Buying a used car

#1
W

wbailey7

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#1
I'm pretty set on an '06 Civic with 35k miles. Found a decent deal for 13.9k. However, I was browsing around and found a Saab 2006 9-3 turbo with 48k miles for around 13.5k. Its standard warranty covers 2k more miles, so I can take it to the saab place and have them give it a big look over.

I'm not familiar with Saab. It drives like a dream, and it's awesome on the outside and inside. I'm looking for something that is reliable. Reliable meaning something that will last past 150k miles with no major repairs. I know I could probably get something like that (and then some) with a civic, but what about Saab?

So far this is my list for both vehicles:

Civic
Pros: Very Dependable, drives smoothly, good gas mileage, handles well, less mileage

Cons: A little plain looking and that's about it.

9-3
Pros: Amazing looking interior and exterior, drives like a dream, lots of cool little gadgets.

Cons: Unsure of dependability, lower gas mileage (17-22c, 27-33hw)


I'm leaning more towards the Civic, but I was just wanting to get some feedback on it. Civics smash the 9-3s in JD mechanical ratings.
 
#2
#2
im not that familiar with Saab, ive heard they are very nice cars. but as far as long lasting, i have no idea. with a honda u know what u are getting. keep the oil changed, dont drive it like a race car every time u pull up to a red light. that civic could easily go for another 200k
 
#3
#3
because Civics are favored by the tuner culture, they can be expensive to insure even if yours remains stock. Saabs are a niche vehicle and because they're a Euro import, the parts network is likely very expensive.

for 14 to 16 grand, I'd buy a brand new Honda Fit or Scion xB.
 
#4
#4
Saab ranks 25th out of 36 automakers in Consumer Reports' reliability ratings. Old Saabs are known for having high average yearly repair costs, at one point only exceeded by Land Rover.
 
#5
#5
At this point, why not try to get in on a brand new car? Many auto dealerships will pretty much be willing to do anything short of pimping out their families to sell a car.


The market is in your favor, try to exploit it. The worst that could happen is they don't bite and you walk out.

Ford Focus, brand new, is in your price range.
 
#6
#6
I always look for a forum for whatever car I'm looking at purchasing...they can tell you all you need to about one. That said, I had a honda accord for years and it was great, I know own an Audi and love it as well. The cost of ownership of a "luxury" brand, of which SAAB would be considered, is likely to be higher. A civic will be fairly easy to maintain because of the parts availability. I would also look into the cost of replacing a turbo on the SAAB. My Audi doesn't have a turbo specifically because I looked into what it would cost to replace one....
 
#7
#7
I have an 06 Civic with 35000 miles on it. I love it, you should buy one.
 
#8
#8
MG1968 said:
because Civics are favored by the tuner culture, they can be expensive to insure even if yours remains stock. Saabs are a niche vehicle and because they're a Euro import, the parts network is likely very expensive.

for 14 to 16 grand, I'd buy a brand new Honda Fit or Scion xB.
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my Civic was dirt cheap to insure so I don't buy this for one second.

it was 3 years old when I bought it with 35k miles on it.
 
#9
#9
volfanbill said:
my Civic was dirt cheap to insure so I don't buy this for one second.

it was 3 years old when I bought it with 35k miles on it.
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please notice my careful choice of words, I said they "can be" expensive to insure.

The son of a friend of mine bought a 4 door civic that had been partially converted into a ricer (ground effects, fart can muffler, slightly lowered suspension) and it was more expensive to insure w/ liability only than combined full coverage on a 1998 Monte Carlo and a 2005 full size Dodge Pickup.
 
#10
#10
MG1968 said:
please notice my careful choice of words, I said they "can be" expensive to insure.

The son of a friend of mine bought a 4 door civic that had been partially converted into a ricer (ground effects, fart can muffler, slightly lowered suspension) and it was more expensive to insure w/ liability only than combined full coverage on a 1998 Monte Carlo and a 2005 full size Dodge Pickup.
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Only because he reported the modifications, making the car more than just a civic.
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#11
#11
volfanbill said:
Only because he reported the modifications, making the car more than just a civic.
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so you're into insurance fraud? what happens if that car is in an accident, say with the other driver at fault, and the other insurance company makes note of all the modifications? What then?
 
#12
#12
volfanbill said:
Only because he reported the modifications, making the car more than just a civic.
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I go to Allstate and all they ask for is a vin number and if the car has anti-lock brakes or not to insure with them, or at least that's been my experience.
 
#14
#14
The same price your paying for a used Honda you could buy a new Ford. Just saying, the difference in quality isn't what it used to be. God knows American manufacturers could use the help.
 
#15
#15
MG1968 said:
so you're into insurance fraud? what happens if that car is in an accident, say with the other driver at fault, and the other insurance company makes note of all the modifications? What then?
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It's not fraud, just be prepared to only get stock parts instead of the much more expensive performance parts you've bought when you wrap it around a power pole. I know a good number of idiots that tool that route.
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#16
#16
oklavol said:
The same price your paying for a used Honda you could buy a new Ford. Just saying, the difference in quality isn't what it used to be. God knows American manufacturers could use the help.
Click to expand...

Not denying that the US could use the help, but in 3 years, the honda will resale higher.
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#17
#17
oklavol said:
The same price your paying for a used Honda you could buy a new Ford. Just saying, the difference in quality isn't what it used to be. God knows American manufacturers could use the help.
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maybe, but it's still a pretty wide valley.
 
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