1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
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This is a long overdue posting to report on our 1996 SAAB 900 SE. We re-inherited the car this summer from my sister after 5 years of her use. I found many of the answers to my questions on this site so wanted to report my results in the hope of helping others.
I drove the car approximately 1,000 miles in August and it was reliable and ran great. We passed the car onto my sister-in-law in graduate school. Hopefully she’ll get 5 years of use from it too. The hood latch issue was the only reason it initially failed NJ inspection, impressive after 12 years and 143k miles of service.
Drivability/usability - $100
- Severe vibration accelerating at 65-80 mph, also could be slightly felt in steering wheel while turning at lower speed – swapped visibily bent front rim to back to initially diagnose, $60 for replacement steel rim from tirerack
- No power locks – replaced fuse which showed no visible sign of failure
- Keyless entry Remotes did not work –replaced batteries $20 in both and then pressed 5 times to resync
- passenger power seat did not work – reseated relay under seat
- passenger window did not operate – removed center console switch and sprayed with electrical contact cleaner from radio shack for $10. The cleaner eventually ran clear after a coffee spill had been flushed out. Allowed to dry several hours before reinstalling.
- Driver seat belt did not retract- removed trim to perform cleaning procedure but found coil spring at top dislodged from track, returned to position and belt then worked fine
- Hood would not open reliably – pull interior cable with pliers to open, reposition release handle into interior “pivot”, then adjust cable hold down bolt near radiator and lubricate cable
- Replaced air filter - $10
Exterior - $113
- Replaced saab emblems with decals $20
- Missing saab hubcap, others peeling – replaced with new set for $30
- Front and rear bumpers scratched and dented from city parking – quick respray with duplicolor import black $5
- Front accent chrome missing, rear faded clouded – tried it as black only for a bit but bought adhesive chrome trim at pep boys for $15 which was enough to do front and back
- Cracked front foglight – patched with clear GE silicon $6
- Replaced wipers $30
- Black trim treated with back to black $7
Audio - $90
- power antenna broken – motor could be heard at every start,replaced shaft with autozone generic for $20.
- Non-functioning Radio – did not prompt for code, held band and then entered code. Then needed to pull radio fuse 5+ times with power on to get it working.
- Rear speakers were blown- replaced with Kenwood 6x9 $50, soldered original speakers leads to new speakers for plug installation, used original speakers plastic ring as base to help level new speakers – in the end only got two of four screws back in but no vibrations.
- Added cassette to mp3 adaptor for $20
Interior – $39
- ACC missing bulb behind fan speed – purchased bulb for $12 from dealer
- new berber floormats from target $20
- Cleaned windows with stoner invisible glass $7
- removed tar stains from leather seats with goo-gone
- removed parking permits and saab anti theft radio stickers with razor blade, remaining adhesive with goo-gone.
Professional service ~$750
- a/c not cold – recharge
- Srs light on solid – reset by tech
- Change transmission oil/filter
- New plugs
- Fuel filter
- Change coolant and hoses
- Replaced cabin filter – evidence of mouse nest found
- Install new rim
- 4 wheel alignment
Other recent services that had been completed before the cars was returned
- Exterior detailing
- Recent tires (unfortunately installed on winter rims so that’s why hubcaps are in use on a SE)
- belts
- New battery and cables
- oil/filter change
posted by 96.240.2...
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