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Re: Beaters, Aeros and trannies ! Posted by vtsnaab [Email]  (#26)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from vtsnaab) on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:46:12
In Reply to: Re: Beaters, Aeros and 'rust free' 9Ks...., chuck s., Fri, 31 Oct 2008 07:25:01 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Hi Chuck.
I must apologize for several reasons - I cannot remember enough to say
at what mileage the tranny failed in the '93 Aero I had - but I didn't
then, nor do I now consider it a big deal to need a tranny job. Sorry !
Here's why: there are talented people like my mechanic who can fix them;
used ones are around; and if one is willing to pay then a crate tranny
is also a very nice option.
Of my 9KTs - the 1st one I ever had (when I knew FAR too little about
these cars...) came to me as a beater and I did not know it, and it had
a noisy tranny (but I didn't hear it until I got to know the car a bit)
but that one gave me zero trouble.
The 2nd one ditto - I got it for a low enough price that I didn't care;
3rd was the '93 Aero;
4th was a lovely '88 that came with the needed tranny in the trunk !
The tranny/clutch job's need was fine by me - but I discovered yet
ANOTHER dishonest indy in the process and that was BAD.
5th was the perfect '94 Aero I lost to 2 moose - and it was perfect
and silent.
6th was my wonderful white '91 5sp and it had some tranny noise develop
UNTIL a cup of Kroil got added to it, then it went away and stayed quiet.
So I guess I am on #7 of the various 9KTs and it is a '94 5sp which I
got (by way of the TSN classifieds) in need of a tranny repair !!!
The '93 Aero which had the failure was a 5sp and it just quit suddenly
and completely - got towed and fixed, no biggie; the BIGGIE with that
one was the truly scary TCS/ETS and M.Y. specific electronics which
was what made that car beyond my financial means to fix.
I do know it got fixed by a later owner though because I got to see
it as it was being parted out - years later - what a rush !
Despite all it's faults, it was a dreamy car to drive - so quiet, quick
and like driving on clouds.
In summation - I suggest that with the 9KT/4cyl cars the engines are
usually about zero trouble but for head gaskets now and then; the
trannies are consumables - if you keep one for years be prepared to
need one done at some point; the ancillary systems which vary by MY
and sub-model can be really problematic, but seemed to be fine after
1994, so ultimately I think it boils down to this:
If you are a Saaber at Heart, then it is OK with you that these cars
NEED to be fondled and cared for, and it will also be an accepted bit
that they need to be fed $500-$1000 now and again.
I always suggest that all Saab owners have a 'slush fund' ready at all
times for this contingency. I do, and I am OK with it getting hungry
now and again.
Regarding the finance part - I know folks who drive newer/cheaper cars
who spend far less on them than I do - and for example, one friend of
mine is a great example here - she spends more than double each year
on her smoking habit than I do on average on car repairs.
So I think I'm doing GREAT - I get to drive a great car, not smell
like an ashtray, and to skip the likelihood of smoke-inspired illnesses.
(It's all about priorities, isn't it ?)
Any Saab is better than a non-Saab; 9KTs are great; the nice Aero stuff
is also truly wonderful - but then add in those Recarro seats and OMG,
how does anyone who's ever known them drive without them afterwards ?
Best Wishes !
mark
, Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:54:08, Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:38:24, Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:12:00, Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:18:02, Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:18:06, Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:46:12 <-- Viewing This Message
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