Carfax help?? 2004 Saab 93 Aero

[sean_maxwell]

Can any of you polite forum members help me become a Saab owner? Looking at a 2004 Saab 93 Aero thats pretty clean, but a nice Carfax would really solidify my decision! Thanks in advance to anyone that can help.

Sean

VIN: Ys3fh49y941026043

[Silver0393]

http://www.carfax.com/used_car_classifieds/hotListingsSearchSubmit.cfx
I believe that 17001 is your zip not a hundred percent sure, but just click on one of the cars and scroll to the bottom. Here is a couple more sites to try. www.carmax.com and www.autotrader.com

[JonV]

and www.cars.com

[sean_maxwell]

Thanks for the responses guys. I was actually wondering if someone with a Carfax subscription could run a report on the above listed VIN...

[sean_maxwell]

VIN: Ys3fh49y941026043

Autocheck, Carfax, anything with a nice history report...

[JonV]

Originally Posted by sean_maxwell

VIN: Ys3fh49y941026043

Autocheck, Carfax, anything with a nice history report...

Spend 9.95 and get one.....Sheesh...

[puGooner]

Originally Posted by JonV

Spend 9.95 and get one.....Sheesh...

+1

Or ask the seller to provide one...

[sean_maxwell]

Well, I kind of figured this was a loaded thread in a Saab forum. I knew I'd get someone to take time out of their day to just say go buy one instead of just ignoring the thread. You have to love people like that. The seller is private party and isn't required to provide me with one under any circumstances.

Anyways, where can I get a Carfax for $9.95? I just checked the website and it said $36 dollars.

Sean

[sean_maxwell]

Cheapest I could find is Autocheck @ $25.. which isn't bad I guess... But someone who has a year's subscription to Carfax could run it for free, so I figured I'd ask...

['97 Saab SE Turbo]

Up on Lake Erie, when someone sells a power boat, the buyer pays for the survey and the seller agrees to fix anything the survey finds, or renegotiates the price.

Remember that CarFax is only as good as the companies that take the time to update it.

You are better off to pay and independant Saab specialist to check the car out, rather that trust CarFax... Ron

[ameen]

dont always trust carfax. check out my thread for an example:

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=179622

[puGooner]

Originally Posted by sean_maxwell

Well, I kind of figured this was a loaded thread in a Saab forum. I knew I'd get someone to take time out of their day to just say go buy one instead of just ignoring the thread. You have to love people like that. The seller is private party and isn't required to provide me with one under any circumstances.

Anyways, where can I get a Carfax for $9.95? I just checked the website and it said $36 dollars.

Sean

Honestly, even though it's a private seller, it never hurts to ask (I'm assuming you haven't discussed this with the seller). It actually works to the seller's advantage to take care of things like this. Kind of shows some good faith on the seller's part.

[TheOneAndOnlyJH]

Originally Posted by puGooner

Honestly, even though it's a private seller, it never hurts to ask (I'm assuming you haven't discussed this with the seller). It actually works to the seller's advantage to take care of things like this. Kind of shows some good faith on the seller's part.

Also, it makes more sense for the seller to buy the carfax and print a couple of copies so he can give it to each possible buyer. Otherwise multiple buyers pay separate fees to look at the same carfax, which doesn't make much sense. (Of course, carfax uses this to their advantage.)

You should just ask the seller if he can provide you with a copy of the carfax report. Chances are he might already have it. If he says no, then you can pay for it yourself, but keep in mind there may be a reason he doesn't want to look up the vehicle's history.

And always arrange to have your own mechanic look a car over before you buy privately. A small labor charge can save you thousands! Just tell them you'd very interested but want your mechanic to take a look before you agree to buy it. If he finds something wrong (brakes, etc.), you can bargain the price down or just not buy it.

[JonV]

Originally Posted by sean_maxwell

Well, I kind of figured this was a loaded thread in a Saab forum. I knew I'd get someone to take time out of their day to just say go buy one instead of just ignoring the thread. You have to love people like that. The seller is private party and isn't required to provide me with one under any circumstances.

Anyways, where can I get a Carfax for $9.95? I just checked the website and it said $36 dollars.

Sean

Well, it's actually 34.95..... your the one buying the car. There not free. Your about to spend several thousand dollars, you obviously don't trust the sellers word. For 10 bucks more you can get 5 reports... that makes them 8.99 Even if someone in here had that subscription, Why should someone in here pay for your carfax?

An alternative is to tell the seller you won't consider making an offer unless he provides a Carfax.

[onerareviper]

Wow... Just looked on Carfax. They used to have unlimited reports (for a month). No more... Only 5. This is where sharing with someone was a no-brainer (unlimited). I guess Carfax got tired of this 'sharing'.

That being said, Carfax is only useful in certain ways. Number of owners, fleet vehicle/rental, and MAJOR damage (that was reported). Very little value IMHO. I helped a friend buy a car that had MAJOR damage, a complete paint job, etc... Basically rebuilt. The Carfax showed a perfect/clean car. It was so cheap he still bought it, but showed that Carfax reports really aren't worth basing a decision on...

I agree with another poster above. If you really like the car, have it inspected by a qualified Saab mechanic. $100 bucks is money well spend. A few more dollars at a 'good' body shop will tell if it's ever been painted, if you're that particular.

[JonV]

Not all states report to Carfax.... Salvage vehicles have been shuffled around and come up with clean titles, Non Accident report Damage/repairs does not show either. I had a neighbor back into a Ford Ranger, 2300 in damage, she paid out of pocket due to a poor record and soaring rates.... does not show up on a carfax...

[sean_maxwell]

the basic report for carfax shows 27 records

and the basic report for autocheck shows 9 records

ugh, that sounds a bit high on the carfax report... don't worry about it guys... i'll pay for the report if needed.. I feel they're pretty important to see if the car's been serviced by a reputable dealer, accidents, discrepancies, etc...

[jim808]

Here is the autocheck. Like others have said, I would take this with a grain of salt. One of my good friends is a dealer and we see cars go through dealer auctions all the time with discloused frame damage and they don't show up on eith carfax or autocheck.

AutoCheck Vehicle History Report

2004 Saab 9-3 Aero
Report Run Date: 2010-03-15 17:17:57.771 EDT

This AutoCheck Score

The AutoCheck Score is a summary of your vehicle's history, letting you compare vehicles with ease.

About this vehicle's AutoCheck Score

This vehicle qualifies for Buyback Protection

Safeguard your investment with AutoCheck Buyback Protection, which reduces the risk in buying a used vehicle.

About Buyback Protection


VIN:YS3FH49Y941026043Year :2004Make : SaabModel:9-3 Aero Style/Body:Sedan 4DClass: Upscale - Near LuxuryEngine:2.0L I4 EFICountry of Assembly:SwedenVehicle Age:6 year(s)Calculated Owners:1Calculated Accidents:0 Last Reported
Odometer Reading:58,436


Section summaries

The vehicle identification number you submitted has been analyzed and summary information on your car is shown below.
Title and ProblemCheck: Your vehicle checks out! OdometerCheck: Your vehicle checks out! Vehicle Use and EventCheck: Specific vehicle use(s) or events reported Full History: Detailed information available
Title and ProblemCheck


Your vehicle checks out! AutoCheck's database for this 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero (YS3FH49Y941026043) shows no negative titles or other problems. When reported to AutoCheck, these events can indicate serious past damage or other significant problems, and disqualifies the vehicle for AutoCheck Buyback Protection. Check the Vehicle Use and EventCheck for reported accidents that can affect vehicle safety and value.

0 Problem(s) Reported:15 Title/Problem areas checked: No abandoned title record No damaged title or major damage incident record No fire damaged title record No grey market title record No hail damage title record No insurance loss title or probable total loss record No junk or scrapped title record No manufacturer buyback/lemon title record No odometer problem title record No rebuilt/rebuildable title record No salvage title or salvage auction record No water damaged title record No NHTSA crash test record No frame damage record No recycling facility record
OdometerCheck


Your vehicle checks out! AutoCheck examined the reported odometer readings reported to AutoCheck for this 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero (YS3FH49Y941026043) and no indication of an odometer rollback or tampering was found. AutoCheck uses business rules to determine if reported odometer readings are significantly less than previously reported values. Not all reported odometer readings are used. Title and auction events also report odometer tampering or breakage.
0 Problem(s) Reported:MileageDate Reported540 09/30/2004 58,436 09/10/2007
Vehicle Use and EventCheck


Information Reported! AutoCheck shows additional vehicle uses or events reported to AutoCheck for this 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero (YS3FH49Y941026043). This includes reported vehicle uses such as rental or lease, and events such as whether the vehicle has been reported to have had a loan/lien or duplicate title issued. Other events show if the vehicle has a reported accident and how many calculated accidents or if it has been reported stolen or repossessed. It is recommended to have pre-owned vehicles inspected by a third party prior to purchase.
1 Event(s) Reported: 6 Vehicle uses checked: Fleet, rental and/or lease use record(s) No taxi use record No police use record No government use record No livery use record No driver education record 1 Event(s) Reported: 9 Vehicle events checked: No accident record reported through accident data sources No corrected title record No duplicate title record No emission/safety inspection record Loan/Lien record(s) No fire damage incident record No repossessed record No theft record No storm area registration/title record

Full History


Below are the historical events for this vehicle listed in chronological order. Any discrepancies will be in bold text.
Report Run Date: 2010-03-15 17:17:57.771 EDT
Vehicle: 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero (YS3FH49Y941026043)


Event Date Event Location Odometer Reading Data Source Event Detail 09/30/2004 PA

540

Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:60970572)
REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL (Leased Vehicle) (Lien Reported) 05/13/2005 NEW CUMBERLAND, PA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL (Leased Vehicle) 05/26/2006 NEW CUMBERLAND, PA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL (Leased Vehicle) 05/29/2007 NEW CUMBERLAND, PA


Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL (Leased Vehicle) 09/10/2007 NEW CUMBERLAND, PA

58,436

Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:60970572) (Lien Reported) 09/28/2007 NEW CUMBERLAND, PA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL 05/08/2008 HARRISBURG, PA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL 04/30/2009 HARRISBURG, PA
Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL

[sean_maxwell]

thanks jim, that's great!