Hi, new to the forums and current drive a 2005 Honda Accord 2.4 Exec. Long story short, having to pass the car on to help out family so looking for a new car and fancy a bit more power. The reliability, refinement and good looks of the 7th Gen Accord paired to reasonable price is hard to beat in my eyes so I shortlisted things down to the SAAB 9-3 (either 2.0T or the 2.8T V6) or the Mazda 6 MPS.

I've always loved SAABs since my dad had an original 900 and love their design but the 9-3 build quality does worry me, as much as SAAB were heavily involved with the engine side of things, there's an awful lot including the interior which is influenced by GM. Recent chats with a local tuning shop said they get a lot of blown SAAB engines and turbos, although it could just be the diesels or people booting them, but it's enough to put me off. Such a shame as I do really like them and love how they are set up for awesome overtaking power but I guess that's the way it is.

They said the MPS was bomb proof if looked after so that's good to hear and the AWD is definitely a bonus for me. I've been reading up a lot about the MPS on forums and reviews and I'm away to look at one soon. I'll be looking out for the for the following:

- VVT Actuator
- Timing chain and Tensioner problems
- Rear Diff Mount problems
- Oil leaks from the Turbo
- Rusting Exhaust

Are there any other obvious things I should be looking out for?


Cheers

You've pretty much listed all issues to look out for.

Jim will be along soon, he's had the Saab and a 6, he's the best for which route to go.

_________________
100% Meth / Fully forged / ACT 6 Puc & lightweight flywheel / monlar rods / wiseco pistons / arp studs / Versatune / corksport FMIC / Garrett GTX3076 / Brock Injector seals / Autotechs / Dreadnought & Juggernaut / GT RARB / Speedline front lower struts / Speedline lateral struts / corksport front braces / corksport rear upper braces / CS side braces /H&R springs / Bilstein B8's / CS BBK / Rear EBC Yellowstuff / JBR 5mm spacers / JBR OCC / Forge V2 / AWR 80a REM / 3" DP / Jetex / 3.25" Sure intake / Sure BSD / SURE TIG / Butterfly delete / EGR blockoff / Hel brake lines / Xcarlink / kendo SSP & Bushes / Step colder NGK 0.6mm gap / Fog and Driving light HID's / MKii alloys
Build thread http://tinyurl.com/otzp6qw
Helpful threads http://tinyurl.com/kjykgbd
http://www.ThroughTheLensMedia.co.uk
AVOID TOTAL MPS http://www.mpsowners.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=20073

My old man had a torrid time of sourcing a oil cooler for his 2.0 t saab 9-3 cabby last year, there was only 2 in the country at the time and both used at breakers .So that is summit to consider .Also that V6 is a easy sub 20 mpg , my mps (3) is reading 25.2 and thats over my first 1000 miles so far (take 10% of the mfd figure) plus the tax situtaion if its post march 2005 i think .

Then to tune it you get the usual rape charges from regal and courtneay ,although they do remap alone to about 280bhp 380lb ft.

Good luck with the search and make sure you drive all the cars in anger

Smoke on idle (10 mins, warm engine) needs to be checked. Could be a simple fix or a new turbo.

The magic date for lower road tax is 23/03/06. If registered on or before then you`re OK. Could be a problem finding one though.

Cheers for the feedback.

Parts for SAAB was a worry even though I believe a separate company had formed specifically to provide SAAB parts I heard that this company actually manufactures them as well so I guess it's not technically genuine SAAB parts and would it have had SAAB QC when they were shutdown over that period? I also struggled to find places online with comprehensive parts list. It's good to see them back and hopefully the new owners, not being an automotive company, will leave them alone to get on with it.

Speaking of parts, where's the best place online for Mazda MPS parts? With my Honda I had places such as Lings Honda which basically showed almost every part, ref number and price for any Honda all online - even down to nuts and bolts! lol

Tuning? Oh yes please! But not until I've done a full service of my own and checked over everything to make sure it can be safely done

yep... i didnt! lol
07 plate, however i love it, and winter is fast approaching.... time to take advantage of the AWD, and although i cannot go greenlaning with it, at least ill be able to get to work :-)

Good luck with your search mate, try and buy from a club member or one where you can see the history of any work that's been done.
Personally I take pics each time I do something :-)

_________________

Hello & to the

I too have had a Saab & mine was a 1.8T Vector 2.0 Senotronic 2003 model & had the car for a year between August 2009 to September 2010

_________________
Nigel - GSB - TDU - Events Team Member - RX-8OC Club Calendar

Photo's < Click > ****GreySilver Beast III****

Service parts - all the usual suspects
Other parts - TotalMPS to begin with and after that some US outlets which members can advise

Tuning - When the time comes, get back here because there is a lot of advice regarding safe tuning. As far as custom maps are concerned, there are very few tuners in the UK who are recommended.

Where are you?

Welcome to the forum mate

I'm in Glasgow and I just bought a Mazda 6 MPS this evening! 27k genuine miles with full main dealer service history. Everything seemed in order with only the drivers electric window buttons for the rest of the car not working but it's getting sorted. Awesome performance even in sixth gear.

27k is amazing mileage. What'd you pay?

As for the windows, go to each window control on each door and drop it an inch, send them back up and hold the switch up until you hear a little click, this'll sort it for you.

_________________
100% Meth / Fully forged / ACT 6 Puc & lightweight flywheel / monlar rods / wiseco pistons / arp studs / Versatune / corksport FMIC / Garrett GTX3076 / Brock Injector seals / Autotechs / Dreadnought & Juggernaut / GT RARB / Speedline front lower struts / Speedline lateral struts / corksport front braces / corksport rear upper braces / CS side braces /H&R springs / Bilstein B8's / CS BBK / Rear EBC Yellowstuff / JBR 5mm spacers / JBR OCC / Forge V2 / AWR 80a REM / 3" DP / Jetex / 3.25" Sure intake / Sure BSD / SURE TIG / Butterfly delete / EGR blockoff / Hel brake lines / Xcarlink / kendo SSP & Bushes / Step colder NGK 0.6mm gap / Fog and Driving light HID's / MKii alloys
Build thread http://tinyurl.com/otzp6qw
Helpful threads http://tinyurl.com/kjykgbd
http://www.ThroughTheLensMedia.co.uk
AVOID TOTAL MPS http://www.mpsowners.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=20073

Windows may just need resetting after a flat battery.

Go round them one by one , lower and raise until you here a click noise. Then may be OK.

_________________
Useful threads and FAQ's (members only)

Outspammed again........

_________________
Useful threads and FAQ's (members only)

You're loosing your touch, maybe its time to hand the baton.........

_________________
100% Meth / Fully forged / ACT 6 Puc & lightweight flywheel / monlar rods / wiseco pistons / arp studs / Versatune / corksport FMIC / Garrett GTX3076 / Brock Injector seals / Autotechs / Dreadnought & Juggernaut / GT RARB / Speedline front lower struts / Speedline lateral struts / corksport front braces / corksport rear upper braces / CS side braces /H&R springs / Bilstein B8's / CS BBK / Rear EBC Yellowstuff / JBR 5mm spacers / JBR OCC / Forge V2 / AWR 80a REM / 3" DP / Jetex / 3.25" Sure intake / Sure BSD / SURE TIG / Butterfly delete / EGR blockoff / Hel brake lines / Xcarlink / kendo SSP & Bushes / Step colder NGK 0.6mm gap / Fog and Driving light HID's / MKii alloys
Build thread http://tinyurl.com/otzp6qw
Helpful threads http://tinyurl.com/kjykgbd
http://www.ThroughTheLensMedia.co.uk
AVOID TOTAL MPS http://www.mpsowners.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=20073

Could be ..

_________________
Useful threads and FAQ's (members only)