going to look at a 9-5 Aero tomorrow

[YamR1V64motion]

just wondered if there is anything specific to look out for, its a 2000 model with 95k on the clock and full Saab history, is £2.5k a pretty reasonable price for one.

[dubbs]

Not bad price, estates hold better on value. Saloon difficult to shift, 2.5k is saloon money imho.

Check tyres, especially rears (uneven tyre wear issues), check service history thoroughly as they take mileage well and could pass for £95k when they have a one at the front.

Check for engine oil leaks as mine had one near bottom of block that cost hundreds to get stopped despite me being told an expert had diagnosed and fixed oil pipes.... some expert!!!

Check aircon functions properly and after stint of being on and blowing on the test drive listen for any creaking noises when you turn the car off as the aircon may have some issues if it does - mine is doing this and has done since I bought it. Still works ok but if having a perfect car bug you then it's something that'll annoy you :-)

If the ashtray is open ensure it shuts as a common fault is failure of the latch on the ashtray - again another one I wish I'd known beforehand!!!

Nice to haves on the service history are having a DI cassette replacement, breathing mod (fixes a design fault) and dropping the sump to check/desludge (this isn't really a common issue on the aero, unlike other models, but piece of mind if it's been done)

If you're looking to improve anything then suspension and brakes would be the way forward. If oyu're thinking of chipping it then don't bother... save a few more pennies and get an 02 on model which is 250bhp as standard and takes an ECU chip nicely.

Personally I don't see the point when 230bhp is more than enough on the 95 Aero... sportscar it ain't ;-)

[YamR1V64motion]

thanks for that, it is indeed a saloon, i was going to buy a more expensive car but i dont really need to, the 9-5 Aero will be perfect for me, i want something that is comfortable and reasonably speced as well as understated and pretty nippy, and although not a supercar its fairly swift, is the cam chain something that needs to be changed on them at a regular interval like a cam belt or is it more an age related thing?, ive had a couple of Saabs before, 2 NG900s and a 9000 LPT the Aero seemed a logical next step really, there are a few on autotrader but i dont want to skimp and buy a really cheap one and suffer problems, also an auto is a big no no for me, not that i dislike autos at all i just wouldnt want one in a 9-5.

[aeropilot]

YamR1V64motion said:

thanks for that, it is indeed a saloon, i was going to buy a more expensive car but i dont really need to, the 9-5 Aero will be perfect for me, i want something that is comfortable and reasonably speced as well as understated and pretty nippy, and although not a supercar its fairly swift, is the cam chain something that needs to be changed on them at a regular interval like a cam belt or is it more an age related thing?, ive had a couple of Saabs before, 2 NG900s and a 9000 LPT the Aero seemed a logical next step really, there are a few on autotrader but i dont want to skimp and buy a really cheap one and suffer problems, also an auto is a big no no for me, not that i dislike autos at all i just wouldnt want one in a 9-5.

Chain replacement is a only if it needs it because it's become slack and rattly. But, the engine is still essentially similar to the ones that were in your NG900's or the 9000.
Price is OK if it's a well speeced one, but if it's poverty spec, as a lot of early Aero's were, then it woul have to be mint for that price.

Actually the auto box suits the 9-5 Aero engine better than the somewhat agricutural-ish manual gearbox, the silky 5-speed auto's in the post-02 cars even more so.

[YamR1V64motion]

just got back from looking at it and essentially its a good car, the bodyworks in good condition and the engine and gearbox seem fine, the turbo noise seems a bit more noticeable than on my previous Saabs but not in a problematic way, its due a service too which the guy said he could do before i picked it up if required, also the display unit was showing a fault with the alarm and the A/C wasnt that cold, overall though a good car, if i got it i would want the A/C charged up as i would want to be sure it wasnt a leak in the system before i bought it and also i would want it serviced, what do you guys think i should offer for it?.

[aeropilot]

YamR1V64motion said:

just got back from looking at it and essentially its a good car, the bodyworks in good condition and the engine and gearbox seem fine, the turbo noise seems a bit more noticeable than on my previous Saabs but not in a problematic way, its due a service too which the guy said he could do before i picked it up if required, also the display unit was showing a fault with the alarm and the A/C wasnt that cold, overall though a good car, if i got it i would want the A/C charged up as i would want to be sure it wasnt a leak in the system before i bought it and also i would want it serviced, what do you guys think i should offer for it?.

What sort of spec is it, poverty or does have some nice options on it?

Unless it's going to be serviced at a dealer or a reputable Saab Indie, I'd prefer to buy it without the service, and get it done afterwards, as you'll know it will then get a proper service, which chances are it won't if the seller does it, unless the seller is a reputabl Saab indie.

Alarm fault is probably dead siren battery.

[YamR1V64motion]

its not a bad spec, leather, digital climate,cruise, CD ive decided im going to get it, going to be serviced and have the A/C sorted and im picking it up later in the week, what are they like fuel wise overall? was hoping for an average of about 30 MPG or is that a bit optimistic?.

[aeropilot]

YamR1V64motion said:

its not a bad spec, leather, digital climate,cruise, CD

That's standard Aero kit.

I was referring to desirable extra cost options such as the electric memory fronts seats, heated seats, park assist, audio upgrade (as the standard AS1 on an Aero is pants) etc etc

YamR1V64motion said:

what are they like fuel wise overall? was hoping for an average of about 30 MPG or is that a bit optimistic?.

A 30mpg average isn't unrealistic, depending on type of driving you do.
I average 26-27mpg in my Aero auto and that's drving predominately on a commute within the M25 boundary.

So, 30 average in a manual is prefectly possible unless you spend a LOT of time in traffic.

[RedLeicester]

On a run, my 2002 Aero would do 36mpg or so, around town 28-29. Manual, and the later engine...

[YamR1V64motion]

oh sorry, i wasnt sure on thier standard spec, it does have electric and heated seats but that about it, i spnd a few miles per day in traffic but not that much really, 30 MPG seems a reasonable figure for a car of that size.