The banner above is an advertisment - if it asks you to download software, please ignore.
Site News - 7/1: Members: Log In to See Fewer Ads! | 5/28: SAAB Evolutions/TSN T-Shirts $14
[General | Members | C900 | 9000 | NG900 & OG93 | 93 | 95 | NG95 | 99 | Sonett | Vintage Models | Clubs | Other Cars | FAQs | Gifts | Member Photo Galleries | Member Directory | Classifieds | Manuals | *Buddy Registry | *Mileage Registry | Polls | What's New | Raffle | Photo of the Month | Sponsors]

C900 Bulletin Board
1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest]
(Search Author's Posts: e.g. Keyword:username)*Members Only

[Main C900 Bulletin Board | BBFAQ | Prev by Date | Next by Date | Post Followup ] Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Plenty of advice here
Like This Post: - Subscribe to Daily Digest for this Bulletin Board
Posted by Saana88 [Email] (#207) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Saana88) on Tue, 8 Nov 2005 16:18:11 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: buying a used SAAB convetible advice please, Owen Shugard, Tue, 8 Nov 2005 10:12:05
Alert me when someone posts in this thread:
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup

I'd seriously recommend a test drive first; with ebay you can rarely do that and you must really know what you're doing/buying first.
I have a '92 convertible. I can keep up with the maintenance, but I've worked on Saabs for 5-6 years now, unless you count changing the exhaust with my dad when I was thirteen. And the heater valve and a few other things.
1989 and later had larger pinion bearings.
1991 and later had wimpier shift forks.
1992 saw the introduction of the larger rear spoiler, new wheel stylings, and the naturally-aspirated S convertible. Also, the instruments changed and a few colors were added.
I've never had SRS problems; if I do many durable parts are available at junkyards as long as they have some 900s around (that haven't deployed the airbag, obviously).
ABS issues are also rare when maintained, but expensive when not. Pump the brake pedal rapidly a number of times. The accumulator pump should kick on, but the brake fluid and anti-lock lights should NOT illuminate. Pulsating brakes are warped rotors; I can change them easily. Be sure the parking brake works, otherwise cables may be siezed or the rear rotors are warped or the adjuster screws are loose.
Both of my Saab motors (1988 8 valve with nearly 200k, 1992 2.1L 16 valve) run flawlessly. Typical problems here would be smoky or rich startups (air mass meter, pricey but available as a rebuild), idle issues (vacuum leaks, dirty throttle bore, deposits on sliding idle valve), or at-speed stalling (hall sensor or crank position sensor or wiring faults). Aside from that, change the fluids and do the tune-ups and they run efficiently for a long, long time.
Green drool out of the radiator or white, chalky residue on the coolant expansion tank are trouble. The radiator is simple, but when the head gaskets go (after overheating) coolant will vomit out of the expansion tank and leave those deposits.
Ask someone else about turbos.
Steering looseness is often worn ball joints; fairly minor if you do it yourself although rust complicates things. Steering leakage is most likely unsecured lines or a failing rack. Steering leakage coupled with lack of power assist is a sure sign of trouble.
I bought my '92 as a younger, more reliable, fun, project car, worked on it in storage (5 months) and then put it on the road in the spring. Even with that preparatory work, I had to know what was wrong with it and know where to get parts. It is a sad state of affairs, and many other boarders will back me up on this, but dealer-stock parts are often a last resort. Every time I'm there I feel as if I don't matter or the diagrams are vague or the person ahead of me in line is buying an entire car from the parts counter. I also know what I can get from other places.
Have a look at the convertibles on the classified ads on this site (and the sedans and hatches too) to see how much more you pay for the extra-large sunroof, as well as how long the cars last (with good treatment and regular care) as well as where they are prone to break.
Seriously investigate any and all maintenance records. This includes records from someone's private mechanic (if the mechanic won't tell you, walk) and bringing the VIN number (at least the last 8 or 9 digits) into a Saab dealer and having them give you a print-out. Major maintenance, even in the schedule-sparse later years, should be every 30-35k or so. Turbos need oil changes twice as often. Yes, tops and hydraulics are very expensive. So are gearboxes, and any work where a mechanic has to touch it. Fortunately, that's not very often. At the same time, one of those instances is before you buy. If the seller will not let you take the car for a pre-purchase inspection, walk away. As with any car or piece of machinery, they'll only take so much abuse.
Never buy a five-speed that howls or pops out of gear. Severely hesitate if it does not engage easily. The shift linkage will be rubbery, but if you go for a gear you should find it. I avoid the 3-speed automatics like the plague, although others have had more reliable results than me. They certainly can't get 32 miles per gallon.
In my experience, a 10-12-year-old 900 (I know, can't be found) cost around $2200 between 120-140,000 miles. They should not be expensive unless the mileage is uncharacteristically low AND the car is in immaculate condition AND no maintenance issues are present.
If you do decide to buy, you'll probably become a Saabnet-lifer like myself.
Also, browse the members' photo galleries to see what everyone drives, how many miles, what work they do, et cetera. You're liable to see lots of smiles.
There's a recall out for California-emission 1990-1992 900s; chances are if the engine control computer hasn't crashed yet, it never will.
Yes, the convertibles are quite safe. Additional reinforcement is added in critical areas (under rear seat, door sills, windshield ring and substructure) but you hope to never test this out. They're also fun; just don't let that fun turn into careless behavior. I find that driving my convertible reminds me of the risks taken while driving, so I tend to take them less often. The roadholding manners of the car are good enough to ensure additional safety.
Have fun- get back to us with some specifics and don't get too emotional before you buy.
Posts in this Thread:
Alert me when someone posts in this thread:
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
Post a Followup

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

Name: Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
E-Mail: (Optional)
Re-Enter E-Mail: (Confidential & Secure - Not revealed to other users!)
Note: Please check your spam folder for BB responses.

Subject:

Posting rules are simple - No for sale/wanted ads may be posted here - use the site classifieds.
You may not cross-post your message to multiple BBs.
Not permitted: political/religious topics and being disrespectful (personal attacks, insults, etc...).
 Site Members do not see any red text, inline ad links, bottom of page anchor ads, box ads, or anti-spam check.

Message: (please no for sale/wanted classifieds - post those in the Saabnet.com Classifieds)
Links are now automatically made active, no need for any special code (or use the Option Link field below) - don't put links in () or end with a '.'
To add inline images to your post, use [img]http://www.domain.com/img.jpg[endimg] (or use the Optional Image Link field below).

Links are now automatically made active, no need for any special code (or use the Option Link field below) - don't put links in () or end with a '.'
To add inline images to your post above, use [img]http://www.domain.com/img.jpg[endimg] (or use the Optional Image Link field below).
Optional Link: (e.g. http://www.saabnet.com/)
Link Title: (Optional)
Optional Photo/Image Link: (e.g. http://www.saabnet.com/img.jpg)
Photo/Image to Upload: (Please be patient while file uploads)



StateOfNine.com
SaabClub.com
Jak Stoll Performance
M Car Covers
Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)
This is a moderated bulletin board - Posting is a privilege, not a right. Unsolicited commercial postings are not allowed (no spam). Please, no For Sale or Wanted postings, SERIOUSLY. Classifieds are to be listed in The Saab Network Classifieds pages. This is a problem solving forum for over 250,000 Saab owners, so expect to see problems discussed here even though our cars are generally very reliable. This is not an anything goes type of forum. Saabnet.com has been a moderated forum since 1988. For usage guidelines, see the Saabnet.com Mission and Purpose Page. Please remember that you are not anonymous. Site Contact | Site Donations | Other Sites by SP - Poverty2Prosperity.org | Run Club Menlo Park | ScreenBot


Site Members do not see red text instructions, bottom of the page anchor ads, or box ads.
Click here to see all the Site Membership Benefits!