Same. Ideally when buying a car it won't be too much over 100k by the time I'd be looking to get shot of it.
What would you consider "high mileage"?
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Same. Ideally when buying a car it won't be too much over 100k by the time I'd be looking to get shot of it.
So my 9-5 Aero is due to expire in the next couple of weeks then when it clocks 120K? Somehow, I think not.
You probably don't realise that the GM900 uses the B204 T5 engine, and that is as bomb proof as they come.
I also have a GM Saab 900 with said B204 and mine is sat at 177k presently. I am hoping to run it to a least double this. The knackered saab engine was probably trionic 7 on an B205 or B235, which probably died from oil sludge issues due to the useless PCV system that was fitted to the early 9-3's and 9-5's, the 9000 and 900s had damn fine engines.
Soldato
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depends on the car, if i saw over 100k on a fiat punto i'd be worried, but if i saw 160k on a vw passat with the 1.9tdi engine, i wouldn't even bat an eyelid, if i saw one with 250k i'd be in two minds, buy it, i can get moon mileage, and hmm, it's probably shagged, i'll buy something a little more reliable.
Some cars do stupid miles, others can't hack it.
Some cars do stupid miles, others can't hack it.
Soldato
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It's a japanese bombproof car, they laugh at mileages like that. For a honda that's a low mileage.
185bhp from a 1.6 will change that a little over a generic Jap motor though.
Ever thought maybe yours was a bad one that hadn't been well looked after? Without proper servicing any engine will die eventually.
Yes, very optimistic as are most speedo's unless you have a tail wind down Mt Everest.
I do in most cases.
First, because in general (regardless of country) it's very rare for a 10-12 year old car to be absolutely immaculate inside and out, from engine bay, through interior all the way to underneath the car and yet have intergalactic mileage. If it looks like 50k car, sounds like 50k car and drives like 50k car and says 50k on speedo, it probably is 50k car (surprise).
Second, because conditions in Japan are slightly different. It's not only a country where car ownership doesn't make much sense in terms of commuting but also a country where you cannot have a car unless you have assigned garage and space for it. If you loose that space, you loose your car. It has to be sold, crushed or recycled within strict period of time. Many cities have regulations disallowing ownership of cars over certain age/mileage/emission group by year (which is why typical Jap import is a 10 year old large family wagon or SUV with ~100k kilometers on the clock.
Shaken test (their MOT) very often costs over £1000 and is so thorough and so hard to pass some new European cars would not pass it. It's not even stuff like coachwork - all panels must be faultless, no dings etc, but they even have strict rules regarding minimum height from the ground in relation to wheelbase and measure zone around the car - for example with exception of bumpers no underside element, including tailpipe, can protrude anywhere outside body of the car. If you don't pass the shaken, it's the same story - you have limited time to fix faults (which is actually harder than it might seem, as they have very few "general fix them up" type of outfits outside factory repair and tunning scene, so it's actually stupidly expensive to fix stuff), you cannot transport or park the car anywhere on public road unless it's on tow and you must pay another grand for re-test. Or you can hand it over to breakers for destruction/export and find yourself new car. Many of the popular imports - racer scene stuff - arriving on our shores still have red stickers - red sticker means "confiscated by police for grounds of safety and illegal tunning" - lowered suspension, spoiler protruding outside of car's body, tints, plastic tat, stickers on side windows etc.
Third. Because shaken or service documents tell me so. I bought and sold quite a few imported vehicles before and would never buy anything from Japanese auction that doesn't have paperwork. The switcharoo vehicles are all too obvious - local SUV/MPV dealer has 12 year old Subaru - less than 40k in km on the clock. Engine bay like it drove from Irkutsk to Krim in the middle of winter using unpaved roads. Sand colored carpets and doorcards with leather trim suggesting the car had creme leather seats in R spec, but the actual seats are grey velour with reddish squabs and steering wheel is aftermarket momo affair. You look under the seat with torch light, and sure enough, there are connectors for electric, heated seats ducktaped to the floor. Quite clearly the car was high mileage, new speedo in, worn parts of the interior were switched "on budget", next morning auction and boat to England. Happens. A lot.
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Your ownership of a Saab that cost £400?
My dad has owned a Saab Aero V6 Turbo (GM) 9-3 since 2005 from new, he has looked after it and it is now on 115k it burns zero oil, is still on the original turbo and is still good from the day he got it, of course he does epic motorway mileage but they are not extinct at 120k and far from it as evident
And because of the ownership/problems I researched them.
Here, Have some of this, There's Plenty more where this came from.
Quoted from here - http://www.swedishwrench.com/oil_sludge_saab.htm
As of June 3, 2005 Saab has announced that they will be replacing customers engines under a "special policy" that have been damaged by excessive oil sludge.
Vehicles covered on this policy are as follows:
9-5 models w/4 cylinder 1999-2003
9-3 models for years 2000-2003
9-3 convertibles years 2000-2003
9-3 viggens Years 1999-2002
If you have one of these cars I would suggest that you do all recommenced maintenance and keep all records. Just because your car does not fall under the policy I am still warning you about oil sludge and the need to change oil on a regular basis. This oil sludge problem can happen to any car.
Saab states they will only honor this policy of engine repair if oil change service records are complete. Saab states things that make the problem worse are short driving trips of 5 to 10 minutes, stop and go driving, dusty driving conditions and low grade oil.
Saab is making good on customers that have had this problem in the past as well. You still must document all services and apply to Saab for this "special policy". This special policy covers engine components up to 8 years after the in service date with unlimited mileage. ( The day it was first sold) If you have a problem with this, Saab can be contacted at 1-800-955-9007.
Signs that the sludge is in advanced stages include Engine noise and oil pressure warning light coming on. If you have one of these cars with the oil sludge problem you can check it by removing the valve cover. If your car has the problem you will see a large amount of dark brown jell like sludge. If you find this I suggest you contact your local dealers service department and let them know.
If you have one of these cars I suggest changing the oil every 3K miles. If you have found the beginnings of sludge build up you can try and aggressive oil change schedule that may clean out your engine. If you follow my advice on this I can't guarantee Saab will honor it's special policy so check with Saab before you attempt any maintenance changes.
Once your car starts the sludge build up it is hard to completely clean out, but it is worth it to try this to keep things from getting worse. I suggest changing the oil and filter every 200 miles and check under the valve cover to see if things are clanging up. Depending on the severity you will have varied results. Once the engine has cleaned up you can start to add 1/4 of a quart Dextron ATF to the oil. Auto transmission fluid is very high detergent and will aid in keeping your engine clean. The issue is if you get too much detergent too quickly you will break up oil sludge sending it throughout your engine. This may cause damage as well, and is up to the on hands mechanic to determine. I have run ATF mixed in my engine oil changes for years and have kept my engines spotless. Like I stated above if you follow my advice on this I can't guarantee Saab will honor it's special policy so check with Saab before you attempt any maintenance changes.
(This article is meant to educate a consumer,or as a guideline for professionals. You can cause serious damage to your vehicle and/or cause yourself injury. Only those qualified should attempt repairs. I do my best to assure that the above info is correct but take no responsibility for any damages incurred.)
Or Here.
Quoted from here - http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58536
GM's Saab recalls 400,000 cars over engine flaw STOCKHOLM (AFX) - General Motor Corp's Swedish subsidiary Saab Automobile AB said it is recalling up to 400,000 of its 9-5 and 9-3 cars worldwide due to an engine design flaw.
The company said the flaw could lead to a rapid deterioration of oil quality and damage turbo-charged engines.
'As many as 400,000 cars may be affected worldwide,' Saab (Stockholm: SAABb.ST - news) spokesman Oerjan Aaslund said, refusing to reveal how much money the company would be forced to spend on the repairs.
The company said it will issue an 8-year retroactive engine guarantee for its 1998 to 2000 9-5 models and its 2000 to 2003 9-3 models. (However the design wasnt changed until 2004 so cars up to 2004 will be vulnerable)
'The guarantee means that customers who have been affected by motor problems due to oil sludge will receive full financial compensation,' Saab said in a statement, pointing out that the purchaser of a vehicle in 1998 would still have a valid guarantee through 2006.
The car manufacturer said that about 4 pct of the 95,000 cars equipped with the engines in question circulating in Sweden appeared to have experienced problems.
'Sweden has been more affected than many other markets... mainly due to the fact that it is colder here and it takes longer for the engines to warm up,' Aaslund said.
Plus all 9-5 and 9-3's with poor or no routine maintenance or where oil specification has not been adhered to.
MY2004 9-5's and 9-3SS are reported to be free of this design fault.
Shall I continue ?
Quoted from here - http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58536
GM's Saab recalls 400,000 cars over engine flaw STOCKHOLM (AFX) - General Motor Corp's Swedish subsidiary Saab Automobile AB said it is recalling up to 400,000 of its 9-5 and 9-3 cars worldwide due to an engine design flaw.
The company said the flaw could lead to a rapid deterioration of oil quality and damage turbo-charged engines.
'As many as 400,000 cars may be affected worldwide,' Saab (Stockholm: SAABb.ST - news) spokesman Oerjan Aaslund said, refusing to reveal how much money the company would be forced to spend on the repairs.
The company said it will issue an 8-year retroactive engine guarantee for its 1998 to 2000 9-5 models and its 2000 to 2003 9-3 models. (However the design wasnt changed until 2004 so cars up to 2004 will be vulnerable)
'The guarantee means that customers who have been affected by motor problems due to oil sludge will receive full financial compensation,' Saab said in a statement, pointing out that the purchaser of a vehicle in 1998 would still have a valid guarantee through 2006.
The car manufacturer said that about 4 pct of the 95,000 cars equipped with the engines in question circulating in Sweden appeared to have experienced problems.
'Sweden has been more affected than many other markets... mainly due to the fact that it is colder here and it takes longer for the engines to warm up,' Aaslund said.
Plus all 9-5 and 9-3's with poor or no routine maintenance or where oil specification has not been adhered to.
MY2004 9-5's and 9-3SS are reported to be free of this design fault.
Shall I continue ?
I don't get the joke?![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
So you just don't like shabby cars, nothing to do with the mileage. I like to only buy one owner from new cars with cast iron main dealer history. The mileage is irrelevent - infact the higher the better as it means I can get a newer car for my money.
I wouldnt buy a 140k car with patchy history any more than I'd buy a 40k car with patchy history.
Mileage is just one of a great deal of factors which dictate the condition of the car. It is important to make allowances for it but it is not the be all and end all some people seem to think it is, as they rush off to buy a shabby 5 year old car with 60k on it because the mint 3 year old example of the same car next door for 500 quid less has 'omg 110k on it'.
Time to change yours soon then matey. 7 years old now
I know - tell me about it. Never intended to own a 7+ year old car, I was going to replace it this year but.. I just cant think of anything I want thats better enough and it's still as good as it was when I bought it at 4 years old. Thinking of hanging onto it for a while longer until LCI E90's are 2-3 years old. I just can't learn to love the E60 enough to replace it with one. I'd feel like I had done the wrong thing.
I would never buy a car of this age but I don't mind owning one having owned it since it was much younger.