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Re: Purchase Advice Needed Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Tue, 10 Jan 2006 05:32:30
In Reply to: Purchase Advice Needed, Mike Johnson, Tue, 10 Jan 2006 04:28:22 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I went through this in 2004. I shopped many new 9-5s, and the used market, too. I ended up with a '97 9000.
I think the 9-5 is a great car. But the only model that came close to a 9000 was the 9-5 wagon. And believe it or not, other than the height out at the back, a 9000 will carry more. A 9000 is bigger on the inside than a 9-5.
Major reason for buying a 9000 - like land, they aren't making any more. We're rapidly running out of nice 97 and 98 cars. So in a few years, it won't be a choice. However, I look at the Saab dealer, and I see plenty of 2005 (and soon 2006) soon-to-be-used 9-5's. So I went for the 'classic' now, while I can, knowing the 9-5 will be out there.
Sludging is an issue, but it's an issue in most cars from the mid-90's on. The '97 I have now is on its second engine - the first owner was a leasee, who may or may not have followed the oil change regime. He/she turned it in, and the second owner bought it at 45K. The sludge blocked the oil screen at 52K, the oil light came on (Buy New Engine!). I bought the car from him at 101K, with a 49K engine. Yes, the oil screen on the 9-5 is finer than in the 9000, but removing it isn't an answer - just like bypassing the oil filter isn't a good idea. And sludging is a major issue in Hondas, Toyotas, and some American cars.
The key is to find a car that has been well maintained, and has the records to prove it. You want to see regular, frequent oil changes. Synthetic oil is good, but if somebody is changing the regular dino oil every 5K, that's good, too. You don't want to see 7500 or 10K intervals. You also want to see regular coolant flushes (every 2-3 years), regular brake fluid flushes (every 2-3 years), and if an automatic, tranny fluid changes every 20K miles or so. There are a lot of cars out there - find the owner that was obsessive-compulsive about maintenance and records.
As to 9-5s, there was a step up between 2000 and 2001. The '01 has a boost gauge, more horsepower, and more options. And unlike the 9000, a V6 is not a bad thing in a 9-5. It's a different V6 than the troublesome one in the 9000. It's still new (by Saab standards), but it appears the V6 is as reliable, and in some places, more reliable, than the normal Saab I4. And the V6 model (usually noted as an SE) tends to come fully loaded with goodies.
I think the next big step was in '03, when there were major suspension changes. '03 and '04 cars came with lots of goodies - in '05, they started decontenting the Linears to save some money.
Saab does have an engine program to cover some sludged engines. I don't know the details exactly, but I'll bet good records will help if anything goes bad.
I like the 9-5, but I like the 9000 more. Personal preference. I could also get a 9000 for much less $$ (but with a lot more looking around) than a 9-5 I'd be willing to buy. It doesn't hurt that I'm very familiar with the 9000 when it comes to working on them. I figure I'll be doing the same when 9-5 time comes.
If you're going to get a 9-5, I'd stick with '01 or newer. I wouldn't rule out the V6. And one option is a used one from a dealer with a CPO. The CPO is nice - it's a full, no hassle Saab warranty.
posted by 192.249....
, Tue, 10 Jan 2006 07:44:41, Tue, 10 Jan 2006 08:06:00, Tue, 10 Jan 2006 05:32:30 <-- Viewing This Message
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