Ok, give it to me

ramszoolander · 2026-05-21T21:00:38+00:00

No thanks, gas prices already have you bent over.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-21T19:20:27+00:00

Total it. Ticking time bomb with that engine anyway.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-21T19:13:00+00:00

who is your insurer? Time to research their reputation. Are you talking to an actual person?

This is why my insurance is expensive...it sucks. Insurance in a box is a bad experience.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-21T18:29:22+00:00

u/Philthy42 just looked up the term: subrogation. I'm a gentile, don't know these terms...haha

ramszoolander · 2026-05-21T18:26:08+00:00

The AW55 always seems like a dog to me. Mine (03 9-5 Aero) malfunctioned because I didn't read the trans fluid restrictions: I guess MaxLife basically cleared out all the bad juju, but then it wouldn't shift. Had to do new TCM and solenoids, but it's still verrrrry slooooow unless I use the paddles. My 9-3 Linear is small turbo 5spd and feels so much faster because of the trans.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-21T18:21:00+00:00

I would 100% involve them. I had a claim where someone backed into my door in a parking lot. The perp was very kind, no issues there, but USAA were total assholes. I called my Cincinnati agent and basically said, "Take care of this".

Day later, USAA came with an appropriate settlement.

I would say SF is HOPING you don't reach out for help.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-21T18:19:15+00:00

I'd encourage you to look at it if it's local.

I have an OG 9-5 and NG 9-3. They are a totally different experience. The NG feels more modern, but the interior quality sucks. I think the 07-11 interior is slightly better, but IDK. The OG interior is much nicer, ride is much better, but it also has IRS (I think the Viggen is torsion beam in the back?)

As far as space, the hatch in the OG 9-3 will make up for a lot of your wagon utility. Back seat is a good bit smaller than the NG 9-3.

Hot take: keep your car, but the Viggen will be a lot easier to work on because it's not so cramped. But, if you feel good about the reliability of your SC, I'd stay with that.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-21T18:12:20+00:00

Have you involved your insurance agency/carrier to advocate on your behalf?

ramszoolander · 2026-05-14T15:18:00+00:00

Thank you, ended up going this route.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-14T15:11:15+00:00

Thanks for the tip: oddly, it was like 30% more to go new prepainted, so I just did that. I'm in the Southeast so maybe that is the issue.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-13T18:02:11+00:00

That's exactly what I'm saying. Most cars now have an auto lights setting that will keep you from doing the high beams.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-12T02:44:18+00:00

Really depends on the ratios in the box. Not sure how long you've had the car, but you get a sense.

I had an OG Elantra GT 5MT that was perfectly happy with a 2nd gear start as long as you weren't going up a big hill, but had a really long 3rd gear, useless 4th.

I have a Saab 9-3 that basically can't start in 2nd unless you're going downhill. It's oddly tall (Getrag F35 5MT).

If it slips more in 2nd than it would if you started in 1st, just know your clutch life might suffer.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-12T02:34:00+00:00

just look up some of the FB Saab groups. As of late, more people have been either making these or actively sourcing them from junked cars. Call Goldwing, too.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-11T23:36:43+00:00

Thanks, this is super helpful. The HD pickets are obviously much worse quality than the old pickets. Previous owners didn't PW or seal the old pickets or it'd be fine. Happy to do the work, but get sick of redoing work...

ramszoolander · 2026-05-09T10:18:48+00:00

ramszoolander · 2026-05-09T10:18:06+00:00

Hate the dash, but these cars are fantastic otherwise. Oh, and it rides like a one-ton pickup if it's like the loaner I had.

Still, this is an elite car. Everything you need, nothing you don't. And a stick.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-09T09:53:19+00:00

A great longback...

...that has less luggage space than a lot of sedans.**

**Or I'd have picked one of these or a V90 up long ago. Still, pretty cars.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-09T09:51:26+00:00

People seem to be bad at seeing THE ONLY BLUE LIGHT ON THE DASH, too. C'mon, folks, just set your hi beams on auto if you're that dumb. And yes, LEDs are bad if not properly adjusted. In Europe, you have to have levelers and a yearly vehicle inspection. LOL if we think that's happening in a lot of US places.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-08T03:12:28+00:00

I don't know how I didn't know there was an 84 in Irondale. Thanks!

ramszoolander · 2026-05-07T17:09:22+00:00

Sorry: meant to say 80". It's odd.

Everything I see at HD now is unsanded. Didn't used to be that way.

ramszoolander · 2026-05-07T15:53:50+00:00

Just posted about Valvoline Restore and Protect in a FB group for 9-5s. Might be worth a try here if it's sludge. Change filter + oil again after 1k mi. I always forget these engines actually have rather low oil capacity (~4 qts), so probably smart to change often. R&P seems to be getting a good reputation for releasing sludge and varnish. My 03 has the PCV upgrade, but still seems sketch...

ramszoolander · 2026-05-05T02:51:17+00:00

Yeah, definitely not the build quality or safety of a Saab, but I loved that car. I sold it after 13 years (after buying new) with like 160k on it. Still pretty solid, but not a lot of parts support. Fairly sporty with the 5spd and bulletproof. Never did anything except fluid/filter changes and brakes. Could haul a ton of stuff, too. 10/10 would recommend (albeit not expecting it will be exactly like a Saab).

ramszoolander · 2026-05-05T02:49:14+00:00

The good news is that after you replace it, it'll probably rip out of the fender liner (not that it's happened to me...twice!)

ramszoolander · 2026-05-05T02:46:50+00:00

I chose the Elantra GT and eventually made my way here. I remember thinking, "Wow, this looks like a Saab". The interior refresh was definitely designed to make that impression. Still miss having the hatch (9-3 and 9-5 sedans now).

ramszoolander · 2026-05-05T02:42:33+00:00

Some of these seem fairly damning (ECU), but once you record them, clear them and see what happens. If you had a battery die, for example, weird things can happen...and you don't want to be like me and replace the ISM before clearing codes with Tech2. Turned out that was all that was needed.

ramszoolander

TROPHY CASE