Shedvertible, the £1000 Saab 93
Discussion
First ever attempt at one of these threads. I’m not a proficient DIY mechanic, and I’m not even a great car cleaner.
But because I’ve always wanted a 93 yesterday I bought this:
It’s a 2005 1.8t manual. 146k miles, some MOT, tons of history and receipts for work done, but in need of a lot of tlc, especially cleaning inside and out. So my next couple of weeks free time will be spent cleaning and reproofing the hood, and trying to add some hygiene and brightness to a light cream interior that looks suspiciously brown.
It drives well and is mechanically sound for its age. It also pulls better than others I’ve driven so I’m hoping to discover it’s had a Hirsch map installed by the dealership that sold it and serviced it regularly throughout it’s life. But that’s for another day, collecting the car Thursday, cleaning will commence immediately.
But because I’ve always wanted a 93 yesterday I bought this:
It’s a 2005 1.8t manual. 146k miles, some MOT, tons of history and receipts for work done, but in need of a lot of tlc, especially cleaning inside and out. So my next couple of weeks free time will be spent cleaning and reproofing the hood, and trying to add some hygiene and brightness to a light cream interior that looks suspiciously brown.
It drives well and is mechanically sound for its age. It also pulls better than others I’ve driven so I’m hoping to discover it’s had a Hirsch map installed by the dealership that sold it and serviced it regularly throughout it’s life. But that’s for another day, collecting the car Thursday, cleaning will commence immediately.
Congratulations on getting what you always wanted.
There'll be threads on cleaning and waterproofing the roof.
There could be some benefit in buying a car that's been serviced by the supplying dealer since new. Hopefully they had good staff that knew what they were doing but it at least shows a caring owner and money has been spent.
There'll be threads on cleaning and waterproofing the roof.
There could be some benefit in buying a car that's been serviced by the supplying dealer since new. Hopefully they had good staff that knew what they were doing but it at least shows a caring owner and money has been spent.
boyse7en said:
If it has been chipped you will see the boost gauge stay up in the red zone under acceleration.
If it hasn't been done, talk to Keith at Noobtune and get a Stage 1 map done. Its only £100 or so and it makes a massive difference.
The dealership that has serviced the car also sold it new, as it still operates as a service centre I’m going to go through the paperwork and if there’s nothing in that give them a call. If it hasn't been done, talk to Keith at Noobtune and get a Stage 1 map done. Its only £100 or so and it makes a massive difference.
boyse7en said:
If it has been chipped you will see the boost gauge stay up in the red zone under acceleration.
If it hasn't been done, talk to Keith at Noobtune and get a Stage 1 map done. Its only £100 or so and it makes a massive difference.
My wife had a 1.8t estate for several years and it always felt underpowered (especially at motorway speeds, compared to my 9000 at least) but a Noobtune fixed that. Completely transformed the car. Remember that the 1.8 is only a badge - it has the same 2-litre engine as the Aero, just detuned to 150bhp or something, instead of the 200+ of the Aero.If it hasn't been done, talk to Keith at Noobtune and get a Stage 1 map done. Its only £100 or so and it makes a massive difference.
Good luck with this one!
ChrisH79 said:
Ordered hood cleaner, waterproof stuff, leather cleaner, a proper bucket with grit guard, some mats and a new gear lever gaiter.
I’m trying to track down the correct stickers to use on the dash to replace the worn buttons and switches too.
There are loads of opinions on the best to do this but, for what it is worth, here's mine....I’m trying to track down the correct stickers to use on the dash to replace the worn buttons and switches too.
Renovo cleaner. Brush on leave for an hour, lightly dampen with water spray and scrub with a nail brush.
Spray with Dettol Mould and Mildew cleaner. leave to soak for 10-15 mins, light scrub and rinse off with a hose.
Renovo black dye, two coats, with overnight between coats. apply with a wide paintbrush
Fabsil. two coats. Mask off the windows first. Put plenty on as it will soak right into the fabric.
boyse7en said:
There are loads of opinions on the best to do this but, for what it is worth, here's mine....
Renovo cleaner. Brush on leave for an hour, lightly dampen with water spray and scrub with a nail brush.
Spray with Dettol Mould and Mildew cleaner. leave to soak for 10-15 mins, light scrub and rinse off with a hose.
Renovo black dye, two coats, with overnight between coats. apply with a wide paintbrush
Fabsil. two coats. Mask off the windows first. Put plenty on as it will soak right into the fabric.
That’s pretty much the plan, just using slightly different products that will do the same job. Not looking forward to masking the windows, I think I’m going to tackle the interior first and sort the hood when I’m off work next week. Renovo cleaner. Brush on leave for an hour, lightly dampen with water spray and scrub with a nail brush.
Spray with Dettol Mould and Mildew cleaner. leave to soak for 10-15 mins, light scrub and rinse off with a hose.
Renovo black dye, two coats, with overnight between coats. apply with a wide paintbrush
Fabsil. two coats. Mask off the windows first. Put plenty on as it will soak right into the fabric.
ChrisH79 said:
7 5 7 said:
Probably cheaper to pick up a used set in all honesty, this is a shed after all.
I refer you to the start of the thread, my skill/confidence level is such that it would probably cost way more to swap the lights in the long run. Not even sure there correct for the car, they look abit SAAB 9-5 in style, could be wrong.
But, swapping lights, no problem - great thing with a shed is you can really cut your teeth on them, without any unneeded worry, very liberating.
Ran a 9-3 TTid few years ago, now run a 2008 Vectra (fundamentally the same cars all round) they are very forgiving in the DIY dept if you fancy doing things yourself, i recently did my own oil, absolute gratifying to do, simple things like this give you such a boost in confidence, definitely worth a try.
I'm most definitely not a DIY mechanic either, more at home on the computer
But, I wanted to try to save myself some money and learn a little I suppose.Pretty simple cars these, engine is ok too in this, good solid GM unit.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Thursday 7th November 08:49
I’ll tackle oil changes and things like brakes myself in the new year when it’s a little warmer and dryer out. The wheels are dealer fit options from the time when it was sold new, they’re Hirch items, so while I was curious about them being wrong turns out they have always been on the car. But I don’t like black wheels so that will change in time depending on what I can find for sale.
It’s not my first shed, but it is the most ‘modern’ and complex one I’ve ever owned.
It’s not my first shed, but it is the most ‘modern’ and complex one I’ve ever owned.
Barchettaman said:
So if it’s a 2.0 turbo rather than a 1.8 as per the badge, does that mean it gets the Saab engine?
Quite fitting (obviously) if so.
I seem to remember that engine being fitted to the 2.0 turbo Vauxhall Signum.
It’s a GM engine, all of the engines in the post 03 93s were. Quite fitting (obviously) if so.
I seem to remember that engine being fitted to the 2.0 turbo Vauxhall Signum.
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