For those who haven’t heard of the Car Throttle web community yet, this is one of the largest automotive social networks and communities that brings together a large number of car enthusiasts around the world. The website was started in 2009 after founder Adnan Ebrahim realised there was no online platform for people like him: young, millennial car enthusiasts. Initially, this website was renamed “Buzzfeed for Cars“, and the website quickly evolved into a vibrant community that serves millions of users.
A few years ago, a team of editors from this website launched a CarThrottle Youtube video channel, which is now very successful and reaches as many as 3 million subscribers. The videos are in many ways similar to the famous British “Top Gear” TV show, with a lot of interesting car content, challenges, racing, comparisons and other entertainment “cars” content.
Also, following the example of the “Top Gear” TV show, in one part of the video you can see a male leading trio consisting of Alex, Ethan and Jack, and who entertain their opinions and views on cars in a fun way. A few months ago, this leading trio came up with an interesting challenge called – the £ 500 Ultimate Daily Driver Challenge (similar to this, the German Autobild has a “1000 euro Classic Car Challenge”).
For the purposes of this video, Alex, Ethan and Jack chose a car they bought for £ 500, and compared it to each other through a couple of tests trying to determine which of these three cars was the best daily driver. One of them, Jack, chose the Saab 9-3 Sportcombi (n the show, this car is also called Vectra – from Opel Vectra, because like iSaab it was developed under the GM mantle and on the same platform, but of course they differ a lot), and the other two chose the Fiat Multipla and Ford Puma.
Like most, the Saab 9-3 model and this one in the show has the famous 1.9 TiD diesel engine known for its robustness, power and pretty good economy. Jack chose this one in the “Vector” equipment because he liked the sporty note, the practicality of the caravan and a lot of equipment for the middle level of Saab’s categorization. Rivals in the show joked about Jack’s choice, toying with stereotypes about Saab drivers, but also Saab technological solutions. We forgive them, because they have no idea what this is about. Anyway, watch this video, it’s fun and gives a look at how non-Saab fans see our favorite brand.
Another £500 Saab 9-3 TiD, Very Different Test
The £500 SportCombi proved that a high-mileage Saab can still function as a rational daily driver when the fundamentals are right. But what happens when the same budget is applied to something far less practical – a convertible with a non-working roof and a long road trip ahead?
Two friends recently bought a £500 Saab 9-3 Convertible, fixed a critical roof sensor, and then committed to a 400-mile journey across some of the best driving roads in Wales. Instead of turning into a cautionary tale, the car delivered a reminder of why late-era 9-3 models continue to surprise when properly sorted.
You can follow the full story here:
https://www.saabplanet.com/500-pound-saab-9-3-convertible-wales-road-trip/
Loved that episode – BTW, Jack is still driving a Saab 9-3 Sportcombi (Y)