1.8i Sportwagon Purchase

[MartinMc711]

Looking closely at a 1.8i non-turbo 2007 50k Sportwagon to replace my much loved but ageing 2001 93 2.0t. Seems very clean and tidy and all paperwork checks out very well.

What scary things might I be looking for do you think?

All thoughts gratefully received...

[Saabman]

Is the non-turbo fantastic on fuel or insurance? if not I think you will miss the Turbo 

[Audax]

They're quite slow, it is quite simply a Vauxhall engine and gearbox dumped in it so getting it serviced and spares shouldn't be much of an issue. They're quite a rare engine option but if it's a good price and you don't feel you need more power I reckon they're quite a good one to go for.

[MartinMc711]

Cheers guys.

I do almost exclusively urban driving for work - only get a decent run out for camping holidays, hence the Sportwagon, but enjoy the Saab comfort and toys.

So fuel and tax savings were major considerations - the non-turbo appealed particularly after replacing 2 turbos in a year, wastegate and other pipes at various times...

Considered TiDs but prices were higher, as was the mileage generally.

[Mr Linear]

I take it the Saab 1.8i was not upped to 140bhp like the Vectra and Zafira?

[chris_de_ze]

The 1.8i Saab engine outputs 122 hp.
The 1.8i/140hp variant was fitted only to Opel's at a later stage.

[aerojon]

cambelt can't be far off needing to be changed either also rollers,tensioner & cooling pump.

[welshwizard]

The 1.8i Saab engine outputs 122 hp.
The 1.8i/140hp variant was fitted only to Opel's at a later stage.

The engines fitted to Vauxhalls were VVTs.....

Even when it was introduced the comment was that Saab weren't getting the better engines...  Even as the Centre of Excellence for turbocharging within GM Saab never got to use the best engines, stuck with the 2.0T while Chevvys and VRXs were getting 240PS units

[MartinMc711]

Cheers for all your thoughts guys, went for it and picked it up today.

Its obviously is slower, doesn't have the pickup of the old LPT, actually have to press the accelerator to go faster rather than revving to just over 2k and letting the turbo do it.

Despite that, 2.0t always seemed a bit pointless when average speed for most journeys is 21Mph. Add to that the tax / fuel savings and not worrying about the turbo system costing me tons of £££'s all the time, I'm quite happy.

More sensible sized alloys and tyres soaks up the sh**ty city roads for a smoother ride - its extremely comfortable overall.

Haven't asked them yet - hopefully won't need to for a long time - is my local Saab indie best place to look after it or should I go for a Vauxhall specialist given its not a Saab engine at all?

[sgould]

I'd still go to a Saab specialist.  It's only the engine that's a Vauxhall.  They call it a Simtek.  Everything else is Saab.

[MartinMc711]

Thanks, thought I'd probably try them first - don't suppose they'd turn down the business and they are very good... Just hope there's no need until service time!

[Audax]

Gearbox is all Vauxhall too and bits of the suspension... in fact, lets not speak about which bits are Vauxhall Anyhow, you've got the best of both worlds with this, when you want a service call up your local Saab guys and the Vauxhall guys and see who wants to do it although if the pricing is similar then I'd take it to the Saab guys as they will obviously have the correct cards for Tech-2 etc.

[MartinMc711]

Thanks everyone, I now expect to go straight back to my Saab indie when required, they are very helpful & knowledegable and at £45 an hour labour (last time I was in) I can't see much point trying anywhere else.

Not sure if its against the rules or not but go moderate me! www.classic900.com

Website doesn't exactly do them justice though. I live equidistant between 2 indie's a mile apart and the city is full of old Saabs.

[sgould]

Recommendations are fine - as long as you don't work for them!