Im new - Saab Forums

guardian_chipmunk · #1 02-04-2011, 11:36 AM

Hello all my first time on here so I was thinking of getting a 2003 9_3 linear. The question is I don't a darn thing about Saabs but they are such awesome looking cars and I want one. The car that I am considering buying is going to have at least 100,000 miles on it which doesn't really bother me. I will probably keep it for along time. What are some things that I would have replace on it. Oh yea I'm slowly shopping I don't think im gonna buy one for a least another month or two but I want one. So give me some ideas is it a good idea or not?
I posted this on another forum but it doesn't look like there is only 8 people there so I don't think im going to get a reply so I thought this looked like a great place to check out.

Roto · #2 02-04-2011, 12:14 PM

At 100K you will most liekly need the turbocharger serviced or replaced. Not really a big deal if you shop around. I'be had one with almost 200K on original turbo and it wasn't that bad. You will need the vacuum hoses done, but that is a DIY job worth about 30 minutes and the hose is $6/foot. Other than that it depends on how hard the car was driven.

guardian_chipmunk · #3 02-05-2011, 12:09 AM

Thankyou a bunch for the info I hope I get one soon. I hope there is a garage in my area that works on them that is kinda my next worry. I know there sold randomly in my town but yea I really hope someone works on them and I want one so bad and the turbo sounds so cool. The hoses yup pretty sure I can do that no problem but the turbo hmm?? So if it doesnt get serviced immediately can you tell the difference with it out of time or what ever it does? I guess I dont know much about turbos. Oh yea one other thing I checked out your photos I kinda enjoyed them and thankyou so much again.

Roto · #4 02-05-2011, 10:14 AM

Basically you have to take off the intake pipe that's bolted to the turbo, grab the nut with your fingers and see if there is any shaft play. Up and down is bad, in and out a lot is also bad. You can get it rebuilt for about $400 or buy a new one for a little more. You can replace it yourself easy if you're handy with a simple ratchet. Another way to check would be to see if there's a lot of oil in the intercooler, but that's not as straightforward.