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Richard
You are the first person I have seen on this board who is from WA, I thought I was the only one. Intrested in sarting a Saab club?
Just so that you know my 'saab' credentials, I have owned a 78 99 Turbo (5 door) and currently own a 1972 99, and I am personaly familar (have seen anyway!) with most of the 99s in WA (there aren't that many to know!)
Anyway in answer to your questions.
You mentioned that it was a car built in Finland. Most people (I think!)on Saabnet will tell you that the Finnish cars are rust buckets but my experience with Saabs in WA is that rust is not a problem, probably because we are relatively dry and salt free. Of course a car of that age may have some minor surface rust and in the spare wheel arch but that should be most of it.
As for common problems with 99Ts that depends on your luck and how you look after the car. Problem areas you may encouter: The head is prone to cracking, particulary if the engine gets hot (sometimes difficult to avoid in Oz!) New heads are virtually non-existent but there are some ok second hand ones around, and they can be repaired.
The cooling system must be 100% poarticulary if you have air con. The radiator should be flushed every year.
Rust inside the fuel tank may be a problem but can be relatively easily fixed. Check that the fuel pump runs with an even sound (ie does not change pitch while operating) At worst the fuel pump may temporarily stop working when it gets hot (what is about a 40 C summers and Saabs designed for Sweden?) and can be very expensive to replace (AU $400-500)
Check that the car is not too smokey as this will indicate that the turbo is on the way out. Also check that the turbo wastegate is not siezed. This can be done by taking the car for a drive while watching the turbo guage. If the turbo guage goes into the red and or you get the hitting the brick wall sensation (fuel overboost cut out) than the wastegate is either siezed or you have a hole in your diaphram (about $70 for this part).
As for other problems expect a few as the car is over 20 year old but nothing major.
For parts you can try Henley SAAB (expensive) Stephensons SAAB(expensive) ASV (OK but need to know what you want or they will take advantage of you)
Euromotors (don't know much about em) or
Kieth McKracken automotive.
I strongly reccomend Kieth. I use him for all work I can't do on my SAAB and he did alot of work on my 99Turbo. He will also probably know your car (know its history). Kieth specialises in older Saabs and is very experienced and can get nearly all parts for a reasonalbly good price. Not necessarily the cheapest but knows his Saabs and is very honnest. If the car is crap and not worth fixing he will tell you so (told me this a couple of times but I never really took much notice!) If you do go to Kieth tell him that I sent you!
You should pay less than $3500 for the 99. I sold my 99T with 5 speed, rebuilt engine and restored interior for this.
Hope this helps
Justin
1972 99
Perth (Gosnells, south of da river)
Western Australia
ps if you would like me to check the car out or have a chat I am willing. Leave a post and I'll get in touch.
, Tue, 12 Dec 2000 05:35:15
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