I've decided, I need something a little more modern, and less thirsty, and smaller.
It needs a little body TLC (one small rust patch on the drivers front wing infront of the wheel and lots of little patches of laquer flaking) but the bonnet is pretty solid with just one or two small bubbles starting to show along the leading edge coming out of the chip protection strip, and one small area of rust that is still solid under the paint, but bubbling at the bottom of the tailgate but hidden by the bumper.
On the interior, the only thing non original is the lower console carpetted box. Like a fool, planning to keep the car a while I butchered it to put the CarPC in. It should be burgundy to match the rest of the interior, but it has a grey one fitted which could easily be recarpetted. One small ciggy burn on the burgundy front seat. Been there since before I bought the car.
It has the rare burgundy dash top.
I think fixer upwise, it needs a set of lower wishbone bushes on the passger side, and maybe an engine mount or two. Not difficult if you mechanically ability and have access to a workshop. I have neither so with the body, and the work it would get very expensive for me, even though the parts are relatively expensive. Also requires either replacement oil cooler or the hoses fittings, I think that is where the oil is leaking from (loses about 3/4-1 litre between 3000mile changes) as the cooler is coated, and so is the underside of the engine/trans where I thing it is blowing under the car off the cooler. Not much at a time, but has built up and perished the bushes and at least one mount, as it pops out of 1,2, and 3 occasionally but only at low revs or trailing throttle, and if you plant it in any gear on boost, not only does the stick move a lot, but you can feel a slight judder as the engine/trans shoots forward a very little and then the chassis catches up. I don't think there is serious trans wear, as 4, 5 and reverse are fine, but it is a little stiff in 1, and 2 when cold.
And the good bits, what I've done, or had done. New ball joints at the front. New wheel bearings at the front. New calipers and discs at the front, and a secondhand servo as the old one was leaking. New pads all round, second set on the front in March. Loads of new VAC hose, under bonnet and dash. Small ammount of welding to re-enforce inner front arches after Previous owners mechanic bodged something (probably wheel bearing change and ripped the arch leading to a little corrosion) and small ammount of welding the passenger side rear inner arch. Chain tensioner changed from old single bolt type to new double bolt type, and new chain rolled in while the covers where off. Sprockets were fine. Rear tyres are near new, front have about 1-2 mm above the wear marker, all were fitted at the same time. Avon ZV1 195/60VR15 on original 3 spoke Aeros (little chipped but not badly corroded). New GAZ shocks fitted allround. Bailey alloy recirc fitted along with a budget cone filter and cold air intake, although I do have the original un-touched airbox and pipes in the loft. One electric window regulator replaced, all windows/mirrors/sunroof all funtion perfectly and no leaks from the sunroof. Cruise control still needs work. Has a Blaupunkt Modena CD player (wth AUX in so you can plug in an iPOD/laptop and get sound through the car speakers) and Kicker 4" Speakers fitted currently, but I also have the original Saab radio cassette. Replacement generic power arial. New plugs and trans fluid about 8-9k miles ago. oil changed religiously every 3 thousands miles, with the filter changed every 6 thousand. Only used either Halford 5w40 full synth, Chevron 5w40 full synth, or after a full flush for the last two changes Carlube Triple-R 10w40 semi-synth. Due a change in the next couple of weeks (about 500 miels till the next change).
Has fully working headlight wash/wipe, and bosch wipers on the windscreen.
All MOTs except one since new. Last few tax discs. Owners manual in the grey Saab wallet, plus when sold to the second owner by Sheardley hall Saab, a replacement service book from a slightly later model when it was sold as a Saab Approved used car, to replace the missing one. Service stamps in there from Sheardley hall, and after they closed SarbKar in Liverpool, upto 108k miles. I bought it with 118k miles and gave it a service straight away. Have religiously changed oil since the. No coolant leaks, not trans fluid leaks.
Car has just turned 150k miles, and is 20 years old on (I think without checking the paperwork) the 11th Sept. Works out an average of only 7.5k a year.
Has MOT until Mar 2005, and tax until Jan 2005. Would make a good easy restoration, or very reliable workhorse, to keep your convertable clean for the summer.
I reckon with buying and fixing, I'm into this car for £1700. I'm asking £1200 or nearest offer. Sensible offers will be accepted, but get fairly close, I chuck in the tax, get very close, I'll leave in the CD player. Either way, you get the original Saab tape player, and the upgraded speakers, but if I keep the CD, I'll refit the tape deck.
I've tried to be as honest as I can. Contact me through email the address posted from is valid. Car is in Warrington Cheshire, between Manchester and Liverpool, and easy access from the M6, M62, and M56.
This is an early flat front model with the front handbrake.