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Going through another Mid-life crisis point. Seen a 9-3 Cabrio (2.0t aero 210bhp 04reg) I quite fancy. I might yet decide it's too 'hairdresser' but what's real life ownership like. Expensive to service?? Any thoughts/opinions welcome. (I know it's a Vectra underneath, but two years of completely hassle free life with a Vectra says it all!)
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I am also seriously looking at the Saab Cabrio' . Saab City in East London have a load of pre-reg delivery mileage for sale at large discounts. Might be worth looking at.
www.saabcity.co.uk/_03%7ESELF%7EUSED%20SAABS/CONVE...m
However, I am looking at an 05 Vector 1.8t with 10K on the clock. I have read loads of reviews and all positive.
You might want to look at the Vector as opposed to the Aero. Although the Aero costs quite a bit more new, the extra cost should be no more than £300 above the Vector at that age. As far as I can see, the Aero only has body kit over and above the Vector.
Also think of this. How many "envy scratches" do you see on a Saab Cabrio' compared to a BMW or Merc' cabrio. The Saab (and, ergo, its driver) has quite a benign image in the publics eye. Not at all hairdresser either. The more I think about it, the more I am inclined to go for it.
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I've got a 93 Saloon and these take a bit of a beating on this website. Personally, I love it (a) because it's not German and (b) because the dealer has been superb when dealing with the couple of (minor) warranty issues it's had so far.
Suffice to say I seriously want the Cabrio to replace the wife's Astra convertible. It's so gorgeous it deserves to be bought whether it's any good or not. As it happens it is good. "Diesel Car" magazine had it as their Cabrio of the Year last year. I want the diesel because we do the mileage and I know it's a good combination in my Vector saloon but clearly it's a good motor with some good deals to be had on it.
And it's still not German
So buy it.
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I forgot to mention, I test drove the Aero on a foggy wet morning last week. It had uprated power to 280bhp) It didn't feel that well planted even with the bigger boots on it. It did have difficulty in the wet with the extra power going to the wheels. Even with all the gadgets on it, the wheels slipped when pulling away. For me, I am happier with the 1.8t (the 2 litre light pressure turbo) as a dignified open top cruiser with a decent enough turn of speed. At a push, maybe the 2.0T with 170bhp and full turbo.
I am going to the dealer Wednesday to do the final negotiations on either a pre-reg Vector (2007 face lift model) or an 05 10Kmiles Vector. There is about £4k difference between them, so I think I'll err towards the 05 one.
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unless things have really changed recently the aero is a different animal. Sport suspension and lots more power.
But then in these days of GM ownership maybe it is just plastic that makes the difference.
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This was a consideration, before Mrs V had her Mx5, instead.
The hardest thing was finding an affordable, GOOD, used example.In fact, the best one we found, was from one of the daily rental companies, on their executive fleet, rather than dealers, or small ads.
The prices on the site above look like generous savings, but I'd find it hard to justify that sort of expenditure, on a not too special vehicle. Think I'd be tempted to the XK at that sort of £$£$£
VB
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I have the 1.8t Linear Convertible which I bought used last April. It is an excellent car to drive and was a little under-powered until I had a Hirsch Stage 1 upgrade installed. It is now significantly quicker with 195 bhp but not as quick as the Aero. The Vector has a higher specification and is worthy of consideration.
Yes, Saabs do have a "benign" image in the public eye and I would like to believe, a less brash following than certain German marques.
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