SAAB question, how tough is this project?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2382024521954067/?mibextid=dXMIcH

looks real clean, putting it back together with no knowledge of the brand is a little intimidating.  Plus no way to verify that it even runs once put together.  How is the support net for these, would probably go crazy for a month just trying to figure it out.  Is an offer of a grand an insult or realistic number?

My experience is limited to a single 900S I owned for about three years, but I was inside the dash more than once, and I found it all pretty logically arranged, if somewhat fussy. There are a lot of resources out there, and a pretty decent used parts network. It is a project for sure, but values on these are going up; no good idea on exactly what it's worth, but there seem to be a lot more convertibles in good shape than hardtops. I wouldn't pay his asking price, but I think offering 1k and expecting him to bite would be very optimistic.

IMO, a grand is probably not quite enough for what appears to be a fairly nice car other than the oddly disassembled interior, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. The body isn't quite as awesome as they claim, as I can see rust-through on the front left fender and part of the front airdam is missing on that side as well. I'd want to look very closely at the condition of the other fenders, floors, and the front lower control arm mounting area before deciding whether or not to put it back together. It may just be a reallllly nice parts car, or a welding project if you're so-inclined. I'd also want to see the top. The reupholstered seats and fairly nice dash are likely worth more than a grand, so there's no losing if they'll accept anywhere near your offer.

I've actually never had a heater core fail in my 20+ 900s, but I've replaced plenty of heater control valves. You don't have to remove the dash to replace them. This is a weird one, and makes me wonder if it was properly diagnosed in the first place. The completely missing A/C compressor also gives me pause, but I've bought a few of these like that.

The support system with the C900 is 100% the best I've ever experienced with any brand and model. Forums and FB groups are active, as is the Saab contingent here on the GRM forum. You could put it back together without issue, and I probably have 6 of whatever little E36 M3 is missing or broken.

Source: Owned and driven these cars since '03. Currently have 3 C900s on the road and more parts cars than I need.

Agreed, man's got parts!  The plastic wheel well trim holds mud & water, look inside, it's probably worse.  My son is currently fixing up a 900 hatchback and found replacement sheet metal trim, slightly larger than the plastic so you can hide a lot.  For $4k he should at least assemble things.

Powar has one for sale here; for the $3,000 you don't spend you could get a new roof, hood badge, get it detailed, maybe new wheels AND have enough left to take your angry spouse out to dinner.  =~ )

Edit:  The red one is in Pa., more rust opportunity than Powar's in Kentucky.

The airbag is missing...

I could be wrong - it's hard to tell - but it looks like the heat shield above the turbo, on the hood insulation, is missing, which could mean the hood was replaced, and with a nonturbo hood. 

I may be spoiled on the west coast but that rust spooks me. If there's rust at the front where controls arms connect, we'll, that's not good. (btw, how does "excellent" match that issue?) 

As Powar noted, the owner prolly misdiagnosed a bad heater valve as a bad core. If PO is hamfisted, he'll have broken a bunch of plastic tabs that capture long bolts to hold the dash fascia. Not the end of the world, but a PITA. 

I wouldn't buy a c900 without knowing that the gearbox is good. If it's not, the engine is coming out and a rebuild where I live is about $2k. Just the rebuild. 

procainestart said:

The airbag is missing...

I could be wrong - it's hard to tell - but it looks like the heat shield above the turbo, on the hood insulation, is missing, which could mean the hood was replaced, and with a nonturbo hood. 

I may be spoiled on the west coast but that rust spooks me. If there's rust at the front where controls arms connect, we'll, that's not good. (btw, how does "excellent" match that issue?) 

As Powar noted, the owner prolly misdiagnosed a bad heater valve as a bad core. If PO is hamfisted, he'll have broken a bunch of plastic tabs that capture long bolts to hold the dash fascia. Not the end of the world, but a PITA. 

I wouldn't buy a c900 without knowing that the gearbox is good. If it's not, the engine is coming out and a rebuild where I live is about $2k. Just the rebuild. 

Thanks, the observations and experience are what I hoped to find.  Will pass on this, I think owner got over his head on the project and knows if he sends it to a shop to be finished there are other issues that will affect the sale price.  Sucks to be under water on a car but it happens.