My other car, It is a V6 TURBO!

[LANCER#319]

I think I posted pictures of my car somewhere, but I don't think I formally did so.

While the Shelby Lancer is undergoing restoration in Michigan, I get to drive this around:

2006 SAAB 9-3 Convertible with the 20 year anniversary package. 1 of 1500 made worldwide of which only 300 ever came to the USA.

It is a full spec Aero with the sport tuned chassis and the 2.8L V6 Twin Scroll Turbo. 250HP and 245 LB-Ft of torque. Peak torque comes in at a lowly 1600 RPM and stays flat through most of the rev range. I sadly ordered a Automatic, what was I thinking. This thing is heavy, but it is also a whole lot of fun.

Now for the mod stuff. This SAAB is tough to mod as the powertrain computer is a total nanny. It doesn't respond well to mods. However, I upgraded it with a performance tune from Hirsch Performance which is only available in Europe. The car now puts out a wonderful 275HP and 295Lb-Ft of torque. Peak torque comes in at a slightly higher 2000RPM and stays flat through most of the rev range. It pulls very hard and motivates the hefty 19" wheels quite nicely.

I put in the Hirsch leather dash, interior trim kit, and 19" wheels. I also fitted the outside with tail lights from the 2008 SAAB 9-3 convertible. Planned to come is the Hirsch performance exhaust, Big brake kit which requires a wheel of 18" minimum diameter, and 10mm suspension drop.

So that is what I am sporting around here in Sweden while I am working. Thanks for looking.

Outside with the original 18" wheels:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/92TGL/MY%20NEW%20SAAB%20ANNIVERSARY%20CONVERTIBLE/100_0501.jpg

Outside with the 17" winter tires:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/92TGL/RESIZETRIAL1-1.jpg

Outside with the 19" wheels:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/92TGL/Hirsch%2019%20inch%20wheels/100_1275.jpg

20 Year anniversary interior:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/92TGL/MY%20NEW%20SAAB%20ANNIVERSARY%20CONVERTIBLE/100_0513.jpg

Leather dash modification:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/92TGL/HIRSCH%20DASH/100_1321.jpg

Aluminum interior trim kit:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/92TGL/HIRSCH%20DASH/100_1318.jpg

2008 Tail light modification:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/92TGL/100_1331.jpg

[Clay]

That
Is
SHARP!

[Frank]

It is sharp indeed! Where is the stick? ;)

[Turbodave]

Nice! That interior would look great in my 87 CSX!

[RoadWarrior222]

Well it's a good job they recognise your license over there, imagine if they let you have that but you had to get the restrictor plate on the transmission. :D

[LANCER#319]

It is sharp indeed! Where is the stick? ;)

I would love to have a stick shift. I get to drive these with a stick shift at work so I can still have some fun. This particular car with the automatic makes it a nice cruising type of car.

It is a lot of fun taking it out on the Autobahn in Germany. 145MPH with the top down is a whole lot of fun. People in Germany think I am crazy when they see this. They might be right :p .

I haven't gone down since putting in the engine software upgrade, but supposedly I can now do 155MPH. With the top down at 155 would be insane, even for me.


Turbo dave,

If you can fit these seats in the CSX you should do it. They are extremely comfortable and supportive. Makes driving for 12 hours straight a pleasure.

[1FastCSX289]

Totally NANNY:lol: :lol: :drum:

[Frank]

How about pics of the engine bay?!

[Aries_Turbo]

i like it. :)

[Vigo]

VERY nice package. i even like all 3 sets of wheels on it. THAT is rare, hehe.

[LANCER#319]

How about pics of the engine bay?!

Sure, It is covered in plastic and SAAB has left little room to play, but here it is:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b182/92TGL/MY%20NEW%20SAAB%20ANNIVERSARY%20CONVERTIBLE/100_0507.jpg

[RoadWarrior222]

Heh, thought it would be something like that. Wall to wall black plastic, I was expecting warning stickers on everything too though.

Of course they're part of the GM family now too, which when it comes to working on them and maintenance is like...
i) You can see it, ii) You can reach it iii) There is room to swing a wrench, pick any two out of three.

[iTurbo]

Is that a GM 60-degree V6 engine?

Awesome car BTW!!!

[LANCER#319]

Is that a GM 60-degree V6 engine?

Awesome car BTW!!!

Even though it shares the displacement of 2.8L V6s of yesteryear, it is nothing at all like it. It was designed/developed/fabricated in Australia by GMs Holden unit. All new and all aluminum! SAAB tweaked the turbo and heads, but the rest came from OZ.

This engine is also fitted into the Opel Vectra, with a different tuning package, which comes to the states as a Saturn Aura. Sadly, the Saturn must make do with a large displacement Honda V6 instead of the extremely smooth, powerful, fuel efficient V6 Turbo the Auras European cousins get to have.

[iTurbo]

Ah OK. I know GM is still developing the 60-degree stuff and use DOHC variants in their G6 GTP and other cars I'm sure. My brother has a '91 Cutlass we put a 3.1L turbo into so I've gotten pretty familiar with those things helping him with his car projects.

[t2_85_lebaron]

sharp... very sharp

[88_pacifica]

Of course they're part of the GM family now too, which when it comes to working on them and maintenance is like...
i) You can see it, ii) You can reach it iii) There is room to swing a wrench, pick any two out of three.

That's classic.. that's sig line material there! :D :thumb:

[Turbo224]

I am a big fan of the new Saabs. They have come a long way from odd ball sports car to what they are now. I think I like the stock wheels the most!

[LANCER#319]

I am a big fan of the new Saabs. They have come a long way from odd ball sports car to what they are now. I think I like the stock wheels the most!

They have come a long way. The 2008 refresh is very aggressive looking and it has finally got some serious hardware with the introduction of a new AWD system.

The SAAB data shows in a comparison test that their AWD system with 280HP and 295Lb-Ft of torque out paces a 2007 Porsche 911 AWD Turbo in handling tests. That is remarkable. It absolutely destroys the Prelude "Super Handling" package. Absolutely destroys it. The BMW M3 can't keep pace with it in the turns, but it is at least somewhat close. The Porsche was the closest of them all.

Rumor is that the 2009 or 2010 will be pushing north of 320HP when running on E85. I think SAAB has a very good future ahead of it.

[Subliminal]

That's a really nice car. Who needs a lancer with a ride like that! ;)

[devlish]

awesome car man!!! personally, i prefer the looks of the 18's on there. but overall, WOW. sweet car

[Tony Lane]

I've always thought the new SAAB's were very very sharp.

[SpoolinGLH]

I am seriously looking into getting one of these bad boys... I want a car that is confortable but fun to drive and possibly mod here and there... I dont want a RACE car . Thats what my Omni is for :}...Would you recommend the standard 2.0T or the V6 Aero Package like the one you got?

[LANCER#319]

I am seriously looking into getting one of these bad boys... I want a car that is confortable but fun to drive and possibly mod here and there... I dont want a RACE car . Thats what my Omni is for :}...Would you recommend the standard 2.0T or the V6 Aero Package like the one you got?

If I were to do it again, I seriously would get the 2.0T. It has more than enough power for everyday use and yet doesn't cost you an arm and leg at the gas pump. The 2.0T can put a smile on the face of even the most hardened of people.

Nothing is more comfortable than the SAAB sport seats. Even in FWD form this car is a blast to drive. It has a passive rear steer system that really helps get you around a fast turn. It kind of blurs that line between FWD and RWD.

If you do get one, look for an AERO package with the 2.0T, oh and with a manual transmission. I still hate myself for getting this Automatic. That would be my recommendation for you if you are seriously considering a SAAB.