900SE purchase advice!

I have had a 1996 900SE with the turbo-charged four-cylinder engine for three years. I strongly concur in your plan to take the car to a Saab specialist for a check before you buy it.

In test driving the car, I would: (1) find a rough road to drive it over to check for rattles, particularly from the front suspension; (2) check that the heated seats are working, since they are very expensive to fix (about $1,000 in the U.S.) if they're not; (3) be sure that you can find a seating position that's suitable for you, since (at least in the `96) there is telescopic steering, but not tilt wheel; (4) make sure that there is enough adjustment in the driver's side mirror, since on some 900s the mirror doesn't adjust far enough out with flat glass that is required in the U.S., and presumably in Canada (as distinct from the convex glass that is standard in Europe).

My understanding is that the four-cylinder engine has a timing chain, but the six-cylinder engine has a timing belt. As to maintenance costs, I have found them to be much higher than on other cars I have owned. In particular, the parts seem to be many times higher than those for other cars.

Reply to
Kenneth S.
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Hi,

I'm new to Saabs and am looking at buying a used '98 900 SE with 138000 kms on it.

What should I look for when I take it for a test drive. I plan to take it to a dealer or aftermarket mechanic for an inspection.

Did these cars have timing chains (not belts) and how are the maitainance costs?

Cheers,

Tony Ottawa

Reply to
Tony Curran

Make sure whoever looks at it knows Saabs well. They will know what to look for.

Check for vibration when accelerating or at speed. See how the clutch feels, it's about $1K to change. Check the climate control and make sure the A/C works. Check the seat heaters. Check the seat release controls if it's a 2 door. Test the CD player.

Look for any oil leaks around the front of the head and under the tranny/driveshafts.

Ask when the DI (direct ignition) cassette was last replaced (if ever). They tend to go after

70K miles. $400 at the dealer or $240 on the 'net + 10 minutes labor. Frequent oil changes and synthetic oil use is a plus. Ask them if they changed the coolant and/or thermostat.

Chain. They do have a serpentine belt and idler pulley that tends to wear (what used to be a fan belt) . I advise replacing it at 50K intervals. About $75 in parts and a half hour of labor.

Reply to
Bob

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