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Actual maintenance history......280K miles..... Posted by Herb Hirsch [Email]  (#114)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Herb Hirsch) on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:35:36
In Reply to: Mileage- how much is too much?, Dave, Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:50:08 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Dave:
Perhaps the following will help you determine whether a used Saab 9-5 with more than 100K miles is right for you. If you do decide to acquire a >100K miles 9-5 your experience might be different than what I've summarized below.
I owned a 2000 9-5 Aero (manual trans.) for 280K miles; I replaced it with a 2007 Aero that I bought last August. The 2000 was a good solid reliable car; in fact, the new one is even the same color!
I kept my 2000 9-5 Aero from the day I bought it with 11 miles on the odometer, until I sold it with almost 280K miles on the odometer.
You should insist on seeing the maintenance history. Particularly, look at the oil change frequency and what went into the crankcase. I used Mobile-1 full synthetic....every 5K miles. If the oil has been changed regularly, sludge is unlikely to be a problem; make sure that the PCV #6 has been done. Also, check for softness in hoses; after 8 years some softness may be evident.
Make sure the 60K or 120K mile service has been done; or, get it done soon. Serpentine belt and all pulleys should be replaced. Test drive the car cold; it should warm up fully in 10-15 minutes (lots of heat)...otherwise a new thermostat may be in order.
When you floor it, the turbo gauge should move slightly into the red
(2-3mm). After you've floored it for a few seconds look for signs of smoke when you let up.
A professional inspection on a lift can tell you a lot; like, has the car been in a major accident (IMHO this is a deal-killer). Check and make sure that the car is not a refugee from Louisiana (another deal-killer).
Things that I've experienced included the following. I have not listed normal wear items like brakes, struts, shocks, serpentine belt and pulleys or windshield wiper blades, or scheduled preventive maintenance.
1. Fuel pump (250K miles)
2. Water pump (once at 80K miles, and never again)
3. Throttle body (275K miles)
4. DI cassette (once at 110K miles and again at 265K miles under Saab
recall, although it was working fine)
5. Heater control valve (265K miles)
6. ABS computer module (220K miles)
7. Catalytic converter (165K miles)
8. Drivers seat worn through covering (225K miles used; like new
replacement from Goldwing)
9. Cabin ventilation fan motor (240K miles)
10. SID (210K miles)
11. Thermostat (250K miles)
12. Front wheel bearings (225K miles)
13. AC condenser (230K miles)
About the battery; check to see when it was replaced. If it’s been more than 4 years it may be on borrowed time. Past 4 years, I’d even consider replacing it preemptively.
Good luck,
Herb Hirsch
South Brunswick, NJ
, Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:35:36 <-- Viewing This Message, Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:04:38
, Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:33:38
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