After doing some research, I've decided to buy a Saab 9-3. There are two 2003 Saab 9-3s near me that I have been looking at, but can't decide which one would be the better choice.
The first is a Linear with 45,000 miles and a 5-speed from a Saab dealer nearby. The asking price is $12,995. The car is overall in good condition, the interior's very clean and there are only minor paint chips on the back of the car. Carfax reports that the car has had one owner, but does not show any service records.
The other is an Arc with 68,000 miles and a 6-speed from a small used car lot. The asking price is $11,995. I looked up the car on Carfax, and found that it has had four owners, but it looks like three of the owners were dealerships/auto auction lots within the past year. Carfax also reports that the original owner brought the car to be serviced at Saab of Bedford at 18,000, 27,000, 31,000, 39,000, and 43,000 miles.
This car isn't as clean as the Linear above, and there are a few minor issues: there is a chip in the windshield, and the clear plastic in front of the instrument cluster is cracked near the bottom. From doing searches here, it looks like a windshield replacement will be around $700 in case a repair doesn't work. I've been able to find the instrument clusters on ebay for around $25 shipped, so I can't imagine it would be that difficult to transplant the plastic cover.
I drove both of the cars yesterday, and overall I did enjoy driving the Arc a bit more, although I did not have the opportunity to drive it on a freeway. I'll be going back to look/drive both of the cars within the next two days.
Which of the two cars would you recommend? Also, are there any other things I should look out for on either of the cars when I go to look at them again?
Thanks in advance.
The first is a Linear with 45,000 miles and a 5-speed from a Saab dealer nearby. The asking price is $12,995. The car is overall in good condition, the interior's very clean and there are only minor paint chips on the back of the car. Carfax reports that the car has had one owner, but does not show any service records.
The other is an Arc with 68,000 miles and a 6-speed from a small used car lot. The asking price is $11,995. I looked up the car on Carfax, and found that it has had four owners, but it looks like three of the owners were dealerships/auto auction lots within the past year. Carfax also reports that the original owner brought the car to be serviced at Saab of Bedford at 18,000, 27,000, 31,000, 39,000, and 43,000 miles.
This car isn't as clean as the Linear above, and there are a few minor issues: there is a chip in the windshield, and the clear plastic in front of the instrument cluster is cracked near the bottom. From doing searches here, it looks like a windshield replacement will be around $700 in case a repair doesn't work. I've been able to find the instrument clusters on ebay for around $25 shipped, so I can't imagine it would be that difficult to transplant the plastic cover.
I drove both of the cars yesterday, and overall I did enjoy driving the Arc a bit more, although I did not have the opportunity to drive it on a freeway. I'll be going back to look/drive both of the cars within the next two days.
Which of the two cars would you recommend? Also, are there any other things I should look out for on either of the cars when I go to look at them again?
Thanks in advance.