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1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
got me to the 305,000 mile mark with little more than oil and filter every 3000, water pump (2x), oil pump and main aux pulley, and one head gasket, and of course, the dreaded pinion bearing (common for that vintage). I sold it just over two years ago. I still see it occasionally on the road here in town, so I know it's still going strong.
The reason I sold it? Rust. I sold it to my mechanic when, at the time, I could not afford to have the floor pan and shock mounts repaired. He's since done a full frame off restoration and sold it to another Saabophile.
So, yeah, while the cost of parts can be rather expensive, if you stay on top of the routine maintenance, and repair anything that breaks IMMEDIATELY, the cost of a new-car payment is far more. I typically buy a new car for myself about once a decade. For my wife, far more often -- her criteria for change being styling, or utility, or --- whatever. (She's finally come around to buying a Saab and joining the fold, happy to say!)
The cars are generally built like tanks, save for a few suspect model years. But even the M1-A1 Abrams will need maintenance. I can't tell you how many premium cars I see on the road in sad disrepair because of owner neglect. (Saab isn't the only one that can get expensive...)
Follow the maintenance schedule. If you can't or don't want to wrench on your own car, please, PLEASE, take it in to a reputable Saab mechanic or worst case(or best case, depending on your perspective) a dealer.
Nuff said. Keep on Saabing!
Jim Miller, V.P. WASSAAB, the Wasthington D.C. Area Saab Club
'88 SPG (new to me as of December) 140,000 miles, Viggen BPV, FoMoCo 30# injectors, Trent/FSE-Malpassi RRFPR, tweaked APC and solenoid valve with 19lbs boost. More to come...
'97 NG900 SET Coupe Talladega Edition 114,000 miles, Abbott Racing Motorsports ECU and wastegate controller, AutoMeter Boost/Vac gauge, Forge BPV, Abbott Racing lowering springs, Abbott Racing Viggen Rescue Kit, SAS rear swaybar, Zimmerman crossdrilled front rotors, Viggen Intercooler
'02 9-5 Aero SportWagon, ~5000 miles.
Past Saabs:
'74 99LE 4dr, RIP -- wrapped around a tree when I was 17 and very stupid. ~98,000 miles...
'74 99LE 3dr, sold after 125,000 miles. Resurected the first '74's engine in this one for a while...
'84 base900 8v 3dr. My first factory new car. Traded at 125,000 miles. Reason for trade? Wanted the 16v...
'88 900S 3dr 16v, 305,000 miles when sold. Still going strong...
posted by 205.188.20...
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