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Re: Looking for a 9k and need advice Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Thu, 9 Aug 2001 08:52:35
In Reply to: Looking for a 9k and need advice, pursang, Wed, 8 Aug 2001 18:38:08 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
In general, the difference between a CS and CSE is options. The CSE's are more upmarket, and usually came with full turbo. But depending on year, Saab did some pretty strange stuff, and it's possible to find a CS with full-up turbo and leather.
If you want to know if a car has a turbo, open the hood and look in - nothing beats that method. There were two versions of turbo - FPT (full pressure turbo) and LPT (low pressure turbo). The FPT had upwards of 200-230 hp, depending on year and transmission. The LPT had 170 hp. One way to tell if you have a LPT is to look for a boost gauge on the dashboard and a BPC (APC solenoid) on the radiator. No gauge and BPC then you know it's a LPT. Of course, if you're in a market other than the US, all bets are off.
If you get a manual transmission, any engine will be OK. The non-turbo is acceptable with a manual, the LPT not bad, and the FPT is a hoot. If you get an automatic transmission, a non-turbo (in my opinion, and I own and love one) is unnaceptably slow, a LPT is acceptable, and a FPT is still a hoot.
If you must have a car with leather, wait for a car with leather. It's more than just seats - I'm pretty sure door panels and such are different, too. Yes, you might be able to get a car for a few bucks less, but I'll bet that any dismantler will charge a bunch for a CLEAN set of seats - I've never priced them, but I'll expect we're talking $1K at least. And then you might end up with a color that doesn't match the interior.
I've got 9000's with both velour and leather, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. If I found a nice, clean used car with the right engine/tranny combination, complete maintenance records, and a good price, I wouldn't get persnickity over what covered the seats. Getting good solid car is more important.
It's always important to wait for just the right car. Patience is important - the right one will come. It's easy to get carried away when the car in your favorite color shows up. Remember - this is a used car, and you should approach it like a feral animal - respect and caution. I've seen plenty of beautiful cars that were fright-pigs mechanically. Set your priorities and stick to them. You want complete service records. You want an owner history above reproach. You want the right engine/tranny combination. If you absolutely want a moonroof, say so, and ignore the cars that don't have them. Be willing to walk away from any car with a suspect history. Many cars end up on dealer lots from auctions - nothing wrong with auction cars, that's how business is done these days. But find out where that car has been. Was it a lease turnback, or did the car have a salvage title that's been 'laundered' through another state? Was the car caught in any of the flooding in Houston, or a theft recovery? Use Carfax, but don't take a clean slate from them as gospel. Look for records, check the doorframe for oil change stickers.
Good luck!
posted by 140.157....
, Thu, 9 Aug 2001 08:52:35 <-- Viewing This Message
, Wed, 8 Aug 2001 21:56:25
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