going to look at an '89

[mySaab900]

We'll see what this thing is like Friday after school. I'm going with a mechanic friend of mine to look at an '89 hatchback c900.

Some specs for the craigslist.com ad:

Trim: base
Transmission: 5-speed (FINALLY!!! )
Engine: 2.1l b212
Color: Navy Blue
Mileage: not sure; guessing about 160-200k
Price $750 OBO

What it needs: new alternator (but I'm gonna check the ground wire anyway) and it's inspected for another 2 months! The lady says it's pretty rust free for the year, some rust, but it looks like no (or minor) fender rust. Also, has two dents in the hatch that need to be knocked out.

[Tweek's Turbos]

A nice hatch for $100 would be my vote. Best of luck.

[Burnsside42]

Car is in Maine - picture shows it in snow. it has rust - just take a good screw driver with you to poke and prod it well. Inspect for floor rot and trunk rot. I am 100% sure it's got rust on it - and I agree with Tweek - getting a good used hatch would be the easiest and most logical fix there.

[mySaab900]

Yeah, I know it has rust, trust me! Haha I'm thinking rocker panels will be rusty, I'm gonna check the trunk and floors especially. The fenders look good in the pictures. I can't actually go and look at it unless she gives me her address. I haven't heard from her in a couple days.

[SPGreg]

What happened with this? I hate stories with no ending!

[Tweek's Turbos]

Im guessing he didn't buy it, but will post abou the next rusty car he finds.

[nordwulf]

Hunting for Saabs often is as much fun as the kill itself.

[SpecialTool]

Hunting for Saabs often is as much fun as the kill itself.

Maybe more. I check out gumtree three or four times a day, always hoping to snare that elusive well-priced pearl. What I mostly find of course is overpriced junk! Last one I drove had a stripped 2nd gear synchro and the owner still thought it was worth $1500. Right now there's a nice-looking '91 3-door, 334,000km, aircon doesn't work ('just needs a regas' -hah!) -- the owner wants $2900! Where do you start with folks like that? So far out of the ballpark, it's not worth bursting their bubble by telling them it's barely worth half that.

Still, hope springs eternal...maybe tomorrow

[TheSaabNinja]

Maybe more. I check out gumtree three or four times a day, always hoping to snare that elusive well-priced pearl. What I mostly find of course is overpriced junk! Last one I drove had a stripped 2nd gear synchro and the owner still thought it was worth $1500. Right now there's a nice-looking '91 3-door, 334,000km, aircon doesn't work ('just needs a regas' -hah!) -- the owner wants $2900! Where do you start with folks like that? So far out of the ballpark, it's not worth bursting their bubble by telling them it's barely worth half that.

Still, hope springs eternal...maybe tomorrow

I certainly know the feeling.
I was lucky enough for the '89 900 Base I just bought was in amazing condition. the seller was straightforward, honest, and as I would expect, the car speaks for itself.

It does take time, but don't worry, there is ALWAYS a diamond in the rough somewhere!

[Badwolf]

There is always another nice SAAB waiting for a new owner. My buddy and I are always on the prowl for stuff we can fix in his shop and sell. Keep this in mind: The wider the area of the hunt, the better the chances of the kill.

I live in Phoenix, and rust here is a complete non-issue. If you want to scan sales down here (Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott) on Craigslist, I can take a look-see. Yuma is kind of off my typical radar - I don't get down there very often.

FWIW