lnlogauge
lnlogauge Reader
12/21/15 9:41 p.m.

The garage has a 4runner, and an odyssey. I'm at the point where I want a beater. something I can work on, and not have to worry about getting it running to get to work in the AM. turbo bricks are at the top of my list, but saabs. why is this so cheap? what am I missing?

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5368241832.html

Brian
Brian MegaDork
12/21/15 9:43 p.m.

Best of CL photos. Do it.

pointofdeparture
pointofdeparture PowerDork
12/21/15 9:48 p.m.

Any car this new that pisses gas is usually bad news...

They are good cars but the coolant and gas leaks could point to any number of expensive issues, or maybe not. Generally they are not worth much because Saab is an orphan brand, despite anything you need still being available online. I am a big fan but they are so worthless it's hard to recommend getting one with issues when a nice one can be had for $500 more.

HappyAndy
HappyAndy UberDork
12/21/15 9:51 p.m.

There could be a lot of deferred maintenance there, and the fuel leak mentioned could be a huge PITA to repair depending on what is causing it, but at that price its absolutely worth checking out.

I have good friend that is a master SAAB tech, he thinks '99s are the best of the hatchback GM era 900/9-3

XLR99
XLR99 HalfDork
12/21/15 9:58 p.m.

T5 engine management is good stuff, and it already comes with a proper TD04 turbo. I know nothing more about tuning it yet, other than that my T5 powered car was ridiculously fast ten years ago.

They're asking $800 more than bgkast's tweaker car, and you lose the awesome back story involved. But less risk of contracting hepatitis while working on the car, so you'll need to do your own risk/benefit analysis on that .

The fuel leak could just be the banjo bolts on the fuel filter, which is in front of the right rear tire on every other Saab I've owned.
No clue how easy/hard the radiator is to change, but either way, you should do it.

So, in summary, DO IT.

And again, is it some sort of CL code to take crappy pics at night at a gas station?

bgkast
bgkast UberDork
12/21/15 11:05 p.m.

Not Enable you? Nope, can't do it...

Join us.

pres589
pres589 UberDork
12/21/15 11:09 p.m.

From the ad; "1999 Saab 9-3 SE turbo, 4cyl, td04, red cassette, last year of the strong b204r , this engine capable of 600hp on stock engine, female owned, new clutch. This car rides and drives strong."

  1. Buy it.
  2. I'd like to meet the owner, see what she's all about.
paranoid_android74
paranoid_android74 Dork
12/22/15 5:29 a.m.

It looks like a good buy to me!

Unless of course there are vagrants living in the trunk- hence no interior photos.

ncjay
ncjay Dork
12/22/15 5:37 a.m.

I like a challenge. I'd probably jump all over this car. Even if there are blood stains in the back.

Knurled
Knurled MegaDork
12/22/15 6:05 a.m.
XLR99 wrote: The fuel leak could just be the banjo bolts on the fuel filter, which is in front of the right rear tire on every other Saab I've owned.

They usually corrode through under the clamp after ten years, on an Audi.

Not sure how this applies to SAAB. Or Atlanta.

HappyAndy
HappyAndy UberDork
12/22/15 6:15 a.m.
Knurled said: They usually corrode through under the clamp after ten years, on an Audi.

Good point. On my c900 the filter disintegrated as I replaced it, I don't know how it wasn't leaking. It wasn't a salt belt car either.

Harvey
Harvey Dork
12/22/15 10:14 a.m.

Lowball, buy it. You won't find a better bunch of non-non-enablers than on this board.

Rusted_Busted_Spit
Rusted_Busted_Spit UberDork
12/22/15 10:29 a.m.

That is the "Hot rod" of the non Viggen hatchback 9-3s. For what it is worth, I gave my 99 9-3 SE to my brother with 280K on it 5 years ago and he is still using it.

Do it.

Toyman01
Toyman01 MegaDork
12/22/15 11:44 a.m.

Robbie
Robbie SuperDork
12/22/15 12:09 p.m.

I can't tell you why these are so cheap. Manual, hatchback, turbo, cheap, headlight wipers.

sooo, its like the turbo dodge, or mx6/probe.

Get it. Have fun. That one is even a cool color.

Knurled
Knurled MegaDork
12/23/15 1:08 p.m.
Robbie wrote: I can't tell you why these are so cheap.

A lot of lenders won't lend for a SAAB or other orphan makes. Cash-only has a hell of a way of killing resale value.

bgkast
bgkast UberDork
12/23/15 2:34 p.m.

In reply to Knurled:

My insurance company asked if I had financed mine. I told them I was able to come up with $50 cash for the purchase.

1988RedT2
1988RedT2 PowerDork
12/23/15 5:03 p.m.

I can't think of a single reason not to do it.

paranoid_android74
paranoid_android74 Dork
12/23/15 6:44 p.m.

That is a must buy.

Small gas leak- peshaw!

Kia_Racer
Kia_Racer Dork
12/23/15 6:53 p.m.

I cannot not enable you. Join the SAAB brethren! You will love it!

Until you don't.

lnlogauge
lnlogauge Reader
12/23/15 11:10 p.m.

I want it, but apparently the seller doesn't want to sell it.

2 different numbers, one of the numbers stopped responding to me monday. The other number stopped replying this evening after trying to nail down a time when to come see it. oh well.

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