My New 900 SE, Comments, Insight?

[bkrell]

Okay, attached is a pic of my 97 900 SE Turbo. I got it in late July in Houston after spotting it on eBay. It had 109,000 miles when I got it and I have put on 6000 since then using it as a daily driver on a 130 mile round trip commute each day. Cosmetically, it has just a couple of paint chips and no body damage at all. One foglight lense is slightly cracked but still functioning. Interior-wise, the leather is in great shape except for a couple of superficial scratches in the backseat. Everything appears stock except the previous owner has a Magnaflow muffler w/ 4 inch round tip (Looks good yet tasteful).

When I got it, it would rev well into the red on the apc gauge and then the fuel would cut or whatever occurs when you get too much boost. Basically, it was acting like a rev limiter and sort of surging after it got well into the red. However, I replaced the spark plugs (original NGK) with some Champion double platinums and noticed that the NGKs were evidently original and severely overgapped. Afterward, I haven't had the aformentioned problem and she pulls into the red and will then gently back off if she's there for a sec. However, no more cutting effect stuff is going on.

Other problems: I have not visually inspected the timing chain tensioner for slack but I do not hear any rattling or anything that may indicate timing chain problems.

Turbo: She pulls strong with a slight burned rubber/oil smell ocassionally after hard acceleration. However, I haven't noticed any smoke from the exhaust Maybe some of you out there can give me your wagers on my turbo's remaining lifespan.

Suspension: I have a set of KYB shocks/struts awiting installation. I got my front right stripped down to the lower A arm other day but couldn't get it off. I got the tie rod off w/ a seperator but the one I have is just too small to fit on that lower A arm. I'll give it one more shot with either Eric's info or with a larger, heavy duty tie rod seperator.

I have the Great Britain edition Haynes manual for the NG 900 as well as a factory shop manual I got on cd from eBay.

In the near future, I'd like to:

Get my KYBs on!
Change the oil in the standard trans.
Check my linkage, fifth is difficult maybe once every 3 or 4 days.

Anyway, things look and (appear to) run well. I'd like to keep it nice and civilized as I spend 2+ hours per day in it. No radical mods. May beef up the suspension slightly but well see how well she rides after the shock/strut replacement.

I'd appreciate any insight into my observations/state of the union.

[Blaque_Out]

Very very nice, and welcome to the forum!!! Any questions, just ask around.

[pade900]

Welcome !! And the car looks great !

[SaabScott]

Very nice car .. and welcome!

One thing I would suggest you do before much more time goes by is a search on spark plugs ...
These cars are VERY particular what spark plugs they use and I have read many posts where platinum plugs have caused major issues, specifically with the DI Cassette.

Did you actually purchase the car through EBay?
If so, can you tell us how that went?
I have been considering buying a car off EBay and am curious how things really happen ...

[swdmus]

I highlly recomend ebay for buying cars I have bought two of my three off ebay I bought a 1991 900s two years ago off ebay for $656.60 and it has run fine since and was in exalent condtion since then I bought a 1994 900se Turbo for $5100 from Texas and I live in New York evey thing went smoth and the car was in great condition when I got it now it is not working becouse of my own fault.


Your car looks great the timing chain on these cars dosent break ussaly but it can stretch out after alot of miles and sometimes can slip or break but it is very unlikey.

[Slowpc]

I got my 96 900se Turbo off of ebay for $4,000 and it is great (and only 50 miles away). (i thought is was a good price for the pretty much fully loaded) The process was very simple and worked out great. Only downside was that the hood had some acorn/hail damage (little dings) but that is just fine for now and that was told in the description.

By the way, very nice and clean car there.

[Blaque_Out]

Yea i got mine off ebay too. Had to go to Ohio to get it though but it only cost me $5500

[Tweek's Turbos]

SWDMUS, good to see you back

BKRELL, You need to make sure you car is using a Resistor type plug like the factory NGK,s They have are used in knock detection, and the fuel cutoff was a safety feature. Your car if its stock shouldnt boost to fuel cutoff. Have you apc unit checked and make sure all the vac hoses are still good.

[bkrell]

Re eBay: I think I lucked out. I purposfully picked out a car close by so I could check it out before buying it. I would be more confident buying from a dealership off eBay rather than an individual (mine was from a dealership). At least dealerships probably worry a bit about their reputation.

Re the spark plugs: Yeah, they are resistor. They are supposed to be fully compatable. They seem fine. As for the previous problem, it may have also been that I started running premium about the same time I put in new plugs, so maybe it was just the knock sensor? Who knows?

Thanks to all for the complements on the car and I look forward to fruitful discussions.

[bkrell]

Oops, forgot. I paid $5900 for her.

[Blaque_Out]

Excellent deal!!! Looks reeally nice.