looking at buying 2001 9-3

[Black92LudeSI]

I'm looking at buying a 9-3 saab and just test drove a 2001 today. A few questions. What are the differences between a SE and a standard hatchback. Edmunds.com states that the SE has 205 hp while the standard has 185. I dont understand because the engines are the same. What is the correct HP for a 9-3 standard? Also, did they happen to make a 2001 9-3 sedan, not a hatchback? Edmunds doesn't list this as existing I just want to check.

Thanks

[mbunakeith]

the 2001 9-3 base has a 185 hp engine called the b205L-it has a light pressure turbo
the se has what they call a b205R. it has a viggen turbo.
the viggen has a b235R which means it has a 2.3 liter engine.
they only made the 9-3 in a hatchback. the 9-3 sedan didnt come out until 2003. saab screwed up by calling the sport sedan a 9-3. if they would have called it anything else we wouldnt have the confusion. people who arent familar with saabs just dont understand the quirks like that one. so, yes there is a 9-3 sedan, but not a 2001 sedan. the new 9-3 (2003+) does not come in a hatchback form. could we get more complicated? we had the brand new 2.8L sport sedan get dropped off at the shop yesterday. in a few months the wagon version of the sport sedan will be available.

[snaxie]

Hi guys,

Had a look on the forum and noticed this thread. I was unsure about the Saab 9-3 specifications and I recently found the information out and have subsequently bought myself a 2000 9-3 2ltr LPT.

For cars aged between 1998-2000:

The bottom of the range is the 9-3 2.0i (non turbo) - 130bhp i believe

Then there is the 9-3 2.0 S (lpt - light pressure turbo) - 154 bhp (my car)

then there is a 2.0 SE which is also a light pressure turbo - 154bhp

then there are 2.0 SE with 185bhp (fpt - full pressure turbo)

Also there are Areo and HOT (High Output Turbo) versions with 205bhp

The top of the range is the Viggen with 225bhp

But don't just look at the power you want, it's all about getting the whole package you desire. My 2.0 S Coupe with 154bhp had everything i wanted but was a little underpowered. I decided to go that route because it was within my price range and have since found out that i can carry out a stage 1 tuning upgrade which will produce 225bhp (same as the Viggen) for just £507!

The 2.0 lpt engine is identically to to fpt (185bhp) engine, it just has different software and therefore is ideal for tuning as you pay less for the car and get far better Stage 1 power increases! I'm waiting for mine to be delivered, so i'll inform you of it's successes/fails if you want?!

Hope this helps and if you decide to get the 9-3, i hope you enjoy it as much as i am!

(lpt 2001 9-3s had 150bhp, but a little additional nm torque over the 2000 models, with the other engine range still applying)

Maxwell