https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/d/bethel-2003-saab-9-3-se-turbo-trade-for/6822442168.html
Not sure if an ignition switch would keep the engine from turning over and how easy or expensive a fix it'd be.
Whats a fair offering price for this ?
Saab experts please weigh in.
Thanks
Dan
The seller wrote ignition switch. I bet he meant bad ignition coil as in the top of the spark plug or the modern equivalent of a spark plug wire and distributor combined.
See how cheap you can buy one or set online and see what the return policy is. Should be simple to swap out. Maybe even swap before you exchange cash for the car.
They are located under that flat trim panel in the center of the engine.
Coil packs and crank sensors are the common no start problems for these. You should be able to buy a nice running one for that price. Saab’s are in low demand (former 9-3 owner.) I wouldn’t pay more than $500 for a non runner.
I literally just threw away my spare coil pack as I was cleaning out my garage last week... sold the Saab years ago, lol.
yeah, that would be top dollar for one that ran beautifully. it does look like a nice body and interior, but these are not expensive vehicles.
The issue is probably the DIC, the above mentioned coil pack + knock sensors + timing sensors module that sits on top of the valve cover. Common enough that saab techs keep a known good one in the tool box and saab enthusiasts often keep one in the trunk. Used ones are normally cheap but may not last long.
John Welsh said:The seller wrote ignition switch. I bet he meant bad ignition coil as in the top of the spark plug or the modern equivalent of a spark plug wire and distributor combined.
See how cheap you can buy one or set online and see what the return policy is. Should be simple to swap out. Maybe even swap before you exchange cash for the car.
They are located under that flat trim panel in the center of the engine.
the DIC IS that rectangular panel in the center of the valve cover. There are no replaceable coils, just the entire DIC.
also, spectre intake and gold painted engine lift hook?
Always start with the assumption that non-runners need a new engine and/or transmission.
Even if it is just an ignition switch, these cars require Tech II coding to make use of a new switch.
Pass, at that price.
STM317 said:Always start with the assumption that non-runners need a new engine and/or transmission.
Seller states the car cranks but will not turn over. Not sure if that's any better though. Text the owner and he said his bottom dollar is $1000. It does look to be in good condition at least exterior and interior wise.
In reply to dankspeed :
That is absolutely not worth $1000.
Threadjack!
Robbie, any chance you did a clutch on yours? There is one (convertible, first gen) that is sitting at the local shop that needs a clutch. The shop owner said that it was a teenagers first manual car and he ruined the clutch; they had it dropped off at the shop (don't know if towed or driven) at the beginning of the winter and its been sitting there ever since as they apparently balked at the cost of a new clutch and are undecided what they're doing with it.
I'm considering asking what they'd want for it as a clutch kit looks like $200 to $500 on Rock Auto, but I've never done a clutch on any car let alone a Swedish one.
pointofdeparture said:Even if it is just an ignition switch, these cars require Tech II coding to make use of a new switch.
Pass, at that price.
Can you elaborate on the tech2 coding?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:In reply to dankspeed :
That is absolutely not worth $1000.
Best case, you get it, change the coils, and can flip it for $1500. I'd say it is worth about $500 in current condition IF the tires and battery are good.
mtn said:Threadjack!
Robbie, any chance you did a clutch on yours? There is one (convertible, first gen) that is sitting at the local shop that needs a clutch. The shop owner said that it was a teenagers first manual car and he ruined the clutch; they had it dropped off at the shop (don't know if towed or driven) at the beginning of the winter and its been sitting there ever since as they apparently balked at the cost of a new clutch and are undecided what they're doing with it.
I'm considering asking what they'd want for it as a clutch kit looks like $200 to $500 on Rock Auto, but I've never done a clutch on any car let alone a Swedish one.
Never did a clutch but did all the motor mounts and the axles and the trans fluid, etc. It shouldn't be any harder than any normal FWD transverse clutch.
dankspeed said:pointofdeparture said:Even if it is just an ignition switch, these cars require Tech II coding to make use of a new switch.
Pass, at that price.
Can you elaborate on the tech2 coding?
Google Saab TWICE Tech II:
Texting the owner some more.
He states he knows it's the ignition switch because he's replaced everything else.
Claims he's replaced the;
DIC
Crankshaft Sensor
Starter
He's a loon if he thinks that his $1000 firm price is anywhere close to fair. Let it sit on craigslist for 2 months then text him again.
So he fired the parts cannon and it missed.
I'm with the rest of the gang, that's a $500 car, no matter how nice it is.
dankspeed said:Texting the owner some more.
He states he knows it's the ignition switch because he's replaced everything else.
Claims he's replaced the;
DIC
Crankshaft Sensor
Starter
Oh yep, that's everything. All three parts of a car right there. 
mtn said:¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:In reply to dankspeed :
That is absolutely not worth $1000.
Best case, you get it, change the coils, and can flip it for $1500. I'd say it is worth about $500 in current condition IF the tires and battery are good.
I'm actually interested in the car as a good 2nd car to have as back up or daily it and make my rav4 the back up car.
Thanks guys. I've never understood people who just blindly throw parts at a problems hoping it'll fix it but apparently that's what he's done.
A scanner is expensive, so I'll just throw three times its cost in parts at the car in the hope I won't need a scanner.
Wait, what?
A nice looking car with parts cannon shrapnel all over it is still a $500 or less car unless we are talking something super rare and sought after.
Pretty sure this saab doesnt check either of those boxes
It looks like an ignition switch could be less than a couple hundred bucks. If he's certain that it's the switch, then why is he willing to take a $500 hit off of his asking price instead of fixing it for $200 and actually getting his full asking price or more? Seems like there's at least $300 worth of uncertainty about whether it's the ignition switch or not.
Cars that don't run are worth scrap price.
Unless it's something like a '69 Yenko Camaro barn find.
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