Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 00:24:04 GMT From: "Kristen Grider" <grider.7nopsamedu> Subject: Re: my 87 died; what to buy?
Larry, comments below "Larry Rader" <lwradernopsamrport.net> wrote in message news:3970DC47.8F02A43nopsamrport.net... > Hi Everyone > I've been a reader here for a while. > Now I need the kind consideration and help of this knowledgable > community. > My 87 900S (no turbo) died last week. 160K miles..tranny shot. > I've always loved the car, despite the many nagging mechanical problems > (which are well documented in these parts.) > Now, I'd like to spend $10-15K on a replacement. > I live in Manhattan so it gets sort of beaten up by the environment; > hence I'm not that keen on leasing a new one, although that's an option > too. > > 1. Firstly, have they cured the tranny problems that plagued my car? > It's a 5 spd; I may consider an auto this time. I replaced two trannies > since '87 (once, a pothole did it in..the other time, the reverse gear > went bad.) I don't want to deal with that anymore. the NG900 does not have the same transmission as the classic 900. It has a more traditional transverse layout with the ups and downs of that installation. One thing is that a clutch replacement is much more of a job than the classic. The front suspension is of a macpherson strut design which is a negative step from teh SLA of teh classic. The positives are that teh cars are better equipped. The transmission is more robust as it is based on the 9000 unit (the gears do not carry at much torque as the previous transmission). > > 2. I know that there's a romantic love for the old 900 body. What about > the mechanics? Did they get the new one right? I can get a 95 900SE T > Conv. with 45K miles for $15K, privately. It's a good deal, blue > book-wise, but this year/model seems to take a bit of a beating around > here. Comments? I think the classic handles better, although this is niggling. The NG900 is a good performer. With all the goodies on the NG900, it took Saab a while to get the electric system bugs resolved. According to CR, this was one of the biggest complaints was electrical problems. I am not sure, but I surmise that the problems were primarily on the electric goodies and not the basic electrical stuff. Common replaced items are A/C compressor (no new news here), and alternator. My '96 has had 2 ACC controllers replaced under warranty. I can only imagine what that would cost out of warranty! > > 3. What would you look for, in particular, (besides the obvious service > records, etc.) in checking out a pre-owned saab? What would you avoid > like the plague? Why? > avoid the V6 look for a turbo 5sp as these are in demand and will be easy to sell later when you want that 9-5 Arero :-). Get the VIN of the one you are interested in and go to the Saab dealer and have them run it through their computer to see what has been done wrt. recalls and warranty calls. It seems that there are some revisions of the front strut and bearing as my 96 has a different design from the 94. See if this was repaired as it was a service issue if the owner complained about front end noise under warranty. > 4. Where, if you know, are there pics of the various models from the > 90s, hopefully including interior pics? > They are remarkable the same. I think the 98 had a different clock (digital). the 96 had an adjustable lumbar on later vin's on the driver side. Go to edmunds and they will tell you what items changed. > 5. Where, if you know, are there articles, analyses, etc., on the 90s > models? Not that I know of, but surf around. > > 6. Can I expect to get anything for my car? It ran great until the > tranny died? Suggestions? > I would think that it has value to the saab fanatics on the saabnet site. > 7.. Finally, I replaced my radio very recently with separate, single > width head unit w/ cassette and single play cd unit. This fit > charmingly, of course, in the 87 dash, since the head unit slot was > separate from the equalizer slot (which in my car was always just a > storage box with an amp hooked to the back). When did the dash change? > In what models/years do i still have the option of using these separate > units? the NG900 has a double height din radio. It is incorporated into the SID unit. It can be replaced with another unit, but i find that mine is an exceptionally good head unit, and there is a listing on saabnet about the radios in the NG900. In short, I do not think it would be worth the time to install these that you have if you get an SE with the uprated stereo. If you get teh one steop down (possibly S), you could still use the amps. > > I know this was long, and I apologize. This is a tough time...I'm > really going to miss the car in which I saw so much of the country over > the past 15 years and I don't want to buy a new set of headaches. I > truly hope that many of the readers of this ng will take a moment to > help. > > > > Best, Larry > > hope this helps, Keith Grider
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