Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 13:12:14 -0400 From: 'nuther Bob <none1nopsam.com> Subject: Re: What Convertible for £8K in UK
On 21 May 2003 08:43:34 -0700, jag.mannnopsamoot.com (Jag Mann) wrote: I highly recommend the 1997 if you can find it. They fixed a few misc items as they worked out the bugs in '95 and '96. >1) Are there known trouble spots with these cars that I should >specifically Generally these cars are reliable. There are a few things that I've seen posted by more than one person: - check for any oil leaks under the gearbox or drive train - clutch should be harder than a hydraulic type (it's manual) but not unreasonably stiff. If it's stiff it can be a $100 cable fix or a $1300 USd clutch replacement. - top should operate smoothly up and down. Watch the tonneau cover, it should work smoothly without any gear noise. A little noise from the top motors (not the tonneau) is normal. (There is a reinforcement kit for the tonneau motor which you should install after purchase to avoid problems in that area). - check for any vibrations at speed accelerating on the highway. can be wheel balance, or harder to nail problems. - seat backs should operate easily, seat heaters should work. - look for any coolant or oil leaks at the front edge of the motor on the driver's side. >Focus on while looking for one? Mechanical, body, features etc. SE's have all the features, at least in the USA. All the electronic goodies, power everything, climate control, leather, etc. Other than that, get a turbo, that's the only other difference. The turbo model has a slightly modified suspension, wider wheels, etc. I don't like the V6 as it is a non-Saab motor and _requires_ timing belt changes every 30K miles. It is also harder to work on. >2) Any SE to look out for. No (just the V6 motor) > >3) What sort of maintenance costs am I looking at? Normal to low, with the exception of a few items. You will need a clutch cable roughly every 50K miles. Figure $50 labor/$50 parts. You need to replace the upper idler pulley and serpentine belt every 50K miles to be safe, $80 parts, $30 labor. Change the plugs in the turbo ($10 parts) and 10 minutes labor every 10k miles. Somewhere around 65K to 100K miles the "DI Cassette" will go bad and you'll pay $300-$400 for a new one, it takes less than five minutes to install. Other than that, normal maint. If you use dino oil, be religious about changing it every 3.5K miles; with synthetic, every 5K miles. Your turbo will thank you by living a long time. Saab motors go 300K or more miles when treated properly. >4) Do they come with auto box? Yes. I don't like them with a turbo because they are slow out of the gate while the turbo winds up. With a manual, you can give it a little rev to get things moving when you need to. > I highly recommend having a Saab mechanic look it over for $100. Well worth your money to have someone who knows these cars check it. Bob
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