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As a new and ecstatic owner of a used '99 SE SportWagon with 71K miles, I've scoured the threads (both before and after purchase) for all the info you're asking about. Mine's a V6 obviously, a bit different beast than the Aero, but here's some of what you should look for:
Sludging is a BIG deal with the 4-cylinder engines. Check the service records for frequency of oil changes and type of oil used. 5K oil changes are considered a good sign. Less frequently than that is frowned on by many here, despite Saab's "official" intervals of 10K. If dino oil was used, sludge is more likely. Semi-synthetic or full synthetic are much preferred.
So have the dealer check for sludge. Should you buy the Aero, some folks here (including me) recommend Auto-Rx for a slow, gentle de-sludge and de-varnish treatment (takes 3,500 miles and two oil changes, a cleaning phase and a rinse phase). It's cheap insurance for long engine life. Go to http://www.auto-rx.com/ to purchase or learn more.
Combing through the service records is very smart--carefully note and record EVERYTHING that has been repaired/replaced due to failure, and when. Wheel bearings seem a bit vulnerable in the 9-5. Has the Turbo unit failed along the way? That happens more often with 9-5s than one would typically expect from Saab (it's related to the sludging problem). The DIC--Direct Ignition Cassette--is absolutely notorious for crapping out without warning and leaving folks stranded. Bad design. Many (and I do mean MANY) 4-cyl owners on this board carry a spare ignition cassette in their toolkits, just in case. Cost is roughly $250 on eBay. Many early 9-5s had problems with the digital display in the dash--missing pixels and "brain damage" in the logic boards.
The dealer can print out for you a list of all the various upgrades that Saab offered during the four-year warranty period (stuff like revised computer software for the DI cassette). Make sure this particular Aero actually GOT them all. If not, it's a telltale sign concerning lack of care on the part of the previous owner.
I don't know if the '00 Aero you're considering is a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. If manual, you may be coming around for a clutch replacement before too long. If automatic, you're probably fine. (The GM/German auto trans in the 900/9000 series was infamous for failure at 100K miles--happened to me in my '91 9000; however, the Japanese-designed 4-speed auto tranny used in the 9-5 series until 2002 is extremely reliable, smooth, and mostly bulletproof.)
Obviously, you'll check stuff like struts, brakes, and tires. Then there are the intangibles: How does the Aero "feel" to you? Was it driven too hard and abused or well-loved and cared for? Dealers clean up their used cars to cover up flaws, but we all can intuit based on examination and test drive. Is the driver's seat solid and nice, or is the leather sort of poochy and cracked? Does everything work (all the little bells and whistles, such as heated seats)? Does the air conditioning blow nice and cold, implying no freon leaks? How many little dings, nicks, and chips does the exterior body have, especially around the front cowl? You can run a Carfax check to make sure the Aero's not been in a collision or otherwise wrecked and repaired.
My '99 Wagon was owned by a guy who wintered in Florida and summered in Minnesota, so the car has never seen snow or cold weather and was used mostly for highway driving. That kind of knowledge can be invaluable when rolling the dice on a used Saab.
Part of what makes Saab's CPO (Certified Previously Owned) program so cool is that it comes with a full coverage extended warranty, although the Aero you're looking at is probably too old to qualify for CPO. Can you purchase an aftermarket warranty from the dealer? Do you want one? I've always chosen not to buy aftermarket warranties--some of them don't cover much--but I've had both happy and sad results with that decision.
Because I'm not rich, I buy used Saabs exclusively--their heavy depreciation makes them very attractive. My '99 Wagon was $38,000 new (actually purchased for $32K). I bought the car for $11,000 at just over five years old. How much is the dealer asking? Check Kelly Blue Book used prices.
Buying any car used, especially out-of-warranty with 70K miles, is always a gamble. I've owned one used Saab that was a dream (an '87 9000T) and one that turned out to be a nightmare (a '91 9000T). I'm keeping my fingers crossed on my "new" '99 SE Wagon. So far, I've put 4,000 miles on the Wagon in 6 weeks (including a cross-country move from Minneapolis to Olympia, Washington), and it's absolutely perfect.
You probably know most of this already. Much of it is just common sense. But you asked, so...
posted by 71.32.85...
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