Description
For Sale is my August 2000 SAAB 9-3 SE 5-door Hatchback (Not Saloon), with just 26, 410 miles having been covered these last 24 years! The engine is the earlier and much lauded B204 unit, (as denoted by the RED direct ignition cassette) and is that as used in the Saab 9000 range, and well known for its longevity and high build quality. These engines can be easily mapped to 252 bhp with improved fuel consumption to boot, and as standard are relatively de-tuned. My car remains as standard however. Very few of this generation of the 9-3 retained this B204 engine, most had the later (and inferior B205) version. As such this is an uncommon variant.
I bought the car in April 2023, and have covered some 6000 miles it. The car was bought by me from a motor dealer, who acquired the Saab from auction, it having been placed there by the son of the original owner, an elderly lady who had passed away. When I bought the car it presented in as new condition, there was however no service history with it at all, other than a small service carried out by the dealer. However because it was in such fantastic condition, I made the assumption that it must surely have been well looked after, and so I purchased the car.
On my way home I noticed that I would pass within a short distance of the address of the original owner, who had owned the car for some 23 years - as such I decided on the off chance to stop and knock on the door! It was a detour worth doing as I spoke to the son of the lady, who told me his mother has passed away two years previously, and that she had cherished the car all her life, having bought it brand new, She had it serviced religiously every year whether it needed it or not, and the reason for why there was no servicing invoices etc is because she was employed by the garage that looked after her car, and so the work was done as a favour and part of her employment. Additionally it transpired that the lady was a Saab enthusiast generally, and a former officer in the Saab Owners Club!
The car had been garaged all its life in the house where she lived, and I have a photo of it.
In spite of the above reassurance as to the history, I nevertheless then took the car to Abbott Racing and they changed all the filters and fluids, and I even had the sump pan removed in order to check against sludge etc. Everything was as clean as a whistle, like a new car in fact, and I have the photos that Abbott took to prove this. As well as the major service, I also had the Abbott Racing steering rack clamp fitted for good measure! The bill for this work, carried out at 20477 miles, was £1352. All the alloy wheels are unmarked, and fitted with quality Michelin Pilot tyres. The UNDERNEATH is practically like new, super clean! The boot and spare tyre well is immaculate, and the spare space saver wheel and tools unused! The car drives like a new car, and looks virtually like a new car, without any corrosion, the underside being also like new. It is the SE version with the 2 litre 150bhp turbo engine, (but note the above) so pulls like a train, and is completely quiet and serene to drive. With the mileage and the provenance described this must surely be just about the finest 9-3 from this period (1998-2002) in existence? The book pack is present, as are both sets of keys. The car will be sold with a fresh MOT, and the registration will revert to the original plate of W616HCE, and I have retained the original number plates to re fit. I will retain also the 'Turbo' badge which is not original to the car. I am a Saab enthusiast, and since buying the 9-3, I have bought two Saab 9000's which because they are larger, suit me slightly better, as such the 9-3 has become a little redundant. I was also keen to keep the mileage s low as possible! So a fantastic genuine low mileage 9-3, which apart from being a wonderful collectors item, is also a superb car to drive and own! Fantastic value for money!
18. 9. 2024: The Saab passed its MOT today - the tester's first reaction was: 'Blimey, that's a clean one'! Advisories for slight perishing to the tyres due to age, and a slight exhaust blow at a centre joint, requiring some exhaust paste only to remedy. Very impressive emissions: CO = 0. 01% (0. 20% allowed). HC = 7ppm (200 ppm allowed) You can't really get much cleaner than than that for ANY car! Reason for selling in case it is relevant to anyone: I have just bought my 4th Saab 9000, so something has to give! :)
