The Saab had to go

"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures) 01/20/2015 at 11:36 • Filed to: Saab, 9-3

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Sadly, I had to let go of my 9-3. It's the first car I've had for less than a year, but it cost me more than some cars I've had for over 5 years. I just had to stop putting money into it. However, it was fun while it lasted and during its times in between repairs, it was brilliant.

I consider myself lucky to be one of the few people to own a black 9-3 Aero XWD with a manual transmission. For me, the Saab provided many firsts: first manual tranny, first turbo, first AWD and first dead car brand. I learned a lot during my ownership experience, about vetting used cars, about what to fix myself vs paying somebody, about finding a decent mechanic, about diagnosing problems, and most importantly about when to cut my losses. I'm sad to see it go, but I'm excited about my next car, which is....

A BMW 135i!

So far, the 135i is wonderful, but I'll have to report on it again after the honeymoon period is over.

Aaron Paul: Oppo's Resident Fake British Actor > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/20/2015 at 11:40

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Nice. That sucks that you had to get rid of the Saab, but congrats on the new Bimmer purchase!

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Aaron Paul: Oppo's Resident Fake British Actor 01/20/2015 at 11:44

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Thanks! I bonded pretty hard with the Saab since I fixed so much stuff on it, but it was becoming a bit of an abusive relationship.

MonkeePuzzle > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/20/2015 at 11:45

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such a perfect shape! loev the 1-series

Aaron Paul: Oppo's Resident Fake British Actor > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/20/2015 at 11:50

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Like my old Hyundai Santa Fe. Except the Saab's problems came a lot earlier in its life than the Hyundai's did, it seems.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Aaron Paul: Oppo's Resident Fake British Actor 01/20/2015 at 12:03

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It was high mileage for the year (100k mi on a 6 yr old car) and GM put the crappiest brittle plastic everywhere. Even the wiper fluid jets crumbled into powder when I had to replace them. It was a very different ownership experience than I was used to after a string of Japanese cars.

Aaron Paul: Oppo's Resident Fake British Actor > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/20/2015 at 12:07

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That's a lot of miles. My Santa Fe was 11 years old and had about 150,000 miles when it blew a head gasket and some sort of main seal or something (it's been several years since I got rid of it, so I don't remember exactly). Long story short, I sold it to Carmax and bought a Lexus RX to replace it.

Tripper > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/20/2015 at 12:13

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Sweet 1er, congrats!

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/20/2015 at 12:18

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I just went through your older posts and I feel we think a bit alike. Like, I have a 2004 9-3, my wife has a white 2008 Versa Hatchback and I bought a black 2014 Mustang V6 as a summer car last year. It's like we have the same cars, except your are a notch higher

JEM > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/20/2015 at 12:38

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Ooo.. nice. I really loved those 1 series. I keep looking around and seeing used examples with arond 30,000 miles for about $16,000 which seems like a great deal.

Though, I am scared of BMW repairs.

Love to hear more on it as you own it. Hopefully you have fewer repairs!

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough 01/20/2015 at 13:03

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I'm glad I'm not the only weirdo who likes both Saabs and Mustangs.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/20/2015 at 13:15

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Congrats! Which year is the 135i? I'm always tempted by these things, but I worry about the reliability issues i keep hearing about the turbo engines (but also curious how much of it is just the typical over the top hysteria). I've heard the 2011+ models are more reliable, but more $$ as still newish.

Please do report back on how you like the car and how it holds up over time, they're great cars - excellent size, handling, and power!

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/20/2015 at 13:18

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Oh and I test drove a 135i once. Liked it. A lot.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 01/20/2015 at 14:16

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It's a 2012, so hopefully they fixed most of the big reliability issues. Hard to know how much of that was real and how much is just anecdotal. I guess I'll find out!

iLikeCarsAndSkiing > JEM 01/20/2015 at 18:38

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Where are you seeing this??? I can't find one for 16k with less than 80k miles anywhere.

JEM > iLikeCarsAndSkiing 01/20/2015 at 18:41

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cars.com (150 miles from 01610) and craigslist around Boston, MA

sure, there are more with 70-100K on them for the price but still some with 30-40K miles for $16-17K.

I think all are 128i but that's fine with me, I'd be looking for a fun commuter car anyhow.

Phil > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/26/2015 at 11:52

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I was just looking at trading in my 12' GTI for one of these 11' and above, keep us updated on how you're liking this.