1999 9-3 with 83k miles on it $5,500 -- good deal?
 

The dealer said he'd knock 500 right off the top and that there was wiggle room. I've heard rumors that the engine might need completely replaced for thousands of dollars down the line!!! I'm not sure though so I'd figure I'd ask you guys who probably know this stuff inside and out.


There appears to be only one owner according to this CarFax history report -- What do you guys reckon?:

Date: Mileage: Source: Comments: 03/31/1998 US Customs Vehicle exported from
Sweden
and imported to
Newark, NJ
04/17/1998 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Roslyn, NY Registered as
personal vehicle
05/28/1998 12 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept. Title issued or updated
First owner reported
04/28/1999 10,787 Service Facility Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
A/C and heating system checked
Safety inspection performed
09/29/1999 16,076 Service Facility Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
11/03/1999 17,594 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
05/24/2000 23,683 New York
New York City Area
Inspection Station Exempt from emission inspection
Passed safety inspection View what was inspected

06/13/2001 34,404 Service Facility Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Tail light bulb replaced
Windshield replaced
07/24/2001 35,744 New York
New York City Area
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection View what was inspected

10/04/2001 39,476 Service Facility Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Manufacturer's recommended maintenance performed
Front wiper blades/refills replaced
Parts ordered
11/19/2001 40,495 Service Facility Battery replaced
03/26/2002 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Northport, NY Title issued or updated
04/23/2002 43,350 Service Facility Pre-delivery inspection completed
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Headlight bulb replaced
08/23/2002 47,511 New York
New York City Area
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection View what was inspected

07/23/2003 New York
Police Report
Case #30982847 Accident reported
Vehicle involved in collision
with another motor vehicle
08/20/2003 55,777 Service Facility Vehicle serviced
08/20/2003 55,788 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection View what was inspected

09/23/2003 57,034 Potamkin Cadillac Buick Chevrolet
New York, NY
212-708-3108
www.potamkincadillac.com
ww.potamkincadillac
.com Vehicle serviced
03/17/2004 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Northport, NY Registration issued or renewed
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
10/04/2004 61,609 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection View what was inspected

10/10/2005 65,269 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection View what was inspected

04/21/2006 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Roslyn Heights, NY Registration issued or renewed
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
Registration updated when owner moved
the vehicle to a new location
11/10/2006 70,575 New York
Inspection Station Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection View what was inspected

03/31/2008 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Roslyn Heights, NY Title issued or updated
Registration issued or renewed
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection
10/21/2008 Biener Nissan Audi Inc.
Great Neck, NY
516-829-2834
www.biener.com Vehicle offered for sale
12/06/2008 82,500 Online Listing Vehicle offered for sale
03/09/2009 82,592 Auto Auction Sold at auction
in Pennsylvania
Listed as
a dealer vehicle 04/06/2009 Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Harrisburg, PA Title issued or updated
Dealer took title of this vehicle
while it was in inventory

5K for that car is waaay to much if you ask me. The engine sludge issues are in the newer 9-3 starting in 2000, but some preventive maintenance can really stop that. I would not pay more than 3K for a car of that year.

saab
 

5,500 is a little much even with 83,000 miles...remember saabs need a lot of maintenance to keep running...some of the big things you may be looking at are the AC compressor make sure there are no powersteering leaks caused from faulty vacuum lines (a common issue in saabs). I paid waaay to much for my 1999 saab 9-3SE with only 58,800, miles on it and have already done a boatload of work on it...