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Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2002 18:09:28 -0500
From: "David Nicholson" <por928nopsamcway.com>
Subject: Re: Need help purchasing used Saab


Quirky or not, the older 900's are anvil tough. I have a 1985 900 Turbo 2 door that has 257,000+miles on it, with only a clutch, thermostat, alternator, belts and hoses, and now, I have a noisy rt front wheel bearing. These are terrific cars. Dave Nicholson "Four Weis" <mweinopsamcom> wrote in message news:3D83E1CA.72A988Fnopsamcom... > Each model has its "quirks", which are viewed as good or bad, depending on > the person you ask. My bias is towards the Classic 900s - 1993 and older. > My reasons are as follows: > 1. The Classic (hardtops) have rain gutters which makes it easy to attach > affordable roof racks > 2. The front to back engine layout with the wishbone suspension does very > well in the snow and ice -better than the 9000s, 9-3, and 9-5 > 3. The hatchback model has NO lip - large, heavy object SLIDE in and out - > a feature which is currently available only on the high priced 9-5 wagon. > 4. The clutch is hydraulic - Saab tried a cable clutch for a few years > (1995-1997?) and went back to a hydraulic clutch > 5. The front pillars are thinner - they don't block your vision as much as > the NG models and 9-3s > 6. You an get a Classic 900 without a turbo - making it a slower car, > better for beginning driver > 7. You can get a good Classic 900 for under $2,000 > 8. You can get new steel rims for the Classic at $40 each - when you get > into the newer 9-3s with 16" rims or bigger, you must use alloys at over > $120 a rim, don't even think of buying Saab 17" rims at a dealer unless > money is no object. > 9. Classics can be found in different configurations: convertibles, 3 door > hatchback, 5 door hatchbacks and 4 door sedans - take your choice. > > > The 1986 900 was the last year of the "cheap headlights" - 6"x7" > rectangular. European Glass Cibie models with H4 bulbs could be had for > $30 each. After that year the plastic aerodynamic lights were used > starting at over $200 for the lens assembly. However, the parking brake > was on the front wheels for the 1986 year - no hand brake turns possible. > The next year the parking brake was moved to the rear wheels. Some time > before 1990, the brakes used on the 9000 were put on the 900s. The older > 900 brakes required a tool to turn back the self adjusting pistons. The > 1986 900 had a traditional transmission dipstick. I know the 1990 model > and possibly earlier eliminated the traditional transmission dipstick and > you must use a 19 mm socket to loosen a bolt with a short dipstick to > check the transmission oil. Does anyone know of an after market > traditional dipstick tube that can be used to replace the bolt? > > Jen wrote: > > > I have always wanted a Saab and am now, finally, considering > > purchasing a 900 (used). I was wondering if you fine folks here could > > help me with a list of things to look for. I understand that Saabs > > are "quirky", so I'm looking for 900 specific info. For example, I > > work at an auto auction and you couldn't give me a mid-90's Saab - > > I've seen too many with extreme problems. So, if you could recommend > > the best years to look for as well, I'd appreciate that too. > > > > Thanks in advance, > > Potential Saab Owner >

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