My Saab Story...

[rwest]

Hi,

About a month ago, I got t-boned in my 2008 Toyota Yaris; no injuries to me, but the car repair estimate is more than the car is worth, so I imagine it will be totaled. I was really hoping to get a couple more years out of it as it has been a good vehicle for what it was.

I “have” to have a manual transmission, so not many new car options in a budget DD. I did a few searches and decided maybe my best bet was to just get another older cheap car to get me by a few years- being retired, I don’t need to drive as much as I used to.

So, went to Craigslist and did a search for just manual transmission cars. Finally saw a 2008 Saab 9-3 sedan for $3,500 pictures looked decent, so I went and looked at it, a couple quick drives around and it seemed okay.

It had a few minor problems; check engine light, few burnt out bulbs and some minor body damage. Bought it and now have taken care of most of the problems.

Does anyone have recommendations for a good Saab forum and parts sellers? Pelican list Saab parts, but appears more like basic maintenance items.

[Steve Carlton]

Try Larry Svensson at Svensson Automotive in Lafayette, CA.

[rwest]

With a name like Svensson, he must know Saabs!

Appears that it’s a service garage in CA? I’m in MN, so would need something closer, although I plan on doing all of the repairs myself. I do need to buy a second key fob and that has to be programmed and internal cut, so I will need to pony up some bucks for that.

[Steve Carlton]

He could be a useful parts seller. He was involved with providing parts after SAAB went out of business. He may not be able to help you, but he might know a good source for you.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

He could be a useful parts seller. He was involved with providing parts after SAAB went out of business. He may not be able to help you, but he might know a good source for you.

Thanks Steve,

I did see that there are 5 9-3s including 3 in black at the local u-pull-our parts center, so might be able to find stuff there.

Unfortunately I picked this up late in the season, so not fun to tinker on, but I’m good to go for the time being; may try and see if one of those cars has a nice drivers seat as mine has a small rip on the seam.

I did do an oil, filter, air filter, cabin filter and spark plug change right after I bought it. I also found that the TPMS light was on because the last owner just had regular valves installed when they replaced the tires, so I had sensors put in; tires are in great shape and fresh.

[Scott Douglas]

I'm curious as to what caused the check engine light, Rutager.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I'm curious as to what caused the check engine light, Rutager.

Hi Scott,

I got a reader today and when I hooked it up, it showed p1312 and said sooted plugs. I replaced plugs a few days ago even before I had the reader just because I didn’t know the history; they looked okay.

I reset the light and it was off when I started the car. I haven’t driven it yet, so
I don’t know if it will come back.

The car has been running great and the dash fuel economy readout has been climbing and is now up to 24.5 mpg, which is better than what the manual gives as spec and is in line with the rated mpg.

Fingers crossed!

My next and only warning light is the rear fog light bulb on the readout- bulb is good, socket is beautiful, dash indicator comes on, but no voltage is present. I’ll need to trace the wiring.

[Scott Douglas]

You must be going thru a bit of 'culture' shock going from a Yaris to this car.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

You must be going thru a bit of 'culture' shock going from a Yaris to this car.

For sure, this has so much more power and the seating position is better. The Yaris being shorter is easier to park and drive in reverse. The Yaris is actually a very tall car, the Saab is lower.

I had an ‘81 900 Turbo in my twenties and access to a new 1986 900 Turbo after HS. The 900 is a much better looking car in my opinion.

[Steve Carlton]

3 door or 4 door? I had an '80 3 door.

[blucille]

Great cars. Owned a bunch

Still have a euro 1984 model 99

Anyway.

Saabnet is very active and a great resource.

Also. Facebook. Lots of active Saab groups.

I buy most of my bits thru Fcp euro.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

3 door or 4 door? I had an '80 3 door.

Four door sedan. I don’t know if the 9-3 was offered in a 3 door? I know they had convertibles and wagon versions.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by blucille

Great cars. Owned a bunch

Still have a euro 1984 model 99

Anyway.

Saabnet is very active and a great resource.

Also. Facebook. Lots of active Saab groups.

I buy most of my bits thru Fcp euro.

Thanks, I will check it out!

[rockfan4]

Originally Posted by rwest

Four door sedan. I don’t know if the 9-3 was offered in a 3 door? I know they had convertibles and wagon versions.

Real Saabs were 3 door and 5 door. You've got an Opel. Not that there's anything wrong with that, and it does offer some advantages. The car will share parts with various GM models, and will make replacement parts much easier to obtain. The last Saab I had was a 2002, still a 5 door, but by then GM owned the brand. My brakes were the same as a Saturn L series and dirt cheap.

[Otter74]

I’ve got an ‘85 900 SPG and second the above two recs - Saabnet for a forum, and Facebook groups for your car. I’m only on the C900 group, but one for yours should be easy to find. There’s probably also a local Saab group on FB.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

Real Saabs were 3 door and 5 door. You've got an Opel. Not that there's anything wrong with that, and it does offer some advantages. The car will share parts with various GM models, and will make replacement parts much easier to obtain. The last Saab I had was a 2002, still a 5 door, but by then GM owned the brand. My brakes were the same as a Saturn L series and dirt cheap.

Agree that there are a lot of GM influences on this car and it appears parts are pretty easy to get at least as far as mechanical and consumables.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by Otter74

I’ve got an ‘85 900 SPG and second the above two recs - Saabnet for a forum, and Facebook groups for your car. I’m only on the C900 group, but one for yours should be easy to find. There’s probably also a local Saab group on FB.

Thanks for the second recommendation.

900 is the Saab that I really want and when I said that to my car friend, he said you and everyone else- that’s why they’re hard to find!

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

Real Saabs were 3 door and 5 door. You've got an Opel.

The 1981 900 4-door was all SAAB, and probably so for a number of years.

[Rusty Heap]

During High School my auto-shop teacher said "Saab is a verb" referring to his car.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Rutager, saabnet.com is great, ancient, but that's what makes it great. I've been looking for a 98 and under 9000 Aero for a while now. Have had an 88 900 Turbo and 91 9000 Turbo. Fantastic cars.

Really good FB groups too. Saab community is very much like the 911 community.