Saab 9-3 Estate

[thehoods]

Hi all.

Does anyone out there tow with the above car, 1.9 TiD. If so, what's it like? How does it tow? Any problems with it? etc, etc.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

[Froggy1]

Hi Phil

We tow with an 04 9-3 2.2. tdi saloon. I have to admit the 'van is above the ideal (85%) of kerbweight, but the car copes well enough for nearly all our needs.

The only niggle for me, and one which will lead to me changing the car albeit reluctantly, is the combination of FWD/wet grassy sites/slight slopes etc on the smaller 5 'van sites.

If I knew that all I wanted to visit was CC sites etc, then I would keep the car, as it's fine for that job and I find it suits us for driving solo really well.

Cheers

 

[thehoods]

Cheers for that John. Just got to convince my financial advisor (the wife) now!

Thanks agian,

Phil

 

[RogerL]

John makes an excellent point - I changed my Astra but only because our increasing use of CLs out of main season highlighted the lack of 4wd when manoeuvring on wet grass.

If you can live with 2wd, don't ignore the Vectra - same platform, engine, transmission, basic suspension, electrics etc as the Saab 9-3.

 

[thehoods]

Thanks Roger.

Have'nt given the Vectra a thought. As for the front wheel drive, not to worried about that as we don't do CL's, only club sites.

Thanks again,

Phil.

 

[Bob_5041433]

Thanks Roger.

Have'nt given the Vectra a thought. As for the front wheel drive, not to worried about that as we don't do CL's, only club sites.

Thanks again,

Phil.

Phil

I have just got rid of my Vectra C 2.2DTI fantastic car for fuel returns high 40's mid 50's to the gallon. The only fault was when towing was when the engine management light would come on throwing the car into limp home mode, great fun when you are overtaking on a busy A14 on a Friday afternoon, never actually got to the bottom of the problem even after software downloads from the main stealers.

Have now swapped for a Mondeo auto TDCI far better car for handling and driving altogether although have not got round to fitting the towbar yet should be done in the next fortnight or so.

 

[nffcdave_374234697]

hi phil

like bob we had to get rid our 2.2dti vectra because of the same problems,we changed to a vectra 1.9 cdti 150 which towed 1250kg no problem,but when we changed the van to 1500kg[max tow 1600kg]

this caused major problems, with the engine management light always coming on when towing and then needing re setting by the dealer after each tow,after numerous trips back to the garage it was never sorted.swapped it for a sorento 18months ago,problem solved!

hope this helps

dave

 

[thehoods]

Phil

I have just got rid of my Vectra C 2.2DTI fantastic car for fuel returns high 40's mid 50's to the gallon. The only fault was when towing was when the engine management light would come on throwing the car into limp home mode, great fun when you are overtaking on a busy A14 on a Friday afternoon, never actually got to the bottom of the problem even after software downloads from the main stealers.

Have now swapped for a Mondeo auto TDCI far better car for handling and driving altogether although have not got round to fitting the towbar yet should be done in the next fortnight or so.

Cheers Bob.

Is that the new shape Mondeo?

Phil.

 

[thehoods]

Cheers Dave.

Strange one that, with the warning light coming on....

Phil

 

[RogerL]

Dave - that's only half the story - any Vauxhall which puts it's engine management light on for more than a few seconds will store the code in it's computer for subsequent retrieval - if the fault is intermittent the light will go off but the code still be stored in the computer.

It sounds like your car had a faulty component and the dealer bodged the repair - I'm not sure you can criticise the car for that!

 

[nffcdave_374234697]

hi roger

ive commented on my particular car[cdti 150 sri] how ive found it.solo the vectras are great,towing 1250kg it was great,towing close to its max tow it was s't.it had various new parts fitted by vauxhall on 3 occasions,but still acted up.

after all the grief id had with my previous 2.2dti vectra,which is common knowledge to vauxhall themselves,which is what hurts the most,i thought id cut my losses and run.

these are the reasons i would not put my hard earned money into another GM group car if it was used for towing!!!

rant over

dave

 

[Bob_5041433]

Cheers Bob.

Is that the new shape Mondeo?

Phil.

Phil

Unfortunately no it is not the new shapebut a good low mileage 55 plate very pleased with the motor so far incredible returns for an auto must admit have been driving very gently at the beginning, but road holding cornering and general ride comfort are far superior to the Vectra in my opinion.

 

[geoff_374411382]

Hi Phil,

We have been towing with a 93 sportwagon for 2 years now with a bailey Ranger 460/2 and find it a very relaxing car to tow with.I think there is more than enough power for general use.

We use cl sites now and then and have had only one problem on a very sloping pitch where my clutch was not happy at all but no ill effects.

Solo it is a very good handling car although next time I might choose a car with slightly higher profile tyres.

I fancy a Volvo xc70.

Any opinions?

geoff