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Donated My 9-5 to Charity ![]() Posted by DnstrDan [Email] ![]() ![]() |
After 20 years of ownership, I donated my '99 Saab 9-5 to charity. I tried selling it on TSN, but had no bites after six weeks, even after dropping the price to $300. The automatic transmission was failing and that made it non-viable financially for me to fix. Didn't want to deal with Craigslist, and several Saab-specializing salvage yards in California were not interested in obtaining it. So I donated it to the CarTalk Vehicle Donation Program. (Much thanks to Anders who facilitated the pickup of the car from Swedecar.)
Found out that it was towed to LKQ Pick Your Part - Wilmington where it is in the process of being parted out. I could see photos of it with the battery and side clearance lamps already removed. Being able to see my car's afterlife is kinda like a visit to the automotive equivalent of a Body Farm. The car was rust-free, and its parts will hopefully keep other old 9-5's roadworthy.
Stats:
- mileage at acquisition / disposal : 15,677 / 226,054
- max annual mileage: 17,856 (in 2000)
- repair & maintenance expenses: $33,876
- max outlay: $4,691 (in 2011)
- years in service: 20
The final four years of service were characterized by long-distance commutes (r/t 130 - 170 miles/day) and destination rail station duty. But a turning point was realizing that I was spending more on each semi-annual insurance premium than the car was worth. In retrospect, I should have started selling the car six months ago. The two 2004 Aeros I now own are far nicer cars by far, but this '99 was as comfortable to drive as a well-worn leather bomber jacket is to wear.
Final resting place: https://www.lkqpickyourpart.com/locations/LKQ_Pick_Your_Part_-_Wilmington_-_Help_Yourself-262/recents/
_______________________________________ '04 9⁵ Aero Sedan (m/t) '04 9⁵ Aero Wagon (a/t) --- '99 9⁵ SE (LPT) - donated in '20
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