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Hey Neisha - I'm only here once in a while, so this may be the only advice you get from me, but if you nose around old posts you'll pick up on all sorts of good info. Anyway...I/we have a 95'900s w/192k - the car was purc. 3yrs ago w/150k for $4500. The mileage did'nt bother me as all my classic (pre 93') saabs have racked up around 200-250k w/no issues worth complaning about{before terminal rust threatened structural intregrity}.
So... the car was spic n' span - nice ride & had been driven a LOT (25k anually) w/10k <yikes!- but thats what the manual calls for> oil change intervals using regular ol' valvoline 10w/30. I started a 4k mi interval using reg. Mobil 10w/30 ($1.17 per qt.)and switched to a custom blend of Mobil 1 synthetic/Mobil syn-blend hi-mi/& reg.Mobil (all 10w/30) AFTER I had to address the mini "timing chain" for the BALANCE SHAFTS when it went ka-ka at 170k <<expect this problem to occur around 100k to 125k for most balance shaft equiped 900/9000/9-3/9-5 models.>> It's not a good reason to shy away from the breed - but I whish I had known then what I know now, I'd still have bought the car but I'd have negotiated a much better deal. The fix is pricey at $1000 to $3500 depending on what shop you go to & which way the problem is addressed. You can either replace everything (chain/tensioner/sliders & sprockets $$$$ - or remove the chain & install a "block off" kit $$ which consists of $3.95 worth of hardware....plus labor) I effected my own "repair" using later remidy & replaced the water pump since I had it off anyway - saving mega bucks... but jeez what a pain in the ass. I'm a back yard mechanic & that job is best left to the pros.
Other known issues to consider; clutch cable/clutch - head gasket - front suspension control arms - exhaust & last but not least... on 94' & 95' 900
models only the rear brake pressure reduction valves. I've supprisingly not had any problems w/the clutch or cable (poss. repld. by last owner - but records don't reflect it), or the head gasket (knock on wood). I had to repl. the control arms which are intregal w/the ball joints & quite expensive if you don't call around. I did front strut inserts & rear shocks at the same time - but consider the mileaqge. The exhaust - (oh dear!) is ridiculously expensive! $975 w/ a coupon at Midas, wow!The dealer
must charge twice that. I got a price of $325 (parts only) for everything from the cat back (Made by Starla - pretty good quality, close to OE). But damn - thats the most expensive exhaust I've ever heard of. Then there's those pesky brake pressure reduction valves - which rusted through & can only be found at the dealer to the tune of $200 or was it $300...I forget.
You should take what I have said w/a grain (or two) of salt - all cars will give you grief sooner or later. Have a mechanic who is familiar w/NG Saabs go over the car & check the whole thing over - w/emphasis on what I just spent 30min.explaning (I thing I'm a geek - oh well.) Good luck.
posted by 198.7.2...
, Wed, 23 Feb 2005 21:44:18
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