Back to owning 6 Saab's.... this makes Saab #13

[bullet]

That being said, looks like you need to update your signature

[Burnsside42]

OK - got the other tire on. Ran a Fuel Injector service. Restored the headlights. Changed the oil. Pulled the front seats out and cleaned the interior. and carpet. Assembled the center console. Programmed two new keys plus the two old keys. Cleaned the trunk and organized the spare tire tools. Programmed the headlights to turn off with the switch and no more daytime running bulbs. Ready for wash tomorrow.

Need:
Front Bumper w/out headlight washers - nocturn blue preferred.
Air Shield - Both Wheel Liners
Wiper Arms
Fog Lights & Switch

[Burnsside42]

OK - washed it on Friday. Took pictures today. I also found a nice puddle on the passenger floor today so I removed the water logged cabin air filter housing and cleaned it and re-sealed it. Replaced the soaked nasty filter with a much nicer almost new one.

Pictures!







Needs front bumper!

If work is slow tomorrow I'll put the wheel bearing and tie rod on - otherwise after work I will. It'll need the alignment adjusted too.

So far total invested in car and parts is under $1000 at about $970. The front bumper will add about $350-$500 to that once I get one and have it painted.

[Dave T]

Interesting saga. The race is on. Will this Saab be ready before mine.....probably. I also need a bumper skin. As far as number of Saabs, I will never catch up. I'm only on Saab number four and I started not long after the classic 900 replaced the 99EMS in the U.S.

[Dave T]

What is your opinion about used parts, such as a bumper cover? How about aftermarket sheet metal, such as an aftermarket fender?

In my opinion, OEM parts are a known quantity. One knows what they are. Often, they are the same as the original with the exception of things, like wipers and oil filters, which can be different from the original. Aftermarket is occasionally better but I would guess is usually the same or worse. I think the classic 900 could use a stock water pump or a stronger looking aftermarket one.

[Burnsside42]

I am getting a good quality aftermarket bumper cover for mine. It's deemed insurance claim quality. There are lots of lesser ones out there and recycled covers - all have BAD reviews and quality. I'd go OEM or A GOOD Insurance Claim aftermarket one. I will be paying about $250 plus travel to pick it up in Central PA. Then paint.

[Burnsside42]

So yay. Put it on the alignment rack today after work - found that the right side inner tie rod is bent. joy.

Drove it home tonight to set the emission monitors so I can inspect it tomorrow. So tomorrow it will be all PA legal - which reminds me I should put it on my insurance now

After driving it home - actual distance and speeds - those pesky rear "cross stays" or control arms are very noisy rattling around in the back. Enough I can't let the wife drive it like that....

So here it is again - more money to rockauto! lol

Pair of DORMAN Rear Control Arms (Cross Stays) aka black bananas
MOOG Inner tie rod & outer tie rod - R/S (might as well replace the outer too)
Total shipped - $174.07

$970 + $174 = $1144 so far - plus the bumper and paint in the near future.

Scored a free fog light for the driver side today too. Just need the passenger side and a headlight switch and it'll have fog lights with the new bumper.

[Burnsside42]

I did this today - it was originally a Chili Red Spoiler when I brought it in today.









You can see my 86' 9000 95' 9000 00' 9-3 and the 05' 9-3 in the last two pics


Planning a run Saturday to Central PA to pick up the new front bumper cover to have painted.

[nordwulf]

It looks like it is coming together nicely. Still an amazing deal for what you paid for the car and parts.

Some Aero side skirts would be nice to match the Aero front lip but still looks great either way. No matter how careful I was with my 2006 9-3 Aero, scraping the front lip is inevitable.

[Burnsside42]

It looks like it is coming together nicely. Still an amazing deal for what you paid for the car and parts.

Some Aero side skirts would be nice to match the Aero front lip but still looks great either way. No matter how careful I was with my 2006 9-3 Aero, scraping the front lip is inevitable.

Note why I installed V6 Aero front struts and springs - front end sits a little higher by about 1/4 - 1/2" I plan to get rear wagon springs for the back at some point. Give it that 9-3X look