1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
First, note that the '99 automatics all had the base engine, whether or not they were the SE model. The car you are looking at has the 185hp engine, not the 200hp. Not that that's a bad thing...it still has plenty of nice low-end torque. I love my 185hp B204.
Things to look for:
--DI cassette. This generally fails between 60 and 120k miles on the '99 and earlier models. If the car is on the original, you should carry a spare. It's a $300 part, and anyone can change it using the tools that come with the car (in the molded foam piece behind the spare tire).
--Serpentine belt. This should be changed at least every 60k. If it's been a while, have it inspected. It should not show signs of wear, and it should not make noise when running. This and the DI cassette are the two things that can leave you stranded. The idler pulley should be replaced at the same time.
--head gasket leaks. All Saabs of this era had improperly tightened head bolts from the factory. If these have not been re-torqued, order ten new bolts and a new valve cover gasket and replace them using the instructions in the "service" section of genuinesaab.com
--sludge. The best insurance against sludge is regular oil changes, at 5k intervals, with full synthetic. Semi-synth (factory/dealer fill) is fine in 99% of cases. Dino oil can cause problems. If you re-torque the head bolts, you'll be able to check for sludge just by looking at the inside surfaces.
--pixels missing from the SID (computer display). This is a common problem. There are some DIY fixes, but you should deduct something from the price if there are missing pixels. The problem only gets worse with time. Having the dealer replace the SID is about $400.
Maintenance is key. Regular oil changes, as mentioned above, are the most important. All other fluids should be changed on schedule. Inspect to make sure none are low; this could be a sign of something wrong. Drive the car; turbo should spool to the edge of yellow/red in 3rd and up.
These are great cars; take care of them, and they will run for a long time.
Matt
'99 base
posted by 24.218.10...
, Tue, 10 May 2005 09:47:30
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