019, 02:12:57 AM »

My mum (who is 85) has an ancient laptop that now keeps coming up with error messages about software out of date, security at risk, you need to buy this anti virus, that anti malware, blah blah blah.

In most cases if you get those kind of error messages it tends to be a virus or trojan that is trying to get you to enter your credit card detail into some website to "buy" those security programs. From then on your life will be made a hell.
You could get a PC with Windows 10. But I still hang onto Windows 8.1. It is a lot more user friendly to me, especially since it runs all my old software that I just can't get W10 to run.

3

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: Dashcam - any buying advice?

« on: 17 December 2018, 12:40:57 AM »

As I park on the road I have my dash cam set to continuous recording, even if the car is switched off. If you face the same situation, then consider adding a camera power supply connection kit that has a battery drain protector. This will cut off power to the camera if the car battery drops below 11.7V.
For micro SD card used in dash cam, get a High Endurance SD card. These are specially designed for dash cam and surveillance use where cards are continuously being over written. Standard cards can fail within a few months if they are continuously written to.

4

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Moving on

« on: 13 December 2018, 01:11:53 AM »

After 20 years of owning a SAAB, I finally had to bite the bullet and share a car with the wife. It all came about after someone cut in front of me, causing some damage to the front of that car. The insurance company was offered me less to fix the car than it actually cost. I did't get the most out of the SAAB these days now that the school run has finished. And with the slow traffic in London compared to 10 years ago, I hardly ever see the speedo go about 50. So I put it up for sale via my garage. Given the extras that I have had fitted to an already fully loaded 9-3, inquiries have come from as far as the continent. But one guy just wants the running gear, which he wants to fit inside a Viggen...

It's uni run a couple of times a year though. So I got myself a Hyundai IX20, which has a boot size large enough to carry my son's stuff to and from uni whenever that needs to be done. At the same time the IX20 is small enough to dive in and out of the London traffic. I got the 1.6 auto petrol after having driven the 1.4 auto petrol I20 that my wife has (and which will go on sale soon since we don't need 2 cars). The 1.4 is far too slow on take off for me. The six speed 1.6 auto is a lot better. Mind you, at a quoted 11.5sec from 0 to 60, that's about twice the time it took me to do the same 0 to 60 dash in the 9-3. I'll miss that adrenaline rush. Mind you, if I win the lottery.....

5

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Changing bulb on old style 9-3 SID display

« on: 07 September 2018, 10:26:26 AM »

The bulb behind the clock display of my 9-3 is no longer lit up. I can still read the clock, so it's not a faulty display. But I cannot find any info on how to change the bulb that lights up the clock. Has anyone ever had a similar issue, and managed to solve it?

6

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: Securing your Saab!!

« on: 10 June 2018, 09:02:12 AM »

If it's of any help, they have tried three times to steal my car in my road. In two cases they even fitted fake number plates. But SAAB does appear to be hard to nick.

7

Announcements & Events / Re: Beds Bucks Herts Group. 10th March at 2 Stroke, Nr Royston, SG8 5NS

« on: 14 February 2018, 08:46:43 PM »

It would be terrible of me to miss that one, since they service my car.

8

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: Road tax implications

« on: 12 January 2018, 09:51:33 AM »

I just got my road tax demand for my 9-3 and it is £305

9

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: 9-3X TTiD 4WD

« on: 12 January 2018, 09:48:21 AM »

As wrighar says, ask for a picture of the rear diff and drive system, if it somehow was a test mule that had somehow made it's way here and then somehow not been sent back to the factory after tests then I'd not want it as the parts wouldn't be available for the 4WD system.

Test mules can be great cars to drive and own. I bought one off a SAAB specialist more than a decade ago after it was sent by SAAB for dismantling after it had completed its intended tests. Getting it registered for being road legal was the only difficult bit. Still own it.

10

Saab in the news / SAAB RETURNS - New NEVS 9-3 electric car with 186 miles of range goes on sale

« on: 11 December 2017, 11:04:47 PM »

SAAB RETURNS - New NEVS 9-3 electric car with 186 miles of range goes on sale
SAAB has returned under a new guise and the 9-3 car is being sold by NEVS as an all-electric car.
By Luke John Smith
PUBLISHED: 10:01, Sat, Dec 9, 2017



SAAB 9-3 NEVS electric carNEVS
SAAB 9-3 has returned as the all-new NEVS electric car

SAAB has returned after it was killed off in 2012.

The Swedish car manufacturer was bought by Chinese consortium National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) back in 2012.

While the new cars don’t bear the name SAAB, the design of the 9-3 has carried over.

The SAAB 9-3 has now been rebranded as the NEVS 9-3 and features a new electric powertrain.

Not too many details have been revealed about the car yet but the first model rolled off the production line yesterday.

NEVS claims that the production capacity is 50,000 electric vehicles per year, rising to 220,000 units per year.

A few bullet points about the car have been revealed, giving an indication of some of the vehicles features.

These are:

-ACAC (Always Clean Air Cabin) – Filter efficiency up to 99%, reducing 500ppm to 25ppm in less than 30 seconds.

-Always a new feeling

-Over-the-air software updates

-Fantastic driving and riding experience – Low centre of gravity with smart suspension geometry and tuning. Based on 70 years of engineering excellence.

-300 km range

-Highest speed: 140 km/h

SAAB 9-3 NEVS ELECTRIC CARNEVS
The NEVS 9-3 launch event

NEVS electric carNEVS
The car has 186 miles of range

The 186 mile range put it in the midrange for electric cars currently on sale so hopefully it won’t be too expensive.

It looks to be designed for city driving with the low top speed, clean air filtration system and moderate range.

The NEVS 9-3 also comes with in-car WiFi, digital smartphone key and over-the-air updates.

These features are seemingly inspired by Tesla electric cars, which now set the benchmark for EVs.

Most of the new NEVS 9-3 cars have been reserved for fleets, according to Electrek.

A number of deals have been announced by the company’s Chinese owners to lease a number of vehicles to fleets in China.

11

Classic Saab 9-3 & GM900 (MY 1994-2002/03CV) / Re: 9-3 Engine cutting out when trying to reverse

« on: 04 September 2017, 09:32:35 PM »

Well after spending some time with a mate of mine in trying to find any dodgy hose, he detected a puncture hole in the intercooler. Based on some of the fault symptoms that I experienced, it looked like the likely culprit. So I had that replaced today. I took the car for an hour run on the A1 and all seems well so far. I'll know for sure when I drive it down to Wales in two weeks.

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Classic Saab 9-3 & GM900 (MY 1994-2002/03CV) / Re: 9-3 Engine cutting out when trying to reverse

« on: 01 September 2017, 10:29:13 AM »

It's a manual. Cuts out when I lift my foot off the clutch.

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Classic Saab 9-3 & GM900 (MY 1994-2002/03CV) / 9-3 Engine cutting out when trying to reverse

« on: 31 August 2017, 07:49:54 PM »

I have had this problem of late that when the engine is hot it cuts out when I try to reverse. Since it only happens when reversing I am wondering if it could be the DIC or the oxygen sensor. I am however inclined to discount the DIC.

14

Announcements & Events / Re: Ace Cafe. Sat 16th Sept. 11am for lunch.

« on: 09 August 2017, 09:28:16 PM »

In my diary  .

15

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: What I Did To My Saab Today.

« on: 31 July 2017, 07:27:13 PM »

I fitted two new front door speakers in my 9-3 OG. They were those Volts type. Massive improvement in sound level and depth of bass. I am well happy but wish that I had done this years ago.