Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2000 19:25:46 -0700 From: Justin VanAbrahams <jvanabranopsamnet> Subject: Re: 85 vs 91 gas mileage
Mark Schnittman wrote: > > Hi. I have a 1985 Saab 900. It gets 25 - 27 mpg mixed driving. I > recently bought a 1991 900S and its getting 21 - 24 mpg mixed driving. > Does anyone have a feel for why this would be? I'm not sure if > there's something not quite right with the 91. Or if the gas mileage > dropped when they made the engine a little bigger and added the 16 > valves. Oh yeah, the 85 has 8 valves. Maybe it has to do with the > different (I think) gear ratios, and how I'm driving? Both are > 5-speeds. > > One more bit of information... I can't be 100% sure but I think the > 91 is getting rather good highway mileage and very very bad local > mileage. > > Thanks for helping to solve the mystery! > > mark The larger engine should naturally result in slightly lower mileage. Also keep in mind that the 91 likely weighs several hundred pounds more than the '85 - heavier engine, ABS, airbags, etc. all add to the weight of the car. -Justin