I think it was something like '02 and earlier that had sludge problems with Saab. Mine was an '01, but I had proof that it had routine oil changes and no sludge problems.
You can probably pick up a higher mileage HHR for your budget. You'd have to drive one for yourself and see what you think of it. I don't have the same concerns pinchvalve did about vision. The A pillars are thick, but I've never had any real issues with blind spots.
