1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
190K is only, what, 114K miles? Not many for a 93.
If it was a US spec car it originally had a speedometer with miles per hour and Km/hr on it, but odo was gauged for miles. Chances are it was retrofitted with the Km speedometer and odometer.
There are several ways to make educated guesses about the mileage on a car, assuming someone isn't trying to hide something.
1. Brake/clutch pedal pads. If they're worn clean, you can assume it has over 100K on it. If they look almost brand new, however, you can't always assume the car is low mileage because the pads can easily be replaced. A more subtle check is the clutch pedal linkage...remove the yoke pin to the clutch master cylinder at the clutch pedal and examine it for wear as well as the hole in the clutch pedal where the pin goes. An egg-shaped hole is almost certain evidence of mileage around 120-140K although an astute owner might have lubricated the linkage there...look for lube/grease. If it's dry and clean and NOT egg shaped, it's also possible the owner had the clutch pedal replaced. If the hole has been bored out and bushed, you can BET the car has over 120K miles on it.
2. Cam chain wear/noise. Despite the improved tensioners and maybe chain, if there's a lot of slop or noise the car has around 200K miles on it. OTOH, if it's like new, it's probably been replaced and you can figure something happened, like a head gasket or valve job that took the head off. OTOH, it could be a young engine around 100K with frequent oil changes or synthetic oil.
3. How many exhaust systems have been on the car? If it's the OEM exhaust system on a 93, you can bet the mileage is pretty close although again, if the car was highway driven a lot of miles can pile up without blowing an exhaust system. My 87 900T, for example, has had the exhaust system replaced twice in six years and 110K, but I live in Maryland and the car has seen salt in ski country and the roads.
4. Upholstery....worn driver's seat left hand back near the seat. Around 90-100K there is usually a lot of wear on the leather seat there. Above 150K the leather is often worn down to very thin if not torn. Varies depending on care of car.
5. Headliner. Almost certainly replaced by now if the car has over 140K on it. Again, depends on car and storage/use...lots of outdoor parking or perhaps polluted atmosphere deteriorates foam (not the glue) backing of headliner.
6. Wheel bearings, CV joints/boots. Maybe more indicative of individual owner use/abuse/service, but also indicative of high mileage. Hard to tell if the car has had the front wheel bearings replaced w/o a service history.
7. How about a Carfax report on the VIN? If it was a US car there may be a record of last reported mileage (which may be zilch if it was sold outside the country to second owner). Perhaps someday Saab will have a database by VIN of mileage; is there any way you can tell where the car was serviced in the US?
8. Brake rotors. Usually the stock ones can go to 180K without replacement, often longer unless damaged by worn out pads. Check the thickness/condition of the brake rotors. A severe ridge on the outside of the front discs indicates a worn disc and maybe just late pad replacement..if the car is otherwise well cared for it can also indicate high mileage. Brand new rotors front and rear can be a dead giveaway of excessive mileage or poor brake maintenance. Check the hardware on the brake calipers...brand new clips or pins can be a sign of excellent maintenance or more likely an indication of replacement of rusted away components.
9. Dash condition...cracks are often a sign of high mileage saabs although mine at 133K had cracks in it that were several years old according to the PO. If the car had a clean dash it was likely low mileage (or somebody went to a lot of trouble to take care of it or replace it).
10. Steering wheel condition...same as dash. Did your car have a leather cover stock...is it worn out or was it replaced? Same with shift linkage/shift ball/knob.
You'll probably get a lot of input on this but the surest indicator of high mileage is high maintenance cost for things that wear out rather than break out...and sometimes on Saabs I have a hard time distinguishing between the two! :>)
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