Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 01:08:11 -0500 From: Chris Campbell <christopher.f.campbellnospame.edu> Subject: Buying a NG900 Convertable, few questions first
Hi all, I'm very close to buying a dark red '95 900SE Turbo Convertible 5-speed with 125,000mi on the clock. Asking price is $3500 US (firm). The body is in fine shape for its age, no paint chips or fading. The interior is likewise in near new condition with no rips or cracking of the leather. It starts on the first crank, and the engine purrrs without any weird sounds. So here are the things that are wrong with it. The convertible top, while it looks like its in fine shape, is inoperable. When you press the switch to lower it, the windows come down a little but then there's no sign of the top wanting to retract (no sounds of motors). The guy selling it (small, non-Saab dealership) thinks its an electrical problem and most likely a bad relay. When you start the car, the SID says "check latches", so maybe its a sensor somewhere? Also, the car smoked just a little bit of white smoke when I revved it in the parking lot (failing turbo? failing valve guide seals?). Other than that, the there are a few small cosmetic things like the ACC's display looks like the LCD has been cracked, and its missing the top of the shifter that shows you the shift pattern. This would be my first convertible ever, the price seems right, but I won't have much left over for fixing the top and the other small things wrong with it. Any idea of what could be wrong with the top? Something I might be able to fix myself? This would be my 2nd NG900, so I know to stay away from the V6 and the automatic (both of which had to be replaced in my first NG900$$$, and thats why I currently drive a 9000CSE with a 4-cyl :P). I think this would make an excellent "fun in the sun" car, and a great addition to our Saab family ('94 9000CSET, '99 9-3SET) I'd appreciate any input before I buy it, which most likely will be tomorrow (wednesday) night. -Chris
