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I really liked the Acura. I bought it at 50k and took it just over 200k miles. Still had the original clutch, which was on it's last legs. I still really liked it right up to the end when it was getting due for lot's of service.
Maintenance was pretty much a couple of batteries, tires, brakes (twice I think), exhausts, one slave cylinder, and a couple of EGsensors, waterpump, CV joint, IIRC.
Compared to a similar vintage Maxima, the Acura had relatively lousy shift linkage, but a standard was relatively rare for the legend. Once I put tokico? struts in it, the ride/handling was really great. Never left me stranded except for the New Years Eve that some drunk slammed into it and left it undriveable. Things I didn't like on the acura: shift linkage, no fold down rear seat which really limited capacity. Things really good: seemed fairly bulletproof, never REALLY socked me for a repair. It WAS a fun car to drive, opinions here on saabnet to the contrary. It was comfortable and could fit 4 real size people. Really smooth engine and torque, and nice ride and handling.
Saab: Bought w/80k, now has 148k. I've had 3 dead on the road days, which is a MAJOR drag. I think that's the most I've had with any car, and I regularly put over 100k on vehicles. In order: idlerpulley/serpentine belt; DI cassette; fuel pump. Shift linkage is not great, but mine is worse because of the synchro issue that many of the early 5 spd's had. I put in an aero suspension, and the ecode headlight lenses, which both add to my enjoyment with the car. I like the fold down rear seat and the seats are comfortable. After an early adjustment where I couldn't find anything in the car, I really like the dash layout. Things lousy w/the saab: cheesy hardware (breaking rollers in the window channel, broken wiper linkage assembly, SID display, fog lights& brackets, OEM rear shocks & springs, Clockspring in the steering wheel for the airbag, Turn signal stalk clips, fuel pump clip, PCV changes of the day, minor beef with carpeting fit, wind noise, etc. All the PIA things you need a techII for at usually more than it should cost.
Things I really like: SAABNET is great, and a tremendous resource even if you aren't a DIY type. I was looking for a wagon w/a stick. I did drive the passat, subaru, etc, but it came down to a BMW 5 series or the 9-5 aero when I was looking because I wanted a 5 speed manual in this size, and at that point the Acura TL didn't come with one. I liked the BMW better overall, but didn't want the BMW attention and price tag, and I also liked the interior space better in the saab. Then I couldn't find a saab wagon at a reasonable to me price and ended up with the sedan. I really like the cayenne color, only available in '98-99. I'm comfortable and I like the layout of the controls. When I bought it, I was preshoulder surgery, and the key location was MUCH more comfortable. (With my wife's volvo, I sometimes had to put the keys in w/my left hand). The saab feels solid, and has nothing fundamentally wrong with it.
Best features: integrated phone to stereo, Tech II programming that can customize the car to how YOU like it: Locks, lights, gauge readings, night panel speedo, etc. Again I upgraded to an aero suspension and put in Ecode headlight lenses; both are GREAT changes. I really like the turbo, but wish that I had the aero. The saab is MUCH more economical if I keep my foot out of it, and it's not that bad if I do push it some.
I'm currently trying to decide on whether to keep it and do some ecu mod's and fix the tranny synchros (which I've been debating for several years and MANY miles), just look for an used aero, or move into something else. The car's not really worth much at this point, but since it's been well maintained and is in good shape, it's a great solid fun car with a known service history that isn't worth big $$.
I think used saab's are REALLY undervalued on the used car market. You can really get a good deal and a great car, as long as you're willing to take the saab bad w/the good. Definately be clear about the service history, and have a mechanic look at it. The newer ones are better in the reliability category, I think.
Good luck!
posted by 68.163.20...
, Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:48:39, Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:49:52
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