The banner above is an advertisment - if it asks you to download software, please ignore.
Site News - 3/26 M Car Covers (by State of Nine) | 12/12 Make Amazon Pay Saabnet!
Date: 9 Oct 1999 00:21:06 -0500
From: "Taufan Tjioe" <ttjioe1nopsamp.rr.com>
Subject: Re: Saab info


I drove a 1996 900S for the remaining three years of college - which involved numerous 8 hour drives home and back to school between Potsdam NY (which is situated 20 miles from Canada), and Long Island NY. No problems whatsoever. I've helped two people purchase used 9000s though, so here's the advice I'll give you. I would say that if you want to go simple, get a 900, but if you want to be a little more daring, get a 9000. If you do get a 1990ish 9000, I would get: 1. A 2.3l 9000 - which is what came about mid-1990. The presence of the distributorless direct-ignition in non-turbo 2.3l engines is a bit of a mixed blessing. It does help quite a bit when it's cold out, but lots of people say that the direct ignition cartridge can be unreliable. I've never had probelms with my parent's 9000 though. Pre mid-1990 9000s come with a the 2.1 (or is it 2.0 litre) engine, that is kind of underpowered - and they lack the counter-rotating balancing shafts that make the 2.3l engine so special. 2. A manual 9000 - the automatics in some 9000s tend to be their weakest point. If you do look at an automatic 9000, test the smoothness of the 3 to 4 shift when warm, as well as downshifting through the entire rev band. Check for an idle-drop when decelerating quickly too. ALthough these can't give you the full story, they can give you an indication as to how the automatic is doing, and possibly how the original owner treated the car. 3. A 9000 that has the manual air-conditioning - although I really, really like the 15 button ACC2 System, they tend to be expensive to repair. There is also a R12 to R134a refrigerant conversion that you can get for these earlier Saabs. f you look at a car with the ACC system, there is a limited functional diagnostic that you can put the unit through, which will tell you if anything is wrong with it. Make sure you get a car with the ACC2 system (identified by the presence of an off button), rather than the original ACC system which does not have an off button. 4. Check seat heater operation too, and make sure the headlamp cleaners work. Make sure the SRS light isn't on either - 1990 9000s are starting to show some corrosion on the SRS collision sensors that cause this. I would say that the one word which describes the interior of the 9000 series is: timeless. The 9000s were around from 1984 (in Europe) right up until 1998, and the general interior layout and appearence has changed very little. Even today, it lacks the dated appearence that some dash layouts get after a few years, and still looks like a fresh design. A friend who recently bought a 91 9000 recently remarked that everything interior related in terms of instruments and controls was purposefull rather than cosmetic. Compare for yourself the way the inside of a 1988 9000 looks to that of a 1995 or 1996 9000, and you'll find aside from minor changes to the steering wheel, and the presence of a passenger air-bag in place of a glove box, very minor differences overall, inside. Anyhoo, if you have any more questions/comments - or if you want information on the 900s, send me an e-mail....I also found that the Saabs, especially on college campuses, attract other Saab owners to talk to, about the cars....you just don't get that attitude with Volvo owners. -T tnopsamkson.edu In article <hfqK3.5727$Y96.43833nopsam.rdc2.occa.home.com> , "TKART" <TKartchnernopsam.com> wrote: > I am thinking bout purchasing a Saab or a Volvo, My only concern is that the > Saab may not be a practical car for college student that has to travel from > Southern California to Washington state. The other concern is why are Saabs > fun to drive, is it just cause they handle so well, should I expect high > repair costs. I am liking the price of used Saabs they seem to be a little > less than used Volvos. Although I like the exterior styling of the 9000 I > think that the ignition in the 900 is really cool. But I want to see > pictures of the interior of both the early 90's 9000 and 900, The nearest > Saab dealer is about 30 minutes away so I would like to see them before I > drive one. I have also heard that Volvos seem to be a little more solid > feeling(not in handling, just in driving), If you could just help me get > more info on Saabs. > Thanks > Tory > >

Return to Main Index
StateOfNine.com
SaabClub.com
Jak Stoll Performance
M Car Covers
Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]