Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 05:59:31 -0400 From: Tom McCabe <tmccabenopsams.com> Subject: Re: What to look for on an 89 9000 turbo?
I have an 89 9000CD with automatic trans with 140,000 miles on it. I have had no problems with the tranny--but I have changed the transmission fluid per the schedule and also the motor and turbo have been no problem because of scheduled maintnenance. So if you have maint records on these items you probably have a good car for these items. The problem is with all the other things that are prone to failure and are expensive to fix on this car with this age and mileage. I really like this car however because the interior holds up well (with the leather) and I have maintained the exterior. The most amazing thing is the car does not look old--so when it is washed and waxed you have a fine looking luxury car to ride in plus it is very safe. But now for the bad stuff. I had to fix/replace the following: A/C lost a charge. Froze up. Cost $1400 to fix. Freon leaked inside the heat exchanger (heater) inside the car. Cost $350 to replace. Blower motor inside the car had a bad bearing and squeaked terribly. Another $300. Needed a new water pump. Rplaced the starter. Numerous electrical problems. Like the relay controlling the fuel pump went bad and the car would not run. Right now the door locks do not work--have a short circuit on the fuse block so this knocks out interior lights and the alarm system too. The lights on the Computer in the dash do not work so the trip computer is out---got the bulbs. I need to try and fix this myself. Battery tends to last only 3 to 4 yrs--the car is an electrical hog. I paid $24,000 for the car in 1990 with 7,500 miles on it as a dealer demo (titled as "new"). Since that time I have put about $8,000 into it for total expenses (includes tires, brakes and other wear items). Has it been worth it? I do not know--SAAB's are quasi exotic cars. Since I have put this money into it I plan on keeping the car.You need to find someone who knows how to work on them. Good luck. (my next car will be a used Infinity Q45-- a 94 cost $50,000 new and can be had for $20,000--I understand they do not break down as much as the SAAB) DHG wrote: > Hien Phan wrote: > > > I'm interested in purchasing a used 1989 9000 turbo, automatic with > > 98,000 miles. it's at a saab dealer, so i'm assuming it's a trade-in > > (I > > haven't yet had a chance to talk to the dealer, they were closed when > > I > > got there today so I'm going tomorrow) Aside from the usual (had any > > accidents, any recurring problems, etc), what should I ask about this > > particular car? Any help is appreciated, thanks! > > Hien > > The advice in the above post is good. I bought an'89 9000CD automatic > and wish I had taken it to a mechanic to check over. It's a very > complicated car. I didn't take enough time or have enough familiarity > with it and I missed a number of things. My early repair bills were > frequent and high. I'm still having an intermittent starting problem in > hot weather (along with a number of other owners). Be sure you get the > code for the radio and check for slippage in the transmission. Also > look into the fact it has an older freon-based AC. Good luck.
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