The garage has a 4runner, and an odyssey. I'm at the point where I want a beater. something I can work on, and not have to worry about getting it running to get to work in the AM. turbo bricks are at the top of my list, but saabs. why is this so cheap? what am I missing?
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5368241832.html
Brian
MegaDork
12/21/15 9:43 p.m.
Best of CL photos. Do it.
Any car this new that pisses gas is usually bad news...
They are good cars but the coolant and gas leaks could point to any number of expensive issues, or maybe not. Generally they are not worth much because Saab is an orphan brand, despite anything you need still being available online. I am a big fan but they are so worthless it's hard to recommend getting one with issues when a nice one can be had for $500 more.
There could be a lot of deferred maintenance there, and the fuel leak mentioned could be a huge PITA to repair depending on what is causing it, but at that price its absolutely worth checking out.
I have good friend that is a master SAAB tech, he thinks '99s are the best of the hatchback GM era 900/9-3
T5 engine management is good stuff, and it already comes with a proper TD04 turbo. I know nothing more about tuning it yet, other than that my T5 powered car was ridiculously fast ten years ago.
They're asking $800 more than bgkast's tweaker car, and you lose the awesome back story involved. But less risk of contracting hepatitis while working on the car, so you'll need to do your own risk/benefit analysis on that .
The fuel leak could just be the banjo bolts on the fuel filter, which is in front of the right rear tire on every other Saab I've owned.
No clue how easy/hard the radiator is to change, but either way, you should do it.
So, in summary, DO IT.
And again, is it some sort of CL code to take crappy pics at night at a gas station?
Not Enable you? Nope, can't do it...
Join us.
pres589
UberDork
12/21/15 11:09 p.m.
From the ad; "1999 Saab 9-3 SE turbo, 4cyl, td04, red cassette, last year of the strong b204r , this engine capable of 600hp on stock engine, female owned, new clutch.
This car rides and drives strong."
- Buy it.
- I'd like to meet the owner, see what she's all about.
It looks like a good buy to me!
Unless of course there are vagrants living in the trunk- hence no interior photos.
ncjay
Dork
12/22/15 5:37 a.m.
I like a challenge. I'd probably jump all over this car. Even if there are blood stains in the back.
XLR99 wrote:
The fuel leak could just be the banjo bolts on the fuel filter, which is in front of the right rear tire on every other Saab I've owned.
They usually corrode through under the clamp after ten years, on an Audi.
Not sure how this applies to SAAB. Or Atlanta.
Knurled said:
They usually corrode through under the clamp after ten years, on an Audi.
Good point. On my c900 the filter disintegrated as I replaced it, I don't know how it wasn't leaking. It wasn't a salt belt car either.
Lowball, buy it. You won't find a better bunch of non-non-enablers than on this board.
That is the "Hot rod" of the non Viggen hatchback 9-3s. For what it is worth, I gave my 99 9-3 SE to my brother with 280K on it 5 years ago and he is still using it.
Do it.
I can't tell you why these are so cheap. Manual, hatchback, turbo, cheap, headlight wipers.
sooo, its like the turbo dodge, or mx6/probe.
Get it. Have fun. That one is even a cool color.
Robbie wrote:
I can't tell you why these are so cheap.
A lot of lenders won't lend for a SAAB or other orphan makes. Cash-only has a hell of a way of killing resale value.
In reply to Knurled:
My insurance company asked if I had financed mine. I told them I was able to come up with $50 cash for the purchase.
I can't think of a single reason not to do it.
I cannot not enable you. Join the SAAB brethren! You will love it!
Until you don't.
I want it, but apparently the seller doesn't want to sell it.
2 different numbers, one of the numbers stopped responding to me monday. The other number stopped replying this evening after trying to nail down a time when to come see it. oh well.