No Budget Reviews: 2001 Saab 9-3 "OG" 2.0 HOT Aero Convertible - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

[@James-ld2jc]

You are absolutely right about that grille, it needs swapping out straight away

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's all a matter of taste, I suppose.

[@martinclapton2724]

I drive one of these , but a LPT model in automatic form , 154bhp. Had the car 6 years , Cosmic blue , beige leather interior, wooden dash. The engine on these Saabs very refined and very strong generally, especially in Red Top B204 as mine is. I’ve kept the car standard , service oil changes on a over regular basis - I only do a few thousand miles a year , but changed it twice a year. Done all the usual suspects with it refurbed all hood rams and other stuff, nice condition, no rust . Used in fair weather conditions, not seen much rain , and always garaged. Often thought about changing her as I’m an Italian car nut really , but even after a few weeks of non usage she starts first turn of the key , then impresses me whilst driving - I think she’s telling me something. 😊

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting, sir! I have driven a similar one, which was a 1999 three door Coupé, back in 2021. It was also an automatic, and it also had the LPT engine. No leather interior, though... It was extremely comfortable, and I was quite tempted by it. I think I would still like one of those at some point.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

An excellent review Sir, on another manufacturer I would add to my dream Garage to own or drive at some point. I think I would remove the grille and change back to the chrome one and change the alloys to silver as just too much black for me, but there is something about a Saab that wants me to own or drive one.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I would prefer to replace some of those black bits with the original chrome, and due to the scuttle shake, I would have the three door hatch, but other than that, I do quite like these. Thank you for watching, Mr Watters!

[@totallypixelated]

Should have given it a good boot to get the turbo spinning :) Nothing better than a Saab turbo in 2nd and 3rd!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I did have a go, but I kept reaching the speed limit rather quickly.

[@ewancraig6805]

I was very tempted by this exact Saab! But went for a 2000 Honda Civic MB instead. Kinder on the pockets on fuel and insurance, perhaps the boring decision! But I saw your videos on the Honda and that settled it. It was owned by a 101 year old chap! Its a wonderful drive, only issue is the common hunting idle which I have yet been able to fix

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I did a couple of videos on the MB Civics. They aren't necessarily expensive cars, but they do have their issues (particularly rust). The Saabs don't tend to rust as much, but as all of them are over 20 years old, they can still suffer from it. Those Civics do still have a very chassis, but they don't drive like a 9-3.

[@matthewilott8930]

It's a long way away from the old Saab 2-strokes, that's for sure.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, still got most of the traditional Saab virtues, though. The next 9-3 was very different.

[@amigachris]

disliked the bulkhead mounted steering rack - apart from cracking bulkheads the steering feel was poor....

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The steering feel seemed OK, but that bulkhead problem is a bit of a big one, isn't it?

[@stevenjervis1184]

Abbot racing do the bulkhead upgrade for these cars

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting.