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Depends, are you up for a challenge? Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:52:07
In Reply to: '87 900 won't start- good buy?, rafael ramirez, Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:43:53 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Are you looking for a project car, and this one is physically very sound, good paint, nice tires, good interior, but has an engine problem? Or are you looking to get a car cheap, get it running cheap? Or do you have plenty of storage space and you are looking for a parts car?
If the car is in otherwise nice shape, and you're looking for a project/challenge, then the car might be good. Otherwise RUN AWAY!
Without much detail, I'm going to guess this car had minimal maintenance. It isn't a case where a well-maintained car just stopped one day, and the owner, who previously spared it no cost, decided enough was enough. It does happen, but rarely. And the engine compartments don't usually look like a grease bath.
My guess is that this car has had minimal to no maintenance the last few years. It probably has a lot of problems, but was driven until one problem stopped it in its tracks. Yes, you may get the engine running, but I'll bet it's very tired - old oil, worn bearings, and a cooling system running on sludge. It's doubtful the engine will be just fine with the replacement of one part, good for another 100K miles.
And then there is the transmission, brakes (ABS, first year), CV joints, blower motor, alternator, A/C, heater core, steering rack, etc., etc. Unless you can start and drive the car, you won't know what else is wrong. And to assume only the engine won't start is a poor bet.
There is a possibility this is a $400 car that is a $15 part away from being, well, a running $400 car. Until the next thing explodes. Or, you can put a thousand or two into it, and it'll be, well, a $450 car that runs OK. And the rust part.
This car sounds like it'll take up space and money on your property until you tow it away.
My suggestion is to say no thank you. If you're looking for a Saab to drive, make it a pleasant experience. There are plenty of decent older 900's out there in the $1K-3K range. Buy one of those and actually drive it, instead of buying this, and spending the two grand to make it basically run. It is always cheaper to buy a car that someone else has sorted out, than to buy a broken one and fix it. Yes, there have been a few cases where someone has made out fine. But that requires luck, an encylopedic knowledge of the ins-and-outs of the particular make, and luck. Did I mention lots of luck?
Good luck!
posted by 192.249....
, Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:52:07 <-- Viewing This Message
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