Date: Mon, 06 Jan 2003 11:26:10 -0500 From: Bob <uctraingNOSPAMersnopsamanet.com> Subject: Re: Considering Used 900SE/9-3SE. Advice req.
On 6 Jan 2003 07:12:43 -0800, dschadnopsamtiernet.net (don schad) wrote: >One specific 98 900 >that I am looking at would be from a dealer, and it has a suped-up >chip in it and a performance exhaust. Some sort of weird dealer demo. > The chip takes it from ~200hp to 240 or something. I could get a >5yr/100k warr on this. I'd be a little averse to buying a car that people drove specifically to see how fast it would go or how well it would smoke the tires. That can put a lot of abuse on the drivetrain, particularly when the car belongs to someone else. FWIW, you can get the performance exhaust from Saab for $400. The chips, depending on whos you use, go for $500 to $1000, with most folks in the USA paying $800-1000. Factor that into the cost and see if it's still a deal. You might want to find another car driven by a mature old hoser (the kind of driver who does not know if they have a turbo or not :-) and do your own mods if you plan to keep the car. The 5 year/100K warranty would be nice *if* it's bumper to bumper like the factory warranty and *if* it covers seals/gaskets, clutch, exhaust, battery, etc (factory does for 4/50). Most warr's don't. The odds of any "non-wear" items going are very low. >(1) What are common problems that might loom on the horizon? None specific. The 98/99 is a mature car. I would expect that the clutch in this car might be rather worn if it's been pushed hard by lots of different drivers trying to get used driving it. > How long do turbo chargers last? Can they be expected to "go" at a certain >millage? Indefinitely if the oil is changed regularly. Not an issue. >Trannys? Timing chains, etc? CV joints? Not really an issue with this car either. Some of the lastest 2001 & later tranny's seemed to have issues when pushed hard but I don't think the earlier cars ever did. The clutch is about $1000 to do and that will go at some point. The chains don't typically need replacement. You should do the upper "idler"pulley and serp belt every 50K or so but that's a 15 minute/$80 job in your driveway. >(2) Parts - I am a do-it-myselfer, and I am wondering about >availablity of parts, used parts and the prices of these parts. I'm >in the North East USA. Parts are widely available and price comparable to most European cars. Most parts will be dealer items though aside from the regular maintenance items (filters, bulbs, etc). There are a few yards that specialize in Saabs, some 'net/mail order. >(3) Ease/frustration with repairs. Are these "reasonable" to work on? > I realize this is a silly question w/ most modern cars (i.e. NO! You >can't even find the stinking engine!). I have a Ford which it's all >day event to change the spark plugs...is there any hope for this? You'll be glad to know that most everything that you need to do is easy. You can change the plugs in about 10 minutes, maybe less the second time. Oil & filter is easy, exhaust is easy, rear shocks are easy, even the front struts are OK for an experienced DIYer. The only really poorly designed area is clutch replacement: most of us end up paying someone else to do it. >(4) Overall longevity - How long do these things run (very loaded >question)? The 2.0/2.3 engine is expected to go 300K miles or more without major repair. Some folks end up doing a timing chain along the way, but that's about it. There's a list here you can look at: >(5) Should I go w/ the slightly older, but not-first year 1998 900 vs >a 1999 9-3? Were there any major transition pains into the new model >(I keep hearing "1100 improvements!"...whatever). The only major improvement was the clutch was changed (back) to hydraulic in late '97. So, any '98 should have that. Given the choice, I would take the mature 98-900 over the "lots of new parts" 99-9~3. But, I have not heard of many complaints with the '99, so it may not be an issue. FWIW, no one can identify the 1000 "new" parts. Bob
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