2003 Saab 9-5

Wagon

2.3L 2290CC 140Cu. In. l4 GAS DOHC Turbocharged

YS3EB59E833020469

Clear

Gasoline

Remember, beauty is only skin deep... For sale, my highway hauler and weekend warrior. Its window sticker when new was $42,000 I purchased this car and have put about 25,000 miles on it in two years. It keeps going.I found it on Ebay, just like you did, and bought it in April of 2015. At that time is had 226,456 miles and had been parked in a Long Island backyard since 2013.It had been a NYC commuter, a print shop I believe. Maybe graphic design, I forget. It was in Ronkonkoma, and had started giving its owner trouble. Long Island Expressway break downs. Yikes. I would have lost patience too. It was listed here for parts only. The owner had gone out and bought another. The same type of car. This one had sat there as an anticipated parts car. It had two blown tires,(bent rims) so two awkward donut spare tires were on it (see photos), along with one broken tail light duct-taped in place. It had been stripped of emblems, bulbs and knobs in preparation for the junk yard or for the owners other. I had it towed to a Saab mechanic nearby after winning the bid, and they checked it out for me. The tow alone was $89. When I called they said "Hey, dont buy this car" I asked why and they said," Its a wreck. It leaks oil, there isnt a body panel on it that doesnt have a ding or a scratch, its missing emblems and knobs and it appears its blowing oil from the turbo too. Its very tired. " When I told him I had already purchased it, he said "Oh" There was a long pause. "Well there was a vacuum hose loose too....when we put it back on, it started right up". I knew it. These cars are typically good. I bought this because it is my fifth. Sometimes transmissions give out but thats about the worst you can say about them. The Saab 9-5 of the era got great dependability reviews. "Its sitting here. Come get it" They charged me $50. I drove it home the next day. Took it to the ferry in Port Jeff ($56) Then home from Bridgeport CT. I got the paperwork together, picked up a few used tires and rims ($125) and put it on the road a few months later, in June of 2015. Theres a pic of it at the emissions test as part of registration (Danbury CT) It still had some type of vacuum clog problem though. It would break down every 20 minutes of so. I understand why the owner was frustrated. Heres the odd part, I discovered on the side of I-84 in Cheshire CT. If I waited a few minutes it would start again. Just like that.And I was off and running, for another 20 minutes anyway. Im not sure what the issue ever was, but we got past it. Just by driving it daily. Maybe it realized I needed a dependable car. Or maybe getting out of Manhattan bumper to bumper traffic cleared it out. I tell you this because, in the year and a half I drove it, this car has been to Florida and back three times. It has delivered a futon bed, an armoire and half an apartments worth of stuff.It now has 251, 500. Its been camping. Its hauled lumber. Its hauled auto parts from Massachusetts to Albany NY and back. See the pics from winter in Florida. By the water towers in North Carolina (maybe Virginia) And at a great barbecue joint off I-95, somewhere in the south. Also one at the laundromat here in Bloomfield CT, looking suburban. Oh, and picking up a little paint in Shippensburg Pa. (Worlds Largest Paint Can) It hums right along on the highway. Not pretty. But functional. And dependable, for the most part. The 2.3 is a great Saab engine. This one leaks oil a bit. More than a bit. From up above and a little from the pan. Theres a patch there. It threw a belt in Sept and without it the battery doesnt charge. I havent used it since then. My usual repair garage doesnt want to work on it again. My mechanic says that one of the oil leaks is likely the culprit. Their receipt said that the belt and their work was not guaranteed and felt the oil had caused the belt to slip. Interestingly, that was what they said the first time they changed the same belt 8,000 miles ago. I think they just don't like the idea that this car keeps going. I replaced the alternator, in the Carolinas ( November 2015) too, that is the only sizable repair its had. I can say, with the exception of tires, oil, brake pads, wiper blades and a headlight bulb, this car owes me nothing. It has tinted windows too. Once the belt it needs is replaced, ( its included) I wouldn't hesitate to drive it the 1300 miles down to Florida again. Through Ebay, I bought this car one bid ahead of the junk yard. For $360. The seller never expected me to put it back on the road, much less get 25,000 miles. Aside from the mild maintenance items I spoke of, the substantial costs were: the first belt and related tow ($348) and the South Carolina alternator and tow on Thanksgiving eve ($597, that one hurt. Thanksgiving dinner was a McRib sandwich at a Motel 6). Driven another 9 months or so when the belt slipped off again, the tow just a mile or so to my local mechanic to have them say they arent interested in fixing it, as stated previously. ($166) I have receipts for everything. Replacement tail light too $25. Thats about a thousand bucks worth of surprises for 18 months and 25,000 miles of use. Not bad! I still consider this car a winner. I'm offering it in fixed-price style. This car is in a private garage in the Hartford CT area. I am disclosing all I know. Clean title. Tired Saab wagon. Sold as-is. It has a bit of white paint on the passenger side rear door now. A mild scrape with the garage trim. With a new belt and a bit of oil, I have no doubt it would spring to life. The A/C does not work. The heat and radio work well. Sunroof works great. The car looks nice in the photos but most things do. Its a bit battered and its been used, and its had a long life. Its dirty. But its been a work horse for me and its been dependable. Sturdy and good on gas. Sold with the buy-it-now, $559. Ebay charges me $60 when it sells, so you can figure out my bottom line, right? I believe it would serve its next owner well. It is sold as-is. PLEASE do not bid unless you plan on following through. Full payment is expected within 24 hours of ebay purchase. Vehicle must be picked up within 30 days. Its 99% complete. Those emblems and a few knobs still missing. But for my investment and adventure, its been a joy to own. I think it would make a good winter car, college car or hauler of anything. Good pickup truck alternative. Or go to dinner parties at night, its black who will see it? It also happens to look really nice during or just after a hard rain. It would be great for parts but I would hate to see that happen. Its got too much life left.