Hi everyone.

I'd like to introduce myself, as I've been lurking and researching for
the last couple weeks here regarding the NG900 I just bought! It's a 98
2.0 turbo with 137k on the odometer. Seems like it's been maintained
very well. I bought it from the second owner whom only put about 15k on
it over the last 2 years. The local dealership went out of business (or
just closed?) a few years ago, which is going to make parts fun to wait
for, as I learned today when my heater hose blew. I ordered the set
from saabsite at a substantial discount from the dealer's list price,
so that's nice, but I still get to wait a couple days and drive my saab
a couple gallons of water in the passenger seat.
I'm wondering if this problem is indicative of anything else happening.
The hose simply looks split about an inch from the end where it comes
out of the head. It happened quite suddenly and I had maybe 3 minutes
from the SID Coolant Low warning to overheat.
The car has also been developing a problem with stalling at stoplights,
or when I pull into the driveway and put her in park. She also idles a
little funny at times even when she doesn't stall. The car is a dream
on the highway and runs great as long as I'm pushing the gas pedal. The
previous owner ran only regular unleaded gas, which I've read can make
the car cough and sputter a bit, but does it lead to any buildup
anywhere that might cause this? I've ran almost 2 tanks of premium thru
it so far, hoping it might burn hotter and blow something thru. It has
also been sitting quite a bit. (The oil change sticker says it is just
now due for service according to the mileage, but the date on it is
December of last year.)
Research here leads me to think the turbo bypass valve is blown. Or
worse (more expensive, I guess) it might be the AIC. Or the air mass
meter, but I see no black smoke.
I haven't checked the hooter valve yet, partially because I'm hardly a
car expert and I get scared I'm going to break something else, but this
looks like an easy job for even somebody like me.
The car has been a lot of fun so far, but there are a couple more
little minor issues: all four foglights are burnt out; both the heater
knobs are broken, but not to the point where I can't adjust the temp or
flow; neither the passenger side windshield washer nor the rear window
nor the passenger side headlight washer fluid dispensers work. I figure
these are just the little elbow valves I've been reading about. The
driver's side dispenser does work.
On the plus side: I have a *very* trusted mechanic. It's got new snow
tires plus another set with probably 75% tread wear left. It's also got
brand new brakes all the way around (other then the front calipers).
It's got a new battery as well. I paid $3200 USD and I just wish it
were a manual transmission, but I'm getting used to the auto; it's
pretty responsive. I'm planning on flushing the tranny and now the
radiator too, since it's overheated a couple few times. Anything else I
should plan on? Are my diagnoses/ideas correct? Any other advice for a
Saab newbie?

Thanks in advance,
Elijah