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[Kate]

I've been unable to find an Omega

I was looking for an alternative and came across a Saab estate on eBay.

Has anyone got an experience of Saabs? Are they any good?

You're thoughts would be so helpful.

[ronnyd]

It's a posh Vectra Kate.

[Bigron]

WheelerDealers did a Saab a while back. Look it up on YouTube, if you can stand the odious Fatty Brewer!

Ron.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

The one with the 2.8 V6 turbo is the one to go for.....

[Rangie]

Always fancied one of the convertibles , certainly great value for money.

[Kate]

Thanks. There is a 2.3 auto on eBay I might go for.

[henryd]

Thanks. There is a 2.3 auto on eBay I might go for.

I run an 08  9-5 Aero auto and I'm very pleased with it, check what tax band its in though as mine is £550 a year,before 2006 its less than that though

[Viral_Jim]

Thanks. There is a 2.3 auto on eBay I might go for.

I run an 08  9-5 Aero auto and I'm very pleased with it, check what tax band its in though as mine is £550 a year,before 2006 its less than that though

All petrol autos on/after 2006 are in the £500+ bracket. This includes the 150bhp 2.0t. All manual petrols are in the £325ish bracket.

As Henry days, the pre 2006 stuff is all lower (all in the £325 bracket iirc).

The engines are generally ok after 2004/5, before that look out for blue smoke on startup (turbo) or timing chain rattle when cold. Earlier cars had issues with the breather system hoses breaking down and and allowing particles of crap into the oil. This blocked the oil pickup in the sump and lead to oil starvation.

A misfire under load is usually a faulty Direct Ignition (DI) cassette. It takes about 5mins to swap out but genuine ones cost £200+ and pattern ones tend to last 2000-10,000 miles before failing again.

Those 2 issues aside they're pretty reliable units. 

[deviator]

Early 2.3 models suffer with pick up pipe getting blocked.

The early 9-3 convertibles used to break the firewall free from the car due to the fact the steering rack is mounted on the firewall.

Personally if I was picking an engine, I'd prefer the 2.0L turbo. These engines are storming if they are looked after. The standard internals will take about 450BHP and the ECU is a trionic which can be unlocked. If you are into making things faster.

There is a lot of parts cross over between Vauxhall and Saab. My FiL's 9-3 has Vectra B GSI front brake caliper brackets, standard calipers, Astra GSI 308mm discs and pads. It's always worth looking to see if there is a Vauxhall part that will work, it's nearly always cheaper.

Another thing, by default, the tyre sizes are a bit oddball. EG 215/55/16 or 225/45/17. Which is fine apart from those tyre sizes are pricey. narrow the tread a bit and they are suddenly a load cheaper, 205/55/16 & 215/45/17. Obviously this should be mentioned to insurance people 

[Bigron]

Early 2.3 models suffer with pick up pipe getting blocked.

The early 9-3 convertibles used to break the firewall free from the car due to the fact the steering rack is mounted on the firewall.

Personally if I was picking an engine, I'd prefer the 2.0L turbo. These engines are storming if they are looked after. The standard internals will take about 450BHP and the ECU is a trionic which can be unlocked. If you are into making things faster.

There is a lot of parts cross over between Vauxhall and Saab. My FiL's 9-3 has Vectra B GSI front brake caliper brackets, standard calipers, Astra GSI 308mm discs and pads. It's always worth looking to see if there is a Vauxhall part that will work, it's nearly always cheaper.

Another thing, by default, the tyre sizes are a bit oddball. EG 215/55/16 or 225/45/17. Which is fine apart from those tyre sizes are pricey. narrow the tread a bit and they are suddenly a load cheaper, 205/55/16 & 215/45/17. Obviously this should be mentioned to insurance people 

That Wheeler Dealer programme that I mentioned earlier had a cure for the firewall issue, if it applies to whatever Saab you are looking at - or maybe it will have already been implemented, if you are lucky.

Ron.

[Andy B]

Early 2.3 models suffer with pick up pipe getting blocked.

The early 9-3 convertibles used to break the firewall free from the car due to the fact the steering rack is mounted on the firewall.

Cars on this side of the Atlantic have a bulkhead!! 

[Kate]

Thanks for all the advice and information.

I've decided to go for a 9-5 VECTOR 2.3T S-A. I think the tax is £555 which is quite a lot.

[biggriffin]

It's a posh Vectra Kate.

 Yup... That's what I've got. 9-3 anniversary estate, 2.0t, GM era car,.. £315 per year tax, 26-28mpg,  costs a bit less to service than the omega,  is smaller, bit louder, not as comfy as an Omega,, why did I buy it, because it looked nice, was a good price, aand newer,, O and it's wwd,,  tyres cost the same, and are 235/45/17"..

[amba]

That's a hefty road tax each year ...thought the Omegas were robbery but that's £10 a week.

[biggriffin]

Early 2.3 models suffer with pick up pipe getting blocked.

The early 9-3 convertibles used to break the firewall free from the car due to the fact the steering rack is mounted on the firewall.

Personally if I was picking an engine, I'd prefer the 2.0L turbo. These engines are storming if they are looked after. The standard internals will take about 450BHP and the ECU is a trionic which can be unlocked. If you are into making things faster.

There is a lot of parts cross over between Vauxhall and Saab. My FiL's 9-3 has Vectra B GSI front brake caliper brackets, standard calipers, Astra GSI 308mm discs and pads. It's always worth looking to see if there is a Vauxhall part that will work, it's nearly always cheaper.

Another thing, by default, the tyre sizes are a bit oddball. EG 215/55/16 or 225/45/17. Which is fine apart from those tyre sizes are pricey. narrow the tread a bit and they are suddenly a load cheaper, 205/55/16 & 215/45/17. Obviously this should be mentioned to insurance people 

That Wheeler Dealer programme that I mentioned earlier had a cure for the firewall issue, if it applies to whatever Saab you are looking at - or maybe it will have already been implemented, if you are lucky.

Ron.

 Early GM era cars. Pre 2004 am led to believe .

[biggriffin]

That's a hefty road tax each year ...thought the Omegas were robbery but that's £10 a week.

 That's the price for killing fluffy bunnies,and making little blk babies have breathing difficulty, and making it rain every day

[amba]

I remember that episode with Fatty Brewer...think it was like a brace bar fitted from bulk head to column or similar...and Ed having the problems fitting it

[STEMO]

Thanks for all the advice and information.

I've decided to go for a 9-5 VECTOR 2.3T S-A. I think the tax is £555 which is quite a lot.

Opti has two lots to pay, both that amount. He never mentions it, though, he knows it's going to help the old people....like me. 

[STEMO]

That's a hefty road tax each year ...thought the Omegas were robbery but that's £10 a week.

 That's the price for killing fluffy bunnies,and making little blk babies have breathing difficulty, and making it rain every day

Quite cheap when you look at it that way.

[amba]

I thought Kate was always on a " Budget" with her cars .

[STEMO]

I thought Kate was always on a " Budget" with her cars .

£10 a week is on a budget.

[biggriffin]

I thought Kate was always on a " Budget" with her cars .

 Must have some spare cash..

[amba]

She can throw some my way

[Kate]

Hopefully I won't have to pay the £555 due to having arthritis.

[biggriffin]

Hopefully I won't have to pay the £555 due to having arthritis.

 I've got arthritis, and I don't get discount.

[ronnyd]

Could it be a Motability thing? 

[STEMO]

Could it be a Motability thing? 

Motability gets you a car. Yes?

[dave the builder]

Could it be a Motability thing? 

Motability gets you a car. Yes?

My old mum gets free car tax on her 2002 1.4 astra , something to do with what was "mobility" it's called something else now 
she has good hearing (easier to list what is good rather than what she has wrong with her )

[Sir Tigger KC]

Hmm I've got a knackered hip and I'm sure I'd find it easier getting in and out of a Range Rover. 

Maybe I'll apply! 

[BazaJT]

When my late partner first became disabled she was told she could have a motability car[the cost of which would obviously have been deducted from her disability payments-or swallowed the whole amount] or she could keep the whole amount and have free road tax for 1 vehicle.At the time I had the Omega and an XJ6 and a I'd have been the driver whichever way she decided opted for the free road tax as we wouldn't have got a motab car that came anywhere near the comfort of the two already owned cars.

[ronnyd]

Could it be a Motability thing? 

Motability gets you a car. Yes?

I was thinking of the age of the car. In other words, does a Motability car need to be new / nearly new? Not a banger.

[Entwood]

Motability "can" be a major rip-off ... friend of ours went for a motability car, paid over £6000 in "extras" ... hoist for wheel chair, something fancy with the seat rails to make access easier, and a few other things .... 3 months after delivery he had a stroke and died .....  motability simply took the car off his wife .... no ifs or buts .. "no longer entitled" .. and no refund of the extras ... they took it back and sent it somewhere for auction and wouldn't even tell her where ... so she lost a LOT of money ........  bloody rip-off if you ask me

[biggriffin]

Hmm I've got a knackered hip and I'm sure I'd find it easier getting in and out of a Range Rover. 

Maybe I'll apply! 

 
Seeing the cars that park in the spaces at Supermarkets, and in Towns, with blue badges,  arrange rover might cut the mustard, you will need to start smoking, weighh 20+stone, and wear sports clothing, ..

[ronnyd]

Hmm I've got a knackered hip and I'm sure I'd find it easier getting in and out of a Range Rover. 

Maybe I'll apply! 

SWMBO has upper leg/buttock issues, due in part to deep radiotherapy for cancer about ten years ago. She finds it difficult to climb in and out of our granddaughters Qashqai. The running boards compound the problem too. Thankfully she manages to "fall" into the Vectra quite well. 

[BazaJT]

There is an Omega estate on E-bay at present a 2.5 with 10mths test at £500 in Coventry.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Hmm I've got a knackered hip and I'm sure I'd find it easier getting in and out of a Range Rover. 

Maybe I'll apply! 

 
Seeing the cars that park in the spaces at Supermarkets, and in Towns, with blue badges,  arrange rover might cut the mustard, you will need to start smoking, weighh 20+stone, and wear sports clothing, ..

I might fit this description. 

[Kate]

There is an Omega estate on E-bay at present a 2.5 with 10mths test at £500 in Coventry.

It needs a new clutch though.

[Rangie]

Hmm I've got a knackered hip and I'm sure I'd find it easier getting in and out of a Range Rover. 

Maybe I'll apply! 

.   

£570 tax for the RR but at least the air suspension makes the odd pothole bearable 😆

[Sir Tigger KC]

Hmm I've got a knackered hip and I'm sure I'd find it easier getting in and out of a Range Rover. 

Maybe I'll apply! 

.   

£1.56 a day tax for the RR but at least the air suspension makes the odd pothole bearable 😆

FTFY Mr Mackay! 

[ronnyd]

Hmm I've got a knackered hip and I'm sure I'd find it easier getting in and out of a Range Rover. 

Maybe I'll apply! 

.   

£1.56 a day tax for the RR but at least the air suspension makes the odd pothole bearable 😆

FTFY Mr Mackay! 

Doesn't seem quite so bad when you put it like that.