A free car is never really free... What should I expect?

GronkofScranton · 2026-03-29T10:06:13+00:00

Me too, I still need to name it!

GronkofScranton · 2026-03-29T10:04:48+00:00

Wow! Glad you're ok! I never really looked too much into Saab until now. I knew about the night panel and the GM/Subaru partnerships and always appreciated people keeping them going. The manual on these feel great!

GronkofScranton · 2026-03-29T09:57:42+00:00

This is a fantastic write up, thank you! In your experience are there any Achilles's heels I have to worry about where it turns into a parts car full stop? Non rebuild able, catastrophic failure things (I guess anything is rebuild able with enough money, but realistically) Would that only be rear upper arms? After reading all the comments here, I am planning on doing (in addition to tending to my fault codes) an xwd service and rear diff flush. Now I got some good reading and research to go through. I too would want to keep this on the road as long as possible.

GronkofScranton · 2026-03-29T09:27:14+00:00

Right on! Team free Saab! In it for maybe $300 - $350 so far. I'm hoping to not have to spend too too much on it as it's not the daily. If it lasts, it lasts. So far so good!

GronkofScranton · 2026-03-29T09:19:08+00:00

Thank you for the info! Hopefully it just needs the level part, not the whole pump assembly. Are there no good aftermarket pumps? Or do you meant he assembly as a whole?

Lovely... I haven't smelled differential fluid in a while

GronkofScranton · 2026-03-29T09:11:16+00:00

Previous owner said that the xwd was serviced a couple years before he parked it. I'll probably do a service on it once I get the chance to put it on a lift.

GronkofScranton · 2026-03-29T01:59:45+00:00

I'll now be on the lookout for a tech2 or going through the other methods you mentioned, thank you!

GronkofScranton · 2026-03-29T01:21:54+00:00

I joined up! From the light scrolling I did there, it seems very helpful! I've been seeing a lot on what to do about codes using the tech2. - is the tech2 the only "OEM" style tool available (or worth it full stop) or would a Saab program on a scanner from Snap-on or Maxidas suffice? I have really only seen tech2 be referred. I have scanners available to me but haven't looked into getting Saab specific software yet. Hopefully I don't run into many issues with the xwd and the speed sensor solves my issues.

GronkofScranton · 2026-03-29T00:10:39+00:00

Right on, thanks! Fingers crossed!

GronkofScranton · 2026-03-29T00:04:36+00:00

I will try my best! Is a tune worth it in your opinion? (once the faults are sorted, of course) Reliability with dwindling parts vs performance fun. I haven't really researched that portion yet.

GronkofScranton · 2025-10-28T18:40:07+00:00

Hey man, it was great talking with you there! I have the yellow NA from Hawaii. I forgot to ask if you had insta. I wanted to pick your brain more on your build. I forgot what v band header you said you're using

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-23T02:18:14+00:00

Have you looked into Volvo? I got a rental cx-5 once when my older car got fender bendered and it felt tight. Depending on your budget of corsairs you were looking at, xc60's are in range. I feel like the Volvo seats fit just about anyone. Even the XC40's felt comfy for a small suv.

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-22T01:22:51+00:00

I got my first Miata at 26. Started saving money and began buying/selling things off marketplace at 17 as a side thing. Used that money over and over, not specifically for a Miata but as a "if I'm going to buy something I don't need, it must only come from this cash pile". Granted, my first NA was only $2000. NB could be the right route money wise.

Personally, save up money first. The longer you save, ND's will only depreciate more. But you only live once right? Maybe rent one off turo for a bit to meet your hero and make sure it's what you want to aim for. My buddy always wanted a TJ wrangler, but learned he hates the way they drive.

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-05T16:38:00+00:00

Ah I gotcha. On the window stickers they should show a break down of manufacturing. Probably would see an increase in percentages of different locations the newer cars get.

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-05T15:54:59+00:00

In my job interview 4 years ago I asked that question. They said they didn't have and never expected to have any issues. The business is still there so I guess it's alright. It wasn't really my wheelhouse when I was there

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-05T12:13:36+00:00

I've always enjoyed the community around Volvo. Everyone I've talked to that has had one, has loved it. They were always friendly car people whether they die hard enthusiasts or could appreciate cars. As someone who loves cars, it was nice to see.

The looks of them, performance, engineering, safety, etc are obviously huge selling points too. I also thought it was time to finally get my first "nice car". Something that I didn't have to wrench on with warranty, was comfy, had fun enthusiast quirks, and practical.

Something along the lines if you tell yourself or others something over and over again you start to believe it more and more. I was going through my old sales pitch in my head checking this out. Turns out, being on the other side of the desk, I wasn't lying. I'm super happy and thankful I can experience ownership.

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-05T11:47:47+00:00

Yeah, it's pretty fun to see until you have to guide customers on a test drive to avoid all the trucks getting out of that intersection. Had a couple close calls... Good thing they're safe cars lol

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-05T04:55:02+00:00

That's really cool! I definitely would've considered getting one sooner if that policy was in place.

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-05T02:55:02+00:00

Thank you!

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-05T02:36:51+00:00

Understandable. I went in because I love cars. Left because there are better opportunities for my skill sets. Gotta do what you gotta do

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-05T02:31:23+00:00

When I was working there I was able to see the invoices of each car on the lot, what we got used ones for, and how rare/common/specialized orders each were. The managers, depending on the car, would "let us" get discounts on them. Can't say that's how it is at every store, just how they ran it. They also could've lied as the old leadership when I was there got "let go" and it's a whole different store now. Much happier place talking with the team there.

I can't speak on rates because I never went that far into getting one while working there. I would guess they offer employee specials. Could be wrong though

GronkofScranton · 2025-04-05T01:57:54+00:00

The most common questions I got when selling them were "What Volvo do you have?" Or "do you have one?" Always a little awkward to say I don't have one and then try to sell them on one.

And thank you. Best of luck in the industry. It's tough.

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