"Raphmoe" (raphmoe)
09/22/2014 at 08:54 • Filed to: project cars, readers rides, saab, wagon, wagon love
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"Raphmoe" (raphmoe)
09/22/2014 at 08:54 • Filed to: project cars, readers rides, saab, wagon, wagon love | 1
| 18 |
Good morning Oppostles, I have found a sweet project car idea on craigslist.
Found here, is a 200 Saab 9-5 Wagon in a beautiful dark green. With only 90,000 miles the engine will have plenty of life left in it. It has sumptuous tan leather seats that look luxurious and supportive. There is a minor issue of replacing a head gasket but that should not be that big of an issue to do after a bit of online research. It has an automatic but while doing the work on the head gasket it should be easy to locally source a manual transmission and swap it in. For $500, is there a better option for a classic Saab Wagon? I can't think of one. Sound off in Kinja below for ideas on how we could make this Wagon a great Jalop project.
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Slant6
> Raphmoe
09/22/2014 at 09:00 |
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I have one. Great cars. Manual is the way to go. At 90,000 the turbo will go soon and it needs synthetic or it will sludge.
505Turbeaux
> Raphmoe
09/22/2014 at 09:00 |
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meh, 90K and ate a head gasket? You can probably get one with 150K and the HG already done for 1200 or so. It isnt like that one is particularly clean, actually sort of banged up, which speaks volumes to the maintenance it has received. Buy one running with records and then do the swap
Kate's Dirty Sister
> Raphmoe
09/22/2014 at 09:01 |
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Let's crowd source that, I'm sure Mate Petrany would contribute generously.
PRBot II
> Raphmoe
09/22/2014 at 09:02 |
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LS1 swap, RWD swap, Oppo sticker, done.
DipodomysDeserti
> Raphmoe
09/22/2014 at 09:15 |
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There are much better wagons out there on CL.
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Raphmoe
> 505Turbeaux
09/22/2014 at 09:19 |
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Yeah but that is $700 more; I'm sure some coolant work and a new head gasket can't be that expensive of a job. right? Plus it is a learning experience for wrenching.
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Raphmoe
> Slant6
09/22/2014 at 09:19 |
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Agreed, this is begging for a manual swap.
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Raphmoe
> Kate's Dirty Sister
09/22/2014 at 09:19 |
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agreed! such a great car for us jalops
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Raphmoe
> DipodomysDeserti
09/22/2014 at 09:20 |
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link?
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Raphmoe
> PRBot II
09/22/2014 at 09:20 |
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That shouldn't cost too much money
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505Turbeaux
> Raphmoe
09/22/2014 at 09:21 |
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learning experience is totally worth it, but I value my time at $100 an hour, and that wouldnt wash for me (though I have taken on more for less gain of course)
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DipodomysDeserti
> Raphmoe
09/22/2014 at 09:27 |
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You want a link to every running manual wagon on Craigslist for under $1,000? Craig is pretty good at finding them for you.
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Raphmoe
> DipodomysDeserti
09/22/2014 at 09:27 |
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You say there are much better wagons out there, I do not see it. Show me.
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PRBot II
> Raphmoe
09/22/2014 at 09:34 |
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Just bought the car and started the project. I'll post the build to Oppo tomorrow so Ray Wert can share it to the front page. I'm gonna write about cars for Consumer Reports pretty soon I think.
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Raphmoe
> PRBot II
09/22/2014 at 09:39 |
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oh wow that is awesome
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PRBot II
> Raphmoe
09/22/2014 at 09:41 |
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Thanks.
Carl (@stuffcarlsays)
> Raphmoe
09/22/2014 at 11:38 |
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If you want a manual Saab of this vintage, buy a manual Saab. You'll find that much more than just swapping in a gearbox and clutch pedal are needed. Wiring looms are different, instrument cluster, Trionic box, driveshafts, etc.
FWIW, the automatic gearbox was the better performer in the 9-5. Having owned 3 manual 9-5s, and driven hundreds of automatic 9-5s, the safe bet is on the automatic. This is the most un-oppo thing I'll ever recommend, but it's been my experience that the automatics had smoother power delivery and could even dip into the same mileage range as the manual. The driving dynamics of the FM55 manual box in this car require a gentle touch, and 3rd gear syncros are a known issue. One of the few manual gearboxes I've driven that didn't beckon to be driven with fervor.
NoRotorNoLove
> Raphmoe
10/02/2014 at 11:15 |
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I have one manual and one auto 2003 Aero wagon at home, the auto is the better preformer. A trans for the manual cost ~$700.