Descrizione
2001 SAAB 93 Aero High Output Turbo (205 bhp). Rare top of the range 5 door manual hatchback. Saab enthusiast owner. 63, 260 miles. FSH from new with every MOT. Owners handbook, service book, invoices and document wallet. Two battery operated key fobs. The car complies with latest UK and EU ultra low emissions zone (ULEZ) standards. It has never been subject accident damage or restoration project, is in stunning original time warp condition and garaged since new.
Spotless interior, no front or back seat wear. Completely rust free throughout and extremely rare in this condition with very low documented mileage. The paintwork is superb with only a few very minor marks. There are some very minor stone chips to the front which due to the paint colour are difficult to spot. Professionally refurbished 17” double 'Y' alloy wheels. Ice cold air conditioning. All pixels are present and correct on the information display and the air conditioning display ( new pixel display electronics recently replaced).
It is a rare, well equipped, stylish and comfortable car which can be used on a daily basis, not only as a versitile and practical family car with a huge hatchback but as a collectable luxury modern classic with proven modern car reliability, fuel economy, 5 star safety and modern executive car performance (0-60mph in 7. 1secs - top speed 138mph) with the ability to return 44mpg.
I had intended to keep the car indefinitely as a classic car investment and show it at regular Saab club meetings and events and at several classic car events. However, I have recently suffered a serious health issue which will make it impossible for me use and enjoy the car. Therefore, it is with regret that I have decided to sell the car, the like of which may never come up for sale again.
The cars' remarkable condition and history is of a standard you would expect to see at classic car events. It is in as near showroom condition as you can get and is possibly museum quality. Even the condition of the engine bay is exceptional. It needs to be seen to be appreciated.
It took me over three years to find this car as there are less than a handful of 93 five door Aeros left in this condition in the UK and they rarely come up for sale. It is probably one of the best, if not the best example out there of a 93 Aero 5 door hatch in the UK.
Feel free to contact me to discuss the car and/ or arrange a viewing.
Equipment
Although now 20 years old it has electronic direct fuel injection, Saab Trionic 7 engine management system, ABS, Traction control, PAS, Automatic climate control, Cruise control, Refurbished 17” double 'Y' alloy wheels, Bluetooth phone connection technology, Quality original six speaker sound system, with CD track, radio station and traffic info with additional steering wheel controls, Electric windows, Central locking and immobiliser, Steering wheel adjustment, Car alarm,
An information display system (SID2) featuring [trip meter, speed warning, security alarm function, outside temperature, ave fuel consumption, ave speed, check messages on start up for brake and fog light failure, low washer or coolant fluid, replace remote key battery, time for service], Night panel, Follow me home headlight function, Headlight adjustment, Front and rear fog lights.
Rear window wiper, Heated front and rear windows, Electric heated door mirrors, Electric driver and passenger heated seats with head restraints that provide active whiplash protection, Electric memory on drivers seat with height adjustment. Three leather head restraints and three seatbelts on the rear seats, Through- load hatch behind the in the rear seat armrest, Folding rear seats, Large hatchback which can be opened with the key fob or from within the car. Space saver spare wheel and original Saab tool kit. Saab warning triangle. Saab floor mats.
Factory fitted extras on top of the comprehensive standard specification include AS3 audio upgrade, walnut veneer dashboard facia, and the rare addition of a fully functional electric tilt/ slide sunroof with sunblind.
All the above in addition to a sumptuous full leather interior featuring Saab's iconic fighter aircraft cockpit inspired dashboard and the standard 93 'Viggen' leather sports seats and 'Viggen' sports body kit which gives the Aero its sleek and muscular appearance.
Safety
Saab safety is legendary. The 9-3 and 9-5 didn't win 5-Stars top Safety award from IIHS for nothing... it is still is one of the safest cars on the road today. The following comes as standard:
Saab Active Head Restraints (whiplash protection), Isofix child seat attachment points. Driver and passenger front and side airbags, child safety locks.
Luggage capacity
The hatchback provides an impressive 451 litres of luggage space with the seats up and a whopping 1, 303 litres with rear seats down. Both figures are close to the latest Mercedes C Class estate.
Owner and maintenance history
The car has been regularly used throughout its 20 years and not sorned or stored for extended periods like many classics which can have a detrimental effect on tyres, suspension and engine.
This Saab has been meticulously looked after from new, having services carried out approx every 3, 000 miles and always using the correct fully synthetic motor oil. Always garaged and never smoked in. Both the exterior and interior are in superb condition. Even the original Saab floor mats also look almost new.
The original owner purchased the car on 18/ 05/ 2001. He owned the car for 17 years accumulating only 55, 000 miles from new which equates to 270 miles per month which is more than sufficient to keep all the moving parts in good condition. He was an engineer by profession who was very fastidious with the car and carried out all the scheduled maintenance himself, changing the oil every 3, 000 miles using fully synthetic oil and washed the underside regularly, wax oiling it twice.
In July 2018, the car was sold to a small Saab classic car specialist in Herefordshire who used the car for his personal daily transport and undertook some minor mechanical work. He kept the car for two years and added a further 7, 500 miles and serviced it three times using fully synthetic oil and genuine Saab oil and air filters. He also changed the gearbox oil with the latest Saab fully synthetic oil and had all four 17inch double 'Y' Saab alloys professionally refurbished.
Parts he replaced were: a new Bosch Silver battery, the fitting of four new Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres which have only done a few thousand miles, a new genuine Saab heater control unit and all new engine breather hoses and flame trap. Although this car is completely unaffected by bulkhead issues as some 93s' are, he had a bulkhead brace and steering rack clamp fitted as a precautionary measure. He also thoroughly cleaned the underside and rust proofed it again using Bilt-Hamber and Ziebe Forch products.
This is the third Saab I have owned in the last 25 years and my second 93 Aero 5 door hatch. In 2003, I bought the same model year 93 Aero and it was one of the best cars I have ever owned. I promised myself that I would own one again sometime in the future and I did so by purchasing the car from the Saab specialist in August 2020 at 63, 500 miles. I had been searching for 3 years for a low mileage 93 five door Aero in original, outstanding condition which had not been mapped, lowered or modified.
Shortly after I bought the car, I spent over £1, 000 on preventative maintenance to bring the car up to top mechanical condition. I had the following replaced with quality parts: Full clutch assembly (Luk), Four brake discs (Brembo) and pads (Brembo) with a scheduled brake fluid change, Gearbox oil, Auxillary belt and idle pulley, Headlight bulb upgrade. Electronics upgrade to restore climate control pixels. The work was carried out by a garage I have used for many years. I myself carried out the twelve month scheduled oil and filter change and replaced the air and cabin filters, the spark plugs with NGK Iridiums and both tailgate gas struts.
During my ownwership, I have put only 760 miles on the clock, taking it out every week (in dry weather) for approx 20 miles. The car is always garaged and fuelled only with momentum 99 octane with regular fuel treatment. It uses no oil and there are no spots on the garage floor where the car is always parked.
Annual Service History
The service book has 22 services recorded, the last being just 500 miles ago. There are 17 MOT certificates.
Date Mileage Details/ Parts
15/ 05/ 01 0 pre Delivery Service
21/ 05/ 02 4, 775 oil change -shell helix ultra fully Synthetic
12/ 05/ 03 9, 403 oil change -shell helix ultra fully Synthetic
15/ 05/ 04 13, 705 oil change -shell helix ultra Fully Synthetic
25/ 06/ 05 16, 280 oil change -shell Helix Ultra Fully Synthetic
new sump plug, coolant/ antifreeze and brake fluid change
12/ 08/ 06 20, 900 oil change -shell Helix Ultra Fully Synthetic
12/ 10/ 07 23, 682 oil change -shell Helix Ultra Fully Synthetic
11/ 10/ 08 26, 793 oil change -Shell Helix Ultra Fully Synthetic
27/ 12/ 09 30, 134 mobil 1 fully synthetic
14/ 12/ 10 34, 730 mobil 1 Advanced fully synthetic, brake fluid and a/ freeze change
18/ 12/ 11 38, 162 3R Racing oil fully synthetic, oil filter change
05/ 01/ 13 42, 013 3R Racing oil fully synthetic, oil filter change, air filter change
26/ 06/ 13 43, 299 castrol Edge 5w/ 40 fully synthetic, oil filter., new spark plugs
05/ 06/ 14 45, 600 castrol Edge 5w/ 40 fully synthetic
11/ 06/ 15 48, 490 3R Racing oil fully synthetic, oil filter and fuel filter change
09/ 04/ 16 50. 043 3R Racing oil fully synthetic, air con re-gas, brake fluid change
28/ 07/ 17 52, 991 castrol Edge 5w/ 40 fully synthetic, oil filter change
18/ 04/ 18 53, 506 castrol Edge 5w/ 40 fully synthetic
25/ 08/ 18 56, 488 5/ 30 fully synthetic oil , Saab oil filter
29/ 12/ 18 59. 512 5/ 30 fully synthetic oil
24/ 05/ 19 62, 947 5/ 30 fully synthetic oil , Saab oil filter and air filter
15/ 08/ 20 63, 705 5/ 30 f. synthetic shell helix, oil & air filter & cabin filter, spark plugs
Rarity value
Saab ceased making its cars and folded a decade ago after a manufacturing history spanning sixty five years during which it built an impressive engineering reputation. The first generation 93 was one of their most successful models.
The 93 Aero five door models were manufactured in Sweden for only two years between 2001 and 2002. The majority that are still around either have ultra high mileage, rust issues (particularly in the rear wheel arches), have been mapped (the extra power can destroy the synchromesh bearings in the gearbox), lowered or both whilst others just need and great deal of money to bring them back from the brink. Only a handful still exist in excellent original condition with low mileage and an impeccable service and maintenance history.
The DVLA database confirms that there are only TWO Saab 93 5 door Aero HOT cars currently licenced and none are sorned. (see carlogbook. co. uk/ howmanyleft).
The main reasons why the value and popularity of these last few quality cars have been appreciating quickly particularly in the UK and Sweden and will continue to rise in the coming years is. 1. The short two year production run of the five door hatch. 2. Saab closed its doors in 2011. 3. The very low number of quality examples in original, unmodified condition that still exist.
Their rarity will most definitely ensure their value continues to increase in the future which is something that other cars will rarely achieve.
ULEZ compliance
To be ULEZ compliant with EU and UK emissions standards, vehicles must be at least Euro 4 standard if you drive a petrol vehicle and Euro 6 standard if you drive a diesel vehicle. Cars that do not meet the emission standards will need to pay to enter the Clean Air Zones.
There are a small number of cars which meet the required standard that have been on sale since 2001, the Saab 93 (petrol) is one of them thanks to its initiative and advanced Trionic 7 engine management system. In fact, the 2001 and 2002 Saab 93 Aeros not only meet the minimum Euro 4 but also the latest Euro 6 (petrol) standard which means access to not only all UK ULEZ cities but to over 200 European cities in 12 countries.
Reliability
Few other manufacturers share Saab's reputation for longevity. Independent reliability data confirms that if properly and regularly maintained, Saab 93s' will run for at least 200, 000 miles without any major issues. Infrequent oil changes have a negative impact on timing chain wear, piston skirts, crankshaft bearings and the lifespan of the engine. Beware turbocharged cars that have been "chipped", as the extra engine torque is liable to destroy the synchromesh and bearings in the gearbox and increase stress on the chassis and bulkhead.
Safety
Saab safety is legendary. The 93 and 9 95 didn't win 5-Stars top Safety award from IIHS for nothing... it is still is one of the safest cars on the road today. The Saab core values of safety and reliability are apparent in both models which still feel bulletproof and have a number of considered safety features. These include twin front and side airbags on all models and SAHRs, ( Saab Active Head Restraint system) that aims to reduce whiplash injuries, Isofix child seat attachment points and child safety locks.
Luggage capacity
The hatchback provides an impressive 451 litres of luggage space with the seats up and a whopping 1, 303 litres with rear seats down. Both figures are close to the latest Mercedes C Class estate.
Availability of spare parts Replacement Parts
Replacement parts are widely available not only from numerous UK Saab specialists but from large online car parts companies who regularly offer impressive discounts. Many items are surprisingly good value, especially for a car that was designed to compete head on with the BMW 3 Series and Audi's A4.
The all important steering rack clamp and bulkhead strut-brace
Due to way the steering rack is fixed to the bulkhead (firewall), it can cause flexing which can lead to cracking of the bulkhead by the mounting points. It has been experienced by some first generation 93 Saab owners, mostly convertibles which are less rigid than the hatchbacks and are renowned for scuttle shake and also in some high mileage cars, most of which have been mapped for performance (usually up to 250bhp) and/ or have had the suspension lowered. This can significantly increase the stresses on the chassis and bulkhead as well as causing premature wear to the gearbox
The fault is very rare in unmodified hatchbacks which my car is.
There is a widely available brace kit designed specifically to prevent the cracking in unaffected cars or to rectify the fault. The rack brace kit not only strengthens the bulkhead area but prevents it from cracking. The kit comprises of a steering rack clamp and bulkhead strut-brace. Fitting the kit also improves steering precision significantly and gives a 50% reduction in torque steer. The cost is approximately £750
Many Saab enthusiasts like myself and owners of original unmodified cars which are unaffected by this fault have had the brace kit fitted for peace of mind and to future proof the car. This has been carried out on my car by the previous Saab specialist and checked by my garage.
It is also something that should be carried out before owners modify their 93's. This is a good reason for potential first generation Saab 93 buyers to avoid cars that have been mapped and/ or lowered.
First Generation 93
Although the first generation 93 was built on the General Motors Opel Vectra platform, its design (which included a retro nod to its Saab 900 predecessor 1994-1998), the revolutionary new 'H' turbo engine, its advanced electronics and engine management system and the 1, 100 individual improvements to the car, were all exclusively the responsibility of Saab's Swedish based designers and engineers. Fears that the quirky character of the Swedish manufacturer would be ironed out by General Motors did not, thankfully, materialise. The first generation 93 is still very much a Saab.
Of the 1, 000 plus improvements made to the 93, the most notable were: revised suspension to tighten up the handling and improve ride comfort, revised styling with some models receiving a rear spoiler and larger front and rear colour coded bumpers, improved crash-worthiness with standard side impact airbags with head protection and active headrests. It was available as a three or five-door hatchback, and as a two-door convertible. It was manufactured by Saab in Trollhattan, Sweden for only two years before the introduction of the second generation 93 in 2003.
First Generation 93 Aero
The 9-3 became an Aero in the year 2000 and boasted a lavish equipment list including electric leather sports seats and a striking body kit both of which were inherited from the iconic 9-3 'Viggen', the european production of which was discontinued in 2000. The all-turbocharged 93 range not only matches many of its German rivals of the same era in terms of performance and equipment but trounces them for value for money.
9-3 Aero engines
The 9-3 Aero used Saabs' 'H' 2. 0 turbo engine.
Model year 2000 saw a revision from SAAB's Trionic 5 to Trionic 7 engine management system. The T7 based engines are the B205L with 185 bhp (138 kW) and the B205R HOT engine with 205 bhp (153 kW). All turbocharged engines utilise Saab's Trionic engine management system which works hand in hand with the Direct Ignition's IDM module (mounted to the top of the engine, directly engaging the spark plugs). All versions of this engine feature a DOHC with 16 valves.
