I've been all over these cars, both as an owner and through various service functions I've covered. I've also spent some time with the technical trainers at Saab. With the heavy use of electronics on these cars, they are going to be susceptable to gremlins along the way (SID pixels, DI Cassette, ground faults). (You're going to find this on all cars now to some extent) But overall, the design is immensely strong and long lived. The 9-5 has the last iteration of the original 99 motor, with meaningful improvements as late as Y2K. The electrical system has the most reliable wiring scheme that I've seen on a Saab yet - the connectors are all positive locking, well placed, and the wiring is well sealed. Saab has the best finish in the industry in terms of longevity, period. Galvanized steel, state of the art coatings, sealed seams, rubberized paint on the bottom ... if you live where there's salt on the roads, these are all big plusses.



Maintenance costs with any older car will be much higher than new one, and how much higher depends on where its done. In your own driveway, by your own hands, and with meaningful parts discounts and aftermarket sources for non-critical and/or commodity parts, and it can be quite reasonable. At the dealer with all Saab parts, and it's more (but nothing like a monthly lease). The most expensive maintenance is the "work not done" which results in an expensive failure.

As for the commercial concerns ... to achieve certified status, the car must be given the hundred+ points inspection, on the dealer's (or your) dime, and then after that the dealer must send a check along with the paper work. And your dealer isn't likely to skip the inspection ... if any inspectable items are later found lacking, the cost to correct the oversight is charged back to the inspecting dealer. If 20K is the bottom line for SFSC, then certifying the car will add at least $1500 to that. With brand new sedans carrying a $6500 incentive (you obviously qualify for that $500 loyalty bonus, which I've added), your car brand new should be able to be had for under $30K.

posted by 24.166.84...

• The 9-5: A quirky SAAB or a reliable auto (long), JeffK, Tue, 15 Jul 2003 08:12:18
  • Move up to an Aero. Probably $34,000 with ..., J, Tue, 15 Jul 2003 21:56:43
  • Re: The 9-5: A quirky SAAB or a reliable auto (long), Dean, Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:52:34
  • Re: The 9-5: A quirky SAAB or a reliable auto (long), Ian Glenday , Tue, 15 Jul 2003 09:18:20
    • Mobil 1 15W-50 ?, Stephen Goldberger, Wed, 16 Jul 2003 06:32:43
      • Re: Mobil 1 15W-50 ?, Ian Glenday , Wed, 16 Jul 2003 12:32:59
        • Re: Mobil 1 15W-50 ?, TG, Thu, 17 Jul 2003 11:39:19
  • The 9-5: A reliable automobile, compaqted, Tue, 15 Jul 2003 09:10:10
  • Well, I can't answer from 1 to 4, but...(even longer), Stephen Goldberger, Tue, 15 Jul 2003 08:53:49 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Second that emotion, phred, Tue, 15 Jul 2003 12:03:04
      • a dilemma for only another 4 months, Aero'ed, Tue, 15 Jul 2003 15:54:18
        • Getting it out of the way, Stephen Goldberger, Wed, 16 Jul 2003 06:29:04
        • they're betting ..., MJP, Tue, 15 Jul 2003 20:29:48
  • Re: The 9-5: A quirky SAAB or a reliable auto (long), newbie 9-5 se, Tue, 15 Jul 2003 08:43:53

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