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Car Forum / Saab Cars / August 2005

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9-3 or 9-5?

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Al - 04 Jul 2005 12:40 GMT
Recently nearly bought a 9-5.  However, due to oil sludge issues with that
particular car, see previous post, we are out of that deal and looking
again.

The oil-sludge issue is apparently common on all 95's, not just those Saab
have chosen to give additional warranties on.  (Three Saab specialists have
told me this)

We need a good family car, for around the £4.5k mark.  The 95 fit the bill
very well.  Size, safety features, value for money and the Saab badge.  And
yes, it is pretty important to me that it's a Saab, if I wanted a Honda I'd
be on the Honda group.

Speaking with another Saab specialist in Sheffield he recommended we go with
a 93.  Apart from the oil problem, 95's are considerably more expensive to
repair than 93's.

Gut feeling is to change tack to the 93.  My wife has been driving a NG900S
for the last 4 years and has always enjoyed it.  The 93 is essentially a
development of that car, so a) There's historically more SAAB in it than 95,
and b) This means less 'new model' teething problems.

I really don't want to start a debate about GM/SAAB.  I drive a SAAB C900
Aero, but we need to be sensible here. This will be our main family car for
day to day shopping trips as well as the longer 100 to 500 mile round trips
we do, so another C900 is not an option.

What do you think?

93 for proven reliability

95 for extra space and safety.

Cheers

Al
Malt_Hound - 04 Jul 2005 12:57 GMT
> Recently nearly bought a 9-5.  However, due to oil sludge issues with that
> particular car, see previous post, we are out of that deal and looking
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Al

You may want to try to search around and see if you can find a low
mileage, late model (1997-1998) 9000.  Space, safety and reliability all
in one car.  Actually, with the hatchback you also get the added
versatility of a station wagon with the good looks of a sport sedan.

-Fred W
Pooh Bear - 09 Jul 2005 03:48 GMT
> > Recently nearly bought a 9-5.  However, due to oil sludge issues with that
> > particular car, see previous post, we are out of that deal and looking
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> in one car.  Actually, with the hatchback you also get the added
> versatility of a station wagon with the good looks of a sport sedan.

Not especially low mileage but silly money.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18263&item=4559787230&r
d=1&ssPageName=WDVW


There seems to be a flood of decent looking 9000s on ebay right now. The
anniversary model seems to be especially well considered.

Graham
Dan RatherNot - 21 Jul 2005 16:52 GMT
> You may want to try to search around and see if you can find a low
> mileage, late model (1997-1998) 9000.  Space, safety and reliability all
> in one car.  Actually, with the hatchback you also get the added
> versatility of a station wagon with the good looks of a sport sedan.
>
> -Fred W

I'll vouch for that. I'm very pleased with my 93 9000cset. Versatility,
convenience, power, creature comforts, economy, safety (tho it does not have
side airbags). It's not the best at any of those but good enough at all.
--
America - the real terrorists
http://www.kersplebedeb.com/mystuff/s11/churchill.html
Henrik B. - 04 Jul 2005 13:27 GMT
> What do you think?
>
> 93 for proven reliability
>
> 95 for extra space and safety.

I'd deffinately go for the 9-5. Change the oil often and regularly, more
frequent if you have a lot of short trips. Then you won't become probs with
the sludge-issue. A darn nice car to drive.

Signature

----------------------------------------------------------
Saab - Fordi livet er for kort til biler med dårlig sikkerhed!

John Hudson - 04 Jul 2005 15:35 GMT
> Recently nearly bought a 9-5.  However, due to oil sludge issues with that
> particular car, see previous post, we are out of that deal and looking
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
>You want a family sized car presumably for a family. Forget image, unless
you cannot do without it, buy a Mondeo diesel. loads about, good value for
money, plenty of parts and reasonable servicing.
Al - 05 Jul 2005 09:07 GMT
>> Recently nearly bought a 9-5.  However, due to oil sludge issues with
>> that
[quoted text clipped - 48 lines]
> you cannot do without it, buy a Mondeo diesel. loads about, good value for
> money, plenty of parts and reasonable servicing.

When we bought the NG900 four years ago, she was up against a Mondeo and a
much newer Escort (98 I think)

I compared service prices on Brake pads and discs, clutch, exhaust and some
other consumables which turned out to be irrelevant.

The Escort was cheaper by a long way, but the Saab was only marginally more
expensive than the Mondeo.  Until it came to Clutch.  On the NG900, at that
time, it was around £300.  I was quoted about £600 for the Mondeo!  I was so
surprised I got several quotes and they were all about the same.  (no main
dealer quotes)  I don't know if the same applies now though to be fair.

I have driven Mondeo's several times back in the late 90's as replacement
cars for company cars in for service.  The ride and handling were very good,
but the cabin interior was pretty cheap and shabby, and from what I've seen
lately hasn't improved much.

My biggest gripe with Ford is every one we've ever owned, Fiesta *2, Escort
and a Sierra has leaked water into the cabin.  My father used to suffer the
same problems with his Cortinas and Sierras.  That's why I refer to them as
leaky old Fords.

I do appreciate your point John, but our experience of the NG is only
positive, so I guess we would like to stick with what we know.

93 or 95?

Al
Henrik B. - 05 Jul 2005 09:59 GMT
> I compared service prices on Brake pads and discs, clutch, exhaust and
> some other consumables which turned out to be irrelevant.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> (no main dealer quotes)  I don't know if the same applies now though to be
> fair.

Besides that - the parts on the Saabs are of much better quality = lasts
longer, than on a Mondeo or Escort (Focus).

Signature

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Saab - Fordi livet er for kort til biler med dårlig sikkerhed!

Johannes - 05 Jul 2005 14:59 GMT
> > I compared service prices on Brake pads and discs, clutch, exhaust and
> > some other consumables which turned out to be irrelevant.
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Besides that - the parts on the Saabs are of much better quality = lasts
> longer, than on a Mondeo or Escort (Focus).

Hopefully, this is still the case? I'm always amazed of the build quality
of my 9000 CSE. You tend not to notice things that work, but I've previously
had Fords and Fiats. These are good cars on paper as they cost millions to
develop, but it's when it comes down to manufacturing. E.g. my Ford Fiesta
was a high end 'Ghia' model bought from new; it had patches of black putty
around the read window seals to 'complete' the manufacturing!


> --
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> Saab - Fordi livet er for kort til biler med dårlig sikkerhed!
John Hudson - 05 Jul 2005 16:39 GMT
> >>You want a family sized car presumably for a family. Forget image, unless
> > you cannot do without it, buy a Mondeo diesel. loads about, good value for
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
>Good luck to you Al, I simply thought that for the price you are paying  by
considering other makes you would be broadening your choice of car.
Al - 05 Jul 2005 19:03 GMT
>> >>You want a family sized car presumably for a family. Forget image,
> unless
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
>>by
> considering other makes you would be broadening your choice of car.

Much appreciated John, and yes we have considered other makes, but frankly
nothing else in the price range really does it for us at the moment.

We considered a Vectra, my Dad has one and it's a fine car, also the Focus
drives well,(but it's a Ford)

I have a problem with BMW's, it's not the beautifully engineered cars, it's
just the drivers.  Also, I think they are seriously over valued on the
second hand market.

Mercedes also are overvalued, but servicing is apparently relatively cheap.

We thought about a Honda, one of my mates has one, as does one of our
Technical Directors at work.  Great car, but ultimately not convinced on the
longlivety.  Face it, how many Japanese cars from the C900 era are there
still on the road?

We are currently sticking with Saab, for the reasons given previously.

Cheers

Al
John Hudson - 05 Jul 2005 21:11 GMT
> >> When we bought the NG900 four years ago, she was up against a Mondeo and
> >> a
[quoted text clipped - 62 lines]
>
> Al
Ever since reading your comments on the Mondeo clutch problem I have been
trying to recollect the actual difficulty, IIRC one has to remove an engine
support cross member to get at the clutch and this takes the extra time.
Ford obviously expect their clutches to last well! Keep us posted on your
eventual choice. Have you considered keeping the NG900 and replacing the
C900 with the new car? I hope I don't upset the C900 lovers with this point!
Al - 06 Jul 2005 20:48 GMT
>> >> When we bought the NG900 four years ago, she was up against a Mondeo
> and
[quoted text clipped - 81 lines]
> C900 with the new car? I hope I don't upset the C900 lovers with this
> point!

Easy tiger, you could get yourself e-lynched for such ideas!

Al
PAPAGENE4JACK - 05 Jul 2005 23:13 GMT
Hey al you want honesty and reliability get yourself something out of
germany. Ive owned both and there is no comparison for reliability. good
luck papa
Al - 06 Jul 2005 20:51 GMT
> Hey al you want honesty and reliability get yourself something out of
> germany. Ive owned both and there is no comparison for reliability. good
> luck papa

Audi?  Nah.

VW, hmm, always fancied a Golf GTI Mk II, but this is the wife's car, and
frankly any company who markets a car to English speaking nations called the
Bora clearly isn't thinking straight!

Al
Radovan - 08 Jul 2005 05:55 GMT
Hello Al,
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you. :-)
Please check the sludge letters wording. If you would get 9-3 with 2.3
LPT engine you are facing the same problem as with 9-5 as engines are
identical. Also they fixed the sludge problem on 2001 models. Those are
the facelifted ones.
I do not know about prices of 9-5 in UK but I would go for 2001 9-5 or
9-3 with 2.0 engines.
Hope that make sense.
Radovan

> Recently nearly bought a 9-5.  However, due to oil sludge issues with that
> particular car, see previous post, we are out of that deal and looking
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Al
Dan RatherNot - 21 Jul 2005 16:56 GMT
> Recently nearly bought a 9-5.  However, due to oil sludge issues with that
> particular car, see previous post, we are out of that deal and looking
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> have chosen to give additional warranties on.  (Three Saab specialists
> have told me this)

The crankcase oil issue has STILL not been solved??? That's shocking. And
disappointing. I was hoping to replace my 93 9000CSET eventually with a 9-5
wagon but that's a major concern.
--
America - the real terrorists
http://www.kersplebedeb.com/mystuff/s11/churchill.html
Henrik B. - 08 Aug 2005 07:43 GMT
> The crankcase oil issue has STILL not been solved??? That's shocking. And
> disappointing. I was hoping to replace my 93 9000CSET eventually with a
> 9-5 wagon but that's a major concern.

Not a problem. SImply make oilchanges according to your driving-patterne,
and you won't experience any prob's.

Signature

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