260 000 km is nothing, so buy and prepare to have fun.
9-5 thoughts please!
2008 Aero wagon, 260k kms (~160k miles), owned 6 years and 80k with minimal trouble.
Timing chain on the way out...
I really like the car, and generally disliking the upmarket German stuff there's minimal alternatives for a wagon.
My question is, if I pour money into the car (this will be pushing $2k, also needs rear shocks) will this be it for a while or is a 260k km car really at the end of its low maintenance life? These engines/ transmissions are generally considered pretty tough right? No sign of rust at all the car is in great condition, tip o'the hat to previous owners. It's a kindof daily driver but since WFH still not racking up the mileage.
So, what does the hive Saab mind think? If I do give up I think this is the end of my Saab journey unless the holy grail low mileage 9-2X drops in my lap: winning the lottery is a more likely plan.
Cheers!
Timing chain on the way out...
I really like the car, and generally disliking the upmarket German stuff there's minimal alternatives for a wagon.
My question is, if I pour money into the car (this will be pushing $2k, also needs rear shocks) will this be it for a while or is a 260k km car really at the end of its low maintenance life? These engines/ transmissions are generally considered pretty tough right? No sign of rust at all the car is in great condition, tip o'the hat to previous owners. It's a kindof daily driver but since WFH still not racking up the mileage.
So, what does the hive Saab mind think? If I do give up I think this is the end of my Saab journey unless the holy grail low mileage 9-2X drops in my lap: winning the lottery is a more likely plan.
Cheers!
1 - 20 of 32 Posts
If you like the car that much and apart from the issues you describe there's nothing wrong with it then do it. $2k is barely a deposit for anything newer.
A few days ago I saw an immaculate 2002 9-5 Aero estate (wagon) and spoke to the devoted owner. He had it many years, and decided to have the rust repaired, respray, and basically everything else it needs.
His philosophy is that he really likes it, there's nothing out there similar, and if he put the thousands spent towards another car, it would be an unknown quantity and an inferior replacement.
I scrapped my beloved 2004 9-5 Aero estate last year after wrestling with the same decision but mine had severely rotten rear arches and the repair estimate was several times the car's value. The clincher was that I was relocating and losing one of the three was beneficial.
I still wonder whether I should have chucked the ££ at it as I'll likely never have another as good, and which I liked so much.
So - bite the bullet.
His philosophy is that he really likes it, there's nothing out there similar, and if he put the thousands spent towards another car, it would be an unknown quantity and an inferior replacement.
I scrapped my beloved 2004 9-5 Aero estate last year after wrestling with the same decision but mine had severely rotten rear arches and the repair estimate was several times the car's value. The clincher was that I was relocating and losing one of the three was beneficial.
I still wonder whether I should have chucked the ££ at it as I'll likely never have another as good, and which I liked so much.
So - bite the bullet.
Reassuring responses so far!
I just added up repair receipts:
$2.5k over the first 3 1/2 years/55k kms
$2.5k over the last 2 1/2 years/ 11k kms
My beloved old viggen did the same (at around 14 years old but 200k) and started getting expensive, but that coincided with driving a lot more.
I just added up repair receipts:
$2.5k over the first 3 1/2 years/55k kms
$2.5k over the last 2 1/2 years/ 11k kms
My beloved old viggen did the same (at around 14 years old but 200k) and started getting expensive, but that coincided with driving a lot more.
TBH, the good old days when you could keep a car running on gas, oil, minimum maintenance and junkyard parts for almost nothing are long over. 
Expect to invest similar amounts in the following years - not because Saab but that's what you are going to face with any older vehicle. $1k per year on parts and workshops is rather the norm than the exception.
260000 kms are okay. At least among the German offers I have noticed that you won't find many Saab which have more than 400k on the odo, and those are mainly rundown clunkers which you can only strip for parts.
So, if you feel confident/eager, go and get it.
Expect to invest similar amounts in the following years - not because Saab but that's what you are going to face with any older vehicle. $1k per year on parts and workshops is rather the norm than the exception.
260000 kms are okay. At least among the German offers I have noticed that you won't find many Saab which have more than 400k on the odo, and those are mainly rundown clunkers which you can only strip for parts.
So, if you feel confident/eager, go and get it.
You're asking this question on a Saab 9-5 forum, so you're not exactly getting unbiased answers here. But....I'd have to agree with the other answers here to keep it and spend the money. In addition to the cost/benefit analysis which others have already covered, you're also keeping a defunct car brand on the road for another few years. It's unique and a really enjoyable car overall. I'd say keep it. New and used car prices are through the roof, so that $2000 won't get you very far into something newer. KEEP IT.
PS if you do end up looking into something else, check out the Volvo XC60, or the newer models V60 & V90. The newer ones are really sharp, and Volvo is probably the closest you will come to the "spirit" of Saab, seeing as how they are both Swedish companies.
PS if you do end up looking into something else, check out the Volvo XC60, or the newer models V60 & V90. The newer ones are really sharp, and Volvo is probably the closest you will come to the "spirit" of Saab, seeing as how they are both Swedish companies.
Yeah I definitely agree. I'm at 174k on my 9-5 now (bought at 123k 3 years ago) and I plan to maintain it and keep it as a daily driver until it becomes impossible to upkeep due to parts/cost availability. Relatively good gas mileage (on the highway at least), solid power, comfortable interior, and a stick shift in a wagon is just impossible to find for reasonable money.
Labor rates these days are easilly 1/2 or generally more of the cost if you dont do the work yourself
@Saaberachi I learned from the viggen that I'm surprisingly poor at car wrenching, surprising because I do most of my motorcycle maintenance myself. My Saab guy is pretty good.
@QuiickLime Stick is one thing I miss! Flappy paddles aren't the same. But when driving round town for necessity auto is nice too.
@andybisnut I suspect I'm looking for biased advice! The V60 is lovely but insanely expensive up here, I can go down in capacity as long as I have hatchback versatility so Scion TC, audi A3 sport wagon and erm... Mazda RX8 are replacement options. But 10-15k which means borrowing.
@Germaniac That's my impression they're strong but not like the old Mercs that would go to the moon and back. 5 years and another 50k will be fine.
@QuiickLime Stick is one thing I miss! Flappy paddles aren't the same. But when driving round town for necessity auto is nice too.
@andybisnut I suspect I'm looking for biased advice! The V60 is lovely but insanely expensive up here, I can go down in capacity as long as I have hatchback versatility so Scion TC, audi A3 sport wagon and erm... Mazda RX8 are replacement options. But 10-15k which means borrowing.
@Germaniac That's my impression they're strong but not like the old Mercs that would go to the moon and back. 5 years and another 50k will be fine.
The only reason why you still find that many Mercers of similar age here is that they had been sold in numbers...personally I wouldn't buy any MB from the 90s on unless they come ultracheap and with an immaculate history.@Germaniac That's my impression they're strong but not like the old Mercs that would go to the moon and back. 5 years and another 50k will be fine.
I would want to confirm if it's the timing chain, or maybe just a guide.
Of course there can be lots of maintenance required, but in many cases if you replace with quality parts, you're good for another 200,000 km on those particular parts. That includes lots of suspension bits (Bilstein has lifetime warranty on its items) and fuel pump.
Other items like brakes, tires, are wear items, and will wear out on any car and need replacement.
The one thing to keep in mind is that the OE-quality items like engine mounts, bushings, and other rubber bits are getting scarce, and the cheap aftermarket ones aren't much good.
Rust-free is a good place to be. My 2003 wagon has over 290,000 km. Mechanically it's fine, but the right side rear door and rear wheel well are succumbing to rust. I expect that it will be rust rather than mechanical failure that kills the car. Others have driven 9-5s to 400,000+ km. Of course that was when Saab provided OEM parts that were actual OEM, not "Saab Select".
Of course there can be lots of maintenance required, but in many cases if you replace with quality parts, you're good for another 200,000 km on those particular parts. That includes lots of suspension bits (Bilstein has lifetime warranty on its items) and fuel pump.
Other items like brakes, tires, are wear items, and will wear out on any car and need replacement.
The one thing to keep in mind is that the OE-quality items like engine mounts, bushings, and other rubber bits are getting scarce, and the cheap aftermarket ones aren't much good.
Rust-free is a good place to be. My 2003 wagon has over 290,000 km. Mechanically it's fine, but the right side rear door and rear wheel well are succumbing to rust. I expect that it will be rust rather than mechanical failure that kills the car. Others have driven 9-5s to 400,000+ km. Of course that was when Saab provided OEM parts that were actual OEM, not "Saab Select".
Opinions vary .. apparently.
A Saab of that vintage is Not a low maintenance car.
Plus their GM engines are Not the legendary Saab ones. It's a 4cyl Chevy. You have done surprisingly well.. So far.
9-2X is a simply Subaru with Saab labelings.
A Saab of that vintage is Not a low maintenance car.
Plus their GM engines are Not the legendary Saab ones. It's a 4cyl Chevy. You have done surprisingly well.. So far.
9-2X is a simply Subaru with Saab labelings.
How exactly is a B235R a "4cyl Chevy"?Opinions vary .. apparently.
A Saab of that vintage is Not a low maintenance car.
Plus their GM engines are Not the legendary Saab ones. It's a 4cyl Chevy. You have done surprisingly well.. So far.
9-2X is a simply Subaru with Saab labelings.
Its not. But its true that the GM ecotec engines that were voted ten best by wards report ten years in a row are now phased out. I think the last cars to use the 2.4 version were ( damn im old cant remember ) SUV EQIUINOX ( which has an oil consumption issue probably from cost reduction cheapness efforts....And it is true that the B235R series share architecture, as both are Saab original designs. BUT NOT THE SAMEHow exactly is a B235R a "4cyl Chevy"?
The cruze and sonic recently phased out ( hey GM can only make money on ICE pickup trucks) were crap daewoo silly motors. Example: ecotec saab thermostat 40 bux three bolts and no hoses to remove to install. Sonic/cruze "ecotec" t stat is 175.00 has six bolts and four hoses to install plus an additional small hose to the throttle body. and partially plastic and alloy which is why it leaks and fails. absurd.
And rust is so bad, I have decided starting last fall to not drive either of my cars in winter....borrow and beg rides. MY 04 redline has never been winter driven. My 07 saab has seen 12 winters.Now never more. but as it was washed weekly the salt damage is minimal
I still have to get to work in winter, and transit is not much of an option when you have to report at 6 AM, a two hour transit ride away.And rust is so bad, I have decided starting last fall to not drive either of my cars in winter....borrow and beg rides
My guess is that the 9-5 I use in winter will retire at about the same time I will. We will both be too rusty to continue.
check the diagnosis of timing chain. The B235R is not a quiet motor...BITD you could wind in a new chain using link clips. Rarely if ever does the timing chain stretch. Tensioners are different. I think the B235R valve cover has a built in tensioner strip which I imagine reduces rattle. I am not sure if its replaceable. The LK9 9-3 engine is different has an exhaust side tensioner which can be upgraded. and the inlet side black chain guide mounting bolts loosen off with time and break.2008 Aero wagon, 260k kms (~160k miles), owned 6 years and 80k with minimal trouble.
Timing chain on the way out...
I really like the car, and generally disliking the upmarket German stuff there's minimal alternatives for a wagon.
My question is, if I pour money into the car (this will be pushing $2k, also needs rear shocks) will this be it for a while or is a 260k km car really at the end of its low maintenance life? These engines/ transmissions are generally considered pretty tough right? No sign of rust at all the car is in great condition, tip o'the hat to previous owners. It's a kindof daily driver but since WFH still not racking up the mileage.
So, what does the hive Saab mind think? If I do give up I think this is the end of my Saab journey unless the holy grail low mileage 9-2X drops in my lap: winning the lottery is a more likely plan.
Cheers!
A yearly spray of cavity wax etc does wonders.And rust is so bad, I have decided starting last fall to not drive either of my cars in winter....borrow and beg rides. MY 04 redline has never been winter driven. My 07 saab has seen 12 winters.Now never more. but as it was washed weekly the salt damage is minimal
Yes, can confirm; the b235 does have a rubber strip in the valve cover for the chain. It is easily replaceable.check the diagnosis of timing chain. The B235R is not a quiet motor...BITD you could wind in a new chain using link clips. Rarely if ever does the timing chain stretch. Tensioners are different. I think the B235R valve cover has a built in tensioner strip which I imagine reduces rattle. I am not sure if its replaceable. The LK9 9-3 engine is different has an exhaust side tensioner which can be upgraded. and the inlet side black chain guide mounting bolts loosen off with time and break.
Yes, can confirm; the b235 does have a rubber strip in the valve cover for the chain. It is easily replaceable.
[/QUOTE]
Agreed, easily replaceable. They get hard & brittle over time. Theyre in the t5 covers too.
[/QUOTE]
Agreed, easily replaceable. They get hard & brittle over time. Theyre in the t5 covers too.
1 - 20 of 32 Posts
SaabCentral Forums
SaabCentral forum the most comprehensive Saab resource on the internet. Join our discussions on the Saab 9-3, Saab 9-5, Saab 900, Saab 9000 and all other Saab models, choose your forum.
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
