I want to buy a USED 2006 Saab 9-3 - where do I take it for repairs?
I need a car, and have always liked Saabs. I'm choosing between a Saab 9-3, or Audi A4. But the Saab will cost up to $10K LESS than an Audi. I'm concerned w/ where I would take it for any repairs (either mechanical or body) and service maintenance etc...
The car I'm looking at is a 2006 9-3 Arc w/ 26,000 mil, for $16.9 (but I think I can negotiate lower). I looked up carfax and it was sold in CA as 2 yr personal lease. And then bought a Pacific Auction by a Nissan dealership.
Questions?
1) Can I take the car to a Saab repair to get it checked out before purchase?
2) What Saab repair is recommended in Seattle? I've read reviews, but now confused.
3) I only drive about 6,000/mi year
4) Should I buy an extended warranty with it?
3) Should I scrap the Saab and just buy Audi?
Help... I need a car!
My 2 cents.
Purchase the extended warranty with either car and read the fine print as to what is covered.
With both cars the overall maintenance of the car over the cars previous years is important. How often was the oil changed was the car regularly maintained?
I like both cars. I am a Saab fan and think you would be well served by the Saab. I also like the Audi. I own and daily drive a 1989 Saab Turbo.
A friend of mine just bought a 2007 Audi A4 (cloth interior) and when I sat in the car the interior felt and looked like a friend of mines 1989 GTI. Very subjective, but I think the interior of the Saab, with leather, is a better look.
For the Audi
I believe the main mechanical cost you could incur would involve the timing belt. I think that is around 80k miles that it needs to be changed. In order to change the timing belt the front of the vehicle (fender, radiator) needs to be removed in order to do. Labor intensive. The other thing is I believe the exhaust on the Audi can get really expensive. I live on the East Coast and rust is a problem.
For the Saab
The turbo would be an expensive repair if the previous owner did not change the oil.The Saab does not have the twin tip exhaust and is less expensive. While the timing chain on the Saab does need to be replaced as well, the procedure is a lot less labor intensive.
Okay, I think the Audi might be fun too...not as fun as the Saab, but you will pay more to own the Audi right away (potentially lose more when you drive off the lot) and then have a higher cost to maintain if your warranty does not cover these items.
I can't tell you about mechanics in Seattle, but saabnet.com has a listing.
Saabnet.com is a good resource. I am not sure of the best Audi site.
Good luck
