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  1. #1
    Saab Fan
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    24 Oct 2019
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    Collierville TN
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    48
    Saab(s)
    2007 Saab 9-5 Aero Sportcombi

    New member, potential buyer

    Hello! I've always been a fan of Saab's and Swedish cars in general. I currently own a Volvo XC60 and my Honda (wifes car) which recently got totaled by hitting a deer (not very bad in my opinion). I found a 2007 9-5 Aero wagon (Sportcombi?), automatic, ventilated seats, 192k miles, looks clean from the 3 pictures I've seen. It's 200 miles away too. I spoke to the gentlemen on the phone and he says it needs tie rods (possibly), it leaks coolant (i've read on here about o-rings), and his mechanic said the AC needs to be "revamped".. Something about the compressor failing and contaminating the system.

    Currently asking 2100 obo. He's thinking if there wasn't any interest in it that he would donate it to charity. I'm of the opinion Saab's must be spared that tragedy. I dont want to insult the guy with a ridiculous offer, but is this something worth looking at? I dont mind wrenching-I do that on the Volvo as it is. This will be my daily that I take the kids to school in every day.

    Let me know what you think.

    Rob

  2. #2
    Frank
    Administrator nordwulf's Avatar
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    30 Jul 2010
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    Saab(s)
    previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
    There still could be some life left for this 9-5, even though it has 192K miles. It is all about condition and maintenance history and I wouldn't hesitate to spend $2K if it is in good shape.

    The coolant leak may be the heater control valve or coolant pump. Both are not expensive repairs and easy to do yourself. Fixing the AC may be a bit more involved.

    http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=674
    http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=27463

    The only way you will really know is to check it out yourself but you already know that. It doesn't sound like potential buyers are visiting him every day so bring some cash for the amount you think is reasonable ($1,200 - $1,500?). The seller will probably be happy to sell it for a lower price than have to go through the donation process.

    Welcome to SaabWorld!

  3. #3
    Dave T.
    Super Moderator Dave T's Avatar
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    03 Aug 2010
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    near Seattle, Washington
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    1,513
    Saab(s)
    1999 9-3SE (2013-2015), 2005 9-3 (2005-2013), 1990 900 (1990-2003)
    He's thinking if there wasn't any interest in it that he would donate it to charity.
    mention that you'll take care of the car rather than someone who got it from a charity who will run the car into the ground.

    The man who got my 2005 9-3 said he would take care of the car and did.

  4. #4
    Saab Fan
    Join Date
    24 Oct 2019
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    Collierville TN
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    48
    Saab(s)
    2007 Saab 9-5 Aero Sportcombi
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave T View Post
    mention that you'll take care of the car rather than someone who got it from a charity who will run the car into the ground.

    The man who got my 2005 9-3 said he would take care of the car and did.

    That's the plan. The seller texted me last night and told me to bring coolant as it leaks it. What coolant does Saab use? Typical GM orange?

  5. #5
    Saab Addict
    Join Date
    10 Apr 2017
    Location
    Denham, England
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    541
    Saab(s)
    2011 2.0 9-5 Aero
    Quote Originally Posted by Mjollnir81 View Post
    That's the plan. The seller texted me last night and told me to bring coolant as it leaks it. What coolant does Saab use? Typical GM orange?
    Pink but definitely GM

  6. #6
    Saab Fan
    Join Date
    24 Oct 2019
    Location
    Collierville TN
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    Saab(s)
    2007 Saab 9-5 Aero Sportcombi
    Going tomorrow to see it. Fingers crossed.... I ordered a coolant bypass valve that was supposed to be here today but wont arrive till tomorrow . I'm going to be driving this home for about 3 hrs but luckily it's mostly non-highway. Plan on bringing lots of coolant. At this point, I was going to flush it anyway so whatever works to get me home I suppose.

    Oddly I was trying to read reviews on this car, people seem to hate it back in '07. That it's not a "true Saab"... Throwing in some engine sludge myths with the current engine (which I hear isn't an issue past '04)... Oh well.

  7. #7
    Frank
    Administrator nordwulf's Avatar
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    Saab(s)
    previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
    If you believe the critics, the last "true Saab" was the 900 and Saab wasn't Saab anymore after GM got involved. And others will say the Saab 96 is where it ended.

    Saab just changed over the years and there is nothing wrong with the later 9-5 model years. While quality of materials may have gone down a bit, the 2.3T is still a great engine and most of the problems had been fixed towards the end.

    Good luck tomorrow!

  8. #8
    Saab Addict
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    10 Apr 2017
    Location
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    Saab(s)
    2011 2.0 9-5 Aero
    The engine sludge problem was caused by two things, a poor PCV* system and the use of semi-synthetic oil. The problems were solved by 2004 with a new PCV layout and a firm requirement to use only fully synthetic oil. The later cars, MY 2006 and on are known as Dame Ednas (after Edna Everage) and they had the problems well sorted before then.

    As Frank says the 2.3 engine is very good and considerably better than the 2.0 unit used in the NG9-5. You would be well advised to use only a genuine Direct Ignition Cassette, they last longer than third party units to the extent that they really do work out cheaper.

    Saab used lots of bushes in the suspension and by 192K miles they should have been replaced a couple of times. Wear in the rear tariling arm bushes causes the inside edges of the tyres to wear very quickly and it gets noisy too. Worn front subframe bushes cause the subframe to hit the bottom of the floor pan when going over bumps. I would suggest getting a good look underneath if at all possible and replace any worn bushes, the bushes are cheap replacement tyres less so.

    I hope you enjoy your new acquisition.

    *Positive Crankcase Ventilation

  9. #9
    Frank
    Administrator nordwulf's Avatar
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    Saab(s)
    previous: 2006 9-3, 2001-06 9-5, 2011 9-4X
    The Saab H engine has a long history and was first used in the Saab 900 in the early 1980s. And can considered the last real Saab engine while the 9-3 and 9-5NG used GM engines.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_H_engine

    There was a Saab 9-5 with a 2.3t engine (less reliable turbo) that has done a million kilometers (600+K miles).
    http://saabworld.net/wp/one-million-...e-netherlands/

  10. #10
    Dave T.
    Super Moderator Dave T's Avatar
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    1999 9-3SE (2013-2015), 2005 9-3 (2005-2013), 1990 900 (1990-2003)
    Quote Originally Posted by Mjollnir81 View Post
    That's the plan. The seller texted me last night and told me to bring coolant as it leaks it. What coolant does Saab use? Typical GM orange?
    I had a 2005 9-3 which used any coolant that met the Dexcool specification.

 

 

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