Hi guys. I'm currently an Alfa 147 owner but I'm thinking of changing it for a 2004 Vector 2.0T Auto convertible that I've seen for sale locally. Naturally as its a new marque to me I have a couple of questions!
Firstly rust. I've looked at a couple of convertibles around this age and they both had rust bubbles under the plastic trim below the rear windows (one car on both sides, this one drivers side only). I'm assuming its a fairly common problem so how extensive is this likely to be and how easy might it be to fix?
Secondly this car has 115,000 miles on it which is around average for a ten year old car I suppose. I've never had a turbo car before, is it likely that the turbo will still be good at this mileage (assuming it hasn't already been replaced)?
Similar the auto box - I haven't found any drivers reviews of the auto version. Is it a reliable box with a smooth change?
Welcome! :)
Lets start by being pedantic!! :D The 9-3 Vector would be a 2.0t. Not a 2.0T which is a designation reserved for the 210 hp Aero model.
If you are looking at a 2.0t, you could also look at the badge engineered 1.8t. Both have the same 2.0 litre engine, but with a different engine map. You can get either tuned to over 220hp.
Our 9-3 is low mileage and an auto. But it is a saloon. It is an early 2003 model (built in August 2002). But only at 52,000 miles, though mostly urban with a lot of gearchanges. It still starts and goes well. It has had the 195 hp upgrade on it since 2005. A few niggles, but not anything really serious. The only major repair was a new steering rack and power steering pump. Probably worn out by the constant steering around the urban streets.
The auto box is fine and has the +/- change on the selector. No steering wheel buttons for gearchange on our early car.
My wife is the main driver of the car and she won't change it.
I have no experience of the convertible, so I can't say if the rust is common. Our car has no rust problems.
On a 2004 car, check all the windows go up and down correctly, the roof works and the doors lock. The electrical connectors in the door hinges are a bit "soft" and may need cleaning.
The audio in basic 4 speaker form is not good. Look for a car with at least 7 speakers. The clue is that the 4 speaker system has a radio head that has knobs and buttons. The better systems have a 3 inch square green screen on the dash. The phone buttons only work with a Saab phone in the boot, not with your own phone. Don't expect to replace the audio with an aftermarket system. It is very difficult. The radio in the car is in bits in different places and some form part of the car computer network, produce the warning sounds and indicator clicks. They have to stay in place.
Check front springs for breakage. All cars of that era had brittle springs, not just Saab.
I'm a bit surprised about rust issues, I've never seen anything significant on anything from Saab that dates from about 1998 onwards. Even the 9000 only really had a problem with the front wings.
Anyhow, auto box is fairly solid on the earlier cars, the 6 speed auto on the later cars can be a bit weak, turbo and engine on these should be fine, I know of only a couple of turbo failures and a single head gasket failure, never seen a petrol engine wrecked in a 9-3, of course I'd caveat that with make sure it has a good service history with a specialist or main dealer. Beware of local garages doing the servicing and using cheap oil and filters.
Thanks for the help. Yes I was disappointed by the rust, my older Alfa is spotless! Because it disappears under the plastic window seal its difficult to see how extensive it might be.
Hi, and hope you do get a Saab. I've had 4 now and 3 have had no rust issues whatsoever. I did however have frm new a 2004 2.0t vector auto - the very year and model you're looking at. It was very well looked after but used daily in all weather. It suffered rust exactly where you are talking about when it was 6 years old on around 120k I got it repaired and when the repairer got things apart he said it went further down under the seals than he had expected. About a year later I found tiny startings of rust inside the rear arches so I decided to sell it then even though I absolutely loved it. I had very little to do to the car when I had it mechanically. Had to replace front springs twice and front top mounts. Only other thing was I went through a few rear discs with early corrosion. When it went, the water pump was making a bit of noise so was due for replacement at 135k
It was a great car, but I was concerned that the rear half was going to start looking rough and rusty so it went. I wonder if there was a problem with some 2004 only cars, as the repAirer who did a lot of saabs had never seen it before including some much less well cared for cars.
Hope this helps.
I've got a 2002 2.3t 9-5 auto with 113k, turbo replaced at 108k but i was going at full tilt at the time :-( water pump, suspension bushes & oil cooler pipes all replaced too. the auto box has been fine so far.
my wife has a 2004 9-3 1.8t auto convertible with 87k. no rust issues, no major repairs, auto box has been fine (so far!)
it might seem like there's a lot of issues when you read this forum but every car maker has a list of common faults but i love mines, my wife loves hers & most of the current owners on here love there's. If you have reservations about the one your looking at walk away and find another (SAAB) as there's plenty out there.
I agree - I'd avoid one that's showing rust as if you find one that's sound, its a great car.
The rust is very unusual. We are talking about the rear window and not the wing mirror mount? - the wing mirror mount has been known to get rust bubbles under the coating. But its not part of the body work and can be replaced or repaired.
The only rust issue I have had on my 9-5 estate was where one corner of the decor panel (the piece that that number plate fits on between the tail lights) rubbed the tailgate and caused a small rust patch. Saab (and Fairweather Auto-Shine in Exeter) fixed it under warranty - Technical Bulletin 890-2414 issued in August 2003 covers this.
Anyone who has a WIS for the 9-3 may find a Technical Bulletin in there covering rust issues.
If you stand looking at the side of the car the rust is on the top of the rear quarter panel about an inch back from the top corner of the door. Kind of where I've badly drawn the black dot!!
(http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g164/rockhopperst4/saab9-3.jpg) (http://s56.photobucket.com/user/rockhopperst4/media/saab9-3.jpg.html)
okidoke. New one to me. Might be worth trying to bring the price down so that you can have it fixed.
Nice looking car (thats not the 2004 though) :)
I really wouldn't expect to find rust there, it might (but might not!) be a symptom of a badly repaired car following some kind of damage so I'd investigate a bit more before purchase.
Admittedly I'm looking at the picture on a 7" tablet screen, not my usual 24" monitor, but is the rear bumper a different shade than the rear side panel? If so, a possible indication of a repair job.
The picture you have put up is just a library photo, and not the car you want to buy, I presume. It's not a picture of a 2004 car. A 2004 car would have red rear lights and a black rubbing strip across the bumper with the parking sensors in it.
And the side strips and door handles weren't body coloured 2004. And the dashboard is the updated dash (no SID). ;)
Yes, its just random 9-3 photo from Google. I could accept it being a bad repair but I've looked at two cars now and they both had rust in the same place, one had it on both sides.