The Parts Car Benefit and Burden

[johnsmith222]

I unintentionally acquired a SAAB parts car 5 or 6 years ago which is the “same” as my current car, but actually has a lot of differences. These include the brakes, the engine is similar, but the twin turbo model, interior is different, and it has the “better” (dated) headunit.
The problem with this car is it was initially acquired as a parts car due to a snapped timing belt, but I found out that the timing belt snapping on these only requires replacement of the rocker arms and timing belt kit in most cases. This turned the car from a parts car into a (will fix when my current car is on the way out).

It’s been something I was reluctant to take parts off of because of this uncertainty between the two situations.
The car has now sat for years, occasionally being used for some parts which I would sort when I would fix this and switch to it.
You’re actually quite limited as to what parts you can even take off a parts car, because most suspension components result in it being unable to sit on its 4 wheels.

The interior has gone mouldy, the brakes are seized on due to sitting for a long time, and it is in a position where I cannot walk around it (it’s up against a wall at one side due to access.

It’s time to accept that this car will never go on the road again, and that even if I was to get it running, that would be the start of repair due to sitting for so long.

I do currently still have another SAAB so it could still have some use yet. I’m thinking the best option would be to get it into a condition where it can be moved, stripped of any parts which may be useful (think light units, cutting off connector blocks for future pigtails, window regulators etc and possibly the front wings etc). Then getting it collected for scrap.

Has anyone had a similar parts car burden experience? Do you think I should keep it as is “just in case, or do you think it’s time to get it gone?

With my luck, I bet I’ll need something off it the minute I scrap it.

[WPA]

Instead of scraping it, why not speak to someone like Ben (Tasty Classics on YT) and see if he would take it as a project

[johnsmith222]

WPA said:

Instead of scraping it, why not speak to someone like Ben (Tasty Classics on YT) and see if he would take it as a project

Thanks WPA, it would be nice but unfortunately it's not that type of Saab that is worth restoring. It's a GM era diesel twin turbo aero, so would probably be easier just to start with a better example than this one.

[brillomaster]

Sounds sensible to me. Take off as much as you can and swap bits over whilst still keeping it rolling, then get it collected for scrap.

Then you'll just have shelves of parts you'll likely never use rather than an entire car you'll never use

FYI ive never had a parts car. Don't really understand the thinking. I understand a chassis swap from a rusty car to a non rusty car, but after that, the old car goes for scrap. Wouldn't have a car just sitting there waiting to donate its parts, it'll just go rotten while it waits to be used.

[johnsmith222]

brillomaster said:

Sounds sensible to me. Take off as much as you can and swap bits over whilst still keeping it rolling, then get it collected for scrap.

Then you'll just have shelves of parts you'll likely never use rather than an entire car you'll never use

FYI ive never had a parts car. Don't really understand the thinking. I understand a chassis swap from a rusty car to a non rusty car, but after that, the old car goes for scrap. Wouldn't have a car just sitting there waiting to donate its parts, it'll just go rotten while it waits to be used.

Thanks Brillomaster. I think that's the best option. I'll remove everything I can that I think will be useful, and scrap the rest.

The parts car came to me when a friend snapped his timing belt by chance and was going to scrap the car. He knew I had the same car and some space so it worked out nicely.

The reality though is that every job needs to be done twice to get the part you need. Even then, the part isn't new and might be problematic.

It's become a bit of an eyesore, so think it's best to pull off what I can and get rid of it now.

[DaveCWK]

What model SAAB?

Sone of the parts can be quite desirable still e.g the front seats if they are the electric memory ventilated type, the ECU is in the seat so easy retrofit to VW campers etc.
Speakers if its the Dynaudio model are all worth saving

[johnsmith222]

DaveCWK said:

What model SAAB?

Sone of the parts can be quite desirable still e.g the front seats if they are the electric memory ventilated type, the ECU is in the seat so easy retrofit to VW campers etc.
Speakers if its the Dynaudio model are all worth saving

Apologies I'm just seeing this Dave. The decision was made so I was kept busy removing parts from it.

It's a 2010 Saab 9-3 Aero 1.9ttid (Z19 DTR) engine.

It has some "better" bits on it (I say that as the headunit is dated now, and the big brakes are expensive to maintain), including the large front brake calipers, the cream interior, heated seats, and the sat nav head unit. The only thing is I don't know if these need to be "unmarried" as I recall some electronics needing tech 2 unmarried before removal.

I've removed most exterior parts that I want, but there's quite a bit from the interior that I'll remove too. Not sure how much will actually be of use though.

Looking underneath it, scrapping it would have been the right choice. Pretty much all suspension components need replaced, and getting it running would have been just the start of it.

I imagine I'll attack it for parts over the next couple of weeks then let it go. Even then, my plan wasn't really to break it or maximise selling parts, but just retain parts that would be useful to me for my current car.

I didn't know about people using the seats in VWs, so I'll consider pulling them too. I'll consider it once I've had another few rounds at removing other parts I may want and see.