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Saab: Buying a SAAB, turbo clutch, exhaust seats


Question
More opinion than anything.  Would you by a 93 convertible that has been sitting for 2 years?  The car is in tact, paint is oxidized but put a battery in it and it starts, and after a few minutes idles. NA engine, not turbo. Clutch goes to the floor, interior is missing on panel, leather seats are in very good condition, spg panels on car, a couple are off car as someone tried to fix door with rust behind panel. Lots of parts still with the car. Cosmetically not a looker but could be a gem. What are your thoughts.  I could go with a 87 SPG 3dr hatch with turbo, peeling clearcoat, new hoses and exhaust, seats rough, no headliner or panels. Looking for a project just wondering which one is biggest risk but kind of always wanted a convertible. One is 1500 the other is 1200.  Can get for less than that I'm sure.  What are your thoughtsOU?

Answer
Harold:
    I would go for the 93 convertible. Fixing the clutch can be tricky, but if you are mechanically inclined, it is do-able. For parts,I recommend <www.rockauto.com> for great selection and the best prices (even with shipping) anywhere. Because SAABs are "backward" from most other fwd cars, you may bfind them strange...but logical once you get the hang of the design!

 It would be important to check the tranny, but without a clutch, its kinda hard. Also,make sure the rust is only superficial and therefore treatable.
  I'd shy away from the turbo model...not worth the complications or difficulty of repair should something go wrong; the non turbo has adequate power.

 Also, and excellent website for essentially a complete factory manual is <www.alldatadiy.com>. The most complete source of info I know of for $25/vehicle/year, but well worth it I think.