Help! just about to buy a '98 9000 2.3 - I need advice

[JensenA]

After lots of research, and a growing respect for the 9000, so after just losing out on 2 Ebay auctions for 9000 anniversary editions, I've taken the plunge and put a deposit down on a '98 Silver 2.3 CSE Anniversary, 102k, full ssh, and allegedly immaculate. I'm picking it up on Saturday (100 mile bus journey to get there ). What are the obvious things I need to be aware of, and what should I 'walk away from'.
I have noticed from the fotos the it does not have the Anniversary short spoke alloys, but has the 3 spoke dished Aero ones!! Is this something that should trigger alarm bells?

Any help much appreciated.

PS - It is definitely an Anniversary edition - Aero body kit, wheel arch extensions, embossed drivers seats etc.

[kremlingazette]

The wheels are your choice, if you like them then buy it.


The 9000 is a common enough car, so purchasing the exact spec model isnt going to make any sort of difference, plus Saab will fasten anything onto any model , wheels vary on different models.

Get the engine warmed up while your talking to the seller and looking over the car. Get him talking.....

Interior

-once over plus seatbelts/radio&cd/ how clean is it ?

Exterior

- dings/rust/repairs -ask him if its been crashed /HPI it for outstanding finance!
Bounce each corner, if its firm the dampers are ok, if it bounces softly remember to
check that out when you drive it. Tyres...5

Underbonnet-

any noises/leaks/is it clean/dip oil/with engine running remove oil filler and put your hand over it, if it blows your hand off engine is well worn. Mine has none @81000miles. Check water for contamination, oil = head gasket etc. Check the levels...
Nothing hanging off, is it clean and does it appear looked after.

Drive It-

Any noises,suspension clunks/steering knocks lock to lock, brakes grinding/squeeling/performance good or bad/does it pull up from speed in a straightline / Accelarate /noises good or bad,watch for smoke if possible. Does the engine pull ok, Steering ok /
Gearbox function, smooth changes,does it drop out of gear on the overun.


Any history?/any finance outstanding?/when was it last serviced & where? /How long you owned it?/Why you selling it? etc etc..

I viewed quite a few 9-3 Coupes before I bought mine in Manchester, I live Northumberland. Not sure if that what your after but thats how I buy cars...

good luck and post a pic if you buy it.

[julianm]

Iff it`s a `98 there is a chance it has the Aero B234R engine - put in the last run as a treat! This might explain the super aero wheels as well.
http://www.saab9000.com/information/buying/buying....
is very helpful & also http://www.saabcentral.com/
IIRC an R in the vin code means the 225bhp aero engine.
At about 120k a new headgasket is pretty common but not that big a deal. Good luck!

[JensenA]

Thanks for all your help Guys. Well I went ahead and bought the car 'blind' through eBay I had spoken to the seller for some reassurance, and he just seemed to be a really laif back guy, who didn't attempt to 'big' the car up at all, just saying it was a nice tidy car in good nick, everything worked, no scratches or dings anywhere, no ripped seats etc etc. So off I set on Saturday morning, a 3 1/2 Hr train journey to Cambridge, then a 20 min taxi ride to meet the seller who had arranged to meet me in the Sainsbury's car park - hmmmmm, the old nerves and worry monsters were really getting to me now! Anyway, when I got there, I rang him, and 5 minutes later he turned up in the car. Guess what? No scratches, no dings, no rust, no torn leather seats, everything worked. The only (minor) dissapointment was that the Seats are not electric - Damm! (but no big deal really) The engine had no major oil leaks, and the car ran nice and smoothly. So after a quick bit of negotiation, a bit difficult when he knew that if I didn't buy it I'd be faced with a 4 hour journey bak home, it was mine for £800, which I reckon is pretty dammgood. 102k, with SAAB dealer stamps up to 60k, and Swedish Car Centre stamps up to the last service at 102k.
A 3 hour drive back up to leeds showed the car to be lovely and smooth, very comfortable, with a decent bit of a performance when I put my foot down. My main entertainment on the way was trying to get the Ave mpg up to the magic 31mpg, which i managed to do by keeping it to about 70. But I should imagine that will drop quite a bit in day to day motoring.
All in all I'm very, very impressed with the solidity and quality of the car, it is big, comfortable, and solid, I think I'm converted

Now the boring bits, good and bad.......

The wheels are 16" Super Aero's - should I change these for Anniversary wheels to keep the car 'pure'?
The car does feel a bit 'wallowy', what are the recomended options for improving the suspension?
The car has a Clarion CD Autochanger on the underside of the spare wheel boot floor/cover, but has a fantastic (not!) Murphy CD player fitted. I can get hold of an original SAAB 9000 radio cassette, was the Clarion Auto changer standard fitment? i.e Would the original SAAB unit hust hook up to it?

PS - I do waffle a bit don't I

[julianm]

Glad it was worth it - the ride will be even more wallowy with the original 15" rims - but they can be picked up cheaply in comparison to the super aeros. If you do want a swap let me know & I`ll think about buying them!
For a clarion head unit try the bloke on ebay - M5 Saab spares - found him excellent & reliable.
Happy Saabing!

[ylee coyote]

stop it wallowing

rear a/r bushes and
front wishbone rear bushes

this will transform the car

If you want more
Koni adjustable shocks and abbott springs are acknowledged to be the best mix

Super aeros are sought after as is the anniverseries you might get a swap but the 16's are fine ,17's are better and 18's are too far

Benifits from good rubber too

you should get 35 at a steady 70 (or even more) so I would check for vacuum leaks ...there is a lot of tubing to perish
I would buy 5m off ebay and replace the lot

I was getting 30 in mine at that speed (but its a little modified....)

a re-map will give you more power and make it more economical cut over to..... www.uksaabs.co.uk ....there is lots of advice there

[NiceCupOfTea]

Sounds like a nice motor at a good price.

Keep the superaeros, my dad's Anni has them and they look much nicer than the "minilite" Anni alloys IMHO.

IMHO bin the stereo and the autochanger and spend a couple of hundred on a nice Alpine MP3/USB head unit.

Do a bit of research and find out what engine spec you have - is it the 225bhp runout model? Are you sure it's a full pressure turbo?

My dad had the suspension lowered on his (Bilstein kit) - it tightened it up a lot and isn't too harsh - however, it seems to have found a resonant frequency in the cabin and it's quite boomy over rough surfaces if that makes sense.

Low 30s mpg is about right in mixed driving IMHO.

Now, let's see some pics!

[JensenA]

Thanks Guys, your help is appreciated, I've done a VIN Check and the engine is the B234E Lpt. I own a TVR Cerbera, and i'm begining to think that this new toy is just as interesting, with bags of potential, loads of charm, and is a damm sight cheaper than the Cerb!