Saab 93 Aero TTiD Long Term, we say goodbye
March 17, 2009 by Paul Maric
It has been a mixed bag with the Saab 93 Aero TTiD. Having driven a few Saabs, I knew I’d either hate this or love it from the first moment. To begin with I fell in love with the uniqueness of this Saab. The super comfortable seats and attractive exterior styling make it a desirable package, while the frugal engine ticks the economy and torque boxes.
So the car has gone back and I’ve spent a bit of time reflecting on what the experience was like. Sure, it wasn’t the years of experience a regular owner would have, but it’s about as good as it gets.
The kilometres were stacked onto the car and all sorts of terrain was covered, ranging from tarmac, through to quasi off-road camping tracks.
Right up until the car was returned, it used just 5.8-litres/100km. For a car the size of a Mazda6 or Ford Mondeo, that’s a tremendous feat! Especially when you consider there was a majority of city driving.
But, I never quite got used to the manual gearbox. Whether it’s the fact that it was a pain in stop start traffic, or that the clutch commanded too much effort, it just seemed like a lot of work to obtain such a fuel efficiency figure.
Unfortunately, opting for the automatic gearbox only makes this worse, increasing fuel consumption by some 3.0L/100km.
Weekend duties were taken care of with ease. A new TV meant that cramming a large box in the boot was in order. Not only did I have the box carried out to the car for me, it fit perfectly in the boot.
So, back to the car, and the big question, would I buy one, given the chance I had as much time as I did with the car? No.
Why, I hear you ask. The price, that’s the main reason. I say this all the time and I’ll say it again, Saab’s are always at least 15 per cent overpriced. Although this car is great and all, it lacks the price tag of every other car in its category, with the same feature set.
On top of the price, the interior is really, really getting long in the tooth.
It’s a shame, because the rest of the car more than certainly makes up for it.
If you can find a decent demonstrator or second hand model, I’d jump at the chance. Until then though, it prices itself out of this model range unfortunately and misses the boat.
Print it: 
Exterior looks, performance, efficiency, comfort +++++
Interior looks, price, bootspace/storage ————–
This model needs a total rebuild, just keep the motor!
Nice TV Paul, I have the same. Wouldn’t exactly say that fitting that TV in is a stress of the boot’s capacity though…
9-3 has a very low release value, around 40%. I wanted to get one, thinking it was an undervalued bargain. i came away thinking it is still overvalued: very choppy ride, vague steering, poor interior materials. Would not want it for any money.
Pity about the new TV…you’ve probably just voided your manufacturers warranty by transporting it on its side in the boot of the SAAB.
Having just recently bought a new Panasonic flatscreen TV myself, the MYER rep that I dealt with was kind enough to point out that all plasma and LCD flatscreen TV’s are supplied with strict warnings (on the box and in the instruction manual) advising that the TV must be at all times transported in a 90 degree upright position in order to protect the screen and internal electronics. Failure to do so voids your manufacturers warranty :-(
Just a warning to others thinking of doing so in the future.
That TV actually doubled the true value of the SAAB.
Terribly sad for SAAB fanatics to accept, but these things are priced at about double their real worth, and that is reflected in the second-hand value.
Something is wrong in the state of Sweden. Maybe it’s called Socialism.
Might be over price in Australia but here I can get a 2008 with delivery mileage for £7K less than list. Why buy new.
I drove one two weeks ago for the first time and revelled in the comfy seats, unique styling, and gutsy performance from the engine even in with a sloppy auto with flappy paddles. Manual would have been better as the Auto holds the gear in higher than neccesary revs. Why when it had a 6 speeder.
I’d buy one no doubts but 2nd hand though.
The problem is GM’s ownership. For years Saab built brilliant cars, but GM didn’t know what to do with the brand once they bought it so they let it slowly die. Just look at the 9-5 which is (incredibly) still being built.
For Saab to survive they need a new owner (preferably one that understands the European market) to put some much-needed investment into smaller high-tech models.
I think one of the main issues confronting the Saab resale value is the confusing nature of their model line-ups. The Saab 9.3 for example comes in over 30 different variants so when the cars go under the hammer at the auction houses the delears are never sure if their bidding for a top of the range model or a poverty pack.
I always dream of owning a Saab. There was the 9000 CS with the 2.3 litre turbo model that was release back in 1993. Still have the catalog Saab sent me. It’s a pity, they are still priced around $5000 for a 16 year old car. Servicing wouldn’t be that cheap either.