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I don't know, Joe. I've heard and read of others with some of the issues you raise. However, I'll bet I've owned as many 9000's as anyone else and I've never had a problem with SRS, door handles, or heated seats. Only once have I encountered a bad DI. I have had issues with the rear brakes, but don't think it was due to any design flaws and was more an issue with the amount of road salt that gets dumped on our local roads. Another road salt related item is body rust - again, this is an issue that can affect any vehicle and I think I'm not exagerating when I say Saabs do better than others, if maintained. The heater core does has a basic design flaw - plastic end tanks. This is one item that Saab could've put a little more stringent specifications on when they were subbing it out to their suppliers. And the DI - I've only had one fail me, but I still carry a spare on long trips, along with a serpentine belt. Perhaps my good luck with DI's is due to the fact that I change my plugs every year/10k miles, so that it sees somewhat consistent resistance - plugs are cheap and take no time to install. I can't speak to automatics, because I've never owned one, but jj, who posts regularly here, has well over 100k on his slighlty modified Aero, and has never had a problem with it. Why? I suspect it's because of maintenance and driving habits/knowledge: he changes the ATF every 10k with M1 synthetic ATF, and never does full throttle upshifts or downshifts - he's developed a feel for the transmission in that he'll lift his foot, slightly, from the loud-pedal just before the shift occurs. Anyway, Kerry, a '96 Aero is a pretty nice car. The suspension is a bit more refined than a 900, and all the other mechanical and electronic components are a lot more refined. The seats are to die for, they're that comfortable and supportive. I've driven from North Carolina to Massachusetts, in 12 hours and only 1 brief stop, and at the end of the trip did not have a aching back nor did I feel tired. In fact, it was just the opposite - it was an exhilarating drive. Anyway, if buy it and don't like it, you'll have no problems finding a buyer. However, my guess is the first time you take it on a long trip, they'll have to pry your fingers from the wheel!
posted by 24.91.254...
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