Focus for a Saab?

[jayhawk]

I have a perfectly functional, kinda fun to drive '05 Focus wagon. I should feel satisfied with a nice reliable, practical car but I have the itch to buy something, well, more sporty. My son has a '99 9-3 Saab turbo, I had an '88 900S turbo years ago and we both like them for the zip and relatively good hauling space. I'm considering selling selling my '05 Focus wagon and looking at my neighbor's non-turbo '96 5 speed Saab 900 and an '02 9-3 at a dealer. Am I just bored 'cause I can't drive my toys enough now that it's winter? Am I getting into a high price maintenance and repairs or will the fun overcome the practical nature in me? I know ultimately it's my choice but I can bet folks here have pondered similar choices. What say ye?

 

[CraigFL]

I have a '94 Escort wagon to haul around my stuff and everday driving. When I want to have fun, I drive my MGB. Of course I can drive almost every day and year around so maybe I can't relate to you completely...

If I had a ZETEC, I'd be working on it to get to the 200HP mark. That would be my fun!

 

[tony barnhill]

Craig - check the local scrap yards...I found one here for $800 when I was out 'trolling'....still looking for that Mustang 5-speed

 

[John Loftus]

Jayhawk,

I have an '01 9-3 (turbo) 3 door Saab. It is my third Saab and the best I have owned. Gas milage is 33 highway and about 27 around town, is fun to drive and great for hauling around stuff (put a 7 foot spruce christmas tree in the back with the hatch closed last week). I did add a bigger rear swaybar which helps with the twisties. I bought the car when it was only 1-1/2 years old and had 17k miles on it. My warranty just ran out at 50k miles and 4 years. There was a small turbo leak and a few other items that were taken care of under warrenty so having that really worked out for me (they replaced the turbo). I suggest you visit www.saabnet.com and ask/search/research on the 9-3 forum to get a better idea on the history of different years and what to look for.

Cheers,
John

 

[jessebogan]

As a professional mechanic, the only advice I can give on a SAAB is this. Walk up to the car slowly, turn around, and RUN LIKE heck!!!!!!. You have to shift the engine off of its mounts to change the alternator in a 4 cylinder 9-5. It takes some expensive special tools to replace the timing belt on the V6s. It goes on and on. I work on almost no newer SAABS, and yet had to replace 3 compressors last summer on 4 cyl cars. They have a serpentine belt, so when the compressor locks up, you are walking. You know what SAAB stands for right? Some A**hole Actually Bought one.

My pet peeve revealed.

 

[CraigFL]

[ QUOTE ]
Craig - check the local scrap yards...I found one here for $800 when I was out 'trolling'....still looking for that Mustang 5-speed

[/ QUOTE ]

I found a SVT ZETEC for $850.00 --- 150HP!!

 

[jayhawk]

[ QUOTE ]
As a professional mechanic, the only advice I can give on a SAAB is RUN LIKE heck!!!!!!. .... I work on almost no newer SAABS, and yet had to replace 3 compressors last summer on 4 cyl cars".




I knew of some of the problems from my old Saab but was hoping for a better report about the newer ones. My son's '99 has been very good except for a couple of sensors going bad over the past year.

 

[Steve]

I have a soft spot for Saabs......I love 'em! I prefer the pre-GM ones though.

 

[frankenstang57]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gifEh? I'd take the Focus over a SAAB anyday... You're gonna take a beatin' gettin' out of that new car too. I've had an '05 ZXW SES since last March, nothin' bad to say about it. It makes a fine baby hauler. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif