Fantastic thread and I love the videos as well. I'll be keeping a close eye on this. Thanks!
New to me 9-5 Arc Restoration Project
Greetings, trying to keep the forums alive. Seems like everyone is migrating over to FB Groups.
(for those who are interested, here is my youtube channel. I try to document everything done to this car) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDxRI82DI5xrL5yKQSxZBog
I recently sold my dream Saab - The Viggen due to moving out of state and couldn't justify taking it with me (long story). The Viggen was my 4th and favorite Saab and I was sad to see it go.
So when I moved, I was on the search for another. I posted on the local Saab FB group with 2 conditions - It had to be manual and under $1,500. I got a few responses. One of them caught my eyes (mainly because it was $850
). The owner worked with me down to $700 and it was a deal!
This is my 2004 9-5 Arc. It was sitting for a bit because the previous owner bought a new car and has not been used. It runs and drives remarkably well. Still a mystery to me why the owner let it go for so cheap. Maybe one day I will find out (hopefully I don't haha). It has zero rust, not even a speck! This is new to me because I am from the rust belt. It was weird to see an old car without rust!
![Tire Wheel Car Vehicle Automotive parking light]()
Has 165k miles on the clock
![Speedometer Trip computer Odometer Tachometer Vehicle]()
It is indeed a manual
![Vehicle Car Hood Motor vehicle Automotive lighting]()
The first thing to do was to give it a good exterior wash. Body panels are in excellent shape, I could see no dings or dents, just a few scratches in the common places.
![Automotive side marker light Automotive parking light Wheel Tire Vehicle]()
![Wheel Automotive tail & brake light Tire Vehicle Car]()
Next on the list is a good interior detail. It needs it badly haha.
I am also documenting the progress on my YT channel.
(for those who are interested, here is my youtube channel. I try to document everything done to this car) - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDxRI82DI5xrL5yKQSxZBog
I recently sold my dream Saab - The Viggen due to moving out of state and couldn't justify taking it with me (long story). The Viggen was my 4th and favorite Saab and I was sad to see it go.
So when I moved, I was on the search for another. I posted on the local Saab FB group with 2 conditions - It had to be manual and under $1,500. I got a few responses. One of them caught my eyes (mainly because it was $850
). The owner worked with me down to $700 and it was a deal!This is my 2004 9-5 Arc. It was sitting for a bit because the previous owner bought a new car and has not been used. It runs and drives remarkably well. Still a mystery to me why the owner let it go for so cheap. Maybe one day I will find out (hopefully I don't haha). It has zero rust, not even a speck! This is new to me because I am from the rust belt. It was weird to see an old car without rust!
Has 165k miles on the clock
It is indeed a manual
The first thing to do was to give it a good exterior wash. Body panels are in excellent shape, I could see no dings or dents, just a few scratches in the common places.
Next on the list is a good interior detail. It needs it badly haha.
I am also documenting the progress on my YT channel.
21 - 40 of 112 Posts
Finally replaced my cup holder today. I never use it but it always bothered that it was broken!
![Car Motor vehicle Radio Gear shift Satellite radio]()
I didn't know you had to open up the entire dash panel. It was fun but tedious. Broke tabs and cracked the dash a little. oops
![Motor vehicle Automotive tire Hood Automotive design Bumper]()
I found the culprit! 1 ball was broken. I guess this is why most cup holders fail.
![Hand Finger Thumb Nail Tool]()
The other culprit. This gear was too free and it was causing the cup holder to come out too fast.
![Hand Finger Thumb Nail Wrist]()
New one is in!
![Automotive tire Motor vehicle Automotive design Steering wheel Automotive exterior]()
It's a very small thing but I feel good knowing that onemore thing is restored to its former glory. AND I got to learn how it all works inside. I had a very good time with this one. Video link below!
I didn't know you had to open up the entire dash panel. It was fun but tedious. Broke tabs and cracked the dash a little. oops
I found the culprit! 1 ball was broken. I guess this is why most cup holders fail.
The other culprit. This gear was too free and it was causing the cup holder to come out too fast.
New one is in!
It's a very small thing but I feel good knowing that onemore thing is restored to its former glory. AND I got to learn how it all works inside. I had a very good time with this one. Video link below!
I just really really wish they had steel components and steel ball joints etc. Could be an amazing design but it's just too flimsy!Finally replaced my cup holder today. I never use it but it always bothered that it was broken!
View attachment 287731
I didn't know you had to open up the entire dash panel. It was fun but tedious. Broke tabs and cracked the dash a little. oops
View attachment 287732
I found the culprit! 1 ball was broken. I guess this is why most cup holders fail.
View attachment 287733
The other culprit. This gear was too free and it was causing the cup holder to come out too fast.
View attachment 287734
New one is in!
View attachment 287735
It's a very small thing but I feel good knowing that onemore thing is restored to its former glory. AND I got to learn how it all works inside. I had a very good time with this one. Video link below!
exactly, I never use it either but it just feels so good knowing it works hahaIt's just a fun piece.
I rarely use it, only with something with a screw top or a stable straw set up, I would never put a cup of coffee in it.
I acquired some goodies. Sharktooth front bumper and projector headlights. The bumper is in pretty rough shape. I am not worried about the paint chips and scratches because those are easy to fix, but I am scratching my head over the upper grill portion where it is completely detached. Any advice, previous experience, horror stories would be greatly appreciated!
I can think of a few options:
1. Use heat to mould it as best as I can and use strong epoxy, metal mesh back to bond it back.
2. Cut up my base bumper's upper part and merge it with the sharktooth bottom. Cut would be at the black plastic trim line for the best possible match.
3. Just color match it and put the sucker on, YOLO.
![Hood Vehicle Automotive lighting Grille Motor vehicle]()
![Grille Hood Automotive tire Tire Automotive lighting]()
As for the projectors, I saw conflicting opinions online whether they would work on a base model. Some said they are plug and play (I doubt it), some say it will work but with errors on the SID, some say it is impossible and you need level sensors and wiring. Instead of reading about it and giving up, I decided to actually try it for myself. My ideal situation would be to just remove the xenons alltogether and put high quality LED bulbs in as a replacement. We shall see...!
![Automotive parking light Grille Automotive lighting Hood Motor vehicle]()
I can think of a few options:
1. Use heat to mould it as best as I can and use strong epoxy, metal mesh back to bond it back.
2. Cut up my base bumper's upper part and merge it with the sharktooth bottom. Cut would be at the black plastic trim line for the best possible match.
3. Just color match it and put the sucker on, YOLO.
As for the projectors, I saw conflicting opinions online whether they would work on a base model. Some said they are plug and play (I doubt it), some say it will work but with errors on the SID, some say it is impossible and you need level sensors and wiring. Instead of reading about it and giving up, I decided to actually try it for myself. My ideal situation would be to just remove the xenons alltogether and put high quality LED bulbs in as a replacement. We shall see...!
Today, I installed the xenons. mostly plug and play as you guys have said
Look at the difference!
![Car Vehicle registration plate Vehicle Grille Automotive lighting]()
Cutoff line comparison
![Wood Bird Floor Gas Flooring]()
Did a quick polish before leveling them.
![Tire Automotive tire Hood Automotive design Motor vehicle]()
![Automotive parking light Automotive tail & brake light Automotive lighting Hood Grille]()
![Automotive parking light Grille Motor vehicle Automotive lighting Hood]()
My best friend WIS
![Line Font Rectangle Parallel Engineering]()
leveled according to WIS.
![Wood Rectangle Paint Flooring Shade]()
on the road comparison
![Automotive lighting Sky Astronomical object Asphalt Cloud]()
Video summary:
overall, 1000% happy with the conversion!!!
next up is restoring this rough looking sharktooth bumper. Stay tuned!
![Grille Vehicle Automotive lighting Hood Car]()
Look at the difference!
Cutoff line comparison
Did a quick polish before leveling them.
My best friend WIS
leveled according to WIS.
on the road comparison
Video summary:
overall, 1000% happy with the conversion!!!
next up is restoring this rough looking sharktooth bumper. Stay tuned!
For passing 500 subs on my channel, I am giving away three 3d printed cup holders for the NG9-3! Very easy to enter, no scammer bs! I really just want to give back to the viewers, including the saabcentral people. See video for details.
![Headgear Cylinder Gas Auto part Metal]()
Made a small improvement today.
Side marker lights have seen better days.
![Grille Automotive parking light Hood Automotive lighting Motor vehicle]()
Instead of replacing them with stock ones, I took a risk on some sequential ones from China. These are made for similar year Opel Astras. They are not a direct fit. The inner housing is much smaller than the stock one, so I used outdoor rated double sided tape to stick it on. Also helps prevent water getting into the hole. Theres been several heavy rain days and they are holding up just fine!
![Automotive lighting Automotive design Automotive tail & brake light Amber Automotive exterior]()
Video summary:
Side marker lights have seen better days.
Instead of replacing them with stock ones, I took a risk on some sequential ones from China. These are made for similar year Opel Astras. They are not a direct fit. The inner housing is much smaller than the stock one, so I used outdoor rated double sided tape to stick it on. Also helps prevent water getting into the hole. Theres been several heavy rain days and they are holding up just fine!
Video summary:
I made sure to tape all around the mating point. If it fails it would fail due to the lack of quality. I think it is safe from water
21 - 40 of 112 Posts
