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Hi Margie,
I bought a '97 at an auction last February. For the bargain basement price I paid, I was expecting to spend some $$$ for restoration and maintenance, and I have. My car had about 115,000 miles, and I went w/ a new exhaust, new rear shocks, side mirror (it was cracked), new cooling hoses and water pump, new serpentine belt and idler pulley, a new DI (direct ignition) cartridge, and an upgraded rear anti-sway bar. Most of these are all things that wear out and need replacing as a car gets older, and I just wanted to replace them before they became an issue. The only unpleasant suprise I've had was the head gasket, which was already blown when I bought the car, and I didn't notice it (ouch !). That's the risk of buying at an auction. Also, especially with a turbo, you really do need to shell out for premium gas, good motor oil, coolant, etc. This is not just pampering, it really does matter.
Anyway, I would just plan to take the attitude that maintaining a Saab will cost more than a more "conventional" car. The only reason someone would choose to own one is that they feel a deep satisfaction that more than makes up for this. When I get in my car, I feel like the happiest clam on the planet; some of my friends, OTOH, have said "Why do you want a Saab ? Why not just get a _BLANK_ ?" For them, a Saab would be a terrible car to own.
As for specifics, the automatic transmission is *very* nice (the first one I've ever liked), and is said to be bulletproof; if you want to get a manual, check into this in more detail : some years had problems with clutch linkages, and a blown tranny can be the end of a cars economically useful life. Also, go with the turbo : life was meant to be fun ! In general, I have not come across any feature of the '97 that made me wish I had a more recent model; some of the earlier years did have a few bugs to work out.
Anyway, if you get a Saab, definitely spend some time on this forum. Whether or not you do any of your own work, you can learn more about your car than many decent mechanics know. Some info can save you $$$ (e.g., re-torque cylinder head bolts) and some can make your car a *lot* sexier for not much $$$ (anti-sway bar). I don't know of any other car with this loyal and friendly a following; take advantage of it.
posted by 205.170....
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