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Ok...you're all spared my REALLY long message since I forgot to include a subject and am now retyping.
My favorite Saab dealer is going to auction next week and has offered what sounds a very nice deal on a base 9-3 (certified, 5-speed, cloth seats), I just have to give her some spec's to run with. So, I have some questions before I give her my specs and a thumbs up.
1. Will my 16" "snowflake" wheels with Gislaved Nordfrost II's from my former '00 9-5 Aero fit on a '00 9-3 base?
2. I've never been to an auction and know relatively little about the proceedings. I understand there's not that much information and not much time. Are there some reasonable requests I can send along like: preference for documented history, southern car, etc?
3. Are there loopholes I should be aware of in the extended warranty offered on certified cars? My biggest risk seems to be something like a clutch.
4. I'm aware of the S's heater control box issue. I assume I'm covered by the warranty. Are there other S issues that make the SE a better choice?
5. For someone who is not terribly motivated by the sporting performance of the SE or luxury features, do the following 3 points justify a move to the SE anyway:
- S issues
- Resale value in the 2-3 year timeframe (at which point it will be 5-6 years and 60-100,000 miles old)
- Minor upgrades of the stereo - I'll be replacing with a new head unit that's mp3 compatible. Goal is stereo upgrades of no more than $500-600.
- Assume price difference of $1000-1500.
6. Colors. I need to send her with some direction on colors. Does anyone have a good reference site? I've been looking at classifieds and come up with the follow, with the S's black body parts in mind:
- Frost Gray w/ gray interior (linked to example image)
- Imola Red w/ either interior
- Silver w/ gray interior
- Black w/ beige interior
I'm ambivilent about the midnight blue. Don't care for white or the greens. I'm also worried about the red and especially black paint and keeping it looking good. How common is Frost Gray and does it really have such a blue hue? Comments?
7. Any suggestions on estimates for maintenance costs for a '00 9-3 base going from, say, 36,000 miles to 80,000 miles? I'm looking for a reasonable total cost of ownership, low risk, safe, somewhat distinctive and practical commuter and winter car. Thinking in 2-4 year time frames.
7. Any other comments?
By the way, if I don't like the car and don't request something really bizzare, I'm out very little if anything but I very much want to act in good faith.
Thanks,
Bryce
'83 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce
'00 9-5 Aero - Returned on 3/30/03 w/ 37,000 miles.
'96 900S - Sold in '00 w/ ~45,000 miles.
'85 900S - Dead in '02 after ~315,000 miles as a result of amateur rally induced injuries.
posted by 63.142.221...
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