Buying a NG900 Convertable, few questions first

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Chris Campbell - 15 Mar 2006 07:08 GMT

Hi all, I'm very close to buying a dark red '95 900SE Turbo Convertible
5-speed with 125,000mi on the clock. Asking price is $3500 US (firm).
The body is in fine shape for its age, no paint chips or fading. The
interior is likewise in near new condition with no rips or cracking of
the leather. It starts on the first crank, and the engine purrrs without
any weird sounds.
So here are the things that are wrong with it. The convertible top,
while it looks like its in fine shape, is inoperable. When you press the
switch to lower it, the windows come down a little but then there's no
sign of the top wanting to retract (no sounds of motors). The guy
selling it (small, non-Saab dealership) thinks its an electrical problem
and most likely a bad relay. When you start the car, the SID says "check
latches", so maybe its a sensor somewhere? Also, the car smoked just a
little bit of white smoke when I revved it in the parking lot (failing
turbo? failing valve guide seals?). Other than that, the there are a few
small cosmetic things like the ACC's display looks like the LCD has been
cracked, and its missing the top of the shifter that shows you the shift
pattern.

This would be my first convertible ever, the price seems right, but I
won't have much left over for fixing the top and the other small things
wrong with it. Any idea of what could be wrong with the top? Something I
might be able to fix myself? This would be my 2nd NG900, so I know to
stay away from the V6 and the automatic (both of which had to be
replaced in my first NG900$$$, and thats why I currently drive a 9000CSE
with a 4-cyl :P).

I think this would make an excellent "fun in the sun" car, and a great
addition to our Saab family ('94 9000CSET, '99 9-3SET)

I'd appreciate any input before I buy it, which most likely will be
tomorrow (wednesday) night.
-Chris

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Bob - 16 Mar 2006 14:39 GMT

>Hi all, I'm very close to buying a dark red '95 900SE Turbo Convertible
>5-speed with 125,000mi on the clock. Asking price is $3500 US (firm).
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>and most likely a bad relay. When you start the car, the SID says "check
>latches", so maybe its a sensor somewhere?

Did you check the latches? The ones that you manually close to secure
the roof have to be manually opened to open the roof. It's the only
part that is not automatic in the process. If it's not that "operator
error", I would be tempted to pay a qualified dealer to have their
'vert man look it over. It's worth $50 or $100 to find out if you are
looking at a small or large repair. If it's something serious it could
run into serious money... then again, there are a lot of minor parts
that can be fixed fairly cheaply and in short time by a 'vert man. FYI
- the problem you mentioned is not one of the standard issues with
this top so that I could tell you "go check this". That doesn't mean
bad news but you should get it checked. The '95's did have an
additional bow motor problem (or so I am told by lore masters) that
goes beyond the tonneau motor problem that all the NG had (and is
easily preventable).

>Also, the car smoked just a
>little bit of white smoke when I revved it in the parking lot (failing
>turbo? failing valve guide seals?).

Not good. A turbo is not cheap to rebuild although not extravagent.
Not a good thing though. Could also be a coolant (head gasket?) issue
if it is white smoke. Lots of NG's have bad head gaskets due to a
torque problem at the factory. Have a mechanic check.

>Other than that, the there are a few
>small cosmetic things like the ACC's display looks like the LCD has been
>cracked,

That panel costs big $'s new, but you can probably find one on Ebay. I
don't know if you have to have it mated to the car with a Tech II but
I suspect not.

>and its missing the top of the shifter that shows you the shift
>pattern.

trivial

>This would be my first convertible ever,

They rock. Nothing like it on a warm night with a hot girl by your
side. Your face will hurt from grinning.

>the price seems right, but I
>won't have much left over for fixing the top and the other small things
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>replaced in my first NG900$$$, and thats why I currently drive a 9000CSE
>with a 4-cyl :P).

I would be concerned if you don't have money to fix the smoke and top
issues. Pay someone good to check it out before you make a possible
mistake.

>I think this would make an excellent "fun in the sun" car, and a great
>addition to our Saab family ('94 9000CSET, '99 9-3SET)

Oh yah.

>I'd appreciate any input before I buy it, which most likely will be
>tomorrow (wednesday) night.
>-Chris

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PAPAGENE4JACK - 16 Mar 2006 20:58 GMT

Chris Your looking at buying a old car with lots of fun behind
it. your story all sounds good but you can end up spending a lot of money
on a car that old.Almost Nobody gets rid of agood conv. usually you are
buying a lot of headaches. I would buy a newer model from a repuatable
dealer with some sort of warranty. Best regards and good luck papa

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