1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
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Well, I managed to convince him that this should be his next car and he bit. He found a 99 9-5 that he liked and put a downpayment on it today. Here's the advice I gave him for his search that covered most of the major issues with buying a used 9-5. Please keep in mind that this is NOT comprehensive.
Posted here for anyone interested;
It's important to know that these cars are of very high quality and will provide years (if you let them) of flawless service. Highly recommended by consumer reports and many car magazines, and JD Powers also gave the 9-5 Sedan the highest marks of any mid luxury car in their Initial Quality Study. Great safety record, great gas mileage and lots of fun to drive. This is a check list of items to consider. This is in no particular order of importance . . . it's simple everything I could come up having read a great deal about these cars. It should take no time at all to sit down with the seller (dealer) and go through this list. It could be well worth it in the long run.
- Carfax (not a perfect screening, but worthwhile if it catches something).
- Body damage? Look for overspray, body fill, etc.
- Check to make sure that the A/C drain tubes have not become clogged. Also called technical service bulletin #800.
- Negotiate to have them make all of the Tech II adjustments you want prior to delivery.
Here's the list of possible options (long); see page two for dealer adjusted options for your car
http://www.visi.com/~bostenson/95Programming.pdf
- Get a list of all of the items that were checked as part of the certification process so that if a non-warranty item turns out to be defective (such as a bent wheel), you can point out that it was checked and passed.
- While these cars don't break often, one of the items that may be at risk is the Saab Information Display (also called the SID). Ask them if this part is covered in the extended warranty and if not, try to get them to throw it on the list.
- Ask them to make sure that the car has had the TSB#2482262 done. This was a technical service campaign to replace defective engine control modules (also called an ECU . . . the car's brains) should be done to all 4 cylinder 99' 9-5's regardless of body body.
- Ask them to see if the TSB#160102 has been performed on the car. This technical service bulletin addressed problems some owners reported of hearing a thump come from the back of the car. Turns out it has to do with the shift in weigh of the gas within the gas tank and they can install a baffle to solve the problem.
- While any turbo problems are definitely covered under the car's warranty (existing and extended), you really should have a look at the tailpipe when the car is turned on in the event that it's blowing blue smoke. Again, this is not that common, but it does occasionally happen..
- See if they will change the spark plugs for you. It's a cheap request and it could save you some hassle down the road (I can explain if you want me to).
-What’s the condition of the battery?
- The dealer can do a full car scan with their “tech II” device to look for faults in one of several systems that the brain monitors. I would make sure that this has been done.
- Has the car’s throttle body ever been replaced?
-mark
posted by 65.37.51...
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