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This is the first of a couple of Saab 9-3 TTiD reviews I’m hoping to host in the coming week. If you’ve read Lance Cole’s Notes from a Saab Island, you’ll know that he and Drew B took a TTiD out for a day trip last weekend. Lance loved the car, but Drew will be writing the full review, which I can’t wait to read.
Drew’s an old-school car guy with a garage full of cars ranging from 96 V4′s to a classic 900 Turbo S. In my brief chat with him afterwards he was very complimentary about the TTiD, so it’ll be interesting to get his thoughts in print. This is one cracker of a motor, I can tell you.
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In the meantime, I just received the following via email from Kaz. Those of you who know of Kaz might remember that he’s fortunate enough to be involved in some sort of scheme that lands him a brand new Saab every six months or so. Nice work if you can get it, eh?
This time around, he’s opted for a Saab 9-3 SportCombi TTiD – and he’s a very happy camper:
Picked up the new car this morning. Haven’t had much time with it yet, but thought I’d let you know my initial thoughts.
It is a 1.9TTid Aero SportWagon, almost fully loaded with the business and convenience plus packs available in the UK.
The key thing here, though, is the engine. Now I’ve been spoilt with the V6 for quite some time now, and I was actually worried that the fewer horses in the TTid would dissappoint. How wrong was I?!?
The torque in this engine is amazing, it feels very much like the V6 to drive, albeit a teensy more gravelly with its singing voice. What is noticeable from the off is the lighter nose. It changes direction much quicker than the V6 engines cars.
The sound deadening is doing its job well. And you know what, I think, honestly, that for everyday use, this is the pick of the engines from the entire range. The V6 does sound nicer, but the TTid is more effortless, and is certainly responsive. Off the line, the V6 does have an edge, but once on the move, the TTid is definitely a match for it.
I can’t wait to finish work now so I can get back and see how the car takes to my fave bit of driving asphalt
Oh, I should mention that I went for the auto this time, and this new 6 speed auto gearbox is a gem. I’ve yet to try out the sport mode properly, or the tiptronic manual shift, but in full auto mode, it is smooth and is certainly easier to drive.
I’ll do a full review over the next few days. If the fellow Saabisti have any questions they would like answered please let them know they are free to ask and I will accommodate in the full review when I write it.
Ciao for now
Kaz
I’ll be posting Kaz’s fuller thoughts as soon as they hit my inbox. As he mentioned, if you’ve got any queries about it, please drop them in comments.
Thanks, Kaz!
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10 responses so far ↓
1 Kaz // Nov 19, 2008 at 2:58 am
Thanks Swade.
Loving the car immensely. The auto gearbox suits this engine really well. I also agree with Lances’s words regarding balance. This is probably the most balanced model of the entire 9-3 range.
Oh, the colour is Jet Black before anyone asks
I’ve also gone for the same 18″ wheels as previously, the V spoke split alloys.
Can’t wait for work to finish now!!
2 john // Nov 19, 2008 at 3:22 am
a new swab every 6 months?
Dang that’s a great job!
3 rpg // Nov 19, 2008 at 4:16 am
Boy, do I wish they sold the TTiD here in the States. Is XWD in the pipeline for the TTiD? A XWD TTiD SportCombi with Aero trim would be irresistible.
4 Rune (the other one) // Nov 19, 2008 at 8:59 am
The nose is lighter? Does that make an impact on the grip you get in corners on loose gravel or snow/ice? (my guess is that a heavier nose will push the wheels down into the snow more, making sure the grip is restored sooner — and the back will pop out easier without being aided by the hand brake)
5 Kaz // Nov 19, 2008 at 9:42 am
Rune, the grip levels appear the same, but the car changes direction quicker than the V6. If I pushed the V6 hard enough, it would understeer quicker than the TTiD appears to.
Took the car for a little spin after work, it really is effortless to drive. This engine is very impressive, the torque spread is seamless, you can’t feel the change from the smaller to the larger scroll of the turbo, it’s just instant response.
It feels much like the 323d from BMW, although that engine has more power, the TTiD feels a bit more flexible.
The TTiD is so nice in the mid-range, anyone who chooses the 2.0T over the 1.9TTiD really needs to think long and hard as to why they make that decision. The TTiD is possibly one of the best Saab engines……..ever.
6 Lance Cole (Author) // Nov 19, 2008 at 11:11 am
Kaz
Really glad you confirmed my opinion on this car. That auto box really does not detract from the engine- indeed in my opinion, it makes it. The second turbo cut in is indeed seamless, and I love the machine gun rattle you get when the first turbo reaches peak revs.
Rune- other one- no the front is not too light and the rear end is not skittish- I tried that experiment. the turn in and steering load up are perfect too.
That is why i called this car the best balanced Saab – the damping is superb, the roll rate very nicely set up, and the corners are all tied down expertly. And oh that TTid engine with the autobox- just knocks the spots off VW Audi or anyone else.
The best Saab model in years.
Despite the floppy, useless, uncontrollable window switches, mine would be a fusion blue one Saab….
7 DP // Nov 20, 2008 at 1:39 am
I think it would be a real service to have a side-by-side, on-road comparison of three 9-3s: A 2.0, a biopower and a diesel–all with manual transmissions, similar body weights. See what performance differences there are including rolling acceleration say from 30-70 mph, compare mileage and measure exhaust emissions. My guess is that the diesel will do quite well when all three factors, especially mpg, are factored in.
8 Bjorn n // Nov 20, 2008 at 3:07 am
I would agree with everything in the review. It’s a great car with a seamless engine. In fact I am already on my second TTiD automatic (I will not tell you the reason for that). I have one gripe though, it still has a very irritating turbo lag. Does anybody know have to best deal with that?
9 rayman146 // Nov 20, 2008 at 4:00 am
as far as I know – the turbo lag effect is gone when you implement the new Hirsch Performance tune!
10 dave f // May 21, 2009 at 1:25 am
just ordered a TtiD Aero saloon myself. cannot wait to get it. Currently driving 1.9TiD Vector Sport on Aero chassis – time to step up I thought!