SAAB 9-3 the return?

[grober]

News that Turkey has bought the design rights [ BUT NOT THE NAME ]to the SAAB 9-3. Cars to be manufactured in Turkey with a different front end.
Turkey buys SAAB 9-3 rights

 

[Giantvanman]

As someone who has spent time in Turkey and Northern Cyprus, I am always amazed at the spectrum of quality and engineering prowess. On the one hand, cheap, poorly made tools etc dominate the market (most who want quality buy foreign made) but on the other hand, the freshwater pipeline from Turkey to Northern Cyprus is an engineering marvel as is the accompanying reservoirs on the island.

When we drove through Turkey to/from Cyprus in my wife's (now sold) 9-3 estate, the car always attracted admirers and people wanting to know more about it. The re-production could be a good thing (especially if they don't use the fibre optic systems) but I will reserve judgement because it could go either way, especially with a "Cadillac inspired front end."

 

[grober]

SAAB- the never ending story

Some more info on the Turkish situation with a picture of 3 prototypes. rumoured to have an " electrical component" Front end more reminiscent of the ill fated CADILLAC BLS another casualty of the post financial crisis GM cull.

Saab 9-3 LIVES again - as a new 'Made in Turkey' car

 

[moonloops]

They are calling it the kebaab

 

[MM85]

The last generation 9-5 is one of the most beautiful saloons ever made. If I wasn't so concerned about getting parts in the future because SAAB no longer exists I would buy one instead of the W212 I'm getting. It's such a nice and outstanding design. Looks completely different from anything on the road, looks luxurious, premium and very modern still.

 

[fabes]

Let it die

Just come away from 5 years of happy Saab ownership and (just) turning out cars wasn't what Saab was about. If it was, they might still be around....

The 9-3 is too old a design and chasis to base a new car on (trust me I had a 57 reg one)
That front end looks poor IMHO as well

It was an engineering firm in the end (turbo, roof design and safety) effectively polishing a you know what in the last couple of years....

The ng9-5 is a competent car, but some parts are an issue as tooling has been lost and the supply chain didn't get the chance to invest in the model. It's a very long car as well....

As to Nevs, can you turbo an electric car (over boost/charge?) :fail ?

 

[MM85]

What parts are an issue for the 9-5?

 

[fabes]

The windscreen is one key item the guys on UKSaabs always mentioned along with some body parts

Mechainicals I am less sure of, though those that had one hadnt yet had an issue with their cars

Would recommend a visit to UKS if you want more informed and detailed info

 

[Nero]

The last generation 9-5 is one of the most beautiful saloons ever made...

Couldn't agree more. Have you test driven one? Unfortunately it's a car that looks great from the outside but fails to deliver on the inside. I was absolutely set on buying one but after a test drive was so disappointed. A combination of poor ride and bland interior made me walk away.

 

[MM85]

Couldn't agree more. Have you test driven one? Unfortunately it's a car that looks great from the outside but fails to deliver on the inside. I was absolutely set on buying one but after a test drive was so disappointed. A combination of poor ride and bland interior made me walk away.

No, I haven't had the pleasure to drive one yet. They are very rare.

But which trim did you drive? I heard the V6 is the one to have as the others can be a bit underpowered for that size car. Also the sport suspension is a must for a better enjoyable experience I hear.

I don't have a problem with the interior. It's typical SAAB.

 

[MM85]

The windscreen is one key item the guys on UKSaabs always mentioned along with some body parts

Mechainicals I am less sure of, though those that had one hadnt yet had an issue with their cars

Would recommend a visit to UKS if you want more informed and detailed info

I can see how body parts could be an issue. This is true with any rare car and let's face it, the 9-5 is a rare and exclusive car. This is half of the appeal. The chances of another pulling to your side on a red light is next to zero. Let alone another in the same color. Just look at any red light and there will be about 3 black Mercs, 4 black BMWs and 6 black Audis every time.

The other half the appeal is how beautiful the latest 9-5 is. There is no Merc, Audi, BMW or even Bentley that looks so classy, exotic and appealing.

Mechanically, I think it shares quite a few bits with other GM products so may be easier?

The last generation 9-5 is a sure shot future classic and collector's car which will command high prices in the future. Only about a year in production, fantastic lines and the last model to roll out from a much loved and already missed car marque. All the makings of a future classic.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

With regard to classic Saab, I really can't see any of the cars produced since the original 900 and 9000 being sought after, there may be specialist interest in 9-3 Viggen, or a 9-5 Aero, but I doubt many people will remember the later models as anything other than pleasant inoffensive cars.

After a couple of classic 900s I had a "new" 900, and whilst good it wasn't exceptional in any way other than it's boot space and comfy seats, engine, gearbox and handling decidedly average.

I know it's each to their own, but as a Saab lover I thought the new ones weren't very Saab, although agree the last 9-5 is definitely a looker.

 

[Nero]

No, I haven't had the pleasure to drive one yet. They are very rare.

But which trim did you drive? I heard the V6 is the one to have as the others can be a bit underpowered for that size car. Also the sport suspension is a must for a better enjoyable experience I hear.

I don't have a problem with the interior. It's typical SAAB.

2.0 TTiD Aero. The dash is extraordinarily bland, the driving position doesn't feel right, it makes you feel as if you're the passenger and not the driver, I didn't feel cosseted, if that makes sense. On the plus side its absolutely palatial in terms of space in the rear.

Just had a quick search on Autotrader, I still love them from the outside, the inside is just such a disappointment

 

[Nero]

Oh, and it was underpowered, but that wouldn't have put me off if everything else had been a tick in the box.

 

[moonloops]

The last generation 9-5 is one of the most beautiful saloons ever made. If I wasn't so concerned about getting parts in the future because SAAB no longer exists I would buy one instead of the W212 I'm getting. It's such a nice and outstanding design. Looks completely different from anything on the road, looks luxurious, premium and very modern still.

I've been running my SAAB 95 Aero HOT for the last two years as a penultimate bangernomic car. Paid £1200 for it and has only consumed fuel and normal service items. Stage 1 ECU makes it stupidly fast, but the handling and roadholding feedback has always been pants.

I've now managed to buy a 2006 Aero for £100 sans engine, £250 later I have a car with engine, the car retails at £2k to £3k on a good day.

A bit sad, but my bangernomic days are about to end with the purchase of either an Audi RS3, S4 (mapped to 400BHP) or a Golf R


p.s. parts wise, just paid £9 each for 4 washers that sealed the auto-gearbox cooling pipes to the 'box radiator.. they used to cost about 19p. Reason that they where so expensive is that they where the last four produced

 

[KillerHERTZ]

They are calling it the kebaab

Shish, that's bad

 

[moonloops]

Shish, that's bad

I know, you silly person

 

[MM85]

I've been running my SAAB 95 Aero HOT for the last two years as a penultimate bangernomic car. Paid £1200 for it and has only consumed fuel and normal service items. Stage 1 ECU makes it stupidly fast, but the handling and roadholding feedback has always been pants.

I've now managed to buy a 2006 Aero for £100 sans engine, £250 later I have a car with engine, the car retails at £2k to £3k on a good day.

A bit sad, but my bangernomic days are about to end with the purchase of either an Audi RS3, S4 (mapped to 400BHP) or a Golf R


p.s. parts wise, just paid £9 each for 4 washers that sealed the auto-gearbox cooling pipes to the 'box radiator.. they used to cost about 19p. Reason that they where so expensive is that they where the last four produced

You are surely not talking about the 2011 SAAB 9-5, are you?

 

[Nero]

You are surely not talking about the 2011 SAAB 9-5, are you?

2006 was the old shape (not sure of model number).

 

[grober]

First generation was the YS3E [1997-2010] was pretty much 100% SAAB before GM taking control in 2000---- the second generation YS3G [2010-2012] was based on the GM epsilon platform