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Re: 2002 Saab 9-3 turbo automatic - how reliable? Posted by Snowmobile [Email] (#686) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Snowmobile) on Sun, 25 Mar 2018 18:16:13 In Reply to: Re: 2002 Saab 9-3 turbo automatic - how reliable?, Kurt, Sun, 25 Mar 2018 18:16:12 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
I largely agree with Mike. $7000 would be better spent on a minty 1992 900 turbo with 98k miles imho...
but, have you driven the 9-3? They are fast, and they are fun cars (maybe it has something to do with all the torque steer). They don't handle as nicely as a c900 and they aren't built as solidly, but they do have some important improved safety features (SAHR, seat airbags, and iirc, the 9-3 even got the folding B pillar from the 9-5).
$7000 is way too much. Even if it was a Viggen. I paid less than that for our 2004 9-5 that was in virtually mint condition and that was 2 years ago - they are cheaper now (and the 2004+ cars are a much lower sludge risk). If the 9-3 is minty on the inside and out and has a good service history and no known problems I would start at half of that - $3500 and work down from there (eg budget at least $300 for a pan drop if they don't have a perfect oil change history, full synthetic, every 5k or less, or if it doesn't have PCV#6*... budget a few hundred to do the serp belt and pulleys if there isn't documented evidence of *both* being done at 60k)... check the 9-3 bb for more known issues to look for (eg the manual temperature control tends to break if you aren't looking at a SE)...
If you are looking for a newer car, the 9-5 is more solid and handles better than the 9-3 but is larger and doesn't feel as fast to drive... That said, if you want a more modern hatchback and not a wagon, the 9-3 is about the only option (unless you're willing to look at a late model 9000, which are awesome)... the 9-3 is a good car, just not as great a car as a c900!
Put $7000 (or even half that) into your 1993 and it will probably outlast the 9-3...
*see swedecar's gallery for pcv#6 photo so you know what to look for when you open the hood.
->Posting last edited on Wed, 6 Feb 2013 06:37:20.
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