anarchisttomato
Hmmm. Cheers guys, I appreciate it. I do love it, but we've already been through some amazing adventures together, and I'm starting to move away from sporty to luxury as I get greyer hair around the temples, wonkier eyebrows and I suddenly have to trim my nose hair, haha. I think I might sell it on to someone who can treat it better than me.
 
And I have to come out of the closet here, and I'm sure I'll cop abuse but.... I've recently become... a Saabist. *alarm bells* ;)

I thought I was the only one on here that likes Saab's. I literally just bought a week ago a 2008 9-3 Aero Sportcombi with 2.8L V6 turbo from WA. Just waiting for it to be shipped over on the train. My Wife is super excited haha She loves them.
 
What Saab do you own or thinking of buying?
 

We have owned a 1996 900NG Coupe and a 1999 9-3 TS Coupe. Both Auto.
The second revision of the original 9-3 Aero from 2000-2002 would be a nice one to get. Updated engine and ecu plus some slight exterior improvements. Like this one http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Saab-9-3-2002/SSE-AD-2899336/?Cr=3&sdmvc=1
 
 
 

anarchisttomato
There are three cars I'm looking at: original, non-GM Saab 900, manual turbo 9-3 (late 90s), auto Saab 9-5 (around 2000 with cream interior). And another motivation... I've met a super hot French girl who can only drive auto! (hence why I'm looking at the 9-5)
 
There is definitely one big draw with the MR2... the community is nice. :) When I had my 200sx, the community was a series of genetically engineered cocks! You guys are newbie friendly and welcoming.

Haha, French cars? I love their women, but I'm not that much of a sadist! Part of the appeal with the Saab is that I own a 1994 NG900, which I bought because of the lovely interior (cream and black, not grey - I HATE grey interiors) and the stunning seats which make an enormous difference on a long drive. And the sound insulation. And the enormous boot! (See, I'm only 30, but I'm already marching quickly towards, middle age, eh?) Umm, where was I? \
 
Oh yes, I bought the Saab because I was sick of only buying reliable Japanese cars and wanted something cheap and European - I got it for $900 off an old Scotsman with a gammy leg and paid a few hundred fixing a few bits and bobs - as a disposable car. But the thing is, the Saab never goes wrong. It always starts, it never overheats. It's actually more reliable than the Japanese sportscars I've had so far. But the clutch is heavy, which is fine with most driving, but bad for peak hour bumper-to-bumper traffic. A light clutch or an auto would make it a gorgeous place to be in peak hour. And the cream interior'd 9-5 looks like the friendliest car to sit in I've ever seen!
 
The Aeros are tempting, but I ain't got the money, and the interiors are almost always grey. Black or cream is fine, but why do people have grey interiors? They're depressing. The depreciation on Saabs is fantastic for grabbing a bargain, so I can get a decent nick 9-5 for around $3K over here in Perth, and a 9-3 for even less.
 
One super large appeal of the AW11 in particular is that people like you in it. Just yesterday I had a five year old boy tug on his dad's shirt and go, "Dad, Dad, look - race car!!!!!". Girls like it because it's cute, and it perfectly walks the line between prettiness/cuteness and not looking... well, like you're cruising for a man, hehe.
 
 

Thanks man, better advice I couldn't ask for. Certainly hoping it isn't an improperly fitted (new!!!!) head gasket. The chief reason that I'm not willing to shell out for something like that is that I already spent the earth the last time something went wrong. I was thinking of selling maybe for about $2200? Not sure: it is running well, has another 6 months of rego, and doesn't overheat if it's topped up (I still have to check it today to see if it's holding fluid or not). But it's hail damaged.
 
If I were working man with enough money, I'd probably fix something like a head gasket for sure - but I'm on a disability pension, and your taxes are paying for it! ;)

anarchisttomato
Oooh, possible good news. I took it out for a spirited drive yesterday and the level in the evening was fine. I filled it to the brim at about 9 PM last night, and when I checked it today, it had dropped almost an inch, without having been driven. This would suggest there is a slow leak somewhere, yeah? (That would be a nicer scenario).
 

Forgive me if you have already done this but have you checked under radiator and felt around radiator hose joins for leaks?  Also apart from head gasket problem worst case scenario is faulty water pump which may be seeping water out under engine. suggest you check these things after it cools down after driving.

Have you followed the proper burping procedure?
 
The AW11 cooling system takes almost 12L of coolant, so an inch drop could be from it not being filled properly to begin with.
You need to have the heater fully on (so turn on the car and crank the heater all the way up then switch off the car), there's a bleeder valve there (under the bonnet right up the top of the firewall, you may need to remove plastic trim to get to it). Connect the "service hose" i.e. clear plastic hose to it and turn the tap on top until you see coolant run up the hose.
 
There's also a bleeder valve at the top of the radiator on the passenger side; remove the plastic trim between the headlights and it's right there. Again plastic hose here and snake it around the bonnet prop and turn on the top until coolant runs up the hose. If coolant doesnt run out then either you haven't opened the tap enough, or you are missing a lot of coolant!
 
In the engine bay you need to find the thermostat housing above the gearbox, there's a plastic screw there that needs to be taken off; this is usually the first point where coolant runs out, so if you remove it and coolant overflows there immediately, just put the screw back in straight away. Also make sure both the rubber O-rings on that screw are in good condition.
 
With those 3 bleed points checked. undo your coolant cap, and fill coolant until all three bleed points show coolant in the hoses and it overflowed on the thermostat, and no air bubbles escaping, and no coolant level dropping at the cap.
 
Once you think you have filled it enough, close all the bleed points, and turn on the car without the cap on. make sure the level doesnt drop at the cap, sometimes it can overflow a little bit too, so don't worry if it does, if it over flows a LOT though the warmer the car gets, then you may have a head gasket issue.
 
Run the car for around 2mins without the cap on (by this I mean have it idle in your driveway, not actually drive it!). switch off the car, fit the cap all the way on then take the car for a drive and see if it overheats then or not.
 
If you lose coolant at this point, take it to a mechanic who can perform a reliable cooling system pressure test, as well as an exhaust gas detection test in the coolant. This will not cost you a lot of money and will give you a definite answer if there's either a head gasket issue or cooling system issue.

If you ever want a good read about the procedures for stuff like this, the MR2 workshop manuals are available here:
 
http://manual.teq.org/
 
This is the Bible for anyone who works on their own MR2.

I used to change my sports cars every 3-4 years from 1970 to 1987. I had an AW11 for 3 years and I then bought an SW20 which I have had
for 22 years.
I thought they would become a classic in time, so I kept mine in immaculate condition, but still enjoyed driving it as it was meant to be. My MR2 has been loved by me every time I admire its styling or go for a spirited drive. To me it is priceless.