anyone owned a saab 9-3

[He Man]

So im stoping in jersey to take a look at 2 saabs 9-3s both are 2002 with about 105k miles with maintenace records to match its life. The one with maintenace records going back to date of purchase is $3500 and the one that goes back to 2005 is $2500.

Both are negotiable and both appear in very good condition.

The other car ive been looking at is a 2002 Audi A4, its around $4,000-$5000ish.

Would anyone suggest the audi over the saab? Most audis ive seen around here have been bashed to no end since "its an audi". I feel like the saabs are a better deal since its less likely to be used by some 18 year old lead footed dbag trying to impress chicks. but if its bullet proof it shouldnt be that bad....

[Howie]

If the Audi has wheels of wrong size and offset with cheap low profile tires, blue head lights and some strange sound system avoid it!  Keep in mind, normal maintenance and repairs on any European car will not be cheap regardless of brand.  Think Ducati. 

[zooom]

+1 to what Howie said, but it will get worse as parts become more scarce on the Saab, whereas you won't have that issue so much on the Audi. Your call.

[1.21GW]

 

Result?

[MendoDave]

Just don't buy that audi Jerry Sienfeld owned because Cramer put blood in the coolant system and the car overheated. Also George ran over something in it and now there's a sound.

That car may be still floating around in your area so watch out.

[He Man]

Result?

Result is that they make the beast with two backsing closed half the damn bridges and traffic backed up so far up new jerseys ass that i decide to turn around and call it quits. a 30 min ride turn 2 hour? no thank you. Im gonna try again another day.

THere are actually 2 cars im looking at, both are 9-3 2002, and both ahve the same miles except one is black the other is silverish.  One guy is sort of cool about it but he wont meet me in Staten Island so i have to go throuhg two freaking bridges to see the damn car.

BOth ads expire but i have their numbers, it sort of looks like this
http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/4088878558.html

very clean from the photos. I dont think they are going anywhere cause only a poor idiot like me would try to buy one.

[1.21GW]

If you do make the plunge, I highly recommend spending the $90 for this:

http://www.genuinesaab.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=56_28&products_id=34&osCsid=5da1313f681ac4e28a8fc906442ba159

Takes 20 minutes to install and it stiffened up my 9-3 up significantly.  Not that the 9-3 will ever be a Mini or Miata, but it's stock suspension is pretty wobbly.  This helped immensely.

In addition to the anti-sway arm, it's worth noting that Taliaferro Parts (aka genuinesaab.com) is a great resource for aftermarket stuff, which you may be needing as parts get harder to find.  They love saabs and are very helpful.  But be carefuly because the mod bug can bite if you browse their site for too long. 

[He Man]

Another Saab popped up. Its $3500 obo. 60k miles automatic. In very nice condition with service records.

or

2500$ for a manual with 100k?  Maintenance records and oil changes every 5000 miles.

I can drive stick, so that's an issue. And ill likely drive either cars into the ground until it gives out.

which do you pick?

[1.21GW]

Stick. But that's purely 100% subjective because I love stick---even with heavy traffic, etc.  Plus, you can install a short shifter: http://www.genuinesaab.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=732 . 

But to be honest, the 40k mile difference is meaningful.

One important thing on those Saabs: a few of those engines had an issue with oil sludge.  Bad news.  I never has a problem and don't know anyone else that did.  My mechanic never ran into it, either.  That said, if you google "oil sludge" and "saab 9-3" you'll see a mess about it.  Problem is there's no clear way to detect when buying.  Best is to have records of steady oil changes.

[He Man]

Yea 40k is a ton of miles, but both cars have great records. And the difference is 1k. I've never driven stick shift long term, so I don't know if it would annoying or not. I hardly actually drive into the city so daily traffic isn't an issue. But the 40k is 1grand difference. It is a steal to knock off 1k for 40k miles.

I have heard a ton of issues regarding the oil sludge though.

[1.21GW]

I've never driven stick shift long term, so I don't know if it would annoying or not.

The more you drive stick the less you notice that you're driving stick until one day you don't notice at all.

But it sounds like you just need to check both out (if you haven't already) and go with your gut as it relates to the overall car, its condition, a test drive, and the owner.  If your gut reaction is nearly the same, get the 60k.

Whatever the result, I hope you end up loving it as much as I did mine.  I miss her.   

[Howie]

Saab's sludge problem is like the other European manufacturer's sludge problems.  Turbos even more.  If the service records show the use of Saab approved oil at changes or more frequent than required changes all should be good.  One symptom of sludge build up before major failure is blue smoke on a clod start.  An easy way to inspect for sludge is remove the cam cover and look, but I doubt the owner would allow that.  Good records and no smoke on start up?  No guarantee, but probably OK.  If there is moderate sludge a couple of oil changes with a Saab approved synthetic should clean things up enough. 

On a car of that age 40 k is important in resale value, but in reality maintenance and history is more important.  We are now living in an era where 2-300K mile cars are a reality.

Gotta agree with 1.21GW on the manual transmission part unless you are driving something with a relatively stiff clutch like an older M3 or American muscle car.  Besides, you operate a 6 speed manual motorcycle in traffic don't you?

[He Man]

Good to note on the turbo and sludge, I ask the guy to keep the car cold so i can do a cold start.

Ok, after going through all the stuff and looking at some other cars, ive decided on the manual. The seller is SUPER compliant, older gentlemen, his son rides and his daughter rides, as well as himself. He says to come by sunday morning since he is going to go for a ride with his kids.

Havent seen the car yet,the car is over an hour away, but after pouring through it all, it seems like hte best choice in comparison to all the ohter cars.

the 66k mile automatic guy is doesnt respond well to my emails or texts.

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/4084131146.html (heres the one im going to go check out and very well pick up). Its actually got 121k miles on it and a Stainless Steel aftermarket exhaust, says it isnt much louder than stock, but eitherway, im going to try and see if i can get it down to $2500 KBB value for an excellent condition is $2400. And being in NYC shit is always more expensive....

[1.21GW]

Looks pretty good.  My seats and mats (which were black, not beige) were cracked and worn by 120k.  His looks decent in the pic, which means some level of care.  Also good to see AC compressor replaced---I think mine went out 3 years ago and it was $$$ to replace.

I recommend checking EVERYTHING you can---i.e. press a lot of buttons---just because at 10 years a lot of stuff starts going sour.  Might want to find out if/when he replaced the clutch.  I did mine 90-100k, but if he's at 120k and it's hasn't been done, you'll want to get a feel for how worn the clutch is.  If weak, then that's another $1k you may need to spend sometime soon.  Might be useful to point out if negotiating price.

Just curious, He Man, why the focus on Saabs?

[He Man]

make the beast with two backs if I know, i actully looked at tons of cars until i discovered the saab 9-3.

I was looking at a toyota corolla, VW golf and jetta, Audi A4 and then hte A3 and then the all road, the subaru, all of them.

then i realized that i dont really drive that much and just want something with a ton of space good on mpg and a little different cause i see the same make the beast with two backsing cars every where i go and i discovere the saab after realizing a hatcback would fit my needs. And just like my first ducati, i saw it and had to have it.

Anyway, i went to check it the car out. The ignition relay under the key was going out (sticky relay) so i bargined down to $2800 and i picked the relay up from ebay for $30 bux hoping it will solve the problem. THe guy was a sub officer, i guess he was an O-4/5 when he left. 55 years old now. great guy, my (wanna say gf , but who knows) and I actually stood around and chatted with them and took a good 4 hours looking at the car talking and driving it around.

so right now the accessories work depending on how the relay feels, if i smack it, itll work. Opened her up already. the window on the rear also came off the track. THe plus side is though, its got brand new cast iron rotors,cross drilled slotted variety with new cermamic pads front and back. Service records and such. Also has new exhaust system from the cat back, and a brand new alternator. So some pros and some cons.

So this is my first car, some things wrong, but i think its worht it considering i really wanted this car, so much as to be okay with some faults that need repair. sorry for hte Izzy pic!