Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 07:48:27 +0100 From: "Charles C." <c.k.christacopoulos.removeme.nospamee.ac.uk> Subject: Re: Getting ready to buy a SAAB
Hi, Richard Sauer wrote: > Hello, > > I've never owned a SAAB..never even driven one. Tomorrow I'll test drive a > 2000 9-5 (V6 3L) with 82000 miles on it. Most people will tell you not to get the V6 as it has a belt instead of a chain, even if you had a bad experience with a chain. I guess, if you do the belts before their time is up is not an issue. The dealer claims it is still under > warranty?? I've read about all the reliability issues with SAABs, but I > think I'd like to boldy go where I have not gone before- I can't comment on the dealer's warranty claims. The perfect SAAB engine is the 2.3L (square engine). > Some cars I've owned: a 81 Mark VI Lincoln (timing chain busted while > driving on a remote highway in the Northern Cascades), and 86 Cadillac > Seville (sofa on wheels), 93 Buick Le Sabre ( see previous entry), Toyota > Corolla (more problems than I expected) ....So I'm ready for a different > driving experience..and maintenance experience. Looking forward to the > test drive... You can expect all sorts of little things to go wrong like they do in most cars. Have the test drive, see if they have a 2.3 which you could test drive too. There has been a major issue affecting engines of 9-5s (2.0L and 2.3???). And that is thickening of the engine oil, sludge in the sump, resulting in engine failure. Good luck. Charles (SAAB 9000). -- Please remove _removeme_ to reply.