[SaabMon]

I have the opportunity to purchase a beautiful 99 silver Saab 9-3 SE convertible for $50 USD.The car has a brand new top,great interior,beautiful throughout.
The downside is that the car was driven into water during a bad storm,and water got into the intake.The insurance company totaled the car.
Has anyone had any kind of experience similar to this?Could the car possibly be salvaged? A friend of mine says the engine,transmission and most everything else needs to be replaced,which I don't have the time,money or place to do it. I thought about using it just as a yard ornament,it looks great,good paint,no nicks,dings etc.,but my wife nixed that idea.
I hate to see this beauty go to the crusher! Any thoughts?Has a car like this ever been saved,with replacing minimal parts? I may be in the wrong forum. If so would the Mods please move it!

 

[Aleki]

View attachment 16216

View attachment 16217 I have the opportunity to purchase a beautiful 99 silver Saab 9-3 SE convertible for $50 USD.The car has a brand new top,great interior,beautiful throughout.
The downside is that the car was driven into water during a bad storm,and water got into the intake.The insurance company totaled the car.
Has anyone had any kind of experience similar to this?Could the car possibly be salvaged? A friend of mine says the engine,transmission and most everything else needs to be replaced,which I don't have the time,money or place to do it. I thought about using it just as a yard ornament,it looks great,good paint,no nicks,dings etc.,but my wife nixed that idea.
I hate to see this beauty go to the crusher! Any thoughts?Has a car like this ever been saved,with replacing minimal parts?

$50?
The car is worth more than that in parts. Those wheels will probably sell for $100 if theyre in good condition

 

[stamonkey]

If anything its worth it for $50 to pull the head and take a peak at the engine and then part it out if its destroyed. The engine might still be salvageable, you would just have to check. The thing that I would be most concerned about its the electronics. If it went through a serious flood, you might be looking at a complete rewire.

If had the space and an understanding wife (I have neither ) I would spend the $50 and if it turns out to be over your head, part it out.

 

[SaabMon]

I have the same problem as stamonkey concerning the wife.Actually the biggest problem is space.I only have off street parking for one car and we have two.
The wheels are almost perfect,so I would think they would be worth more than $100.00.The tires are also in great shape.
I could get the car for anybody that wants it.The problem is that it is in Key West,which is a long way from anywhere.

 

[900t]

If anything its worth it for $50 to pull the head and take a peak at the engine and then part it out if its destroyed. The engine might still be salvageable, you would just have to check. The thing that I would be most concerned about its the electronics. If it went through a serious flood, you might be looking at a complete rewire.

If had the space and an understanding wife (I have neither ) I would spend the $50 and if it turns out to be over your head, part it out.

The engine in there is just a regular B204L. Why not pull an engine from some 900 SE and swap it...

hook up a battery and see what happens

Hell to crunch the car for scrap metal is more than 50$... run, don't walk to get it

 

[busaboy]

Did they say what was wrong with it? Typically, "water in the intake" means the engine hydrolocked, which means it's trashed. Probably nothing wrong with the tranny or anything else.
Just put in a good used engine and you're good to go...

 

[hkayssi]

I have 2 words to say. GET IT
remove the grille lights, seat covers, wheels and you have about $400 right there. In spare parts that car is worth about $1000-$1500 depending on what got damaged by water.
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[Mister Bean]

Since you don't have a place to store it, how about a storage locker?

 

[Ero]

for 50 bux I'd get it just to take the engine apart and learn the workings. sooooo worth it!

 

[widuck1]

are we talking salt water here?

if so its a parts car but well worth 50 buck,

john

 

[98se420]

Its 50 bux!!!!! Get it, its a steal whichever way u look at it

 

[SaabMon]

I think you guys are right!I'm going to get it and put it in my driveway(my only parking space).I'll have triple A tow it,and then worry about it later.
My biggest concern is that I will have to park my beautiful C900 on the street.I also have a 2007 Mazda 3 five door parked on the street(but who cares about that).When you live on a 2 by 4 mile island with 19,000 other people,parking can be a problem.

 

[SaabMon]

if so its a parts car but well worth 50 buck,

john

No,it was during a real heavy rainstorm,so it was fresh water.It tends to flood very easily down here,as the highest point on the island is only 11 feet above sea level.

 

[98se420]

Wow those are some pretty rough rain storms, bet a lot of cars get ruined there.... But anyway i wish i was in your position id scoop that 93 up asap

 

[Harquebus]

Keep us posted. Even though it's a non-runner, $50 is a steal! You've still got some nice parts there anyway as others have truly noted.

Curious as to the real extent of the damage.

 

[98se420]

Definitely keep us updated!!

 

[sirsimon]

Sounds like a fun and worthwile project. You're doing your part for the Saab community. Tell your wife it's a moral imperative!