What Car, Indecisive, Cheap, 20 Something, Female Edition.

From the description, I'd say either Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, or Infiniti at her price point. I would think there would be plenty of options. Though she should just get a Volvo and be done.

njansenv wrote:

oldeskewltoy wrote: AVOID IS300 weak ass suspension + low profile tires = bent lower control arms.... I reiterate the Camry... or the Acura... but AVOID the IS300

Say what? I keep hearing how indestructible those cars are - and have a cousin who flat out LOVE's his. Of course, he "only" has factory 17's...

We had IS300 Sport Cross.... always 17" (stock wheels)

#2 lower control arm bends REAL easily... instead of track rod like in most other rwd Toyota, the IS uses a rod that mounted behind the front axle line to keep the main control arm in position... this arm bends EASILY

This equation only has 2 solutions:

Toyota Camry Honda Accord

Any other answer is wrong.

Infiniti G35x?

http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/3132426535.html

C43 AMG

not mine...

I am finding MLs all over the place for the $5K-$6K range. How cheap does she want?

We towed our race boat with a ML320 AWD and got 20 with the boat!!! 23 without.

So get the cheap ML320, service everything and enjoy!

Thanks for all the input.

I probably should at least attempt to defend her driving, she's not the best in the world, but she's not terrible. The gas station pole was a silly mistake, heck I've had a pine tree in my yard jump right out in front of me. The concrete barrier was to avoid a collision with other vehicles. Yeah she was probably following to close, but who hasn't been there?

Anyway I emailed her some Craig's List finds, I was able to find an example or two of most of the cars mentioned here that were at least close to meeting all of her criteria.

Some mentioned here had been discussed with her before. I'm still pushing Volvo, they're reliable and there's an excellent indy Volvo mechanic close to home. She's leaning Infiniti (I think). However the i30/35 doesn't seem to strike her fancy, I had mentioned them in the past.

One I hadn't even considered until this thread was the CTS, I'll have to do some more research on them. Clean examples that meet her criteria are relatively easy to find.

I don't think you could ever talk here into a Camry or Accord, and she adamantly says no to Mazda 3. Apparently someone she doesn't like drives a Mazda 3, and she, "is reminded of that person every time she sees one." Women?!?!?

There's some possible BMW offerings, but most of what I know of them has been learned here, so I'm a novice at best.

I'm awaiting her feed back. Thanks again!

• Lee

Things are getting real now, I just got word that Step Mom ran into her car, current estimate of ~$1K worth of damage. With the other damage, and some needed maintenance (wheel bearing) she's about made up her mind to sell it.

She sent me a link to an '03 9-3 Arc auto with ~117K for a bit under $8K.

Research shows that it's a turbo Ecotec. With Saab not really existing anymore, is there anything besides maybe body parts or interior bits that can't be sourced for repairs?

Anything that should have been done maintenance wise, or to specifically look out for?

Pics look super clean, and I might be a little jealous if she does wind up getting it.

I already pointed out the fact that it's a turbo to her, her response, "I'm flexible."

• Lee

That might be the last year of saab's di cassette which could be a blessing or a curse depending on your outlook. Either way I would regularly put in fresh oem plugs and keep a spare cassette in the trunk. Supposedly 2003 was the year for the changeover to regular coils but I have seen 2003s both ways. The front strut bearings are especially prone to going bad and there WAS an extended warranty. The rear upper control arm bushings are usually worn out. If there is a leak or the water pump needs to be changed it is a pain to fix and requires a special tool. The radios die and fixing it is expensive.

And tell her she is full of beans!!!

Oops, accidental post

I really mis-read the title in this thread...

I thought it said, "Wanted: Indecisive, Cheap, 20 Something, Female Edition".

Just thought I'd check out the shenanigins before the lock!

Carry on...

A lot of the scarce parts for Saabs have been electrical in nature. 2003 was the first year of the 9-3SS, and is routinely talked about poorly for electrical issues.

Broken springs are common. As previously mentioned upper strut bearings are as well.

That's all I got.

Lexus GS300 you can easily find one that's been loved for your $10k cap.

In reply to thestig99:

This one is listed as a 9-3 Arc Sport. Is that the same thing as the "SS?"

Wiki talks about them using fiber optics, that kind of makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, to think about trouble shooting an issue with that.

• Lee