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, Mon, 6 Feb 2012 20:30:18
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I'd try and gather up as much history from the seller as you can (as that will help you later). I'd try and drive it around locally a bit before hitting the highway in case there are some obvious gotchas. Check all the hoses and belts for condition (eg don't want a coolant hose to burst or something)... Even a well meaning seller can miss stuff... though minor, we had a windshield wiper fluid leak (drained the whole tank overnight) when we bought our first 900... Bring along extra of all fluids.
The tires are an obvious one, and I agree, if there are spiderline cracks already, it is wise to change them for new tires so you don't get a flat (or worse: more than one flat) on the highway. In terms of tires, I really liked the Nokian NRH2's I had on ours (fantastic water performance), but they don't make them anymore. The replacement is Nokian H, which may be a good option, though the brand is harder to find if you are in a hurry. Downside to the H is they are asymmetric + the wear pattern on a c900 benefits using symmetric tires. I like symmetric directional tires on these cars. From a quick scan on Tirerack, some other directionals not unlike NRH2: General Altimax HP, Yokohama AVID ENVigor, maybe Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid. Many like the Continentals on other Saabs, but they might have limited sizes that will work with a c900 (though ContiProContact works)... Probably others will have better suggestions than me...
In terms of a toolkit for the drive... if you've worked on bikes you can probably get yourself out of many problems with the right instructions. If you haven't already, get yourself a Bentley manual for the car asap! It has a list at the front, but the basics are metric wrenches, sockets (only metric is required). Torx bit set (and a screwdriver handle that accepts them). Allen keys +/or bits. Slot + phillips screwdrivers. Spark plug socket. mechanics' wire (just "dollar store" bare wire for wiring up an exhaust that falls down from a broken hanger, etc.). Various pliers + vice grips. There's actually not a bad overlap with your bike toolkit, as bikes are mostly metric also... (I race mountain bikes + sometimes consolidate to one toolkit for the road)... there is a little toolkit in the trunk of the car but who knows how intact it is for the road. There should be a donut spare, a jack + crank. Good to throw a spare belt + wiper blades in there too. Speaking of the tire kit, I'd get a better tire iron with a 19mm socket on it. I have a X one (for removing bolts faster at the side of the road), a 19mm 1/2" drive socket + $20 needle style torque wrench just for torquing tire bolts properly. I also have a long length of pipe I can fit over a breaker bar in case a tire shop over-tightens a bolt (though I generally don't carry that with me anymore - I now retorque after anyone touches the car to avoid that problem).
good luck + enjoy! rare to find such a low miles c900 nowadays!
posted by 67.158.78...
, Mon, 6 Feb 2012 20:18:09, Mon, 6 Feb 2012 20:30:18
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