Saab 9-3

[cockers]

Folks,

A mate of mine is looking to buy a 98S diesel Saab 9-3 with 79,000 miles on the clock. Not my cuppa char, but then he is not interested in driving dynamics, sporty behaviour or any of the stuff we care about - he likes comfy seats, air con and a good stereo, so the Saab seems tailor-made for him.

Any views on that mileage? Suggests motorway munching to me, which is good.

How much life would it have left in it? Saabs go on and on don't they?

Finally, does anyone know of any typical Saab "issues" he should be particularly aware of when checking it over?

Cheers,

Paul

NB - Asking price (non-Saab dealer) is c£6.5k.

[Gargamel]

Parts are *really* expensive - when you can get them

a mate of mine waited nearly six months for a wing mirror assembly - admittedly on an older model 900 though !

But I know dealer prices for parts are high

[jon h]

I think Saabs are great! I have a 9-5 (and a Griff) and my wife has a 9-3. We have had 8 between us. In a nutshell, they are reliable and well built, and go on an on, a high miler is usually OK, but if they do go wrong, they can be expensive! As with TVRs, find a good independant and you can save a fortune. Full blown turbos, especially modified ones, are likely to have had a harder life and may get a bit expensive. My last one, a 9000 Carlsson had a good seeing to by the boys at Abbott Racing, it went like stink, with nearly 300 BHP, but the lifespan of various bits, gearbox, timing chain, etc, was shortened considerably.

The best way to buy, I think is second hand, and let someone else deal with the depreciation. Take my current 9-5. Purchased as an ex lease car, 3 years old, FSH 63k miles for 10 grand. Fuly loaded with leather, climte control, CD electric everything, and very comfy! 2.3 turbo engine averages 32 mpg Would have cost £25K new... Only 1 mechanical problem, (blown turbo) in the 23 k miles I have done since.

OK, they are not always regarded as the ultimate drivers car, but then I have the Griff, and they are superbly comfortable on the daily slog to work, or for any long distance journey.

Jon H

>> Edited by jon h on Tuesday 19th November 17:01

[cockers]

Thanks chaps - that's just the sort of thing I needed. I've passed it on to said mate.