Model identifikation!

[Saab-Daniel]

Hi guys!
A guy from Denmark is looking for buy this car: http://www.bilbasen.dk/biler/forhand...5400295&page=1
With this serial-number: VIN: YS3AA24CXJ7027998
Try and decode it here: http://faq.saabnet.ru/saab_vin/vinsaab.shtml
and get the following result:

VIN: YS3AA24CXJ7027998
Manufacturer: Saab Automobile AB
Product line: SAAB 900
Body type: 2-door Sedan
Gear box: 4-Speed Manual
Engine type: B201c
Model year: 1988
Assembly plant: Nystad, Finland
Serial number: 027998
Control symbol: Passed
SRS: none


The car is stated as a '88, but look at the headlights and bumpers...
Any suggestions on this? I'm not sure I would buy it, but it's not me that is buying... Just think there is something fishie about it...
Daniel.

[eggsngrits]

Daniel:

Something is not right with this. I would take a look at the VIN on the car to see if that car goes with that VIN.

Additionally, the listing says '3d' -- 3 door? Probably just an error, but it's one more thing that seems wrong.

[the Cheese]

Well it certainly doesn't look like my '88... but I suppose the owner could have put an older-style front end on. I can't read a single word in the ad, but something definitely seems a little odd. I'd agree with eggsngrits- double check that the VIN actually goes with that car.

[Jezzadee]

According to this VIN decoder the engine in that is a 9-5 LPT.

[Saab-Daniel]

So I'm not the only one who's puzzled!

The decoding seems to be different from site to site, my EPC can't decode the VIN...
What does yours say?
Daniel.

[Jezzadee]

Mine can't decode it either.

[unkleG'sif]

it may have just had a frontal at some point, and had an early front end put on (either thru choice or availability)

my brother had an '86 T16s that had been "smacked" in th front and repaired with a later front.

As for the VIN discrepancies..... ?

[Saab-Daniel]

What about the rear then...?
Daniel.

[Orca]

YS3 = SAAB
A = 900
A = ? (not any of the usual denotations, which would indicate the car was an injection, or turbo)
2 = 2 door
4 = 4 speed
C = Carburetted (see the second 'A')
X = No meaning
J = 1988!!! Yes, 1988!!!
7 = Nystad, Finland
... etc

Yes, I think what is "odd" about this VIN us the age and the 900c (carburetted model) denotation. It seems to late for a 1988, although the rest of the car fits. The second 'A' (YS3AA) seems to have no meaning as an 'A', although when compared to the 'C' (in YS3AA24C), it would fit as "not injection or turbo". Since 1987 was the first year of the slant nose, 1988 would be way too late for a flat nose. That said, it could well just be a very late flat nose. It would be late for a carburetted model anyway in 1987/1988, so this could well be a run-out model from the Finland plant.

What is odd is that the VIN would appear correct, but with meanings across the pre-1986 and post-1986 styles. I had a 1988 T8 that was also very odd when compared to the VIN decoders ... I feared it was a lemon, but I've been told that the VINs stamped on cars from Nystad often had odd designations which might suggest that the car should not exist. Often what would seem like an erroneous letter (like the second 'A' in this case) was used to denote that the car is not of the current production schema.

If there is real cause for concern, have the car checked with your country's "lemon" database.

[Saab-Daniel]

Yeah, that is ofcourse a way of doing it... Seller (which is a very renowned authorized, national VAG-dealer), says the car is one-owner and he just has it because the former owner bought a car of him. I just think it's too weird... The maybe coming owner is having it checked, I think... And yes, it's a carburetted car, again, weird... I could understand if it was a typo, i.e it being a 86 and not 88, but the VIN-decoder ruins this
Daniel.

[Knuser]

It may be a model produced especially for Denmark. A cheaper, carburetted model to cope with the extremely high Danish taxes.
I figure that Nystad mainly produced low volume models like the convertible.