Saab guys, worth my time?

[lendaddy]

I can pickup locally here a 1992 Saab 9000 turbo for basically free(a couple hundred dollars. I know a few here have juiced these up for cheap speed and I'm wondering if this one would fit that bill.

It's a four door, it has 222k miles and the turbo hasn't been working for a while. Other than that it's OK.

Worth it for a goof?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Yes. You can pick up a turbo for a few hundred, and just so the engine is solid, 222k is nothing. My '93 9000 Aero has 224k and doesn't burn a drop of oil. It's a great car, far more solid than either of my BMWs were, even with 2x the miles. Easy to work on, 30 MPG on the highway, parts are far cheaper than anything from Germany.

The '92 Turbo is fairly similar to an Aero, with a bit less power (different turbo), Aero suspension and wheels. It has shorter gearing than an Aero, so it actually accelerates a bit faster. If it needs a turbo, you can upgrade to the Aero TD04 (I think that's the code) turbo. With just bolt-ons, it's easy and fairly cheap to hit 300 HP. They are really solid cars, and it's amazing how much stuff you can cram into one.

Watch out for rust, as well as the cursed TCS system. TCS is Saab's traction control that is notorious for going into limp-home mode. It can only be properly diagnosed and fixed by the dealer, with a special computer system (ISAT). If TCS is ok (as on mine), it's fine, but it's a potential big issue. You'll see a TCS light in the instrument cluster on start-up if you have it. Gearbox syncros also tend to be a bit weak, though mine still shifts very well.

If you buy it, check back. There's a number of reasons you can end up with no boost, without it being the turbo. When properly maintained, the turbos last a long time.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Oh yeah, great site here for general info:
http://quasimotors.com/buying.htm

[the]

No.

[lendaddy]

It's an auto Still worth it?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I've owned an 88 900T and a 92 9000T, both ran well into 245K miles, the 88 would have gone further had not someone hit me. Head gasket blew on 92 at around 245K.

Matt is correct on all accounts. My 92 had a leaky hydraulic bowl (can't remember actual name) and would go into limp mode so I hardwired a switch to fill it and used the dash gauges to let me know on/off timing. better than a $2000 dealer fix.

Given the turbo is bad, it's going to be a headache that will just suck your time and $ away.

if you are hellbent on it, go here and solicit advice: http://www.saabnet.com/

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

It's an auto Still worth it?

definitely not!

[the]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

It's an auto Still worth it?

Double no.

[island911]

My wife has had 3 9000's. The last being a 97 turbo. They are very roomy functional cars. (not so much for the 9000CD) I've been fairly happy with the engineering of the 9000's up to the 97. --the 97 they moved the Cat-convt fwd so it now sits under the oil pan and cooks the oil. 1992 was a good year, IIRC.

Anyway, the stock turbo should provide plenty of go. If you decide to push it w/ bigger boost, well, a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.

Most likely some of the rubber mounts are in bad shape; the motor mounts, and the rear mounts of the front A-arms.

[lendaddy]

Gonna pass, thanks guys. Just a can of worms I don't need.

[cgarr]

Unless you love electrical work!!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Electrical work? He said Saab, not Audi.

Auto? Pass. They only last 100k or so, and kill the fun.