I have a '95 CS auto my daughter drives and a '96 CSE 5 spd that's my daily driver.

I got the CS w/138K on it in Jan '05 for $2000. Put it on the road last May. It needed trans mount, upper engine mounts, front brakes, exhaust system, tires, CV boots, and assorted minor stuff. Put a new radiator in 2 months ago. And the head gasket was leaking when I got it. It still is. As my trusted indy put it when he did the pre-buy inspection, "There are a lot of Saabs driving around with slightly leaky head gaskets." So don't let it be a deal killer. Just go in knowing that it is something you need to do at some point, as you would on any turbo motor. The '97 may need one next year... you don't know.

I would tend to go with the '97, as it is a CSE (better equipped) and I think the '96 to '98 cars seem overall to be a bit better screwed together and have slightly fewer issues. The new tranny is a plus. Just be sure to have a tech look it over for you--it's worth the hour of time you'll pay them.

Bear in mind you are buying a 9 to 11 year old car with 120K on it. It will need stuff, either right away or in a while. It's still less expensive than a new car, and probably not all that different in total outlay than buying something boring like a Toyota with similar miles. Plus if you get it into good shape soon after you buy it and maintain it well it should last another 100K.

Where in New England are you? There are a lot of good Saab-specialist indys around to give the cars a look-see.

Good luck and let us know what you do.


posted by 24.52.16...

• 95 vs 97 which too choose?, newcomer, Sat, 15 Apr 2006 19:53:12
  • Jumping in on this..., Noel, Sun, 16 Apr 2006 06:50:53 <-- Viewing This Message
  • if i was you and decided to buy the 95 cs i would tell, mark, Sat, 15 Apr 2006 20:53:02
  • Re: 95 vs 97 which too choose?, aaron, Sat, 15 Apr 2006 20:42:33
    • Re: 95 vs 97 which too choose?, newcomer, Sat, 15 Apr 2006 21:36:26
      • Glad you noticed....., Bill U, Sun, 16 Apr 2006 10:47:32
      • Re: BTW, newcomer, Sat, 15 Apr 2006 21:45:52
        • Re: BTW.i would assume if he paid $3200.for a tranny it, mark, Sat, 15 Apr 2006 22:36:16
          • headgasket is about 9-10 hours labor..., aaron, Sun, 16 Apr 2006 05:32:45

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