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110SEB



Member Since: 29 Jan 2009
Location: Essex, England
Posts: 1444

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Are SAABs a total waste of money?
Cut a long story short:

We have the 110 and it's our family car. We have an MY60 Audi A3 that's locking £13,000 away. We'd like to release some of the money and buy a less expensive second car for me to commute in.

Looking to spend about £5,000. I'd like a Smart fortwo for a laugh but i'd like to be able to carry 4 people. Just having a look around. Citroen C2, Renault Twingo...

Then i though about SAAB. You can get an MY10 SAAB 93 for that money. 5 seats and room for the dogs if i need to. They look cool.

Now, here's the question. Would I be stupid? Surely any old GM/Vauxhall garage can sort out and SAAB issues? Or am i totaly wrong?

Thoughts would be welcome.
Post #279553 4th Nov 2013 9:45pm
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CEEGEE



Member Since: 02 Oct 2013
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 135

United Kingdom 2006 Defender 90 Td5 HT Cairns Blue
Two people we know have 93's (one an estate and the other a saloon, both 2006) - they both seem reliable and neither of them have had any problems with servicing or availability of spares Thumbs Up

Suspect there may be a SAAB forum out there somewhere??
Post #279557 4th Nov 2013 9:51pm
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Byronavitch



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: NE
Posts: 115

England 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
Saabs where always decent cars they still make a good second hand buy and there is still a demand for used examples Thumbs Up


(work in the Trade)
Post #279561 4th Nov 2013 9:54pm
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tookaphotoof



Member Since: 18 Mar 2013
Location: dordrecht
Posts: 1279

Netherlands 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
I still have a weak spot for the 95 Estate myself. Dark blue, white leather seats. Lovely dog carriers. Mr. Green
Post #279562 4th Nov 2013 9:56pm
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Byronavitch



Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: NE
Posts: 115

England 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Stornoway Grey
They where a bit of a niche product but Saab customers loved them and the diesels where good,plenty parts availability
Post #279566 4th Nov 2013 10:01pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
From experience I know spares can be expensive. New headlight wiper motor an eyewatering £172. I think Saab lost their way somewhat when they adopted the GM chassis. Yes they're good, expensive on parts but they were once much better.

Thumbs Up If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #279567 4th Nov 2013 10:08pm
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bm52



Member Since: 04 Apr 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 2189

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Havana
I have had Hirsched 9-5 estate and a HOT 9-3 Conv, driven older 900s and I am a fan of Saab, always had a good response from http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewforum.php?f=26 BM52
Post #279581 4th Nov 2013 11:07pm
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alfajock



Member Since: 12 Jan 2011
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 227

United Kingdom 1989 Defender 110 V8 Petrol CSW Bonatti Grey
I had a 9-3 Aero for a couple of years and loved it. Good looking, comfy and went like stink.

They were well behind the class best by the end, but for half the price of an equivalent year and spec 3 series or A4 and easy servicing anywhere that can look after a Vectra, you can't go wrong. Fully Restored 89 110 CSW V8

CLS 350 CDI for the sensible stuff
Post #279624 5th Nov 2013 7:08am
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Naks



Member Since: 27 Jan 2009
Location: Stellenbosch, ZA
Posts: 2645

South Africa 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White
I bought a SAAB 9-3 Convertible last year, got it for a bargain after they closed shop.

Loved it, unfortunately had to sell it due to moving to a new house and less garage space Sad

You are not wrong, underneath the body, it's just an Opel. All parts are from the GM parts bin and there are loads of UK/EU websites that sell parts.

I was wary at first being in SA where there aren't many Saabs nor Opels, but in the UK you will be fine with the large number of Saabs and Opels.

this was my baby:


Click image to enlarge
 --
2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear
2015 Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged



Defender Puma Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zZ1en9
Discovery 4 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zXrtKO
Range Rover/Sport L320/L322/L494 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zc58JQ
Post #279625 5th Nov 2013 7:29am
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bpman



Member Since: 21 May 2008
Location: Oslo
Posts: 8069

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 SVX Station Wagon Santorini Black
Drop ZAG a PM, he's the Saab man
Post #279626 5th Nov 2013 7:38am
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Thor



Member Since: 17 Dec 2011
Location: Didcot
Posts: 446

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
We have the 110 as well as a Saab 93 1.9Tdi saloon. A lovey car to drive, really good on fuel, more than enough toys to keep you occupied. She's had it since new in 2005 and from memory all it's needed is a new starter motor.

On an 05 plate with just coming up to 80k it's probably only worth about 3-4k. £6k would het you a v nice one. If it were me I'd probably look at a vectra, pretty much the same car but for less ££. Strong people are harder to kill and generally more useful!
Post #279629 5th Nov 2013 7:43am
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uncas



Member Since: 22 Nov 2012
Location: Wentworth near Rotherham
Posts: 340

United Kingdom 
Go for the Smart put a smile on your face every time you drive it, my wife has one it's a cracking little motor, the ride is just like a Landy (bloody hard) If you drive a Smart it seems that every one is hell bent on passing you and it really pee's people off when you beat em away from traffic lights and round abouts for the first 5 yards or so, £30.00 to fill it up £30.00 road tax cos its the higher powered one (45kw) no economy button thingy that cuts the engine when you are stationary got paddle shifts on the steering wheel.
One thing we both hate about it neither of us can reverse the little Censored close up to an object BB says she could put the Disco 2 that she had into parking spaces better thatn she can the Smart.

Uncas
Post #279668 5th Nov 2013 10:23am
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Naks



Member Since: 27 Jan 2009
Location: Stellenbosch, ZA
Posts: 2645

South Africa 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 SW Alpine White
A Smart car? Jislaaik, you must not value your life very much... Shocked --
2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear
2015 Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged



Defender Puma Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zZ1en9
Discovery 4 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zXrtKO
Range Rover/Sport L320/L322/L494 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zc58JQ
Post #279682 5th Nov 2013 11:10am
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tookaphotoof



Member Since: 18 Mar 2013
Location: dordrecht
Posts: 1279

Netherlands 2013 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
How are you going to put 4 people and a bunch of dogs in a Smart?
Post #279686 5th Nov 2013 11:22am
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uncas



Member Since: 22 Nov 2012
Location: Wentworth near Rotherham
Posts: 340

United Kingdom 
Dogs no props, 4 people fraid not that's where the 110 will come in, There's only two of us and Four dogs.

Uncas
Post #279720 5th Nov 2013 2:02pm
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