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Re: Ari (and others), I need advice on a '95 9k CSE V6 Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Fri, 17 Oct 2003 13:16:12
In Reply to: Ari (and others), I need advice on a '95 9k CSE V6, McM, Fri, 17 Oct 2003 10:45:42 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
First, the autobox-
The ZF tranny in the 9000 is pretty much the same throughout the years. Some folks claim the tranny was improved in later years. I would not count on it. If you want an automatic tranny car, then get a car with an auto. Yes, they do break, but not that often. If the tranny is original, build the cost of a rebuild into the sales price. It's not like manual trannies never die, or clutches never need replacement, either.
However, if your preference is a manual transmission, then wait for a manual tranny car. Not only are they more reliable, they will have more power, better gas mileage, and in my opinion, be more fun. I have auto tranny cars because my family has physical limitations where a clutch leg can't always be counted on. There are enough cars out there to wait for the right one.
As to the V6, I will come out and say I'm biased against it. Part of it is because I'm an old Saab guy, and don't like the GM engine. Heck, I grumbled when they went away from two-strokes. The GM engine does have more maintenance issues - the timing belt replacement being one. Yes, Saab will do the next one at 90K, but after that, you're on your own. And don't push the interval - a broken belt is disaster. There are other maintenance issues on the car - replacing the thermostat is a bear, for example.
My preference is, and always will be, the turbo engine. Mileage will be better, and the engine is lighter, resulting in somewhat better handling. And it's cool. So shoot me.
As to the TCS light - yes, the good news is that it isn't fatal on that car. The bad news is that something is broken. Maybe it's something important, and you're losing performance. Either way, I would be uncomfortable about buying a car with something wrong, and I don't know my cost exposure to fix it. Personally, I'm not the type to buy a car and drive it around with something that integral broken. The TCS system is not an add-on, but runs throughout the engine control/abs system. Interesting that it has been dealer serviced, but it still has a light on. Gives me faith in that dealer.
Look through those service records. Make sure the brake fluid, coolant, and autotranny fluids have been flushed regularly. Look for signs that the car has been well cared for.
A fair price is what the car is worth to you. Yeah, that's a cop-out. I've seen ads for cars like that quoting anywhere from $7K up to $12-$13K. If the autobox is original, knock about $2K off the price you'd pay for a manual tranny car. That doesn't quite make up for the cost of a tranny rebuild (around $2500), but manual trannies don't last forever, either. Compare it against other 9000's. Decide what the car is worth to you. It doesn't matter what's fair to the seller - you can offer him/her a 'fair' price and they may tell you to go away, because they're sure their baby is worth twice as much. That's fine - find another car.
If the car were clean, and the records showed that the fluids had been serviced regularly, and you see no other problems than the TCS light, I'd guess $7.5K - $8K, at most. I'd want a hold-back for the tranny, and that TCS light scares me.
posted by 192.249....
, Fri, 17 Oct 2003 13:16:12 <-- Viewing This Message
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