common maint items include:
DIC (EASY DIY, but about $350 for part)
coolant bypass valve (not too bad DIY)
rear struts (ditto)
brakes (maybe no worse than other cars, but my 2002 Aero SW was TERRIBLE with front brake wear)
HVAC blend door (not that common, but once you get 10 yrs, 100k miles, could happen)
When looking at used, you could hope that those first three were somewhat recently done. Also a new turbo if you're looking at a LPT, the Aero's had more robust turbo.
V-6 maint vs 2.3 have some problems with radiators, but at least their coolant bypass valve is right out in the open.
I don't see how you could say the 2.3's have timing chain problem, just don't remember seeing that here, unless as Stephen postulates, poor oil selection/replacement regimen.
Also no problems with the V-6 timing belt, as long as you replace at 60k miles, which is a little short of period.
Replace Serp belt at 60k, no problems there either. If people have problems, they probably didn't replace pulleys at that time. Pulleys (if you replace all of them) can get pretty expensive on the V-6.
I think the sludge problem is somewhat distorted, as proper oil selection/replacement regimen can seem to prevent it. The V-6 didn't seem to be plagued by it. Overall, both engines rather reliable.
I will offer up another sludge check, easier than pulling pan, but can't get anybody else on board with it.
Follow link and my subsequent post.
The 5-spd auto didn't appear until the 2002 model. Nothing wrong with the auto4, but the auto5 is really nice.
good hunting
Ed
2007 9-5 Aero SC [60th]
2004 9-3 Aero SS
2005 9-5 Aero
2005 9-5 Arc

A better sludge check?

• buying saab 9-5 advice and questions (long), RC, Wed, 2 Nov 2011 07:53:40
  • Re: buying saab 9-5 advice and questions (long), davecl , Wed, 2 Nov 2011 13:12:18
  • Re: buying saab 9-5 advice (long), AeroEd, Wed, 2 Nov 2011 09:26:56 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: buying saab 9-5 advice and questions (long), James, Wed, 2 Nov 2011 09:15:23
  • Re: buying saab 9-5 advice and questions (long), Stephen Goldberger, Wed, 2 Nov 2011 08:39:02
    • go for an Aero, saabsince 93b , Wed, 2 Nov 2011 12:41:14
      • Re: go for an Aero, saabsince 93b , Thu, 3 Nov 2011 07:08:14
        • Aero, saabsince 93b , Thu, 3 Nov 2011 10:15:26
          • Cool! Auto or man? No fair, more, same weight. nm, Norm95, Thu, 3 Nov 2011 13:37:44
            • Re: Cool! Auto or man? No fair, more, same weight. nm, saabsince 93b , Thu, 3 Nov 2011 16:33:17
      • Go for a base lpt w/5-speed - mine was less than $2,000, Norm95, Wed, 2 Nov 2011 15:12:12
        • 37 mpg??, Dan-O, Thu, 3 Nov 2011 08:28:55
          • Re: 37 mpg Yup!, JeffSm, Thu, 3 Nov 2011 18:51:15
          • Re: 37 mpg??, B Lin, Thu, 3 Nov 2011 08:36:27
            • Tire psi and driving speed limit help., Norm95, Thu, 3 Nov 2011 09:59:25
              • Re: used 95, Seansaab, Fri, 4 Nov 2011 09:03:22

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