1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
you are thinking about. The main damage will be to your pocketbook, b/c the car is worth next to nil, now. (Not trying to slam you, its just like my '99 w/118K on it!)
On the other hand, if the car has been maintained, it will still have plenty of years and miles left in it, and some of the maintenance can be done with "upgrades" at little or no extra cost, but big results.
In the last 20k miles, I've done about $3K in upgrades/maint on mine, which I wouldn't be able to get back out if I wanted to sell it.
For example:
Remus Exhaust
Bilstein shocks & struts
Greenstuff brake pads
MT 0063 transmission fluid
were installed for parts due for replacement anyway. So these upgrades were just part of regular maintenance.
Front subframe bushings just came due, and I decided against urethane. Big improvement in firmness and control with the new ones anyway.
I upgraded to ecode headlights, and the difference is amazing. Some improvement is just because the old lenses were somewhat sandblasted, but the beam pattern is MUCH better. The car is much less tiring to drive at night, and the eye strain is practically gone.
When I did the shocks and struts, I put in 9-5 aero springs and sway bars. Altogether w/the bilsteins, the car is like a completely different, very enjoyable machine. I needed to replace the rear springs, anyway, so the additional cost to do the front's was nominal since I was doing the struts already. Additional parts were about $90.
I've also added an auto dimming rear view mirror, boost gauge, hands free phone, etc. They add to my comfort and enjoyment of the car.
Other than serpentine belt / idler pulleys and a SID, heater valve, and other regular maintenance, thats been about it since 85k. I've put a lot of work into it, but it still drives very well (better than new in most categories due to the upgrades). There are some niggling issues, but I'll eventually get them! I also have the peace of mind that I probably won't have a breakdown (except for the idler pulley/DI nemesis - arrrgh)
If I feel flush later, I'll still do an ecu upgrade, b/c it is one of the few items I really wanted to do when I bought the car, and I'll probably get to it in the next year. I wanted to do the other things first. On the other hand, I REALLY enjoy the car most of the time now w/only a few irratations.
If I was doing it again, I would have put the work into a wagon (they were still pretty expensive when I bought the sedan), but now I'll probably just live with it.
All in all, for the money I have in the car, it's pretty nice. I don't think that I could get into a better saab for the same amount of money I could sell it for.
posted by 68.163.195...
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