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TL;DR - neglected 9-5's are a lot of work but worth it!
So I picked up an 04 Aero wagon about a year ago, after about 2 years of searching. It was to replace my 95 9000, which I just sold a few weeks ago (it took me a while before I was comfortable enough with the 9-5 to get rid of the 9k). I changed the oil immediately, got the a/c going and got an extra key made, since it only came with one and I'd read enough of the 9-5 board to know one's not enough. I also replaced the shocks with the adjustable Konis. But since I still had my 9k and wasn't driving the 9-5 much I didn't do anything else. I guess at 106k miles and 9 years, a non-enthusiast owned Saab needs a lot of TLC!
Today I flushed the brake fluid, fixed the exhaust, and determined that my subframe bushings and motor mounts were totally shot. I was kind of pleased with my exhaust work. I was going to order a new one since the muffler looked totally shot,but after doing some reading here, I figured it was just the outer shell of the rear muffler that was bad. 2 of the 3 hangers had broken off, one of which was still hanging on the chassis. So I welded back one hanger and made another one out of rebar and welded that one on too. I'm a terrible welder, but my wife who actually has some skill with a MIG welder is out of town. On the one hand I lost my excuse to get that 3" downpipe and BSR system, but on the other hand I saved a lot of cash.
Anyway, tomorrow I need to do the CV Boots on my wife's 98 9k ( I suspect they're the originals) and get my 944 ready for a trip to Mid-Ohio in 2 weeks.
So I have the subframe bushings and motor mounts ordered, and will have something to keep me busy next weekend too!
When looking for a 9-5 to replace my wife's aging 9k I will definitely be looking for one that has been maintained a little better - hopefully from one of you fine people. Unfortunately she is very specific in what she is looking for - Cosmos blue ( which means 2002 or 2003 I believe) aero, wagon, manual transmission. Hmm, could be looking for some time.
posted by 72.241.11...
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