2009 Saab 9-3 Aero TTiD – Long Term Update
December 30, 2008 by Paul Maric
Well, it’s safe to say our twin-turbo oil burner has been well and truly run in.
- Paul Maric
I stacked plenty of kilometres on the clock over Christmas, with even more planned in the very near future.
One of the first things passengers mention is how good looking the car is. Because of the decline in sales, people seem instantly surprised with the 9-3 Aero. The ‘fast’ looking alloy wheels, coupled with the LED daytime running lights make the 9-3 Aero stand out of the crowd.
The car was loaded with four passengers, four adults to be precise. Three of the four adults are are about two-metres tall, meaning leg room was a premium necessity!
Although the rear was a bit of a squeeze (even with the front passenger seat pushed forward a little), the seats in the 9-3 range are extremely comfortable – even for long distance cruises.
Second to that, the suspension tune is nigh on perfect for highway kilometres and sixth gear pretty much all the way pushed fuel use down even further to just 5.2-litres per 100km. It has plenty of legs in sixth gear too, making it great for quick passes.
One thing that is starting to bug me endlessly is the internal cooling fan that comes on at full speed whenever the car is started from cold. I suspect it’s because the dual-zone climate control temperatures are constantly set to 18-degrees, but this is with the manual fan setting, not the automatic setting, so there is no need for the fans to come on so intensely with each engine start.
Another annoyance is the lack of auto headlights. They are operated via a switch on the dashboard with no option for an automatic setting. The birds also seem to love the Saab. Two nights under a tree has netted it a crapload of bird poo! Pardon the pun.
Next up in the Aero’s itinerary is a run through the mountains, so stay tuned for the next update when I’m sure to be detailing the Aero’s handling prowess.
Print it: 
Damn! Birds love the Saab! It’ll be good to hear how the handling stacks up in your mountain run, see if Saab have re-remembered how to design cars that can.
Saabs are such a refreshing change from the hordes of BWM’s and Audi’s parading round. What a result 5.2’s with a load but guessing you’ve only been cruising at 100-110 thats no surpises. I’d have one if were bigger!
The model to buy in the 9-3 range is the wagon anyway cupid stunt. It looks better imo, and has a more practical boot and head space in back, also even rarer on our roads so stands out from the crowd even more, especially in the aero spec with those wheels/bodykit..
Saab have become irrelevant since GM took over. Their build quality is the worst in Europe, the 9-5 hilariously outdated, and the once quirky styling beaten into something that neither offends nor enlightens.
U either love or hate the look of these things.
Back in the eighties these things had a reputation for being very strong and safe.
Pioneered low boost turboed engines.
Apparently u also need to own a suede jacket with leather patches on the elbows to own one.
Iconic styling like BMW is getting boring.Audi seem to be one of the few who retain the look and also make it fresh.
^Audis are boring and overly conservative (apart from the R8). Their resale is also much lower than a BMW and or a Mercedes, simply because their generic design becomes out of date much quicker than its German rivals.
I agree Realcars. I like Audi better than BMW’s.
Myke, BMW’s dashboards are dating quickly.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^Ha, talking about dating/ageing, Saab’s dashboards are very outdated!
^Too!
Phillip Saab were irrelevant long before GM took them over.
You just had to look at how “crowded” their stands were at the annual motor shows compared to BMW Mercedes-Benz and Audi etc.. Not only that how many of them do you see on the roads?
That on it’s own should show you how many people think of or even look at a Saab when buying a Luxury European car.
Hi, looking for some advice – been offered a 2007 Linear Sports Tid demonstrator (7000k’s on clock) for $32800 includes a 3 yr warranty. I do not know much about Saab, I have been trying to research & thus found this site.
I read of the poor retention of value BUT think the offer I have has already got a good discount & taken residual into account. It appears they have fairly good reviews, just seems some hate em, some luv em?
Any suggestions &/or thoughts appreciated.
Dennisg, I also came across that offer but I didn’t like it because of the fact that the warranty wasn’t original factory warranty but the dealer warranty (means you must service ur car with that dealer in a rip off price, and the warranty is not a full warranty). So just make sure it is original warranty of 3 years.
Next – even though the residual would appear to be taken care of – this car may have drastic depreciation after the warranty period as the servicing and parts are horrendously expensive.