My Saab Story
In July of 2016, when I retired from the Marine Corps, I was using my old truck as a daily driver. Since my daily commute was 10 miles each way, it worked pretty well. Once we moved from New Bern NC to Chesapeake VA, that went to 35 miles each way. I knew doing that every day would kill my truck. I needed to buy a car. I do not like to spend a lot of money on my cars, the exception was my wife’s 2009 Corolla that we bought brand new in 2008.
The car I had before my truck was a 1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera with a V6. It had 89,000 miles on it when I bought it in 2005 for $1,000. In 2011, when I finally traded it in to get my first Ram, a rusty 2000, it was close to 300,000 miles. I was hoping to get a similar car to be my daily driver at a similar price. We went to the dealer where the Cutlass was purchased, a little mom and pop shop in Hertford NC.
He had a few cars for $1,000, there were 3 Chrysler TC cars by Maserati. I had never heard of these before. I took one for a test drive and it was more of a project car than a daily driver. I looked at the other 2 and they were in the same shape. Then I took a $1200 Buick for a drive. It was in much better shape, but the 4 cylinder engine was extremely anemic. There was no way that car would survive interstate driving that many miles 5 times a week.
After talking to my wife we decided that we needed to either buy a piece of crap or raise the limit we were willing to spend. Looking at the cars in the lot, the ones on the level that used to be $1,000 were now $3500-$5500. Thanks Cash for Clunkers!
My wife said there was a red one in the corner that looked real nice for $4500, I asked the guy and he said it was a Saab with a 5 speed manual. I knew nothing about Saab’s but figured I would take it for a spin. First off, it looked better than any other car we had looked at. The manual transmission was a big point in its favor also. It had leather seats and a sunroof. On the road it rode a little rough, but had plenty of power and tracked straight. I looked under the hood, oil was in good shape and I didn’t see any leaks. My wife and I decided it was a bit of a gamble since it did have 112,000 miles on it, but if the car lasted me 4 years we would be happy with it, so I took it home.
The more I drove it the more I liked it, and I learned more about Saab’s. My car was a 2005 9-3 Aero, the 9-3 meant it was their smaller car and Aero meant it was the highest trim level.
It had the high output engine with 210 hp which isn’t sports car level, but definitely enough to merge comfortably in traffic and cruise at 90mph easily. The climate control was automatic dual zone, something a lot of cars have now but in 2005 that was pretty high end.
Looked a lot like this one
The front struts were shot and at the time I didn’t have a lot of money so I bought a cheap set from RockAuto. It was also making a clicking sound in the front passenger side when I would turn left and accelerate. So while I did the struts, I also replaced both front axles. The clicking went away and the new struts were better than the blown stock ones, but they were still a little rough.
In October, 6 months after I bought it, one morning the Air conditioning went out, but the weather was cold so I was OK with it until March then I had to get a new compressor installed. I took it to the Saab specialist the dealer I bought the car from recommended and he quoted me $1000, not too bad. After that, the AC was ice cold and the auto climate worked perfectly.
Then in June 2019, 20 minutes after I left work, I stopped for gas and the car didn’t want to start. I would crank just fine but not fire. After I let it sit for a half hour, it started and drove home with the check engine light on. Battery was low, put a new one on and the problem seemed solved.
Next day driving home from work it shut off like I turned the key off and it wouldn’t let me turn the key to “lock” and remove it. Waited awhile and once again she started and drove home with the check engine light on.
That weekend I checked the battery and alternator, both were good. Let it idle up to temp, no issues, so I went for a little drive and 5 minutes from the house it shut off and will not start. waited 20 minutes and it started, but I noticed the tachometer did not move while the starter was cranking so I figured out it was the crankshaft position sensor(CPS).
According to the Workshop Information System (WIS) you had to remove the starter to access the CPS, but a guy on YouTube did it without that step, so I tried it that way. That guy must have tiny baby hands. After a half hour of struggling and scratching the hell out of my forearms, I gave up and removed the starter. That took 5 minutes, then the CPS was easy to reach. Still a tight fight, but manageable. A little Vaseline and a lot of wiggling and pushing was required, attached the wire, reinstalled the starter, and hooked the battery back up. After checking the voltage on the battery I turned the key and let it do the check.
Never stalled again, until August of 2021. We were 2 hours from home, the A/C started to warm up and the battery light came on. I figured the alternator must have died and the computer shut off the A/C. It didn’t start running hot so I thought it wasn’t the belt. We headed home and almost made it. About 10 minutes away from our house it died because the battery was dead. We called my wife’s friend to get us and a tow truck for the Saab.
That night I popped the hood and saw the serpentine belt was shredded. It didn’t overheat because the water pump is gear driven. I knew the belt was a maintenance item that was supposed to be changed every 60,000 miles, but the belt didn’t squeak so I kept putting it off. Guess I should have done it sooner.
It was an ordeal to get the new belt on. My serpentine tool would not line up at the right angle to move the tensioner and there was no room to get a ratchet in there. Looking through SaabCentral there were suggestions to put the car on jack stands and use a jack to push on the tensioner with a socket extension from the bottom. I managed, but this was not easy. It kept slipping off and I was getting extremely frustrated before it finally worked.
The next day while driving to work, my check engine light came on and the turbo wasn’t working properly. It went from a sporty car to not being as fast as my wife’s Corolla. I hooked up my Autel and read the code, it came back P0033, Turbocharger or Supercharger Bypass Valve Control Circuit. I figured I screwed something up when I removed the intake hose, so I took it off again and made sure it was put together properly, but that didn’t help. I looked closer at the myriad vacuum hoses and they were all gritty feeling. I didn’t do any troubleshooting, just bought several feet of vacuum hose from AutoZone and changed them all out. After clearing the code, she was back to normal for year, then the symptoms came back. This time I replaced both turbo valves and all was well again…
Part II coming soon.
It’s a product and a project.
I think the cult is RC Dean and his Crossfit health insurance.
/ducking
I didn’t know I had joined the cult until it was time for a “new” car.
But that is Part III
Is it as weird as the AMC Eagle cult?
lulz
Hey now!
That crowdfunded health insurance has saved me around $10K this year, I’ll have you know.
I’m not the kind of guy that can live with a project car.
It needs to just work. All the time.
If you look at the dates, this car was really reliable.
Although this is why I have a car, my wife has a car, and we have my truck.
But even new cars can have issues.
2010 GTI Autobahn – Bought brand spanking new. 2nd day of ownership the starter failed.
I take it to the dealer and tell them to do the scheduled maintenance. I don’t ever want to see them any other time. 😉
My wife and I now have five vehicles. My daughter asked me if I was starting a used car lot. 😉
My goal is to never buy another vehicle. We will try to spread out our mileage across the vehicles and see if we can keep them running another 20+ years.
I have four vehicles. I’ll never own another vehicle manufactured after, say, 2015. I will have something cool stripped to the metal and completely rebuilt if I have to. I dislike all of the trackers, lane assists, screens, etc., on new vehicles.
Newest one we have is my wife’s 2011 Camry.
Same here Kinnath.
I can have a project car, but it cannot be my daily.
I did that far too much when I was poor, and never again.
At this point I want a carburetor and a distributor.
Last time I dove the Element there was a noise at the back like the rear brake shield was touching the rotor. I should probably look at that.
Don’t be silly.
Good luck with the carb and ethanol.
Sounds like a sad..Saab…story.
I had the same CPS behavior with my MB SL500. Cold started fine.. wouldn’t warm start until it cooled down for about 10 mins. CPS code, Took about 10 mins to swap out the Bosch sensor (not MB branded)
SL is now sagging when parked, and MB says “replace hydraulic valve block”… forums say “buy 3rd party valve o-ring and shim kit. so that is a spring project.
I had a fun problem with the Range Rover where it went nuts, power surging, red warnings, etc.
https://www.rangerovers.net/attachments/20250127_133004-jpg.327066/
The supercharger can suck a metal part from the intake into the throttle body.
The code says “take a look in the throttle body, something is in there blocking it”
That seems well designed.
Better than having it continue on into the cylinder.
Okay – What kind of loctite should I have used on the screws for the Optics on my Shadow 2? I took it out of the case and it rattled since all of the screws have backed out. So, I’ve got no zero on that anymore. But before I shoot it to re-zero, I have to address the screws.
I learn by error and trial, but I wish I had less error.
No Loctite. Use Vibra-Tite VC-3. https://www.vibra-tite.com/threadlockers/plastic-compatible/vibra-tite-vc-3-threadmate/
That’s interesting. I have applications for that.
Thank you.
VC-3 has almost completely supplanted Loctite 222 and 242 for my gun-type applications. I recommend VC-3 for all optic screws, scope rings, accessory mount screws, pretty much anything threaded that you still may need to adjust in the future.
I still use Flexbar Rocksett for high-temperature applications (installing flash hiders/silencer mounts on rifles, for example) and Loctite 620 sleeve retaining adhesive for bonding AR barrels into the receiver.
Have you tried any of the grips?
I haven’t shot anything in a while.
Do you need them back?
No, just curious. You should be able to tell the difference even in dry fire. The bogies made a huge (positive) difference in my accuracy compared to the factory aluminums.
Don’t be silly.
You’re right. Two carburetors.
Failure of hydraulic engine mount on the Mega Jeep (Pentastar 6) was difficult to diagnose. Finally figured it out, got it covered under warranty.
A buddy of mine drops by now and again to borrow tools for his latest Saab story. They’re quirky and charismatic and everyone I know who has one loves it.
Saabs have some interesting engineering elements. I had a 1989 9000 CD, which was their higher end sedan with a trunk instead of the hatchback featured in the 9000 CC/CS. It was a zippy, comfortable car. Favorite bit from Wikipedia:
“The inspiration for the seats was taken by Björn Envall from The Muppet Show’s Pigs in Space,[10] a sketch by the late puppeteer Jim Henson. “
Was the 9000 the one with the weird seat belts?
Hmmm… I don’t remember the seat belts being remarkable.
Might have been a different model. My aunt had a Saab something-or-other back when I was a little kid, and I always remembered that the front seat belts didn’t have traditional buckles.
Weird like they automatically moved along the ceiling? Those atrocities were government mandated if the car didn’t have an airbag.
The ex- and I planned to buy a Saab on European delivery when I finished grad school, and then tool around Europe for several weeks. Unfortunately, our plans got derailed by the U.S. $ tanking in the run up to when we planned to go and we didn’t pull the trigger.
That would have been a great time, too bad it didn’t work out.
Yeah that one is a regret that we just didn’t bite down and do it. When you’re young you don’t realize how rare those opportunities really are.
No Loctite. Use Vibra-Tite VC-3
Not familiar with that. A dab of silicone sealant would probably work, too. The problem with tiny fasteners is getting them tight enough without stripping the threads.
I have the advantage of routinely working on small devices. Optics screws are not tiny fasteners.
Silicone sealant is way, way too soft to hold up under pistol recoil.
We use VC-3 where I work for high vibration applications. Put it on the screw 30 minutes prior to installation. Holds better than blue Loctite, not as good as red, but the screws remain removable, unlike the red (when you can’t use fire because the EHS snitch is standing around.)
You work for Hitachi?
Part II coming soon.
This sounds like a true test of Stoicism.
Apparently Part II is scheduled for this evening.
We must be hurting for content.
I’ve got 17 articles lined up and submitted – but they’re all serialized, so they can’t spot fill holes in the schedule.
We must be hurting for content.
Looks at 7 half-finished items for ‘random thoughts’. Looks over at work write up I really should finish. Decisions, decisions…
Stuff nobody cares about but me
Mick Schumacher, a former Formula 1 driver and the son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, will go full-time INDYCAR racing in 2026 with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Schumacher tested with RLL in October on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and has been seen as the likely replacement for Devlin DeFrancesco, who finished 26th in the standings.
The 26-year-old Schumacher drove for the Haas F1 team in 2021-22, earning no points his rookie season and finishing 16th in the standings in 2022. He competed for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship the last two seasons.
That could make things a little more interesting this year.
I attend the Indy 500 every year, mostly for the day drinking and hanging out with old friends.
I guess his old man must still be in a coma. That’s a pretty sad story.
A friend of mine had a Saab of one kind or another, and the only thing I remember about it was that he controls for the power windows were in the center console between the front seats.
???
A lot of the Euro cars had center console window buttons back in the day. I have a 1999 Mercedes with them. I’m always messed up when I get in one of my other vehicles and turn to roll down a window.
All Benz models are different. Makes a driver look foolish sometimes.
I liked parking Saabs in college. Sometimes had to remind myself about reverse and ignition location.
Always seemed smart to me. Usable either RHD or LHD and accessible by the passenger.
On this one, they were on the doors.
My 2004 9-5 has them in the center console behind the ignition.
“Still a tight fight, but manageable. A little Vaseline and a lot of wiggling and pushing was required…” Hawt.
Sounds like when I had to change the batteries on the cats last night.
I had a catholic girlfriend in college?
Giggity.
A little Vaseline and a lot of wiggling and pushing was required
Go on….
To quote Jamie from Mythbusters, “You Just Need A Little Extra Lubrication”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2XYMl53eYo
We had a 9-3 Sport-Combi with a manual. Loved that car. Irreplaceable after it was wrecked.
Those look like fun little cars.
Yes. Great steering and an engine with just the right amount of turbo lag to make it fun.
I have to replace my current manual transmission car unfortunately. My left ankle is a mess and in January we are in office 5 days a week.
I’d be fine with a Civic hybrid. My wife and son are pushing for something fancier.
Get the stupidly priced Prelude. Sporty, quick but automatic as it’s their hybrid.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a68909576/2026-honda-prelude-popular-older-buyers-japan/
You’ll fit right in! I’m kidding, but far from the old ones.
It was a thought. I had an 88 Prelude Si that was great. That price is a huge disappointment. In know 15% of it is the tariff, but if they were committed to the car it would be made in North America.
That sucks, luckily my bad ankle and knee are both on the right side…so far.
Go test drive a GTI.
Tempted. I tend to keep cars for 10 to 15 years and lots of miles.
Both of my brothers had GTIs. Both fell apart before 120k.
o.O
I had to do that, too. I went from a 6-speed Frontier to an auto Frontier. I would love to go back, but nerve damage says “NO”
It’s definitely a cult. Currently have 2 900 convertibles, a 900 SPG, a 9000 Aero and a pair of 9-5s. Spawn1 has a pair of 900s and a 9000 Turbo. My best friend is a retired SAAB master tech. My lab partner in high school was the son of the general manager of the nearest dealer. The guy that currently works on my cars is a former dealer tech.
The “Alligator” seat belts were pretty cool. No buckle to find. Just put the belt where it goes and close the jaw.
I had a pair of ’89 CDs at one point. Those things were rocket ships compared to what was out there at the time.
It’s your fault I have the one I have now!
I love a good car love story. I’m starting to have my own car lot as well. I do enjoy working on them, while hating it sometimes at the same time.
SAAB 9 3 convertibles seem to be the go to for men of a certain age. They are about the same age as the Corvette cars and coffee dudes.
By the way here is a good resource for parts and know how. This is where my SAAB buddy gets his parts and work done.
https://kunklemotors.com/about/
Not a Saab, but after GM bought out the company in early 2000s and Bob Lutz went on a performance tear, my 2008 Cobalt SS was a bastardization.
The F35 transmission was a Saab part, LSJ turbo motor was based on a Saab design, and the back brakes were the same brakes from a 9-3 (Machined for the different hub).
DriveAbuse the fuck out of this car every day, with great dependability and performance.I bought a new 2006 Cobalt SS, it was supercharged. I told my salesman I liked the car but the big park bench rear deck spoiler was a no go. I told him I would buy car only if they replaced the spoiler with the small blade spoiler on the base model. They did it. I also had the dealer install the GM factory stage 2 kit which consisted of a smaller supercharger pulley and performance tune that increased the redline from 6500 to 7000K. I did not like the transmission, shortest 1st gear of any car I’ve ever driven. Good for about 10 feet and then you’d hit the rev limiter. Peppy and fun car to drive, it was a trouble free car, the battery and brakes/rotors were the only parts it needed in 11+ years of ownership and 120K miles of spirited driving.
CNN headline:
“War Hero” Kelly
WTF?
The war against OMB of course.
Which one of the Six parted the Red Sea?
Speaking of CNN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlL7A6sEFEM
The trailer makes me want to puke. If I watched the show, I’d probably end up with a damaged digestive system.
I threw up in my mouth a little bit.
A perforated colon?
My brothers second wife, The Whore, had one. A nice 9-3 Vigen, I think.
Don’t get me started on my vehicle ownership list of projects I need to do.
Soooo many.
If I live forever I’ll never get them all done.
Same. Far too many to get as nice as I’d like them to be.
I’ve got a pair of struts sitting in my garage waiting for install and some rust repair and abatement that will likely not get done before the salt flies.
The struts should be completed this weekend, we shall see. I also have two bikes and a car to get winterized.
I do have a plan to work on a friends car over my Christmas break and my 40 chevy needs some TLC to get it ready for putting around in the spring.
I’m so busy doing maintenance on my work trucks and building the new one that I haven’t touched a project rig for the last couple of years.
Obligatory Saab scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM-NNpRg14E
My contribution.
Fast Saab
That was funny 20 years ago, but knowing how those cars are becoming more and more rare, now it hurts my feelings.
Obligatory Saab scene
I was expecting Grosse Pointe Blank.
#metoo
Or Seinfeld.
My favorite Saab commercial.
I remember that one.
That’s a good lookin’ car. I’m glad I know *how* to drive a stick and did for a year+, but I remain much happier with auto. If I had a fancy car or regularly needed to Autobahn, that would change, but not now. My stick was a shitty ’92 Chrysler in ~08 or so. You had to thread that clutch in *precisely* or it would bang around. Drove my friend’s Audi in Dallas, kinda surprised he let me just take it for the day, and damn, that clutch was so smooth. It did feel like learning on a shitty car, while good practice, tainted the manual experience.
My engine light came on the other day! ’19 Kia Sportage, got it in Sept w 80k miles. Apparently, the gas cap not shutting well can lead to O2 issues, which may have legit been my fault. Has a tendency to not click shut, I read. Took it to Autozone and checked it out, and it did say something about the O2, but nothing else, and no other warning lights.
Listened to the dude and I s’pose the best thing to do is to drive it for a bit and pay attention if anything else is noticeable. At least glad I addressed it to an extent.
Did they clear the code?
I don’t know for sure on Kias, but my wife’s Corolla had a bad gas cap and after I put a new one on the CEL wouldn’t go away until I cleared it with my Autel.
Double billboard I pass today. Left side was to join the marines. Right side was for local veterans services office.
I can help you get into the army if you’re that interested.
I never thought about the fact I would end up in the VA when I joined the Marines.
That only happens to other people.
I avoid that place like a plague.
My dad the other day said something along the lines of ‘your 100% rating right?’ I laughed at him and said not even close.
Guy dosent pay attention to anything you tell him.
#ows644 🔎 4/5 (01:12)
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#stack259 5/5
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Man, I sucked at ows today. First time going over 3 minutes.
Can anyone spot me $69K?
Ooooh! Two stamps!
Oooooooh! Show up at a PCC match with that bad boy, and there will be a serious slip-and-fall hazard from all the melted panties…
Now you’re making me angry at the NFA and it’s equally unconsitituional follow-on garbage acts again.
I’m trying to relax and design a 3d-printable ammo tray that is easily adjusted for various cartridges.
(spoiler, I already designed it, I’m tweaking the SCAD files to be easier to adjust)
Dang. Gotta say, though, I’d prefer my suppressed PCC to be chambered for .45 ACP.