Steve79 Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 When does one come to the realisation that you can have just one car too many and not enough time? I've been mulling this notion over for the last month. I've already got a company car, an XJ8 and the Proton Aeroback, plus the wife is due with our first child in 7-weeks so really should be saving money! I only really get to use the Jag at the weekends and i've only just finished putting in the new radiator for the Proton which i barely drive at all. So what to do? Sell the Jag or sell the Proton? There's no way on Gods green Earth that the Jag is going, and i'm not quite ready to let the Proton go (well maybe not at least for the next few months). So the natural course of action obviously is to buy another car. I don't have many vices, i don't smoke, barely drink and the only real money i spend on myself is the car tax for the Jag and my mobile phone, so wasn't going to feel massively guillty about spending a very small amount on another toy! I set a myself a limit of £150 and started trawling scumtree and evilbay for likely candidates. Plenty of knackered clio's, corsa's and mk6 fiesta's but none of these are very inspiring. However the parts section yielded a suitable candidate. 2000W Saab 9-5 2.3T SE Auto Estate with 163k. Initially the pictures didn't make it look that appealing with its scabby looking alloys and flat tyres. But the fact it was a 2.3T which means around 180bhp in standard form and over 230bhp courtesy of noobtune at minimal cost. Thought its got to be worth a look. I was greeted by a slightly sorry looking Saab. Almost every panel is either scratched or dented. MOT is just out but has needed little over the last few years. Owned by the last owner since 2005, it only had 3 keepers and has always been maintained as needed as it was their only family car. Its also suffering from a few warning light issues which SiC reliably informs me could be down to the ABS reductor rings. Owner wasn't keen on me driving it with no MOT which is fair enough. I don't normally buy stuff that i can't test drive but he was a top bloke and promised me that it drove fine and that if there were any performance issues on the way home once i'd paid for it then he would give me a full refund. Didn't need to take him up on this though! Had a barter over the price and secured it for £130.00 so i wasn't going pick holes in it. The engine pulls like a train and the box changes through the gears smoothly. I haven't got any pics of the interior yet but the caramac colour leather is a bit cracked and needs treatment and the info display is pixelated like they all are. Owner wasn't keen on me driving it with no MOT which is fair enough. I don't normally buy stuff Pez shot below Car has now been dropped off to be MOT'd to see what failure delights await me http://Wish me luck! wuvvum, Steviemillar, SiC and 21 others 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timolloyd Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Handsome car. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shep Shepherd Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 That looks pretty nice, considering what you paid for it. I can't see it failing the MOT on much, if it indeed fails at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerzy Woking Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Great cars and a quick, cheap session with noobtune is money well spent. No idea why they are so cheap, suppose it's down to people being worried about spares. I've had no issues on getting any parts and its quite easy to change the ribbon on the SID to get all the pixels back (I managed to do it). Good luck with the MOT. Shep Shepherd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartacus Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 That looks well bought, I would imagine that in a worst case it'll break for more than you paid? I'm in tune with your car buying philosophy too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 I see it passed its MOT today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exiled_Tat_Gatherer Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Excellent purchasing..... I'm searching for a manual version of said workhorse. Had a couple on radar but being 'an englihsman abroad' limits viewing possiblities. One day my ship viking longboat will come in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve79 Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 I see it passed its MOT today Yep passed today with only 2x advisories. Pretty chuffed with this considering the minimal outlay. Time to contact noobtune! If there's any chance of some tech2 support i'd be greatfull. No mad hurry though. holbeck, Shep Shepherd and Dick Longbridge 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 What did you do about the abs lights? Did they clear the codes before they stuck it in for an MOT? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve79 Posted August 23, 2017 Author Share Posted August 23, 2017 Yep, abs light 'extinguished' before test. Will probably come back on. Tech2 would be needed to diagnose properly. SiC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooSavvy Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 .... the old Skoda joke 'fill the tank and double the value' applies here Pocket money cars [+MOT] can sit comfortably on here = the 'pay monthly makes you a loser at life' debate rages elsewhere... Well boughted m8 TS DeeJay, Craig the Princess and RichardK 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vaughant Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Paying straight through doesn't surprise me one bit. Nearly bought the aero hot version at auction last year before I got the zafira but it really was a touch too tatty, seemed a lot of oil coming out of the breathers too which apparently is a bad sign on these. Looked through scumtree and found a lovely X plate estate in brizzle with one owner and 55k for a grand, just the auto box that put me off. Zafira is going great now but only after an engine swap so probably for £300 the Saab would have been a better buy. Still, I'm glad to have saved the old girl, she's done me proud since the open heart surgery and is my temporary accommodation during the week in work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted August 24, 2017 Share Posted August 24, 2017 Paying straight through doesn't surprise me one bit. Nearly bought the aero hot version at auction last year before I got the zafira but it really was a touch too tatty, seemed a lot of oil coming out of the breathers too which apparently is a bad sign on these. Looked through scumtree and found a lovely X plate estate in brizzle with one owner and 55k for a grand, just the auto box that put me off. Zafira is going great now but only after an engine swap so probably for £300 the Saab would have been a better buy. Still, I'm glad to have saved the old girl, she's done me proud since the open heart surgery and is my temporary accommodation during the week in work.Auto boxes suit these extremely well. Wafty comfort with umfph. It's what converted me to autos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve79 Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 Bit of a bugger as going to have to tax it and get stiffed for a months tax cost for a few days usage! Hey ho! I'm picking it up tomorrow morning and giving it a damn good clean as its filthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve79 Posted August 25, 2017 Author Share Posted August 25, 2017 Finally got around to collecting this today. There's advisories for a rusty back box which i can live with and a blow from the exhaust system. The general diagnosis is that the blow if coming from the exhaust manifold. It pretty mired in oil as you can see below which looks to be coming from the rocker cover gasket. I'm hoping once i take it off i'm not going to find the dreaded sludge! Before anyone asks, no, the manifold isn't cracked, from what i can see its supposed to look like this. The car was filthy when collected from the previous keeper and it was too hot today and couldn't be arsed to clean it myself when the Polish/Romanian guys at one of the local hand car washes (which total at last count is 8 within a 2-miles radius) do such a good job. See the fine fellow hard at work I didn't think they'd be able to get any of the brake dust on the alloys off as it was absolutely thick with it but fair play to them, they got every last bit off. Whilst mechanically the car seems to have been looked after (oil is still golden colour so looks to have been changed recently), the same cannot be said of the bodywork. Beware the pictures flatter it. As you can see, its had its fair share of battle wounds over the years. The attitude of the previous owner was that as long as it was mechanically sound, they weren't bothered about what the car looked like. I'm not even going to bother trying to paint the doors as i think it would be most cost effective to either source replacement doors in the right colour or alternatively not bother at all as i think the woe begone look might grow on me! The interior has fared slightly, only very slightly better. The leather could do with a damn good clean and feed, but is rip free. Behold the caramac goodness The interior hasn't seen a good scrubbing since Noah were a lad! This will be one of my priorities as i can live with dirty paint, but not a dirty interior as i feel its akin to lying in someonelses used bedsheets! Also both of the front door grab handles have worn through to the bare plastic and are a funny green colour. They are also very sticky to the touch which makes me want to vom in my mouth everytime i touch them! They are getting replaced at the earliest opportunity! Even though the carpets are cream, they've got this funny black tinge to them. I'm not sure whether this is dirt or that the carpet has worn through to the underlay. If its the latter then i might try and find a good carpet from a breaker. Most pressing job on the list is sorting the SID display which is pixelated. I'm going to have the unit apart over the weekend and try to gain some improvement. Otherwise its off to Simply Saab (local specialist) to get one of their £35.00 'good units' with a 3 month guarantee. Also going to contact noobtune for a price on a stage one remap to 235hp. nacho man, Shep Shepherd, drum and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 The mechanic at the garage I use, who had my Tech 2, is on holiday at the moment. Looks alright. A bit shabby, but if the oily bits all works, that's a very good start! This age will be one of the ones that are liable to sludge. Must have full-synth oil used. Ideal upgraded PCV system. Iirc the old system had rubber pipes that degraded in the heat of the engine bay (quite a lot of heat produced from the turbo & gearbox) which turned into sludge by the time it got to the sump. Shep Shepherd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_dyane Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Looks bloody lovely! When I eventually need another car to replace my marvellous Primera GT whilst the sensible part of me looks towards a Legacy, Legend or even Magentis, there is a large part of me that fancies something just like this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Auto boxes suit these extremely well. Wafty comfort with umfph. It's what converted me to autos. Odd you say that, because I did a lot of miles in the Car Mechanics 9.5 2.3 turbo auto, and thought it was the biggest crock of shit ever. That was a low blow one, but it was so bloody hesitant, and never seemed to be able to select the right gear. Put me right off autos for a while (until I got an Alfa 164 V6, YUM), and Saab 9.5s until I had a go in Twosmoke's manual. That I did like. As one of the last cars with headlamp wipers, I reckon one of these could definitely tempt me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted August 26, 2017 Share Posted August 26, 2017 Odd you say that, because I did a lot of miles in the Car Mechanics 9.5 2.3 turbo auto, and thought it was the biggest crock of shit ever. That was a low blow one, but it was so bloody hesitant, and never seemed to be able to select the right gear. Put me right off autos for a while (until I got an Alfa 164 V6, YUM), and Saab 9.5s until I had a go in Twosmoke's manual. That I did like. As one of the last cars with headlamp wipers, I reckon one of these could definitely tempt me.Certainly not like the 5spd low pressure turbo one that I had and sold to Hooli. Despite a kippered box (when warm) and 210k on the clock. Pulled well and accelerated nicely. If theres was hesitant, sounds like theirs wasn't running right imo. Also was it the 4spd or the later 5spd auto? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hooli Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Certainly not like the 5spd low pressure turbo one that I had and sold to Hooli. Despite a kippered box (when warm) and 210k on the clock. Pulled well and accelerated nicely. If theres was hesitant, sounds like theirs wasn't running right imo. Also was it the 4spd or the later 5spd auto? I agree, it's a lovely old bus currently even with it's still kippered box. I wonder if theirs had any fluid in the box? it did get a bit like that before I traced the leak on the gearbox oil cooler connections & put about 3ltrs in to top it up. 218k might get seen on the way home today BTW. I'm ignoring all references to noobtune, I can't think of a sillier idea with my dodgy box. Although the engine does feel like one of those which would feel better with a little tweakage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dollywobbler Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Believe the one I drove was four speed. Was on a 52 plate I think. Was a supremely relaxing car to drive when it wasn't pissing about. Maybe I just didnt learn how to drive it. Most autos need more control than you might expect, usually right-foot related. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hooli Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Maybe that's why they went up to the five speed box? That's what mine is & it's a lovely thing to drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 If you send the noobtune guy another ECU, he can clone the contents of yours onto the other ECU then apply the tune. That way you can go from stock to tuned by just swapping the ECU. The ECU lives under the wiper scuttle plastic beneath the big rubber boot there. Second hand ECUs can be had off eBay for ~£30 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hooli Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 If you send the noobtune guy another ECU, he can clone the contents of yours onto the other ECU then apply the tune. That way you can go from stock to tuned by just swapping the ECU. The ECU lives under the wiper scuttle plastic beneath the big rubber boot there. Second hand ECUs can be had off eBay for ~£30 or so. >fingers in ears< lalalalala I can't hear how easy it is. SiC and tooSavvy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve79 Posted August 27, 2017 Author Share Posted August 27, 2017 The mechanic at the garage I use, who had my Tech 2, is on holiday at the moment. Looks alright. A bit shabby, but if the oily bits all works, that's a very good start! This age will be one of the ones that are liable to sludge. Must have full-synth oil used. Ideal upgraded PCV system. Iirc the old system had rubber pipes that degraded in the heat of the engine bay (quite a lot of heat produced from the turbo & gearbox) which turned into sludge by the time it got to the sump.Thats the look i was going for 'shabbyshite' Drives really nicely, doesn't bang through gears, kickdown responds well when you give it a boot and looks to have been taken care of mechanically. I'm going to go over the engine bay tomorrow to check if the pcv system has been upgraded. If not then i'm going to get one on order. I'll also need to drop the sump and check what kind of state the strainer is in which is a messy job that i'm not looking forward to. Might farm that out to a mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooSavvy Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Hooli.. ^^^^ a la 'mk1 BMW mini / Cooper' upgrade? TS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Worth doing, it'll be the first thing everyone asks if/when coming to sell. Upgraded PCV kit isn't that cheap though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve79 Posted August 27, 2017 Author Share Posted August 27, 2017 Upgrade pcv cost isn't too bad. £72.00 plus postage from company below http://www.partsforsaabs.com/product_info.php?products_id=4650&osCsid=1182dc65e601c8b520f3765d02dbb1f8 SiC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hooli Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 Hooli.. ^^^^ a la 'mk1 BMW mini / Cooper' upgrade? TS I have no idea what you are on about. I refuse to know anything about those disgusting insults to real Minis. tooSavvy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jams Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 I have a Saab a 9-3 it's an auto and I hate the gear box!! But it's also an areo that's been to see mr noobtune and to say it's swift would be an understatement! It sort of makes up for that excuse of a gearbox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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