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Hello everybody,
I used to have a 96 9000CSE that I loved, but got rid of it in 2002 and have been through a few far less satisfying cars in the meantime. I'm looking to get back into the fold!
I've located, here in Indianapolis, a 1997 9000CSE Anniversary, 2.3T, 131k with an automatic. Car is pretty clean. I had the local Saab dealer do a pre-purchase inspection. What they found:
1) timing chain is rattling, $600 to roll a new one in.
2) steering wheel is off-center and car needs an alignment, about $150 to fix. I found the steering to be vague and floaty.
3) During the beginning of the test drive, the check engine light came on for the Saab tech and it stumbled. He aborted the test drive and pulled it back in. He said it was misfiring on the #1 cylinder. His guess is the DI cassette although he said it would cost more to do further diagnostics. I can replace the cassette myself, if that's really what the problem is. Check engine light is still on. I drove it back from the dealer and it seemed to drive OK to me, plenty of power and smooth.
4) Other piddly stuff, like rear wiper arm mis-aligned, squeaky A/C blower motor, leaking camshaft plug seal.
Everything else seems to work OK. Body is OK, except for a cracked top surface on the front Aero bumper cover (between grill and where front license plate would go). Dealer says they wouldn't fix it, they'd only replace the whole cover for big bucks.
The car has a history at this dealer, with the last major service being performed at 90k. A lot can happen in 41k miles, though. It had a brand new automatic put in at 75k, and the head gasket replaced at 63k. It's got Abbott suspension parts (springs, Koni shocks, poly bushings) and some other bits (tranny mount, cross drilled rotors, big cat-back exhaust). It was probably driven fairly hard.
I'm looking for a daily driver that's as creampuff as I can get on my beater budget. This car is pretty sweet. Asking price is $4k.
Any advice on any of the above info? Namely:
1) Should I buy a car with the check engine light on and assume it's the DI cassette? Is there a way to find out what's going on, with an aftermarket tool (like the VAG software that Audi drivers use)?
2) Is the front bumper Bondo-able with good results? I don't want to spend $1000 on a $4000 car fixing a crack.
3) How serious is a rattling timing chain?
4) Would something as simple as an alignment correct floaty steering? I assumed the rear control arm bushings were shot, but they're Abbott poly and looked pretty stout.
5)Anything else to look for?
I appreciate any and all advice. I'm planning on making a decision tomorrow morning (I'm leaning towards buying it). Once that happens, I'm signing up for a two-year membership!
Thanks,
-John
posted by 40.0.4...
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