[maj28]

Hi everyone,

As you can see this is my first post, I read through some of your Stupid Questions thread and some other threads about the basics, but sadly I think I need to know things ever MORE basic.

I test drove an ARC today (going from a '95 Beretta Z26 (LG8 swap if anyone cares) and wanted to know:

-What makes the ARC any different from the Aero? Isn't it the same engine? Of course the body kit is a little different, but what else?

-What's up with that rear fog light? Does anyone use that?

-There's a plug under the hood to the left of the battery that looks like amber in color and 2 wires (iirc) and it's unplugged, is that an important plug?

-The radio doesn't work, light up, do anything. Dealer says he'll get it "programmed". Is this a warning sign of a problem?



On a great side note, I LOVE how it accelerates, but it's slightly laggy from a stop. Any cheap and easy way to fix that? I know nothing about turbo cars (other than the theory of how turbos work from reading online), but I'm d*mn good with NA V6's.

Thanks in advance, and sorry if this was covered around the forum, there's almost TOO much info on here!

-jason

 

[xp3]

Hi everyone,

As you can see this is my first post, I read through some of your Stupid Questions thread and some other threads about the basics, but sadly I think I need to know things ever MORE basic.

I test drove an ARC today (going from a '95 Beretta Z26 (LG8 swap if anyone cares) and wanted to know:

-What makes the ARC any different from the Aero? Isn't it the same engine? Of course the body kit is a little different, but what else?

ARC is 4 cylinder 2.0T with 210hp, Aero comes with V6 2.8T with 230hp (?)

-What's up with that rear fog light? Does anyone use that?

Only one works. Looks funny but that's how it is.

-There's a plug under the hood to the left of the battery that looks like amber in color and 2 wires (iirc) and it's unplugged, is that an important plug?

This one? Unhooked in mine too.

-The radio doesn't work, light up, do anything. Dealer says he'll get it "programmed". Is this a warning sign of a problem?

Wait for dealer's diagnosis.

On a great side note, I LOVE how it accelerates, but it's slightly laggy from a stop. Any cheap and easy way to fix that? I know nothing about turbo cars, but I'm d*mn good with NA V6's.

Thanks in advance, and sorry if this was covered around the forum, there's almost TOO much info on here!

-jason

Vtune or BSR for extra power. Search forum for tons of info.

 

[putergod]

ARC is 4 cylinder 2.0T with 210hp, Aero comes with V6 2.8T with 230hp (?)

2004 Aero has same engine as Arc.

 

[maj28]

great

Yes THAT plug, so the plug isn't a big deal, great!

Yeah I thought I read in '04 the Arc had the same engine as the Aero.

I guess those are for computer tuning? I'll do a search!

Thanks guys!

One more thing, so since it's the same engine, for the most part (if not all) Aero performance parts for '04 should work, correct?

Thanks again!
-jason

P.S. This forum seems very polite and low on douchebag type behaviour, it's very welcoming.

 

[xp3]

It is not the same engine.

 

[putergod]

From everything I have read, the Arc and Aero ARE the same engine in 2003-2005 (at least in the US). The Linear has a different one.

 

[maj28]

http://www.edmunds.com shows the same exact engine specs for the '04 Arc and Aero. [shrug]

-jason

 

[xp3]

From everything I have read, the Arc and Aero ARE the same engine in 2003-2005 (at least in the US). The Linear has a different one.

The Linear is 4 cylinder 2.0t (175 hp). Arc & Vector is 2.0T (210hp) also 4 cylinder. Aero is V6.
From 2006 on there was no Linear/Arc/Vector lines, either 2.0T or Aero.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

 

[putergod]

The Linear is 4 cylinder 2.0t (175 hp). Arc & Vector is 2.0T (210hp) also 4 cylinder. Aero is V6.
From 2006 on there was no Linear/Arc/Vector lines, either 2.0T or Aero.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

The 2003 Vector and 2004-2005 Aero are the same car, just with a different name. 2006 Aero is the first 9³ with a V6.

Edit: There is no Vector after 2003 (in the US) due to Vector Aeromotive having a hissy fit about Saab using the Vector name.

 

[cjhutch]

The 2003 Vector and 2004-2005 Aero are the same car, just with a different name. 2006 Aero is the first 9³ with a V6.

Edit: There is no Vector after 2003 (in the US) due to Vector Aeromotive having a hissy fit about Saab using the Vector name.

^We have a winner. The engines are exactly the same. In addition the Aero has a 10mm lower stance than the Arc and the aforementioned bodykit. The Aero also has front seats with more side bolstering, they are easy to identify because they have contrasting color in the bolster area. If you opt for the automatic it also comes with steering wheel mounted shifter controls.

 

[SoftTop]

For 2004 the Arc and Aero had exactly the same 2.0L 210 hp engine. There was no V6 in '04. The Aero came with better suspension different trim, 17" tires, chrome exhaiust tip, not completely sure what else. I have the Arc.

 

[maj28]

Very interesting everyone. I'll happily go without the more expensive 17's and the body kit, but I'll have to look into that exhaust. The standard exhaust looks like it belongs on a much cheaper car.

Can't wait to see if the bank let's me buy this thing!

-jason

 

[saabsmooth]

I thought the exhaust was weird

The snow however proved it more practical...I backed up into a drift and no damage..I wonder if the extended exhausted would have been damaged...I am enjoying what I got

 

[rogan]

Also for the '04s if you're looking at manuals it's a five speed on the Arc and a six speed on the Aero.

As far as the radio goes, I wouldn't agree to buy until it's working again. There's a lot of expensive stuff that could need repairing.

-Rogan

 

[tnkr111]

Random, but should be helpful:

V6 didn't appear until 2006 models, only on Aero. Engine code is B248L, it was a Holden (Australia, also builders of the Pontiac GTO and the G8) design than GM brought over to Saab.

6-Sp manual (or auto) trannys appeared off an on...early '03 supposedly had them (don't remember for sure), but for sure the Aero's had them by '06. My '05 Aero had a 5-speed.

Paddle shifters on the steering wheel for the auto trans also introduced in '06. It was also in the '06 model year that the 9³ model line reduced to 2 trim levels- 2.0T and Aero.

Original '03 trim lines were Linear, Arc, Vector. Due to a lawsuit, or some kind of row with another company over copyrights, in '04 the Vector became the Saab-ish Aero.

Of course in '08 came the facelift (to the front end), and the limited TurboX version....

We'll see what 2012 brings, but that is irrelevant to the OP who is buying an '04, unless he becomes hopelessly smitten as most of us are.

 

[Saabstory34]

On a great side note, I LOVE how it accelerates, but it's slightly laggy from a stop. Any cheap and easy way to fix that? I know nothing about turbo cars (other than the theory of how turbos work from reading online), but I'm d*mn good with NA V6's.

Thanks in advance, and sorry if this was covered around the forum, there's almost TOO much info on here!

-jason

Nothing really cheap to improve the performance of these cars unfortunately. A 3" downpipe will help the turbo spool a little faster which helps out quite a bit, but that is by no means cheap. Also there are several tuners out there that tune the Saabs. JZW, BSR, Nordic, MP Performance, Maptun. There should be several threads in here about those tuners.

 

[maj28]

I DO love the new facelift, but that's way above my price range. How many people would say on here have the TurboX, it sounds pretty bada$s.

I was looking BSR stuff on PFS, looks awesome, but the prices plus shipping to the states kinda kills it. I did see on tirerack though, they have HR springs pretty cheap, like $230 USD or something.

I also saw it says the Aero intake pipe on PFS will add 10hp, but how's that if the ARC engine is rated the same as the Aero?

Anyway, it's all on the bank now, this stuff is 6 to 12 months down the road if everything pans out. Fingers crossed.

-jason

 

[tnkr111]

Partsforsaabs.com sells BSR bits.

 

[tnkr111]

Partsforsaabs.com

I am a ri-tard...

I meant genuinesaab.com. The owner, Nick Taliaferro, posts here from time to time. Definitely a guy who knows Saab, and Saab tuning.

 

[pacotaco]

I DO love the new facelift, but that's way above my price range. How many people would say on here have the TurboX, it sounds pretty bada$s.

I was looking BSR stuff on PFS, looks awesome, but the prices plus shipping to the states kinda kills it. I did see on tirerack though, they have HR springs pretty cheap, like $230 USD or something.

I also saw it says the Aero intake pipe on PFS will add 10hp, but how's that if the ARC engine is rated the same as the Aero?

Anyway, it's all on the bank now, this stuff is 6 to 12 months down the road if everything pans out. Fingers crossed.

-jason

lol wow never seen soo much confusion about the difference between arc and aero.... i have an 04 arc its the exact same car as an aero its just that the aero has have a more sporty suspension an aero badge and i think the 13 speaker system?... all the parts are generaly the same the way parts are laid out is by 2.0t, 2.0T. since its an arc it has a 2.0T. if your looking into suspension i was talking to a guy today that had h&r sport springs and his firend had eibach he said with stock struts eibach is the best product and he had an aero suspension before