Saleofcar.com :Saab

Saab 9-5 Aero Sedan 4-Door (2003)
for sale

Price: US $2,350.00

Description:

This is my 2003 Saab 9-5 Aero 5-Speed. This model was the top of the line performance package for the time. The 2.3 liter engine of the Aero having the designation of High Output Turbo (HOT) that allows for a 20 second-or-so overboost function when (for example) you’re passing another car. Aero’s have specific struts, spring rates, and ride height (lower) that was unique to them. Combined with more bolstered seats (this one also has the optional perforated / ventilated seats), and Xenon headlights. this car was one of my favorites having owned a 900 Turbo and 9000 Turbo previously (I still have a 1st Gen 900 Turbo Convertible that I’m keeping). While this is a great car, it does needs some work – but here is the story:
I bought the car in March of 2008, and although the Carfax was clean and showed Texas ownership I did purchase a 36k mile warranty with it. The pre-inspection I had done also showed no-accidents, but the inspection noted minor paint work on the front right fender and the right side rear passenger door (the inspector thought the car may have been keyed or something). The car had around 70k miles on it at the time and appeared to be maintained well, and had brand new brake pads and rotors.
For the next 36k miles, the local Saab dealer was great in coordinating any repair work thru the warranty company and as I learned, warranty companies aren’t always that easy to deal with but I tipped the Service Manager well. I don’t recall everything, but a check engine light was eliminated by upgrading this car to the latest PCV system and a review of the engine didn’t reveal any sludge at all. The warranty also replaced the brake master cylinder booster, the alternator, motor mounts, some things I know I’m forgetting, and somehow the Service Manager was able to get the engine re-sealed under warranty (as in all gaskets).
After a few years my commuting distance increased substantially, and the highway miles began to rack up. Good thing Saab 9-5’s also get pretty good gas mileage. The car now has over 215k, but still pulls like a train and tracks straight. I tend to do all my own work on my cars and I’m religious about the oil – I use nothing but synthetics in everything and change the oil and filter every 5000. It’s a schedule that has worked for me. That said, I have had the A/C compressor replaced, I’ve shimmed the rear wheel housings to correct excessive negative camber (worked great), I replaced the oil pump seal, the valve cover gasket, re-torqued the head, plus anything else the car needed.
After 5 years or so the 2 repainted panels (fender and RR door) faded and didn't look like the rest of the car. I went to a body shop, but wasn’t happy with the work (it was shiny and smooth but the underlying black basecoat was wavy). I had it repainted again, but still wasn’t happy (now too many layers of paint were on the panels). In frustration, I ended up taking a black door off a Saab 9-5 in the junkyard and also picked up a factory fender. The door is currently on the car (with a tan interior panel) but the fender isn’t.
The clutch I believe is still factory (super smooth and never slipped) The new brakes and rotors that were on the car when I bought it are still there (same pads after 145, 000 miles)– this being a testament to the highway miles. The car is rust-free thanks to Texas and has still never been in an accident.
In anticipation of taking the car to 300k and beyond, I purchased 4 new Aero-specific Bilstein struts, with new strut bearings, bump-stops, etc…, a new axle (there is a tear in a CV boot), tie rod ends (torn rubber again), transmission / CV axle seals, a new fog light to replace a cracked one, a fuel filter and some plastic trim in front of the side view mirrors. My trip to the junkyard yielded some door gaskets, interior pieces, climate control display, yet more trim in front of the mirrors, and a few other things. There is probably $800-$1000 in parts, and all those pieces are included with the car, see the pictures.
About 7 months ago, the car lost hydraulic pressure to the clutch. No drama, but I loaded the car up on my trailer, brought it home, rolled it into the garage, and jumped into another car…
If you know Saab 9-5’s then you’ll know that a problem like that can either be the clutch master cylinder (a 2-3 hour job) or a slave cylinder (let’s just say not a 2-3 hour job). It took me 7 months to get around to it, but I gambled on the clutch master cylinder and just replaced that, plus the hose going to the slave cylinder. That didn’t solve it, so the issue is the slave cylinder, which needs to have the transmission dropped to get to it.
Slave cylinders are not much money, and the whole job can be done DIY, but it’s a big job that needs the engine supported and the sub-frame dropped. I just don’t have it in me. Of course, you may have it in you, and it’s a great time to replace the struts, and CV axle and seals and all the other pieces I (you’ll) have. I also suppose that the clutch, while still performing beautifully, should probably be swapped out as well as long as the transmission is down. If you do it yourself, it will take more time than money to get the car back on the road.
Despite the 7-month old gas, the car starts, idles, and rev’s like it always has – beautifully. The battery was kept on a charger so that’s good. The tires are good and are all wearing evenly. Everything works on the car – but my young kid did put a CD into the player when there was already a CD in there, it’s never been the same since.
The interior is good, and although the driver’s seat shows some wear, there are no tears or split seams anywhere. The entire car could benefit from a bottle of touch up paint for nicks and a good detailing – inside and out. The car does have scuffs, nicks, and a few door dings that I was going to get repaired with paint-less dent repair but never did. Despite the sympathetic ownership this was still a used and driven car. Don’t expect a show car, but all pictures were taken within the last few days.
Obviously, this car will need to be trailered. Being front wheel drive car, the use of a (2-wheel) car dolly could work, but make plans accordingly.
If you’re looking for a 9-5 Aero with a 5-speed and every option I know of then you’ll know they’re not that plentiful – if you’re looking for a rust-free Aero that has never seen a winter then you’ll know the number is even smaller (and I mean rust-free).
The parts I’m including are needed, they were bought for a reason, but the description I’ve given is honest. There is a good car here with a lot of life left but it’s time for someone else to enjoy the car with a bit of effort. This car was never raced, abused, computer chipped, or anything else. It’s been kept 100% stock and adult owned but with the occasional on-ramp blast or dropping of a tail-gater thrown in for good measure.
I’m taking best offer, but whatever price we end up at will include everything I have for the car including 2 extra right rear doors if you want them (the original one and another replacement).
I have the glove box driver manuals and 2 keys.
Please ask any questions you have, I can take more pictures if needed, and I’ll help in any way I can in coordinating transfer and ownership over to you.

_{update: 2017-03-20}