Virginia - 2004 9-5 Aero Wagon 5-speed

[nordwulf]

These seem to be getting pretty rare, especially with a manual and less than 100K miles. This one has 77K miles and has the Sport Tech and Visibility packages and even the rear roof spoiler. Priced right at 6.5K and only 1-owner.

2004 Saab 9-5 Aero, $6,495 - Cars.com

[toxicavenger]

Nice, I would like a Mocha version.

[Shazam]

Frank, you've bought many cars online. How do you decide what to pull the trigger on? I'm a person that likes to check it out in person and take it for a quick spin.

[nordwulf]

I never bought a car online in the sense of buying and paying for a car without seeing or driving it. I found them online, made a deposit (usually around $500) and travelled to the dealer. Only after a test drive and thoroughly checking out the car, I made the decision of going through with the purchase.

When you find a car online like this one, always have an escape route. When I had to fly out, I booked a return ticket a few times and did not use the return flight. Make sire to buy from a reputable dealer. I once found a Saab in Indiana, made a deposit, rented a car and drove down there. The car looked great in pictures but was beat up and had issues. This was a large dealer and they refunded my deposit. I paid for my travel expenses but that is the risk. Not a big deal though.

Ask questions, check the carfax, take a real good look at pictures and you get a feel and notice when something is slightly wrong. And have an escape route, never pay in full without seeing and driving the car. And be prepared to walk away, even though it means you may loose your deposit and travel expenses.

My current Saab I bought in Florida was a little different. My best friend lives in that area and he inspected the car for me. It was a BMW / VW dealer and I paid in full before I had seen the car. But I fully trusted my friend and all the other dealings with the this dealership and all the signs were right.

[Shazam]

Hmmm... the CarFax comes back clean. Looks like it spent most of it's life in Kansas (yay, no rust!), but was eventually registered in PA in late 2012. The last activity before that was 2007, so who knows how long it was actually in PA or another state.

Does look clean. Might be worth a call tomorrow.

[nordwulf]

My current Saab was registered in NJ and FL with service records in both states. Because of the low miles, I assumed it was owned by a retired snowbird. I later googled his name and address from the title and turned out he was a surgeon or other kind of doctor and the Florida address was a beachfront apartment in a very nice area. It is often difficult to know for sure where a car was driven for sure. Service records on the carfax help.

[Mike Brennan]

Link no longer shows the vehicle. Maybe sold already. No link to where it is in Va.

[Shazam]

Still on their website...
2004 Saab 9-5 SportWagon - Used Wagon Chantilly VA | Epovo Auto Group LLC

[Shazam]

Just called. Someone currently has it on a test drive...

[Shazam]

Well, it didn't last long. I called back, and the guy that took it for a spin bought it.