RE: Buying First Saab Today!
 

Yeah tht would help, thanks. I guess it's just a matter of what the dealer is going to tell me tomorow morning. Hopefully he works with me on the price considering the poblem or takes care of it. We'll see.

RE: Buying First Saab Today!
 

Push for him to completely fix it. By the way if you end up with this car don't ever take it to the dealer for service...that's a ripoff. I'll find somewhere where I can upload the manual to so you can DL it.

RE: Buying First Saab Today!
 

Thanks for all your help! I'm not spending a ton of money on this car so I suppose I can expect to have to do some work to it. In my previous life I owned an exotic auto customizing business so I am familiar with the ins and outs of cars but I am far from being a mechanic. It helps to have someone like yourself to tun to for some advice. Thanks again. I'll post an update tomorow with the outcome.

BTW - People on another forum are telling me to look out for sludge. How do I check for that? Just with the oil dipstick and the quality of the oil in it???

RE: Buying First Saab Today!
 

Well you can only check for it in two ways really... you can pull the valve cover or pul the oil pan...or actually both. I would clean the oil pan regardless when you get the car. If you want a relatively accurate way of checking without actually doing those two things than grab a coat hanger and extend it so that it reaches throught the dipstick tube into the oil pan and wiggle it around. It should feel smooth. However you can imagine that this isn't a too good of a method to check... ask the dealer if he will pull the pan in your presense as part of the pre-purchase inspection.

RE: Buying First Saab Today!
 

Very good. Thanks.

RE: Buying First Saab Today!
 

Well we agreed on a lower price for the car but it means I must install the new heater box :(. I am heading out in a little while to look at another car. This time a '99 9-5 SE with 116k. This car needs an exhaust and a rear bumper cover or bumper cover prep and paint. Midnight Blue.

RE: Buying First Saab Today!
 

I would just go for the saabsport exhaust right away...

RE: Buying First Saab Today!
 

Ok the drama has ended and I decided to buy the '99 9-3 SE. We worked out a good price with a new heater box and cable included but I get to install it all!!!![:@]

Is there a really good tutorial anywhere on how to do this? Does the entire dash have to come out or just the center console and side panels?

RE: Buying First Saab Today!
 

the dash doesn't have to come out. Wait 'till I upload the manual somewhere. I just need to find a place where I can uplaod it to.

RE: Buying First Saab Today!
 

ok great. I don't think I am going to do it unil Saturday so in case it takes longer I have the weekend to get it done.