Date: Tue, 04 Aug 1998 11:11:59 -0700 From: Justin VanAbrahams <jvanabranopsamnet> Subject: Re: Advice on buying 9000
ERIC HO wrote: > > Having owned a 900GLE before, (4 doors + hatch, and ran on gas OR propane!) I > am in the market for a 9000, 1986-1990. > > 1)Turbo or no turbo? The 9000 is only a couple hundred pounds heavier than a 900, so it's your option of whether or not to get a turbo. The 9000s all came with 16v engines, so you'll definitely have more power than your 900GLE had either way. Personally, I'd opt for a turbo, not earlier than '87 when they switch to a water cooled turbo. I've got two 9000Ts right now, one with 190k and one with 212k, and both are using their original turbos. > 2)Standard or automatic? I've heard the automatic has lots of problems. The autos are a pain in the rear. My first 9000 was a 5-speed, and it was great. 130k on the original tranny. Both my current 9000s are autos, and both have been replaced. They are slower, get poorer gas mileage, and aren't nearly as much fun. Still nice cars, but the 5-speed *is* preferable. > 3)Options worth having? Can't say. In America early 9000s only had a couple options: Sunroof and Leather being the only ones I'm aware of. My first 9000 did not have leather or sunroof, both the current ones do. Power everything, automatic climate control, alloys, everything. If you get one with power windows do be aware that sometimes the regulators give out and the windows will stop working. Expensive to fix. Also, the automatic climate control (ACC) will eventually fail, and is also expensive. I've never had one break, but I know of many that have. It's also usually the same part that breaks, leading me to believe it's a design failure. > 4)Any particular year to avoid? Any year preferred ? '86 is the only year to "avoid." There is *nothing* wrong with them, but in '87 they switched to a watercooled turbo which is definitely advisable. I don't know anything about '85s, since they weren't offered here (America - dunno if they were sold in Canada, but they were offered in Europe). > 5)Things to watch for when checking the car out? Check all the electrical things. Sunroof and windows mostly. Check to be sure the heat and a/c works. Check the windscreen on the inside to be sure there is no coolant "film" on it - it's a sign of a leaky heater control valve and a common failure. Check for rust in odd places, like along doors and such - the main body panels don't seem to rust too readily. Check the center muffler for rust holes - all three 9000s I've owned have this problem. Make sure all the warning lights go out (ABS, Fluids, etc.) a few seconds after the car starts. Similarly, make sure they all go on - it's possible someone pulled the bulbs to cover up problems. Good luck! -Justin
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