06 Saab 9-3 for daughter #2

Daughter #2 had some pretty vague requests for her first car.  She wanted something silver, grey or blue with four doors, not low to the ground, and boring enough to blend into and disappear in a parking lot.  Found an 06 Saab 9-3 with an automatic and a 2.0T engine.  Has 164K miles, and has led a very boring life.  Belonged to an accountant and spent the last several years on Martha's Vinyard being used exclusively as the guys shuttle vehicle from the airport to his office.  Only 4K miles over the last 3 years.  Recently had a check engine light come on so seeing how this is his busy season, he didn't want to deal with it.  Bought an Audi A3 and dropped this off at the repair place.  New serpentine belt, something described as a $35 control valve on turbo, a synthetic oil change and $539 later he gets it back with no place to park it.  $2K later its in my driveway.  I honestly can't find anything wrong with it.  Every switch, button, devise works as it should.  Zero rust, dents, dings or rips.  Kid likes it.  I like it.  Its quick.  Almost too quick.  Its one of those car that your driving along and look down, and your doing 10 to 15 faster than you thought you were doing.  What if anything should I look for on these things?  Only Saab I have ever owned was a 74 Sonnet, and I'm sure these two have nothing in common.  I see on Wiki that there were two different versions of the 2.0.  Can't see any stickers with engine codes other than 2.0T.

My son just sold his 9-3 to a friend's 19 year old son.  Ian dropped $1000 off because it was the kid's first car.  Dad, who dailies a 911, suggests the boy may never get behind the wheel it's so nice.  The only issue Ian ever had in 90,000 miles was a power steering pump leak.  I really like the Night Panel, the only car I know of that has one.

I didn't end up buying one, but I looked at a number of them for DD#2 when I was shopping for her car.  Even the ones that hadn't been particularly loved seemed fairly solid, and prices seemed low.  If I had found the right one before I found the Pimpala, I probably would have bought it.

One thing I will say, SAAB knows how to make turbos and automatics work well together.

tr8todd said:

 Its quick.  Almost too quick.  Its one of those car that your driving along and look down, and your doing 10 to 15 faster than you thought you were doing.

My 9-5 was like that. The first time my GF drove it on the highway she glanced down after about 15 minutes behind the wheel to discover she was doing 90+ in a 55 (empty highway, so no other cars for reference).

Good car.  Some of the interior bits and pieces aren't quite European quality (grab handles are chintzy and weak) but solid, gets 35 mpg on the highway and as my brother proved a few years back, they can take a serious hit and protect their occupants well.  Solid choice for teenagers first car. 

What scared me away were the CIM/Steering wheel lock/key security issues and issues with intake valve wear.

Yesterday the wife registered it, and today she took it to work.  Until I find her a suitable replacement for her totaled Range Rover, she will be mostly driving this thing.  Althou yesterday was so nice, they all took off in the other daughter's convertible Solara with the roof down.