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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 20, 2018 16:16:18 GMT
The boss's Fire Engine (Bright red Saab 9-5 2.3 Turbo Auto)
The boss loves it.
Frighteningly fast
Excellent condition
apart from needing the head skimmed and some various bits like hoses, rear suspension thingys and some other parts.
£1850 current estimate including the work already done like picking it up and investigating problems.
It is in the hands of possibly the best Saab place in the country, Two Stroke to Turbo
Paid £1250 for it 2-3 years ago but it is now worth more they say.
With the work done Two Stroke would sell it for £3500
I think it is best to do the work
What do you think ?
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Post by rfan8312 on Aug 21, 2018 1:18:12 GMT
I don't know cars like these other guys here, but I just wanted to chime in that I'm in a similar position.
I put roughly $2000 into my 2005 Toyota Matrix, 214,000 miles, a few months ago.
Recently learned that I had a bad starter, used the tapping trick for a week, went to junkyard got a new starter, didn't work, put old one back in, car wouldn't start, had to get towed to shop and bill was $400.
Currently wondering what my long term plan(next two years) should be. I think the Toyota can make it with occasional work.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 21, 2018 6:28:35 GMT
Always a difficult one, Mike, as you don't know what else might be starting to fail.
If she likes the car then the repair bill sounds reasonable for the work done.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2018 7:43:50 GMT
Like Martin says, Mike. You don't know what else is wrong. I have always found in the past that once one thing starts playing up, it seems to always seems to be the start of things to come.
But then again, if you like the car and you are happy to get it repaired, then it is worth keeping.
If not, what else would you get? Obviously Saab went out of business so you'd have to look for an alternative.
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Post by stanleyb on Aug 21, 2018 7:51:54 GMT
My Saab hardly gets driven these days since I no longer have to do the school run. But I just can't find anything else that gives me the same level of smile on my face when I do take it out for a spin outside the city. So I have been putting up with the repair bill for as long as I can afford it. For everything else, I use the wife's car to find my way through city traffic.
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 21, 2018 8:08:49 GMT
Decided to go with the fix.
Quite a lot of work beside the head which would almost certainly have come up in the next year or so, possibly causing major problems.
Brake pipes being one, rear suspension bushes. An ABS problem and other
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 21, 2018 8:10:48 GMT
My Saab hardly gets driven these days since I no longer have to do the school run. But I just can't find anything else that gives me the same level of smile on my face when I do take it out for a spin outside the city. So I have been putting up with the repair bill for as long as I can afford it. For everything else, I use the wife's car to find my way through city traffic. My old 9000 still gives me a smile. After the fix I'll take the boss's for a drive and investigate that ridiculous acceleration. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 21, 2018 8:15:53 GMT
I don't know cars like these other guys here, but I just wanted to chime in that I'm in a similar position. I put roughly $2000 into my 2005 Toyota Matrix, 214,000 miles, a few months ago. Recently learned that I had a bad starter, used the tapping trick for a week, went to junkyard got a new starter, didn't work, put old one back in, car wouldn't start, had to get towed to shop and bill was $400. Currently wondering what my long term plan(next two years) should be. I think the Toyota can make it with occasional work. Always a question. I could have had my old white Saab fixed when the cam chain ate the engine. £2000 Bought a newer Saab for £1700 Sometimes it's the devil you know. Doing numbers the boss's motor has cost about £4-5000 absolute total for buying, this fix and all maintenance in around 3 years. She's also done a lot of miles Cheaper than buying hifi !  |
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 21, 2018 8:19:56 GMT
Like Martin says, Mike. You don't know what else is wrong. I have always found in the past that once one thing starts playing up, it seems to always seems to be the start of things to come. But then again, if you like the car and you are happy to get it repaired, then it is worth keeping. If not, what else would you get? Obviously Saab went out of business so you'd have to look for an alternative. Too late ! Saabs can be fixed for a while longer even though there are currently no new ones being built. There is a network of ex Saab dealers still looking after them. I idly contemplate various cars while out on my bike. Have selected and dismissed various. The key is my minimal use of any car I would own. |
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Post by stanleyb on Aug 21, 2018 8:21:48 GMT
£1850 current estimate including the work already done like picking it up and investigating problems. What do you think ? Looking at the price, have you spoken to Mikey himself and asked about the friends and family discount  ? That can knock 5% or more off the bill. But only Mikey can authorize that. |
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Post by MartinT on Aug 21, 2018 8:59:51 GMT
After the fix I'll take the boss's for a drive and investigate that ridiculous acceleration. There have been many discussions on the forums about types of turbo implementation in cars. As I recall, Saab are of the 'bang in the torque' variety as soon as the turbo has spun up to speed. That's what gives you the head snap! |
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Post by stanleyb on Aug 21, 2018 9:09:38 GMT
It depends on the turbo fitted to the car. The Garrett turbos give a more rubber band launch. The Mitsubishi turbos are head snappers. I had the Mitsubishi turbo on my car replaced with a modified Garrett T28.
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Post by julesd68 on Aug 21, 2018 9:30:36 GMT
My Civic is worth 500 quid and has done 150k miles but I'll keep reparing it. Failed MOT and needed new rear suspension but overall reliability superb, just wear and tear items. Will be clutch to do next. When I hear of horror stories some people have with new cars it makes me more determined to keep it going. My mechanic was telling me about a new Qashqai just out of warranty needed new gearbox, cost a fortune.
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Post by stanleyb on Aug 21, 2018 9:35:10 GMT
I once wanted to get a 4WD Volvo XC60. But it so happens that a friend of mine mentioned how much it cost a workmate of his to fix the gearbox on those.
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Post by MartinT on Aug 21, 2018 9:35:27 GMT
It depends on the turbo fitted to the car. Yup - generally the larger the turbo the more the lag, the greater the snap and the bigger the ultimate boost. Small turbos used in LPT (Light Pressure Turbo) implementations like the small Fords are very gentle in action. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 21, 2018 10:26:01 GMT
£1850 current estimate including the work already done like picking it up and investigating problems. What do you think ? Looking at the price, have you spoken to Mikey himself and asked about the friends and family discount ? That can knock 5% or more off the bill. But only Mikey can authorize that. Have only spoken to Akos this time. He seems to have kept the bill down as much as he can, discounting the labour. Outwork like the pick up collection and head skimming and a couple of other items are what they pay (I hope !) Having all the gear and being Saab specialists they know what to look for more than our normal mechanic. Kicking myself I didn't insist the boss take it to them weeks ago. Daughter lives spitting distance away ! |
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 21, 2018 10:28:34 GMT
After the fix I'll take the boss's for a drive and investigate that ridiculous acceleration. There have been many discussions on the forums about types of turbo implementation in cars. As I recall, Saab are of the 'bang in the torque' variety as soon as the turbo has spun up to speed. That's what gives you the head snap! What surprises me about this motor is how the turbo is just 'there' and then carries on. Acceleration is stupidly quick. Dangerous even |
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Post by stanleyb on Aug 21, 2018 12:39:19 GMT
If they are skimming the head then they might also de-coke the cylinders and head. It would be a good idea to inquire. I tend to have mine de-coked every couple of years.. Improves performance and gives a a few more miles per gallon on the motorway at least.
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Post by MikeMusic on Aug 21, 2018 12:45:40 GMT
Thanks Stan.
Good tip
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Post by speedysteve on Aug 21, 2018 17:16:14 GMT
After the fix I'll take the boss's for a drive and investigate that ridiculous acceleration. There have been many discussions on the forums about types of turbo implementation in cars. As I recall, Saab are of the 'bang in the torque' variety as soon as the turbo has spun up to speed. That's what gives you the head snap! Head snap in a what 150-200 bhp per tonne car - hehe. Get nearer 500bhp / tonne and you're talking It's all relative of course. Try an electric Leaf and you get better head snap to 30mph anyway |
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? That can knock 5% or more off the bill. But only Mikey can authorize that.
