`97 XS Auto.
Bits - to - Date.
Every Vacuum pipe on engine.Perished/split.
Every vacuum joint compromised,Jubilee clips everywhere.
Loose/missing manifold nuts,.....
Kamikaze battery,caused by Kamikase Arsenist (Failed) Stereo fault,rectify fault,replace battery,then assassinate previous owner.(cause of fault)
Replace really expensive void joints in front suspension,SAAB only at time,...(now of course there are plenty of alternatives..typical).Kill previous owner again,(same reason...lead feet over speedbumps totally surrounding his home.)
Replace new front tyres because of above.
Replace Dexron 2 ATF with 3(Done in 3 phases as per SAABSCENE buddy`s recommendation,because previous owner had overfilled `box and corrupted ATF(Brown Windsor Soup colour,not good Burgundy).
Kill previous owner again,but this time slowly and painfully.
Conclusion:- Saab 900`s are not goon - proof, but they do tolerate fools gladly,......Oh,and don`t buy cars from colleagues,even if they do come with 6 months dealer warranties,Sods Law States that bits only self destruct after warranty.
Inevitable Head Gasket Leakage ,caused by Inevitable Loose End Head - bolts.Lost Quarter pint coolant ,1litre oil,no damage,just annoying.
Current grief;5 mpg off the pace,weird air - leak - like shudder in `N` and `P`after 5 or six seconds in idle,more engine loading ie: A/C,lights etc on LESS it occurs.HMMM!
Oh,yes and I`ve just had a quarter - pound of Steetleys best aggregate installed in my drivers side foglight.Look Ma!,No Glass!
The Good Side of 900 ownership:They are indecently fast given that the motors ain`t that powerful,and they are heavy.
My auto seems to be well matched to it`s lump.
They`re comfy longe range cruisers,reasonably easy to work on,and relatively low - tech, surely A Good Thing,I`m enjoying mine despite the above although the old Hippo`s only got 67K on the odometer.
Good Hunting.