As mentioned earlier this week, Saab dealers here in Australia have had a hard time ordering 2009 vehicles for customers. They’ve got a bucketload of 2008 vehicles left on dealer lots and have been discounting them heavily prior to releasing any 2009 models from storage.
One dealer did manage to beg and plead successfully, however. They had to take a $5K deposit in order to do so, but they got their car ordered and it was delivered last month to happy new owners in Adelaide.
It’s a 2009 Saab 9-3 in Vector spec, finished in Laser Red with a parchment interior. It’s fitted with the 2.0T four-banger and 6-speed manual gearbox. Extras fitted include the luxury pack, Bose stereo, sport chassis, cornering headlights, sunroof and finally, the genuine sports exhaust.
Spectacular!
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{ 19 comments }
Good choice!
Congratulations to the new owner an dwish you many happy miles.
I do like the red colour. Pity that in this vehicle class, nobody else wants it (at least in western europe), so you ‘re stuck with it for ever.
Sweden seems to be the exception.
How is this colour in Oz?
I think there should be an option for the button dash in place of the round dials. Other than that the car looks gorgeous..
Yes, it looks spectacular, but I can’t say I see any difference from the 2008 model?
I also like red, but my wife doesn’t. Good thing I bought a ice blue SC last year.
Sincere thanks for your very kind comments! We had a fantastic dealer in western Sydney who really, really looked after us!
So far, the only red 93 we have seen is the one on the Saab website…
My wife who drives the car, has been keeping tabs on all the other 08/09 93s she has seen on the road – so far, there have 2 blacks, 1 silver, 1 nocturne blue, 1 pepper green and 1 black convertible.
The red is very similar or probably the same as the red used by GM Holden, so the colour itself is not uncommonly seen on the road.
Lets hope Saab survives!!!
I almost chose pepper green last year, but I changed my mind at the last moment. My dealer simply said “I knew you would end up with ice blue”.
I am looking at maybe moving to Australia this year (although I doubt I will, it depends on various things), and if I do I will definitively buy something like this. Good that your wife keeps tabs on colours. I will ask about the statistics if I get there!
What’s the difference between that and the 08 model?
Gaaah! Why’s the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car?!?
James> Thats because you get a better glimpse of the girls walking on the pavement;)
All cars that are build are customersorder cars.
The plant builds about 137 cars a day now.
38 cars per hour.
But next week (W910) the plant builds 22.5 cars a hour due to saab 95.
50% 95 42% 93 8% cadillac.
sorry for my bad english…
Wait… 8% Cadillac? I thought those days were long gone?
And 9-5 being built in Trollhättan? I would have expected a larger announcement…
But I hope it is so. I’m going to bed now, so I need good news to give me nice dreams.
No , the plant still build cadillac.
The (old) 95 griffin is in now.
All the gadget u can think of is in the car. luxery !
They will soon start the testproduction on the new 95.
SA – Thanks for the awesome insight!
just ask someting u want to know….
SA, there are so many questions I should ask, but the news of the 9-5 being produced where it should be is sufficient for now.
I would however love to be granted access (w/camera) on the day they start assembling the 9-3x. That would be a childhood dream come through. (which is strange, because I am not really a car nut — I just like SAABs 
)
My own 9-3 is resting in the garage under my flat. I will try (very hard) to not drive it to work every day from now on. As mild weather sets in, it will get dirty really fast, and without the snow there is not much challenge in driving anyway. (just boring city streets)
The 93X is in preproduction. 10 cars are already build on the line for test and showoffs.
The plant can start building 93X right now but they are waiting for the go ahead.
A 93X belongs into the woods ,mudroads , the hills and of cousre in deep snow…
My dad lives in the woods (on a Swedish “torp”) and drives a 9000. The 9000 seems to handle those roads quite well. My 9-3 also likes those roads, but I have not tried when there is really deep snow. The last time I was there, the snow was melting.
His hypothesis is that the Germans like big cars, and they want the big car feeling when they drive. As a result, you feel like your commanding a big warship, and you move accordingly. The SAABs are just as big, but you know where the road is and the car is just an extension of the driver. Narrow roads in the deep forest? Lots and lots of fun! As long as you drive a SAAB that is! 
He likes to tell the story about a friend of his wife, who drives a Mercedes. Their friend is so worried about driving those narrow forest roads (during the summer mind you!), because her Mercedes is so “huge”… Finally they measured, and it was two centimeter shorter than my dad’s 9000…
Turbo x advice…..
I’ve driven Saabs for 23 yrs, now an Australian expat in NY. Last year after four 9-5 Aeros dating back from ’98,not wanting the last 9-5 ’09 run, I opted for the Turbo X which is by far the best handling Saab I’ve driven.
In terms of upgrades, specifically ECU upgrades, would appreciate any advice re results from BSR, Abbotts, Hirsch, Maptun or others.
I have received conflicting opinions on the units like BSR that plug in v the compete ECU replacement, ie that the plug in versions are riskier?
I understand the warranty issues in the US and still cannot figure out why Hirsch can be factory authorised around the world but not in the US?
Any advice appreciated.
Being the proud owner of a 2009 turbo x I have installed the bsr upgrade but due to the car running
rough i have removed it,I am in constant touch with elk parts uk who are also in touch with bsr uk and sweden as of yet we have not established the fault,Ignition coil packs were mentioned as a possible cause but these have been confirmed to be the newer ones fitted,
The most interesting thing about all of this is an email from bsr that states that once the software is removed it leaves no trace on the ecu therefore your warrenty remains safe,I can confirm this as my car went in for some work today and a thorough check with teck 2 was done for fault codes and nothing found.
Hope this helps
Robbodog
7.7.2009
hi
i have a turbo x and looking at the bsr, the maptuner or the hirsch ($ though).
did u resolve your issues re: the roughness?
what is the ignition coil issues mentioned?
cheers
rich
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