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My progressin 85 900 turbo/5 sp**86 900 4-door/5 sp (kids)**89 9000S/auto(bigger kids)**87 900 cvt(wife got minivan)
9K was less problems (but a newer car), but the problems were usually tougher to diagnose and more expensive to fix, but at that time NO ONE made an aftermarket manual for the 9000. I finally ended up buying a full set of factory shop manuals for about $400.
As to which is easier to work on, it depends on what your trying to fix. Dealing with interior problems, especially in-dash problems, the 900 is much easier, and less trouble due to less electronics. The engine is a wash unless you're working on the front (which for some odd reason refers to the back (pully and belt end) on the 900. On the 9000 (87), removing the pass side wheel and panel gives nice access to that end of the engine. On the 900, everything is very close to the firewall, and you can't do much from underneath, so water pump, oil pump, harmonic balancer, even alternator removal is a "work your way down from the top while leaning over the side of the car" job.
With a fixed top, the 9000 is a far superior vehicle, more room, quieter, and a better ride at speed (75-85 mph), although the 900 seems better at 55.
They don't make a 9000 Conv, so I now own a 900.
Definitly buy a turbo.
Don't worry about the auto trans, if taken care of they're no less reliable than the manual (which are known to fail also if abused), but the manual will make the car quieter at speed (much lower engine revs in 5th w/man than 3rd w/auto), and will generally give 5-10 more MPG.
If the top needs work, assume expensive, even if DIY. In the last 3 yrs, I've replaced the cylinders, over $100 each, replace in pairs only, and replaced the top $500, materials only.
It's a treat to drive, and is the only conv I'd consider owning for a daily driver in Minnesota.


posted by 12.106.8...

• 9000 owner needs 900 buying advice, Jay K, Wed, 18 Dec 2002 17:48:01
  • Been there, done that, Bill U, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 12:58:53 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: 9000 owner needs 900 buying advice, Jay K, Thu, 19 Dec 2002 09:33:31
  • Worth repeating: NOT AN AUTO 900!!!..., Joe98, Thu, 19 Dec 2002 09:13:23
  • Re: 9000 owner needs 900 buying advice, Jack T., Thu, 19 Dec 2002 00:27:52
  • parts, nt moore, Wed, 18 Dec 2002 23:11:33
  • Re: 9000 owner needs 900 buying advice, Justin VanAbrahams , Wed, 18 Dec 2002 20:18:46
    • Re: 9000 owner needs 900 buying advice, Paddy, Wed, 18 Dec 2002 21:47:07
  • Re: 9000 owner needs 900 buying advice, beejay, Wed, 18 Dec 2002 19:34:53
  • Re: 9000 owner needs 900 buying advice, John N, Wed, 18 Dec 2002 19:31:26

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