Bye then...

rich1068

rich1068

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...to the A3.

Haven't been around here much since rich1068 jnr arrived on the scene but just to let you know I'm chopping in the A3 for something a bit more sensible ie with two more doors. Child seats and 3 doors don't mix. TBH the A3's ride was getting a little tiresome and really I've made no bones about the fact that I've found the whole Audi experience a little underwhelming.

So this week it goes back and I'm picking up a Saab 9-3 1.9TiD Vector Sport. It's also £100 less per month to lease so everyone is happy. Plus cheaper insurance. I test drove a few other cars (including Honda Accord - nice engine but not for me, Alfa 159 - beautiful but too small and cheap inside, Volvo V50 - a bit cheap inside again etc etc) but the Saab ticked all the boxes. One thing I did find amazing was how many dealers don't get back to you with prices. Lookers Ford, Harratts Volvo, JCT600 Mercedes I'm talking about you!

I'll be selling off a couple of bits too. The Bluefin handset is now surplus to requirements so that could get someone 30% off a remap and also the Carbonio intake is coming off this afternoon. If anyone is interested let me know.
 
I got that exact car (in estate form) from a rental company in Geneva a few months ago. I thought it was a lovely car, hope you enjoy it :)
 
I looked at the Saab too, nice motor.
They still doing free/cheap power or trim upgrades?
I've had two Saabs before, no problems with either.
Dealer was good too.
 
yeah, good luck, let us know how you get on as a Saab is something I'm going to look at next year too
 
How do Saabs diesel fair. I think they got a new one with a twin turbo
 
A friend of mine really rates them and has had 2 of the diesels to date with his most recent car a 2.8 V6 turbo with a performance kit on plus £12K off, pre-reg 38 miles on the clock!

It looks pretty good and goes well with torque steer thrown in for free.

You do need at least one sensible car once the Kid(s) arrive, hope all goes well :)
 
Cheers guys. A leap of faith for me getting a diesel. It is the Devil's fuel after all. Mine's the 150 bhp TiD, the twin turbo (TTiD) was a bit of a stretch plus they're still a bit rare. Ordered in Jet Black metallic. Delivery to me is confirmed for Friday AM :)
 
Good luck with it mate, I'm also jumping ship to a BMW tourer (I think), little one due in November
 
Saab005Small.jpg


:)
 
Looks good. What are your first impressions?

That's a mighty fine garage, by the way! ;)
 
Never had a SAAB, always had a soft spot for them.
They have certain `coolness` about them IMO.

New 9-3 AERO X look a fine motor, a Ltd edition that will prob go largely un-noticed and make an excellent 2nd hand `leftfield` choice.
Real Q car.

9-3 AERO X with a HIRSCH 300bhp+ conversion and 4wd as std anyone?

:happy:
 
Are the ignition keys still down beside the handbrake, and do you still have to select reverse before you can take the keys out?
 
rich1068 said:
Cheers guys. A leap of faith for me getting a diesel. It is the Devil's fuel after all. Mine's the 150 bhp TiD .... :)
Click to expand...

If anyone asks about the engine, tell them it's a Ferrarri, after all, the GM 1.9TDi is built by Fiat, which is owned by Ferrarri.

The fuel economy and mid range torque of these engines is/are renowned and apply to the Saab versions as well, despite the extra weight to be lugged around. Good luck and enjoy.
 
First impressions? It's ****** nice. A lot of car for your money and so far (1 day) seems screwed together well. My A3 rattled from the off but nothing with the Saab so far. We'll see. The ride is firm but nicely damped, roads my A3 used to crash over are much less jarring. A longer wheelbase and 17" wheels probably help with that though. The standard kit is very good, I'm not thinking 'Should have got...' about anything. The engine does seem to pull and pull. Obviously still very tight but promising.

I've always liked Saabs too. I know what you mean about the coolness thing. My impression is that they've never really had any 'baggage' attached to them like eg BMW and now Audi. That's just my impression though, I'm sure many would say it's an old farts car :) And the Saab approved Hirsch upgrade is £850 :scared2:

The ignition key is still down by the handbrake but no need for reverse to remove it. Maybe GM just thought that was too silly? The steering lock is pretty funky though, turn the key by the handbrake and the steering lock unlocks/locks electronically without you touching it.

Now I just need a bit of a road trip to stretch it's legs...
 
A couple of better ones courtesy of Tigerstyle Vehicle Detailing...

Saab9-3009Large.jpg


Saab9-3002Large.jpg


Saab9-3005Large.jpg
 
how are you getting used to a diesel? How does it compare to your old 2.0T?
 
TBH the power is there. It's just getting used to the diesel power delivery again. Ride the wave of torque type thing :)

And by the way guys, my Carbonio intake is still for sale. I'll even chuck in a slightly used K&N filter!
 
They've modernised the dash a good bit, which is nice.
I used to like the 'night' setting for the dash.
Everything bar the speedo is switched off, with the like of the fuel gauge automatically lighting up if there's a problem.
They still do that?
 
Where have all the buttons gone??!!??

My friends dads Saab used to look like the cockpit of an A300 :w00t:

It was an R plate 9000 which was quite ugly to look at but the ride was sublime, you sat there in utter silence, absolutley no road noise and no feedback from the road surface, to this day i find it quite remarkable.... Tight around corners too for such a big car. Lovely chassis.
 
rich1068 said:
Yep. 0-90mph on the speedo only. And just the mph not kph. All the other dials black out and 'die'. Quite useless but looks cool :)
Click to expand...

Can you reset the speed thing?
IIRC, my whole speedo used to light up, it didn't stop at 90mph.
90mph is easily exceeded at night, on a nice quiet motorway...I mean private road.:whistle2:
 
You can delve into the settings and have all the speedo or just up to 90 and just mph or mph and kph. While I was there I also found that you can set the heated seats to automatic which I thought was quite good. TBH the settings function is like a mini-VAGCOM of fiddling possibilities.

And to save me wading through a thread of abuse, how's the Beemer?
 
rich1068 said:
And to save me wading through a thread of abuse, how's the Beemer?
Click to expand...

It's great, cheers.
Did Aberdeen-Sunderland-Aberdeen on one tank of fuel this weekend.
I was running on fumes, but the closer I got to home, the more determined I was to see if it would do it!
Worked out at 49mpg, which is miles better than my A3.
Only 'problem' is a knocking from the front right suspension when it's cold.
Once the suspension 'warms up' the knocking disappears.
Curious, but I'll keep an eye on it.:uhm:
 
Oooh Rich
Sorry I have been off for a while
Young Rich1068 when did that happen , how , why?
Mmm ignore them
How is Mrs Rich1068 I hope that she is OK?
So is she packed in with the restaurante?
Oooh blimey , so much to catch up on
Nice car too , style and classy
Still liked the Octavia you had , but yes the diesels are really good now ,
Wow , all this going on!!!
I cannot believe it , I am sure you had 9 months notice to pre warn me ;)
So glad for you though my dear
Pass on my regards and congrats too
Some pice of the little one too?
Sarah
 
AwesomeSarah said:
Oooh Rich
Sorry I have been off for a while
Young Rich1068 when did that happen , how , why?
Mmm ignore them
How is Mrs Rich1068 I hope that she is OK?
So is she packed in with the restaurante?
Oooh blimey , so much to catch up on
Nice car too , style and classy
Still liked the Octavia you had , but yes the diesels are really good now ,
Wow , all this going on!!!
I cannot believe it , I am sure you had 9 months notice to pre warn me ;)
So glad for you though my dear
Pass on my regards and congrats too
Some pice of the little one too?
Sarah
Click to expand...


And thats a prime example of why I never really understand what my wife is saying to me...

We've had txt spk, now we have woman spk... :)

J.
 
marriedblonde said:
And thats a prime example of why I never really understand what my wife is saying to me...

We've had txt spk, now we have woman spk... :)

J.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
After years of practice Ive actually managed to tune my wife out of my hearing range!
Its great! The gob moves but all thats my ears pick up is `white noise`, little bit iritating but not as much hearing about, knitting, kittens, ironing or whatever it is that wives talk about.
 
Male shovenists!!! :)

Im from the new era. We listen to what our women want, we do the washing up, we iron our own shirts, we wine them, dine them and listen to thier problems...

Anything for a quiet life :)
 
PaulAr said:
:thumbsup:
After years of practice Ive actually managed to tune my wife out of my hearing range!
Its great! The gob moves but all thats my ears pick up is `white noise`, little bit iritating but not as much hearing about, knitting, kittens, ironing or whatever it is that wives talk about.
Click to expand...

Coffee - keyboard

Made me laugh out loud
 
L60N said:
Male shovenists!!! :)

Im from the new era. We listen to our women want, we do the washing up, we iron our own shirts, we wine them, dine them and listen to thier problems...

Anything for a quiet life :)
Click to expand...

Get some earplugs then:)
 
Hey guys , now come on
I didn`t even know they was expecting
So he goes off has a baby and changes his car again
I am gob smacked
Also!!!! I dont nagg , I dont like knitting and do not do shopping :( worst nightmare
Sarah
 
AwesomeSarah said:
Hey guys , now come on
I didn`t even know they was expecting
So he goes off has a baby and changes his car again
I am gob smacked
Also!!!! I dont nagg , I dont like knitting and do not do shopping :( worst nightmare
Sarah
Click to expand...

You should be furious, fancy changing his car and not telling anyone!

Some people !:yahoo:
 
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