Thoughts for a SAAB newbie?

[TheFlyingRat]

Good evening, all! I'm Shaun from Minnesota, USA, and I'm really looking long and hard at some older, used SAABs. My trusty old '88 Mazda MX-6 with a whole bunch of miles on it recently cracked its head, and I can't find the time or patience to do the swap on my own, so it's time to lay her to rest. Surprisingly enough, there are a couple of mid '90s SAABs in my locale that fit in my budget (around $3000 USD), and was wondering if any of them would be a worthwhile purchase.

The one that's grabbed my attention the most is a '95 9000 CS with the 2.3 LPT.
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/217307694.html
I've contacted the owner. He says the transmission has been replaced at 85,000 miles, so I'm not really concerned about that going out. He also said the fuel pump was also replaced as well as the rear brakes. I'm pretty familiar with replacing ignition, computer, brakes, and most other normal-wear items, but I just don't want to get stuck replacing something annoying like head gaskets or such nonsense. As the ad states, it has 135k miles on it now; is this something to be concerned about?

I've had a long-lasting love for SAAB cars. They're unique, they've been popular in my home state for decades because of their reputation for being unstoppable in the snow, and they've been known in my circles as 300,000+ mile cars if you take care of them. I'd really love a Viggen someday, but my budget unfortunately constrains my purchasing power, and I'm going to need a car soon! I'd like to make my next car (even though it'd be a cheap used one) a SAAB if possible!

Thanks for any advice you may offer; I'm enjoying the site, and there's a lot of good information here!

Regards!
-Shaun

I was glancing around on various online parts sources, and parts such as the timing chains, fuel filters, and other miscellany didn't seem much more expensive than their Japanese or American counterparts... if there are any parts on a '95 9000 that are going to cost me an arm and a leg, what are they?

[Grentarc]

i'd say get it, but i don't know the value of 9000's in your area. by the looks of this car it would do you for a long time. The only things that could be of a problem are DI cartridge and timing chain.

There are heaps of tuning possibilities for this car if you ever decide to upgrade the power.

[NT2SHBBY]

wow, a 9000 with cloth-that's rare!

[KevinC]

Have a look at http://www.quasimotors.com/buying.htmand saab900.com
and search here, should tell you what to check out.

[Saabeh]

Sort of related but, my friend bought a 2.3lpt with the trans replaced at like 70k. It had 85k on it so we were like, no problem with the trans. Only to find it exploded on the highway less than 2k miles later. I guess this cant be an lpt problem because the same trans is used in a bunch of 9ks.

[TheFlyingRat]

Originally Posted by Saabeh

Sort of related but, my friend bought a 2.3lpt with the trans replaced at like 70k. It had 85k on it so we were like, no problem with the trans. Only to find it exploded on the highway less than 2k miles later. I guess this cant be an lpt problem because the same trans is used in a bunch of 9ks.

Thanks for the information. Just out of curiosity, was his a 5-speed, or an automatic? I'm racking my brain trying to figure out exactly what could go wrong on a manual, other than exploding gears or a fried clutch...

Thanks for the link, KevinC - I'm reading it as we speak.

As for the cloth seats - that's a big plus for me. I can't stand leather seats, even nice ones. Too slippery!

I've seen what the timing chain and tensioners cost, so I'm aware of that. But I've heard a lot of the DI box - I'm a bassist, so to me, that means "direct input" but I assume it has something to do with the fuel injection in this case. What's one cost? I've heard of folks keeping spares in their trunk in some cases!

[Grentarc]

the DI is the Direct Ignition (each spark plug has it's own coil) cartridge.
Have a look at parts for saabs link up the top and you will get a price.

[TheFlyingRat]

Originally Posted by Grentarc

the DI is the Direct Ignition (each spark plug has it's own coil) cartridge.
Have a look at parts for saabs link up the top and you will get a price.

Thanks! I just saw that in the link that was provided by KevinC. I'll have to ask the owner about that one...

[Saabeh]

It was a 5 sp. What happened was unexplainable. The flywheel and clutch ripped off of every bolt, shooting through the bellhousing. Everything went flying. A piece of the axle ripped from its mount.

This probably wont happen to you though. Unless you have incredibly bad luck. It is so far-fetched.