What should I know about a '97 900S

[97_900S]

Hi

I am a potential newbie to owning a Saab. I am looking at a '97 900S 4 door with an auto.

It has 102,600 miles but is clean inside and out and drove very well. Lots of pull from the engine and no odd sounds that I noticed. I want to have a mechanic look at it as well but also wanted to know what I should pay attention to and definitely have checked.

Thanks

[psymon]

I don't think the 97 900s was any different that the other years. They are thought to be better than the previous year models specially 94 and 95 but no major defects or anything. But as a whole just look for the basics and the buyers guid cheklist on this site for GM900 Saabs. I have a 97 900s as well with over 145000 on it and as long as you maintain it, it should run for a long long time. The bigger things that are issues on these cars are the DI Cassetes but that is for a turbo and the head gaskets. Have a Saab certified mechanic take a look and let us know how it goes.

[CleveSaab]

Euro buyers' guide

They are really great cars.
Try and check it out when it's a bit chilly, so you can test the heated seats. Pay close attention to the exhaust. You don't mention where you're from but if you live where the weather gets bad you may need one. The factory exhausts last between 6-8 years roughly. 97's should be needing them now. Jack it up, if you can. Take a very good look.
Act like you know Saabs. Check the fog lights, both front and rear (switches left hand of steering wheel). If only one rear fog lights, that's fine, they only put one in at the factory (but slotted for both).
Sunroof? Make sure it's nice and smooth. May be a tiny bit noisy but as long as the motor never stutters, you're golden.
See if the tool kit is in the trunk where the spare goes (just a screwdriver with 2 bits really). Act dismayed if it isn't. hahaha

[SaabScott]

Originally Posted by CleveSaab

Euro buyers' guide

They are really great cars.
Try and check it out when it's a bit chilly, so you can test the heated seats. Pay close attention to the exhaust. You don't mention where you're from but if you live where the weather gets bad you may need one. The factory exhausts last between 6-8 years roughly. 97's should be needing them now. Jack it up, if you can. Take a very good look.
Act like you know Saabs. Check the fog lights, both front and rear (switches left hand of steering wheel). If only one rear fog lights, that's fine, they only put one in at the factory (but slotted for both).
Sunroof? Make sure it's nice and smooth. May be a tiny bit noisy but as long as the motor never stutters, you're golden.
See if the tool kit is in the trunk where the spare goes (just a screwdriver with 2 bits really). Act dismayed if it isn't. hahaha

Take it from Cleve ... the professional Saab shopper! :wink:

[97_900S]

Thanks all for the advice. I live in Atlanta so I don't really deal with snow but it does get cold. I'll be sure to check the heated seats and exhaust when I go back on Friday to take it to a mechanic look at it.

Can anyone recomened a good mechanic for Saab in Atlanta?

Also I did notice the front tires need replacing and the rears will need to be done soon. Wear looked good across all four tires, no uneven wearing. What tires are good tire for the 900 15" rim?

[CleveSaab]

Can you run summer tires in Atlanta??
I just got a set of Kumho's from Tirerack for my convertible. $42/piece. They got great reviews, my buddy has some on his Volvo, and so far they are great on mine. The only knock they get is short life. But @ only $42/piece I would be happy to get 3 years out of them (keep in mind I only will use them Apr-Oct).

Also make sure the serpintine belt has been replaced recently. That should be replaced every 30-40K or it WILL break on you. (Can't believe noone mentioned that???).

[Munki]

Originally Posted by CleveSaab

Also make sure the serpintine belt has been replaced recently. That should be replaced every 30-40K or it WILL break on you. (Can't believe noone mentioned that???).

Cleve, it is generally not the belt that is the problem. It is the idler and tensioner pulleys seizing that cause the belt to shread.

Welcome to Saabcentral 97_900S. The main thing that you want is a full service history to begin with. If the oil has been changed as per the recomended intervals then 102k miles is not an issue on a Saab engine. The buyers guide that has been mentioned was written by me and a more up to date version can be found on my site here

Good luck with the car.

[slindo]

We've only had our NG900 for a few months, but researching it (post purchase, alas)on the net, the main things seem to be


- If the oil has not been changed enough you may have sludge problems which there is really nothing you can do about retroactively except wait until it destroys the engine.

- the clutch is cable-actuated by a supposedly self-adjusting cable. If the cable doesn't self adjust enough it can let the clutch rub, and burn out the clutch prematurely or damage the tranny, for a $1500-2500 repair bill, but on the other hand if it overadjusts it can overstress the cable so it will break without warning, leaving you stranded but costing only $150 or so (and tow bill) to fix. Or is it the other way around?

The serpentine belt must be replaced at frequent intervals, and the pulleys are subject to fail abbruptly and without warning leaving you stranded, though costing only about $200 (and tow bill) to fix.

The balance shaft drive chain wears out at 150K or so and costs $1500 to replace. Cure is to drop the oil pan and remove the belt, and let the engine shake, which cuts the price down to $400 or so.

The head gaskets are prone to fail if they do you can patch the block with JB weld and put a new gasket on, for about $850.

[CleveSaab]

I agree with #3 and #5.

Your first point about the oil. I think you'll find that is only the case when the oil has been negelcted for , say, 20,000 miles+! Those few cases weren't Saab related at all... just plain neglected.

Haven't really seen many drive chains die either, and there's a lot of high mileage Saabs here. Certainly not enough to call it common.