I'm a hopeful Saab owner. Found a 2004 9-5 Aero wagon at CarMAX with 35K miles.

I paid to have the car transferred to the local dealer in hopes of purchasing. Its a beautiful, beautiful car!

When we took the car for a test drive, guess what? The alternator died!!! Now its at the local Saab dealer being repaired.

Honest opinions, please...could this be a fluke??? Any other alternators give out this early? How much should I be concerned? I researched Saabs and was pleased with the reliability records for this year car. We really like this car and are considering giving it a chance.

 

You know, my dad told me once that if the skin of the apple is a bit bad, you can bet the insides are rotten. Unfortunately, I didnt listen to him and bought a used 9 5 that was great EXCEPT for the led units in the radio would go on and off at random. This created a psychedelic display but is probably related to lots of elec issues i have had over the yrs. If it smells like it, it usually is.

 

Alternators are not known to break down on newer Saabs.
But anything can happen to any car at any given time soo....
It does not affect the engine and probably has nothing to do with poor maintenence either.
Alternators do not reqier any.
If I were you I would ask the staff at your Saabdealer thet is working with the car to do a checkup and give their oppinion of the state of the car, and based from that you can make up your mind about keeping it or not.