Date: Wed, 01 Feb 2006 18:34:53 -0500 From: ma_twain <ma_twainnospamo.com> Subject: Re: Should I buy? Your thoughts
Bob wrote: > On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 22:43:06 -0500, ma_twain <ma_twainnospamo.com> > wrote: > > >>Saab did market a 4 cylinder turbo as a 2 door SE model hatchback and >>convertible. The fact that he mentions timing chain indicates the I4. >>However, the AC system, ignition system, interior lights, electric >>seats, basically any GM electrical component is suspect - I know because >>I owned one :-( If you do buy this car make sure you get an extended >>warranty to cover these repairs. >> > > Yes... but since he said "busted timing chain blew the engine" I had a > feeling it was really a belt and a V6. I've never heard of an I4 > busting a chain - although anything is possible - and it is very > common with the GM V6 motor. I know about the timing belt problems - I owned a V6 GM Saab once. > > I've seen A/C evaporator problems, the expansion valves go, the upper > hose wears out at some point. With the exception of the evap, the > other problems are not too expensive. Aside from the DI - a problem > that applies to all Saab turbos in recent years, I am not aware of any > ignition problems. Likewise I do not know of systemic interior light > problems and the only seat issue I've seen is that the relay(s) fall > out occasionally and have to be put back in their sockets. They do > need an idler pulley and belt every 45K to be safe but that is cheap. The air flow control motor for the ventilation system can fail - it did on mine. The interior lights don't work because of a faulty design dimming switch. The Saab shop know exactly what the problem the interior lights was and even quoted a price. The ignition switch failed. If the key wiggled a bit, it was like turning the car off - at highway speed and at night! This happened to me a few times - kept me on my toes!! > > There are a whole bunch of issues that TSB's were issued from '95 to > '98 that they fixed with each year of production but by 1999 those had > been resolved... that's why I'd lean towards the newer car. >