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2004 Saab 9-5 Wagon

  

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I'm looking to buy a 2004 9-5 wagon for my wife for $4,200 from a private seller. 

The car has 84k miles and a clean title.  I'll be bringing to our awesome mechanic to take a look, but assuming everything checks out, is there anything I should be concerned about long-term?  (ie expensive parts, parts known to go bad over time etc?)

Thanks in advance!


3 Answers
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I don't think it is worth it that much. It is a 17 years old Saab. They do not make them anymore and they were cheap GM products. I would look for something else, there are plenty good cars out.


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That is one of the best years for those cars. Earlier model years of the 9-5 had engine sludging problems due to an inadequate PCV system. The 9-5s made from 2006-on suffered from additional GM cost-cutting. The 2.3 4-cylinder engine is reliable but GM cheapened its construction versus the earlier Saab models like the 9000. It should be fine at 84K miles if properly maintained but be sure your mechanic checks it thoroughly. The water pump is prone to leaking at the pipe that feeds into the engine block due to deterioration of O-rings. The head gasket is prone to developing an external drip at the left-front edge of the engine due to bolts loosening. (A factory TSB recommends retorquing the bolts when this happens. The bolts stretch when torqued and should only be retorqued once before being replaced.)

The ignition system does not use individual coils, a cassette incorporating all 4 coils is employed and that costs a few hundred dollars to replace. It also incorporates circuitry that uses the spark plugs as knock sensors so it is important that the correct NGK spark plugs are used, gapped correctly and replaced per the recommended service interval. Failure to do so can burn out the ignition cassette. (It is common to carry a spare.)

If the car has an automatic transmission it will be an Aisin-Warner (Toyota) 5-speed which is pretty much bulletproof.

Front subframe bushings are a wear item. They typically last about 100K miles but age takes its toll on rubber parts as well. If there are any clunks while going over bumps those bushings are a likely cause. To replace all of them requires dropping the subframe ($$$).

Make sure you always have at least two functioning keys at all times. If you lose all the keys you need to replace the "TWICE" security computer to regain access to the car ($$$).

The 9-5 is prone to rusting in the rear wheel dog-leg area, and sagging rear springs are common.

Most parts are not a problem. Saab Parts (now named "Orio") was a separate entity that was not included in the Saab bankruptcy and is still in business. Also the 9-5 was built for a long time and there are lots of aftermarket parts available.

The dealer-level scan tool for GM-era Saabs is the Tech2 and that is required for a lot of routine servicing such as programming keys and remotes, and marrying the radio to the car. A China-made Tech2 clone can be had for about $250.

Lots of detailed information can be found in Saab-specific forums:

https://www.saabnet.com/tsn/bb/9-5/

https://www.saabcentral.com/forums/9-5-workshop.19/

 


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I would not pay that much for any 17 year old car where the manufacturer is no longer in the country. Plus, parts are expensive and they are absolutely unreliable there is no other way of putting it.


Price is dependent on condition and what the market will bear. As far as reliability, having driven Saabs for nearly 40 years now I can only say that what you are saying is contrary to my experience, though certainly like any other vehicle they have their good and bad points. As the slogan from another dead car company went, "Ask the man who owns one."


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