4g61t.org

With my soon-to-be-sold Porsche out of the way, I've found myself with a surplus of cash and the need of a daily while I tinker with the Colt. Crawling around craigslist, talking, etc. I've found a few cars that interest me. On the list is the 98-00 Subaru 2.5 RS, a trusty 98-00 Civic EX Coupe, A 2nd Gen DSM, or an 06-08 Saab 9-3 Aero.

Of them, the Saab is the only one I really know nothing about. No idea of reliability, thoughts, practicality, anything. Do you guys have any Saab experience? Thoughts? I've found two 9-3 Aeros, which are V-6 turbos, semi-luxurious, and look very unique. Both with around 80k miles for about $9-10. I'm really liking the idea of owning one. Good idea?

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1991 Dodge Colt - 1.5L 4G15 - Swap Project
1989 Dodge Colt GT - 2.0 4G63T - Racecar
1995 Honda Prelude - H23A2 - DD

For a DD I'd get a 98-00 Civic EX and not look back. Also not on your list but the 97-02 Mirage 2dr coupes make very good DD's as well. Especially if you get lucky and find an LS with a manual transmission.

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93 Mitsubishi Expo LRV 1.8/manual
95 Eagle Summit DL Coupe 1.5/manual
01 Mitsubishi Mirage ES Sedan 1.8/manual

I have heard good things about the 9-3 Aero, however no first hand experience.

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1990 Colt AWD 8.8

The Saab 9-3 Aero is a good car, and an awesome value. I can't speak for the newer models, but the late 90's/early 00's models are pretty good. The Saabs came with two different turbos, a Mitsubishi and a Garrett unit. The Mitsubishi was the "high-performance" turbo that was offered, and they only put that on the 2.3L Aero models. This is the one you want. The Garrett turbo fails miserably. It's almost guaranteed that you'll have to change it.

With that said, I'm gonna go ahead and recommend getting a Volvo. I absolutely love mine. Look at 95-97 850's, and '98 S70's or V70's. Depending on your budget, 2001+ V70's are pretty solid too. I would avoid anything before '95, and also 99-00 models. They're an amazing value for the money, and the 5cyl is super smooth and makes decent power. Get a turbocharged one, because the non-turbos are horribly slow, and they don't really get better gas mileage.

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91 GSX - 511fwhp and 352 lb/ft 25psi 110 octane, 7.68 @ 95.9mph 1/8th 21psi 91 octane, 11.93 @ 112.9mph, 117.7mph best trap speed, 20psi 91 octane
98 Volvo S70 T5 - DD

http://www.facebook.com/captaintonus

Tonus is spot on, the older saab's were good cars and the turbo models can be had cheap and are pretty peppy too. The older volvo's are also great cars but don't go newer, the 850's and v70s are what you'd be looking for. If you can find a R version, they are pretty sweet rides. My dad has a 00 v70 R and a 95ish 850 R, both get up and go sweet for a daily. Stay away from the newer Saabs and Volvos, GM and I think Ford ruined both of those brands.

Tonus and Myself have the 98 T5 Volvo S70. Damned good car. It's not the quickest off the light, but it has long legs once it comes on boost.

Aside from upgrading to new shocks, and Vogtland 1.4" lowering springs,
I have left mine stock on purpose to keep it dead nuts reliable.

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Geoff
2013 Genesis 5.0 RSPEC
88 Mazda Turbo II- LSX7
89 2.0 Turbo Colt
13 Ducati 1199 Panigale

At least yours is 5spd. The auto is REALLY sluggish off the line, but definitely wakes up real good past 3,000rpm or so

I've put ~20,000 miles on my S70 since I bought it, and the only problem I've had is the airflow meter broke. I bought a new one for $100, and I was back on the road in minutes.

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91 GSX - 511fwhp and 352 lb/ft 25psi 110 octane, 7.68 @ 95.9mph 1/8th 21psi 91 octane, 11.93 @ 112.9mph, 117.7mph best trap speed, 20psi 91 octane
98 Volvo S70 T5 - DD

http://www.facebook.com/captaintonus

Look into Saab 92x aero's. It has the ej20 Subaru wrx driveline and I average 27mpg with my daily commute. They can be had cheap and are turbo awd. Ive put 55,000 miles on it in two years and haven't had a single issue or cel.

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1989 Dodge Colt E [4g63T]
2005 Saab 92X awd-turbo :)
2003 WW EVO8 FlexFuel