2003-2011 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
I'm posting this on behalf of "Saabprob", who want's to buy a 2003 9-3 ARC....but needs more specific insight than Anders provided - although I DEFINITELY agree the car needs an independent inspection. I'm not well versed in post 2002 models & believe 2003 introduced an entirely new vehicle (correct?), so responses from anyone having direct or indirect experience with the 1st year of the 2nd (last) generation 9-3...or newer ones for that matter, would be greatly appreciated, no matter how trivial.
The following info is 2nd hand - I haven't seen the car personally......so Saabprob will please fill in any discrepancies.
The vehicle in question; 2003 9-3 ARC w/manual trans, 180xxx miles. The car is very clean. It's understood that "anything could go wrong", but how about some specific tips? There must be some known issues to watch out for. For example, with the venerable c900, there's a litany of well established problems (beyond the obvious leaking fluids, torn cv boots, smoke, vibration, etc) one should ferret out before committing to a purchase - things like a leaking heater valve, rumbly steering column bearings, inoperable vacuum operated ventilation, deteriorated alternator bushings, axle tunnel rust (hate that!). Every model has it's problems.
If some of you would list your car, mileage & a list of repairs (any length) & roughly how much they cost, I think it would be very helpful.
Below are some other questions.
-------------------------------
- Do some of the issues from the previous gen 9-3 carry over? Are there balance shafts with bad sprockets? Oil sludge issues due to poor placement of the catalytic converter? LCD pixel disorder?
- How does the ARC compare to Linear & Vector Aero models?
- What changes were made subsequent to the previous 94-98 900 & 99-02 9-3 generation (I believe 94-02 900/9-3 were all basically the same car w/subtle changes) & were any of them widely accepted as bad?
- What are known issues that pop up at various mileages? What about close to 200k? What should have been done at various miles?
- What should be checked for that might have been "quickied" in order to flip it with minimal cost outlay?
- Is there going to be any problem getting replacement keys due to non-dealer support? [coded or not, there's no way to get a dealer made key from the Vin# if there aren't any dealers!] Any other non-dealer support issues?
- What would those reading this post buy with $2500 to $3000? Would you rather have a 2001 9-3....yes or no, why?
-----------
Lastly, does anyone have an unlimited CarFax subscription & if so, willing to run the Vin?
THAnks!
posted by 108.49.211...
, Thu, 6 Feb 2014 07:51:29
, Fri, 7 Feb 2014 07:09:11
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
