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As of Friday, our family now owns 50% less Saabs than it did prior to that day.
I am proud to report that I traded in my '99 9-5 SE lpt (77k miles, black/black) on a CPO 2007 Audi A6 3.2 Quattro (15k miles, silver/black). Due to the lack of updates to the 9-5 platform since 1998 (other than cosmetics and engine updates), I did not consider purchasing another 9-5. I wanted a different driving experience.
Although I loved my 9-5 dearly, the relationship with her has always been a love/hate one. I bought her as a CPO in 2002 with 42k miles, and I now believe that the original owner did not take proper care of her, as I unfortunately experienced a myriad of problems in the 5.5 years/35k miles of ownership. A detailed list (excluding normal consumables):
Covered under CPO warranty:
* Complete short block replacement (sludge issue, 55k miles)
* Two (2) turbos
* A/C compressor
* Fuel pump
* Fuel tank baffle (to neutralize the "clunk")
* SID
* ACC display
* DI cassette
* B pillar door seals
* C pillar weld
* Light bulbs, light bulbs, light bulbs
Out of pocket expense:
* Transmission replacement
* Water pump
* Ignition cylinder
* Front end vibration at 70mph that would not go away no matter how much money i threw at it.
I'm positive that i am missing some items, but the list is long and frustrating. I was to the point that I had lost faith in her, and it was time to just cut ties and get a new car. The sad part is that after 9 years on the road, the interior was nearly immaculate. The exterior had a few bumps and bruises, but for the most part, was in great shape.
I know that I'm not going to win any fans here for saying this, but the 9-5 is nowhere near the same class as the A6, which I have thusfar found to be incredibly solid and very responsive and intuitive. I understand that the A6 costs considerably more than a 9-5, so i would expect it to be a much better car. On my short list was the Acura RL, BMW 530xi and the A6, and ultimately the A6 for me was the most value at the price point i was looking at. I found the RL to be a grandpa car and I couldn't get past the garish interior of the 5 series.
I'm sure that I'll have my share of troubles with the A6 as well, but for now I am enjoying my new car. Sadly for me, one of the biggest issues of the switch is that I have found the Audi boards to be comprised mostly of modders, whereas i have always enjoyed the pragmatic advice that I have received from this group. I want to know how to change the theft system battery, not find out if 20" rims will rub the wheel wells when there are 4 people in the car . . .
Having said all of that, my wife still has and plans to keep her 2001 lpt wagon, so I still have the opportunity to frequent this forum.
Thank you to everyone who has given me advice over the last 5.5 years, and thanks in advance for the advice going forward with my wife's car.
Regards,
Scott
posted by 63.85.35...
, Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:36:41
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