95 as a daily commuter car
Discussion
Hi all,
I have a few questions on the 2000/2001 model 95s
Im thinking of one of these as a daily commuter car, to do about 65 miles a day in comfort.
which of the 2000/2001 models would you say is most suitable , it's pretty much all A road/ duel carriage way.
and are there any real reliability issues with these model years cars?
Im guessing they will all do around the 30mpg mark, it will need to be one with an auto 'box btw.
Im looking to spend under £5k and plan to keep it for a good few years. they do seem to be a bit of a bargain for what you get, but any comments would be much appreciated.
thanks..
I have a few questions on the 2000/2001 model 95s
Im thinking of one of these as a daily commuter car, to do about 65 miles a day in comfort.
which of the 2000/2001 models would you say is most suitable , it's pretty much all A road/ duel carriage way.
and are there any real reliability issues with these model years cars?
Im guessing they will all do around the 30mpg mark, it will need to be one with an auto 'box btw.
Im looking to spend under £5k and plan to keep it for a good few years. they do seem to be a bit of a bargain for what you get, but any comments would be much appreciated.
thanks..
Look for a 2.0SE or 2.3SE.
The big potential problem with these is sludge build-up in the sump causing a wrecked engine.
For piece of mind it's worth the £100 or so to get a good Saan indie to drop the sump and clean out ASAP after purchase, and then only use full synth oil.
As you are looking for an auto, I would seriously suggest NOT looking for a 2000/2001 car as these have the older 4-speed auto.
For a £5k budget you should find plenty of face lift 2002-on 2.0 Vectors or 2.0/2.3 Arc's with the much better 5-speed auto gearbox which will be more economical than a car with the older 4-speed auto. These 02-on cars have much better seats and better suspension as well.
The big potential problem with these is sludge build-up in the sump causing a wrecked engine.
For piece of mind it's worth the £100 or so to get a good Saan indie to drop the sump and clean out ASAP after purchase, and then only use full synth oil.
As you are looking for an auto, I would seriously suggest NOT looking for a 2000/2001 car as these have the older 4-speed auto.
For a £5k budget you should find plenty of face lift 2002-on 2.0 Vectors or 2.0/2.3 Arc's with the much better 5-speed auto gearbox which will be more economical than a car with the older 4-speed auto. These 02-on cars have much better seats and better suspension as well.
I have a 2.0SE Airflow Manual estate and do 80 miles a day on the A1 to work. I get a true average of about 35mpg over the year which is pretty good - traffic will knock it down though. Mine has a 185bhp Saab ECU upgrade which was worth about 3mpg better. Great cars, very comfortable for cruising the highways 
just had a quick look on audotrader, and there are 2 2002 cars under £5k, just, and under 80k miles...just, but quite a few 2001 cars under 60k for about £4.5k, is it really worth it going for a 2002 car with an extra 20k on the clock for the extra money?
are the 4 speed autos really that poor?
are the 4 speed autos really that poor?
might be worth bearing in mind that the post march 01 cars - expecially the Autos - are going to be raped for VED (2.0t autos i think are 251g/km) at around £400+
were as those pre march 2001 cars are £200.
but thats small fry compared to the petrol bill tho
looking at autotrader - 2000/2001 cars have come down to about £2-3000 now.
i'd spend money on getting the sump dropped and cleaned out, and having the PCV upgrade to bring the oil system up to current spec.
if sludge is found in the sump - then you may find you'll be fitting a new turbo fairly soon.
oil changes recommened every 6k miles
were as those pre march 2001 cars are £200.
but thats small fry compared to the petrol bill tho
looking at autotrader - 2000/2001 cars have come down to about £2-3000 now.
i'd spend money on getting the sump dropped and cleaned out, and having the PCV upgrade to bring the oil system up to current spec.
if sludge is found in the sump - then you may find you'll be fitting a new turbo fairly soon.
oil changes recommened every 6k miles
funinthesun said:
just had a quick look on audotrader, and there are 2 2002 cars under £5k, just, and under 80k miles...just, but quite a few 2001 cars under 60k for about £4.5k, is it really worth it going for a 2002 car with an extra 20k on the clock for the extra money?
Is it worth it.....oh yes, 02-on cars are very much worth the extra money, the 20k miles are nothing in comparison, and with the mileage you are going to add on, not really worth worrying about. The higher miles newer version is a much better bet than a lower miles earlier version.funinthesun said:
are the 4 speed autos really that poor?
Yes. The extra intermediate gear does make a difference to your fuel consumption.Edited by aeropilot on Wednesday 23 April 16:20
Scuse me lurking. I was going to post a similar question.
I see the sump has an issue with sludge and there is also an upgrade for the oil pick up. Is there any way to verify this first? Or is it a case its OK until it picks up the sludge, which I assume is the issue?
After a 9-5 2000-2003/4/5 or what ever is available at the right price to munch miles.
I see the sump has an issue with sludge and there is also an upgrade for the oil pick up. Is there any way to verify this first? Or is it a case its OK until it picks up the sludge, which I assume is the issue?
After a 9-5 2000-2003/4/5 or what ever is available at the right price to munch miles.
jmorgan said:
After a 9-5 2000-2003/4/5 or what ever is available at the right price to munch miles.
Well, if you can afford to get a MY04 or 05 car, then the sludge problem isn't an issue as Saab totally redesigned the PCV system which included a new engine block and head casting as well.jmorgan said:
Scuse me lurking. I was going to post a similar question.
I see the sump has an issue with sludge and there is also an upgrade for the oil pick up. Is there any way to verify this first? Or is it a case its OK until it picks up the sludge, which I assume is the issue?
After a 9-5 2000-2003/4/5 or what ever is available at the right price to munch miles.
I don't know about an upgraded oil pickup? The sludging effects the LPT models rather than Aeros - LPTs were officially on semi-synth oil and Saab have issued an edict to run all turbos on fully synth and 6k changes for short journey usage. I had my sump dropped at 90k(I didn't want to end up with a turbo/exhaust with sheared bolts on a sunday night or I would have done it myself)and the guy said it was about 10% blocked with sludge which is actually quite good for the miles. I do mainly long runs though, look after it and always slow down for the last couple of miles before switch off.I see the sump has an issue with sludge and there is also an upgrade for the oil pick up. Is there any way to verify this first? Or is it a case its OK until it picks up the sludge, which I assume is the issue?
After a 9-5 2000-2003/4/5 or what ever is available at the right price to munch miles.
Good 'scope carrier
jmorgan said:
"Good 'scope carrier"
Forgot about that. I could get a bigger one............
Cheers for the rest.
Forgot to add, is the sludge instantly terminal or a gradual thing? Just thinking of things to look for.
It's a gradual buildup, I think if you are mechanically aware you will get warning signs, a whining at cold, clattery timing chain and valve gear etc. If it blocks suddenly while you are driving then it will be stuffed before the oil pressure light comes on. Saab now do an 8 year unlimited mile warranty on the cars effected but you will have to prove a full service history. For a £100 it is cheap piece of mind Forgot about that. I could get a bigger one............
Cheers for the rest.
Forgot to add, is the sludge instantly terminal or a gradual thing? Just thinking of things to look for.
Edited by jmorgan on Thursday 24th April 14:58
There is loads on Saabscene about this, stickied at the top of the 9-5 forum.
BIG DUNC said:
Does this sludge build up effect 9-3 LPT's ?
http://www.saabscene.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=315852959-3 MY00 - 03
Scroll down about 1/2 way down the first page
Don't let this put you all off, I get the impression it is still fairly rare.
Edited by tonyvid on Thursday 24th April 22:27
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