Date: Sat, 04 Aug 2007 15:51:15 GMT From: "bozo" <bozonospam.net> Subject: Re: 2003 9-3 with 78,000kms - am i making a mistake?
A couple of other things to keep in mind - Consumers' Reports is basing its statements on comments and observations made and reported by owners, not on specific statistical data. Some owners of new and newer vehicles are simply more likely to think something is an issue, to expect a certain type of product performance and to complain about something being an issue when owners of another type of vehicle might not even notice anything amiss. The one thing you may want to keep in mind is whether or not this 2003 is the last year of the older series or the first year of the newer series - there may actually be some issues of reliability if it is the first year of the newer series cars - I'm thinking that the 2003 model year may have been the first year of the newer series 9-3's for the sedan models and the convertibles held over into 2003 and didn't change until 2004. To put things in some sort of perspective, we have a 2003 9-3 SE convertible (they were the last year of the earlier series 9-3 models) with about 35k miles on it (say about 56k kilometers) - to date it hasn't required anything but oil changes. We also have a 2003 GM/Chevy full size pick-up truck and, except for a warranty recall for a steering shaft replacement (no noted issue with it other than an audible 'clunk' when the wheel was turned hard-over) it also hasn't required anything but oil changes (oh, and gas, yes, lots and lots of gas . . . ) which is why, since a few years ago, we also have acquired a used 1995 Saab 9000 Aero which I use to commute 75 miles round trip every day and which still, at going on 13 years old and just over 136k miles (219k kilometers) is still getting about 30 miles to the (US) gallon. Granted, I've replaced a couple of solenoid valves in the electronic traction controls system, some hoses, the fuel pump, the serpentine belt and pulleys and the D.I. cassette, and a couple of the exhaust system mounting rubber doughnuts, but other than those items and some reparative work on a couple of the electrical relays (by which I mean re-soldering, not replacement), which to me seem reasonable things to replace for its age and over the 36k miles I've had it, all it has needed are regular filter, oil and fluid changes and a new set of spark plugs every 10k miles - it still goes like a scalded cat when the pedal gets stepped on and is extremely comfortable, everything works as it should and it looks teriffic. If the car looks to be in good shape, doesn't smoke or make wierd noises, checks out when a mechanic looks at it, wasn't abused, I wouldn't think you'd be disappointed in it, pending whether it is a new model change-over version or the last year of the older series. Rick "still me" <wheeledBobnospamo.com> wrote in message news:k139b31ds0aj4796uvl0i5ohpfb2medb56nospamcom... > On Fri, 03 Aug 2007 21:55:50 -0400, Konan <kohoonospamo.net> wrote: > >> >>> I'm contemplating buying a used 2003 9-3 with about 78,000kms >>> (48,700miles). >> >> >>In the US, Saabs are a poor choice for a used car according to Consumer >>Reports magazine due to their poor reliability. > > > First, CR reports are statistically invalid. > > That said, I will not suggest that an average Saab is as reliable as > the average Toyota. However, all manufacturers have their issues. > Toyota had some serious sludge problems, which they vigorously denied > for years and refused to repair under warranty. Saab had a similar > problem but fixed, and is fixing, a lot of engines. I've had Toyota > refuse to do a warranty repair because of the liability they'd be > assuming if they admitted it was their fault due to design (they > retreated to the lawyers very quickly when I pushed the issue, a > meager $230 repair). And, FWIW, Saabs don't have that design issue.
