My head gasket blew at 122,000 miles.
Car came with no thermostat, which made it run high in temperature, which may have caused the head gasket faliure.
Second gear grinds on occasion.
Interior dash light is very dim.
Back seat threading is lose.
This particular car is very quick. Once past 4000 rpm, you really got to keep an eye on the guage to make sure you don't go past the redline.
I love the interior, it's real comfortable for a car it's age. The seats are real 1st class, and the leather has a better feel than many new cars. Fits four adults comfortably with no complaints.
The exterior is in good shape. The top does have a few tears, but nothing that would cause a leak.
The handling on the Saab is great. You get such a thrill while punching it through a corner. It is really stable and the response of the steering is 1st class.
A negative about the Saab company is that there aren't many aftermarket parts for the vehicle. They're hard to get a hold of, but there are companies like Group9 that do have great products.
Something like the lack of aftermarket parts should in no way drive a potential customer to look another way. This car is the best I have got to experience in performance and reliability, and I wouldn't trade it for anything from it's time. If you get a chance to get your hands on one, don't pass up the opportunity. They are well ahead of their time with great features like heated seats, and side mirrors.
Just thought I'd mention, not having a thermostat would cause the car to run much cooler... but you say that it runs hotter... does anyone know why that would be?
It sounds like it was removed to disguise a head gasket problem, which is borne out by the fact that it subsequently failed.
I say it over heated and the thermo was removed to bandage the problem. Now one caused the other. Over heated blowing the head gasket, blew the head gasket causing over heating.
The dog is dead, I know.
I agree, (someone had the thermostat out to run it cooler)
I have a 89 convertible too, with new top, x-drilled rotors and a hotter apc box with 18" wheels and Paradas. Still good ride and has a LOT more room inside than my 2001 Viggen. I would even say it has a less wooshy (technical) cabin with the top down. Plenty of pep and as for aftermarket check GenuineSAAB.com lots of toys, stateofnine also for less performance oriented accessories.
Great little car, hope the next owner likes it as much as I do.
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