Any reason not to buy a 2009 or newer Saab?

[ICantLogIn]

They seem to have a lot to offer for little $$$. Their xwd system looks good im not sure why they moved away for the Subaru system.

[billyk]

I had a Saab once. Never again.

Broke down all the time, and parts were insanely expensive.

[The Tortoise]

Their xwd system looks good im not sure why they moved away for the Subaru system.

You sound knowledgeable about cars. You should be fine.

[ICantLogIn]

You sound knowledgeable about cars. You should be fine.

This is very helpful, thanks man.

[ICantLogIn]

I had a Saab once. Never again.

Broke down all the time, and parts were insanely expensive.

What year?

[billyk]

Oh jeeze, it was a while back. Earlier than 2009. Some 90's model turbo.

I can't believe their parts have gotten any cheaper, though.

Edit: after some research, I think it was either an 88 or 89 Saab 9000 turbo. I missed the whole connection with GM and Subaru.

I had a friend who had a early model 900 and loved it, and it was a sporty car for sure. But my 9000 was a pos and a real money pit.

Admittedly, I dont know much about the latest models.

[Bobby Stainless]

Other than it being a pos?

[single]

I had a saabaru 9-2x linear (non turbo).

It was a Subaru rebranded. Because Saab was out of business, headlights were something like 350/side to get clean replacements. Bodywork mostly didn't exist.

I buy weird cars, but I wouldn't buy a late model Saab.

[Lostmyboards]

You'd have the only one. Who will fix it? Where will you get parts? How much will parts cost and how long will you have to wait to get them. I love my 2002 Audi S6 but there are very few of them, nearly none in junkyards ever, have to wait for parts, parts cost 2-3 times as much, and finding a mechanic experienced with them is challenging. Buy a car you see Mexicans in. They know a good value.

[The Tortoise]

This is very helpful, thanks man.

Any time.

The real answer is that Saab never used the Subaru system in anything other than the 9-2X. This was just a lightly skinned Subaru WRX that came about through some strange partnership with GM. All other AWD systems were made by GM.

I looked into getting a Saab 9-3 wagon and the consensus was that the 2007+ models were better than the previous generations but that wasn't saying much. GM cars of that era were not of the highest quality and the cost cutting is apparent.

The 2009+ models might be ok but parts will be hard to come by and when you do find them, expensive. I would only buy one if you did most of your own repairs, could be without a car while parts were sourced and got a screaming deal.

[ICantLogIn]

You'd have the only one. Who will fix it? Where will you get parts? How much will parts cost and how long will you have to wait to get them.

saabparts.com most parts are in stock and less then a 2 hour drive away. Headlight Assembly - Driver Side (Halogen) 196.99 in stock ships today.

Buy a car you see Mexicans in. They know a good value.

Haha
Not sure if id make it up my driveway in the snow.

[single]

I do kinda want an old Saab though... this one has me tempted if he gets down to the 1000$ range...

http://bozeman.craigslist.org/cto/5953704464.html

[ICantLogIn]

I do kinda want an old Saab though... this one has me tempted if he gets down to the 1000$ range...

http://bozeman.craigslist.org/cto/5953704464.html

This is what im talking about.

Every saab owner knows that a fully rebuilt saab will last 200k+ miles.

Every review I read is really good, except for the cheap interior plastics used by GM. I don't really care if some plastic gets more figure prints then some other plastic or how much better the real wood used in other Eruo cars in the same price range are. V6 turbo, 280hp sounds fun as hell.

[Skidog]

I have a 2008 95 wagon. 135K on the clock. Drives really nice. Nicely appointed. Youll need a good Saab guy. Luckily I have one local thats great and honest. Most replies are dead on, it aint cheap to fix, and in Saabs infinite wisdom, my model year has fucking wiper blades that are not "standard" size. Can't just go pick em up at Napa/Auto Zone. just replaced them $53 a pair....have a lower gasket thats leaking a bit of oil that needs tending to, and a top gasket as well (but he already did that one recently so mustve just seated poorly will replace free). Lower gasket is like $600 top and bottom wouldve been $1000. Also replies about the subbie/saab connection. It was that one model. The WRX with saab logos. stupid....my family has owned saabs for the better part of the last 20ish years. Always been pretty solid, but did go a bit downhill when GM grabbed em.

YMMV, but I like ours.

[54-46]

Nephew had a Saab a few years ago (post-2009) and didn't love it. Moved on pretty quickly...

[detrusor]

I bought a 2009 9-3 aerocombi x drive wagon. V6 turbo. Super fun to drive....when not in the shop. The second it got out of warranty I sold it.

[::: :::]

saabparts.com most parts are in stock and less then a 2 hour drive away. Headlight Assembly - Driver Side (Halogen) 196.99 in stock ships today.



Haha
Not sure if id make it up my driveway in the snow.

I bet it could walk if it started to spin out

[cat in january]

I have had a 2008 9-3 wagon for last 40,000 miles, now at 164,000. The 9-3 engine had a bad set of valves which are showing up in 2007 to I think 2009. Not a DIY because it needs to go to Machine shop. Cost me $1,700 and only cost over $100 I have had other than DIY brakes. A beamer is nicer and maybe an Audi, but Saab front wheel drive is good with snows. So far the only part I could not source was the Saab specific hitch and I ended up buying one from a guy in Hawaii. They made he 9-3 2.0 for a long time. Other than the valve job I think 2008-2009 was a sweet spot for that car. Last few years they were in production I think they were on life support and not sure how good the build was. You see some 4 wheel drive models show up which could have been sweet because the cars mod fairly easily for more power, but I would not touch one of those. The 6 cylinder in the 9-3 can get some big HP, but it really crams the engine bay and the heat has some problems. Mechanic I know hates that engine and it was only put in for 4 years or so. 9-3 they made the model for 10 years with updates in 2007 and 2008. yeah some of the finish is so so for a european car and I have found a pair of aero seats from a junker because the seats are not the best (think this is an area they saved), but I like the car. Tons of them in Maine and I have a mechanic that is great at knowing the little things on the car. I would buy one again. Definitely offer low.

[HD333]

I bought a 2009 9-3 aerocombi x drive wagon. V6 turbo. Super fun to drive....when not in the shop. The second it got out of warranty I sold it.

We have owned multiple Saabs, going back to old 900s up through the GM models (9-5 & 9-3).
While they were all fun to drive, even the wagons, we dumped the majority right around the time the warranty expired. We kept one longer and ended up spending a ton on repairs.

Fun cars but money pits, can't imagine how expensive they will be to fix now that they went under and parts are harder to find.

[Timberridge]

Have you considered a Studebaker or Cord?

[oftpiste]

Longtime Saab-er here. I'm a fan. My newest one, 1997 9K Aero, is now 20 years old with 165k miles. It's built a little bit, fast, terrific in the snow and super fun to drive. I have a great mechanic which is a must if you're going to have one, especially if they have a stockpile of parts. I don't think Saabs are really any more expensive to maintain and own than any other mildly sporty euro vehicle, and probably less than some. All cars are money pits at some point. While I have spent some money on mine, many pit is not how I would describe it.

[guroo270]

I wouldn't. The last Saab story I heard had a bunch of tiny violins playing in it.

[fatnslow]

I have a 2008 95 wagon. 135K on the clock. Drives really nice. Nicely appointed. Youll need a good Saab guy. Luckily I have one local thats great and honest. Most replies are dead on, it aint cheap to fix, and in Saabs infinite wisdom, my model year has fucking wiper blades that are not "standard" size. Can't just go pick em up at Napa/Auto Zone. just replaced them $53 a pair....have a lower gasket thats leaking a bit of oil that needs tending to, and a top gasket as well (but he already did that one recently so mustve just seated poorly will replace free). Lower gasket is like $600 top and bottom wouldve been $1000. Also replies about the subbie/saab connection. It was that one model. The WRX with saab logos. stupid....my family has owned saabs for the better part of the last 20ish years. Always been pretty solid, but did go a bit downhill when GM grabbed em.

YMMV, but I like ours.

You can get wiper arms from an older gen 9-5(pre 06)and use standard wiper blades. i switched mine out a few years back for my 08 9-5.

[fatnslow]

I would stay away from the xwd . I have an 08 9-5 that's been a great car but i fix most of my won stuff. The problem with the post 09 is Saab didn't sell many cars so they have very little parts availability and few techs know them well. In my experience my car hasn't cost any extra compared to any other car but I have an 08, that was 9 years of production into my model so many thing had been figured out.

[BmillsSkier]

Have you considered a Studebaker or Cord?

I hear a Crosley is a nice alternative too.

On a side note I see there's been a seamless transfer of power in your avatar. But I can't figure out who the mashup is. It was Beiberobama before this is Trumpgaga?