1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
i agree. unfortunately, it seems like they are making cars cheeper and cheeper these days (like everything else). Once they determine the minimum that will adequately get the job done (through the warantee period) they seem to stick with it. some of us with 94's and 95's (96's to a lesser extent- except convertibles) were part of that learning curve for them. 1997 brought us a slew of improvements.
the one thing i've learned from this car, which i do love dearly, is that i will (almsot) never buy the first iteration of a new model again. wait 2-3 years for the first round of updates.
example: the new A4 is coming out for 2002. surely they messed up a couple of things, 2004 or 2005 will probably be the best time to pick one up new.
almost every make i've looked into AFTER getting this one (sort of a hobby), has a warning about one main component that is faulty in the first couple of years. Last model year can be problematic too sometimes as they try to use up other parts.
if you think about our late 80's OG's were like nicely in the sweet spot. I was young then and drove that car hard (but well) and the only thing i had to have relplaced was CV joints and that's because i didn't know to inspect the boots for cracking (which they did)
so summing up, things are getting cheeper, but we are getting better at making things to. my next saab (if i do choose to continue) will either be a 97-98 STEC or a couple year old 2001 9-3 SE. Depreciation (particularily on SAABs) deters me from buying new. (unless i pony up the cash for a Viggen Convertible, then i want to be the first butt in the driver's seat:)
chris
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