I got an email in overnight from a young guy named Ross. He lives in Michigan and is currently 15 but will be turning 16 and hitting the road in the latter half of this year. He writes:
I will be turning 16 in August and I really, REALLY want a Saab. I love the 2008 9-3, but cannot afford one, obviously. Which Saab should I get? I should rephrase, which is the best Saab for the money now. Which would give me the best performance and give me the most joy. Between the 900, 9000, OG9-3, 9-2x, 9-5, which would you recommend?
Your advice will be GREATLY appreciated.
Firstly, I think it’s commendable that this young guy can see through all the Gone in 60 Seconds stuff and knows what a Saab is. It’s a good start. Ross also mentions that he’s looked at a few older BMW’s as well.
I recall that in my teenage years my ability to drive a car was vastly outstripped by my opinion about my ability to drive a car. I wrote my first one off after just 6 months but the ironic thing was that it wasn’t hooning that caused my downfall, it was some very thick rain. The point being that you’ve got so many new situations to get used to when you first hit the road that a potent engine can be little more than a catalyst for disaster in the hands of a young driver.
Get trained.
That said, Ross has asked about bang for the buck, so here goes. He’s currently got a budget of around $8,000 for the purchase, but that could grow by later this year. In my thoughts below I’m not counting any insurance restrictions that might exist for 16 year olds and turbos in the US as I’m not familiar with the rules there (forget about a turbo here in Oz at that age unless you want to pay a gargantuan hefty premium on your insurance).
Assuming a budget of around $8K and that insurance is OK, I’d suggest either a Saab 9000 Aero or one of the OG 9-3′s that were sold in the US with the HOT engine. With those you have some money left over for advanced driving school, you get a pretty decent safety record, some of the best seats in the business, a great base for tuning the car later on if you’re a gear head but with great performance right out of the box.
Your esteemed suggestions, people?
$8,000 buys you a lot of 9-5 right now. You can get a ’99 for 4-5 thousand, and have a reserve for repairs (which are inevitable in buying any used car).
OTOH, $8000 might get you into a ng900 convertible. That would be awfully cool to have as a first car.
The 9-2x’s aren’t that cheap yet, the og9-3′s are better than the ng900s, and the Viggens are probably still too pricey for your buyer.
IMHO the 9-5 is a better overall car than the 9000, but others have the opposite opinion.
An OG9-3 or 9-5 are excellent deals for a 1st time driver; an NG900 Convertible is also an option if he wants to pursue that.
OG 9-3 HOT for sure. I’m 18 have a 9-3s right now and it’s the perfect high school/college kid car. The hatch can swallow everything that I own, it’s fun to drive, and if I want to, I can get 38 mpg highway!
i would go with a 9-2x, its solid, reliable, and very safe. you can get one for around 11k with a decent amount of miles. saabs are kind of expensive to fix, though on the other hand a subaru can be fixed for much cheaper. i have a 07 9-3 and im 19 and turbo doesnt influence me as it all depends on the driver and how smart he is about driving.
Hi guys, I’m the guy in question. 9000s are VERY rare in my area, and NG 9-3s are actually quite cheap in my area (Semi-Affluent, GM Employee Off-Lease 9-3s) and by that I mean like $11,000 w/ 120,000 miles. I found this on Auto Trader:
A 97 9000 Aero manual or 98 9000 CSE manual with the Aero engine and suspension would be great buys. As eggngrits will attest, an early 9-5 can be a minefield. An end of run 9000 with low k’s are pretty bullet-proof, rust-proof, well specified, massively roomy, comfortable and have decent mass and real-world safety.
I looked for bmws and saabs as well when i turned 18 (2 years ago) and got my license.
I wanted a 7 series bmw.. a fantastic and tremendous looking car but insurance and taxes stopped me from buying one.
I was on a budget of 6000€ which was about the same as 8000$ were back then..
My parents had and still have a 9-5 aero.. and I’ve always been fascinated by saab..
I went for a OG9-3 SE 3dr.
If i was to chose a car again and i had my very car as an option i would buy it – again.
Other than my current one I would go for a NG900 FPT 3dr.. its significantly cheaper and about the same car..
I’ve driven some NG 900s as well.. i know about the differences.. but despite the clutch (not hydraulic) none of them would stop me from buying one..
As for the lower price there would be a lot of cash left for a staged tune and suspension mods like the koni kit.
Good luck findig the one!
I think Swade brings up a good point regarding driving skill. It’s unlikely that his first car will get through the next 4 years unscathed.
I’ve been in Ross’s shoes and I recommend he buy something cheap to repair and mechanically reliable and put off the Saab dream until he can afford more.
I bought my 9000 as a 19 year-old, and would have bought a 9000 today if I were to buy a new car. Although the 9-5 is a better car overall, if you have a limited budget, I’d much rather have one of the later 9000s that has been taken good care of. The girls may not think it’s the coolest car around, but do you want to please them, or drive around with a grin and feeling in love with the car yourself?
Alternatively, an NG900/OG9-3 Coupé. Or a OG900 3-door. Or a 9-5. Actually, you can’t go wrong – just stay clear of the first NG900
I got a 2004 9-3 Aero when I turned 18 (two years ago). Love to death, but finding one in the 8k range would be basically impossible.
I’d go with a 9-5 probably.
Ross, that’s a very nice 2002 9-5 Aero that you linked to. Personally I would get that before I would get an early ng9-3 with higher miles. The early ng9-3s are prone to door rattles and such, whereas the 9-5′s are solid and quiet for a very long time. My 2000 9-5 Aero has 127,000 miles and still rattle-free.
The Aero is the way to go on the 9-5, too.
The 9-5 is rated as very safe in crash tests (and we hope this is never put to the test with a real person inside), plus early 9-5s had a LPT with 170 hp or the regular 185 hp which is plenty fast enough for a young driver. My son, when he get his license soon, will be getting my 9-5.
I bought a 1999 9-5 with 90,000 miles last year, when I turned 16, for about $7300. Insurance is expensive, but I’m not sure if it is was because of the turbo or my age… probably both. If your parents will let you, see if you can have the car insured under their policy as a family car. That saves me a ton of money. As far as the car goes, I couldn’t be any happier. It gets great gas mileage (I average about 22mpg in the city), has an exceptional safety rating, and is always ready for a quick pass at any speed. Also, the car goes great in the snow with only all season tires, and thats always a plus with the winters here in Maine. Be sure to set some money aside for repairs, and keep an eye on the speedometer, it doesn’t feel like you’re going that fast but those tickets add up quick! Best of luck in car hunting, and be sure to buy from a reputable and local dealer.
At that age, the most important thing is being able to afford keeping the car going.
As such, I would suggest a 9-2X 2.5i (the non-turbo’d version). It takes regular gas, the insurance would be cheaper since it’s not turbo’d, and you should be able to find one with some warranty left.
They’re all great cars, I would seriously look at all the ones in the price range and make the call for yourself!
I just bought my first car (I’m a bit older at 21, been getting by driving the family’s cars, but time for that was drawing to a close). I had no budget for it, long story, so I set out to buy a $1000 clunker. I was going to skip the Saab this time, even though I have “sold” 2 family members and 1 very close friend on them.
Well long story short, my budget kept ballooning, I was willing to spend up to $5000. I looked at all sorts of cars, including econo-boxes, really old luxury sedans, basically anything you could get that ran for $5000.
In the end it basically came down to a $4900 9-3 (Old style for that price, obviously) with about 114k miles on it, or a 9000 for $2900. I went with the 9000, reasoning that both would need repairs, and I could do a lot of repairs for $2000.
So far I’ve been happy! There are some minor things wrong with the car, but so far most of them I’ve been able to correct myself. Just little things that didn’t bother others enough to make them sit up and take notice.
Buying a Saab in Michigan is brave! I was going to go to Flint for school, except now it’s not looking like I will, and I figured that if I was going to Michigan I’d best drive American…better image with the locals, great pricing in a swamped market, and easier to find a mechanic.
For my son, an OG9-3 2-dr hatchback, bar none !
When he’s old enough to drive in 15 years, MY2000-02 OG9-3s will only be 21-23 years old
A friend of mine bought a 1999 9-3 SE last year for around $4000 Canadian. High mileage (275,000 km), but well maintained, rustproofed and never crashed.
He absolutely loves the car, and it drives as well as my 2002 (with 1/3 the milleage).
So far, he’s done regular oil changes, switched to the new-style Saab synthetic gear oil (highly recommended), had the SID fixed ($70), and bought snow tires. That’s it.
I really don’t think that you can go too far wrong with a 9-3 hatch, provided that it’s been vetted by a good mechanic.
I bought my Saab 9000 — one of the very last, in Anniversary trim — last year. It was just ten years old back then but had a lot of miles on the odometer (211k miles / 340k kms) already, so the price was very low.
I counted on having to spend some money on repairs, even though it had always been regularly serviced at authorized Saab dealerships. However, it turned out that I had still underestimated the amount of money that was needed in repairs — ‘some money’ turned out to be not nearly enough to cover everything. But even though the amount of money I needed to spend was far more than I had ever counted on, I found myself unable *not* to spend it: I had already fallen in love with the car.
Now, almost a year after buying it, my 9000 is running stronger than ever with 230k miles (370k kms) on it, and I expect it to last for many more miles to come.
To give her the pat on the back it so deserves, she’ll get a nice paintjob for our one-year anniversary
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$8000, you say?
Then the answer is simple, a 2000-2001 9-5 Aero, your kid will love you. A later (~96+) 9000 turbo would also be a sweet ride for a kid.
If he wants something smaller and sportier, then get him an OG9-3 SE Turbo with the sport body kit.
Ross,
Go for a 9-5. They have a classic Swedish design and are immediately recognized as the flagship product of the Saab brand. This car, in it’s first generation (’98 – ’01) was a groundbreaker in the field of occupant safety, fuel efficiency (2.3 liter models), and comfort. They were put together well and didn’t rattle squeak or have creaking dashes.The ’02 – ’05 9-5s (gen. II) had numerous safety improvements and included a more cohesive design update. These cars are fairly bullet bulletproof (if the necessary engine crankcase ventilation recalls are up to date). I just saw a silver ’02-’05 Aero today in and it was stunning.
Don’t forget about the 9-5 wagon if you like outdoors activities or carpentry – my 9-5 wagon hauls it all. I think your generation is less afraid of the American-only stereotype of “wagons are foul” that some 25-40 year olds have.
The AEROs rock but a 2.3T is a fast machine as well.
and here comes the votes from the Swedish jury:
1st place: If your budget allows it 2002 or later 9-5, the facelift and huge suspension upgrade made this car much better than the 98-01.
2nd place: OG 9-3, hatch is excellent and the body style a bit “younger” looking than the more “grown up” 9-5.
As for engines that’s more a availability decision but do not buy a car with the 2.3 non turbo engine.
A little Eurovision there, Mats! I vote for the turkey…..
I´m a father of tree and my kids are the most important thing to protect in the world.
To be at ease I would say a 9-5 is the best buy, and buying an Aero would give you loads of fun too. Example.
But if you prefer driving with shades on with the wind in your hair and with loads of punch under the bonnet, you should either try winning the lottery or get down on your knees and ask mom and dad for 4-5000 grand. Say that your buying an investment.
The 9-3 Viggen Convertible.. 13.000 Example II
Mats, I’m currently considering a 1999SE which obviously has none of the upgrades that came in 2002. What are the major ones? I’m aware of the facelift, 5 speed g-box. Can you give some details on the suspension changes?
I’m prepared to accept a fair bit as there is a LARGE price difference in the two series but am interested in exasctly whats different.
If I remember correctly the 02 facelift meant that all 9-5′s got the the suspension setup from the Aero model except for the lowering kit. Much less body roll and “spungeiness” in the feeling of the chassis. If you can, try driving the 99 and an 02 or 03 back to back to get a feel for if the difference is worth the increase in cost.
Tompa, with all due respect, you have to be crazy to recommend a Viggen to a 16 year old. That is a seriously dangerous machine for an inexperienced driver. The first time he will stomp on it (and he will) on an uneven road, he will find himself in the other lane, or in the ditch. Thank gawd these beasts are rare.
Mats is correct about the 9-5. The 02 suspension improvements are worthwhile Also, I believe the excellent 5-speed automatic was introduced in 02. The very affordable Saab aero suspension kit is a must for the older models. A car that age requires new shocks anyway if they have not already been replaced .
No9
thats part of my thinking with the 95SE. Suspension upgrade + ECU+ exhaust.
The 2002 upgrade was more than just dampers and springs, almost every bushing in the entire chassis was upgraded.
Whatever car you get, the best money you are going to spend will be with the nice folks at CGI Motor Sports.
http://www.cgimotorsports.com/
What they’ll give (sell) you is a day on the race track, Gingerman in lovely South Haven, with an instructor. They’ll teach you how to handle whatever car you decide to get.
Not only do you learn a lot, but it’s an absolute blast. Oh, and you’ll be the 2nd Saab to take the class.
Indeed Mats. When I was given an 02 loaner, I noticed immediately that it handled better than our 01. I didn’t like the feeling the 01 gave me when going into a corner. I didn’t feel this on the 02. The following, taken from the bulletin on the 02 posted above by Swade is absolutely right on: «The chassis, too, has been substantially reworked on all Saab 9-5 models to provide a sportier and more responsive drive, with crisper turn-in and greater steering precision».
PT. The suspension upgrade is excellent, although an 02 is better. I managed to get an Aero ECU on warranty on our sluggish 185 hp lpt, which works very well and did’nt increasing fuel consumption. I guesstimate a 20-25 hp boost.