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Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 22:38:21 +0100
From: "Grunff" <runffnopsamo.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Very high mileage: What is necessary?


"Dave" <ddhartwicknopsamPAMearthlink.net> wrote in message news:8504C5FB5F66EDCA.13A28FCC614D9C86.062BBCFF367E6C7Enopsamirnews.net... > Fellow Saabsters, > > What does it take to put 300+K on a Saab? ....... > > I have an 89 900S with 170K. I bought it about 7 years ago with 115K. > At the time of purchase, I was able to contact the original owner who > told me that a majority of that 115K were accumulated on the highway. > > In the 6 years I've owned this car, I would say that about 70% of the > additional mileage has been highway driving. I've provided good, but > not great routine maintenance---sometimes 5000 miles between oil > changes, for example--must rectify that. > > I would say a reasonable amount of repair has been performed: > Fuel pump, computer, One "rim drive", all 4 rotors replaced. Other > smaller things: A/C problems--not compressor, windshield wipers died > (broken cable), vacuum hoses, distributer cap--little, typically Saab > type stuff (stinking instrument panel lights!). > > I would say that the fundamentals are good: Very little rust, engine > power smooth. Headliner falling out---needs replaced. some cracking of > the dash. Seats, etc, ok. The white paint, however, is heavily > oxidized--I mean NO shine. > > Bottom line: I love this silly car and would live to drive it for at > least 250K, 300+ would be nice. What should I expect during this > odyssey? I drive lovingly, but "firmly". IOW, I take care to not beat > it to death, but am aggressive when necessary. Smooth shifts, clutch > manipulation. I always allow for warm-up before summoning > extra vigor from the engine. I've driven some lower mileage Saabs than > mine that feel like they've been beaten to death. My sample does not > have that feel. > > Paint and rust will have to be addressed in some fashion. The starter > and clutch may be original--I fully anticipate replacing those items. > I guess keeping an old car running basically entails slowly rebuilding > it, piece by piece. I wonder what is typically unique to Saabs? Tough > questions--answers unique to some degree to each Saab sample. I'm > interested to hear anything that comes to mind. > Dave If the engine is good, and you're taking good care of it (regular oil etc), then there's no reason why you can't go to 300k +. As you're expecting, stuff like clutch, starter, alternator, etc. will fail, but it's all minor. Motor mounts may need replacing, and various suspension bushes may also get tired, but again, nothing major. The C900's achilles heel is the transmission. Is yours 5sp or auto? Autos seem to fail between 100-140k miles. Five speeds are more variable, and depend a lot on driving habits. I know many people who are driving around on 5sp with well over 200k, but most people expect to have to replace the tranny between 150 and 200k. Take it as it comes, but don't be shocked if/when it fails. One last point, there have been a few lower A frame failures lately on high mileage 900s, due to metal fatigue. Carefully inspect your lower A frames every 6 months. Look for very fine cracks around the mounts. Grunff

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