Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 21:11:13 -0000 From: Skodapilot <carl.robsonnopsamcing-czechs.com> Subject: Re: Where can I find a buyer guide to the classic 900 (not the newer 900/9-3/9-5)
In article <B9FAFC63.1142%pjghnopsamyonder.co.uk>, pjghnopsamyonder.co.uk spouted forth into alt.autos.saab... > in article MPG.183f36753c724ace9896acnopsam.demon.nl, Zweef at > barboernopsamemotorfiets.nl wrote on 15/11/2002 15:51: > > > In article <MPG.183f0b5d2fc9a482989f06nopsam.cis.dfn.de>, > > carl.robsonnopsamcing-czechs.com says... > >> I want to > >> keep the Fav for fun, but the day to day car needs to be reliable, > >> comfortable, and quick. > >> > > And all of that for a few hundred pounds! Well, that would be nice! > > > > Spend a few pounds more and buy a decent 2.0 litre 16 valve 900i, > > preferably the 3 or five door variant. There's very little trouble with > > them as long as they're well maintained. > > So long as the bodywork is good, he can't go wrong with an early-mid 1980s > 900i. [Personally I prefer the older flat-nose shape unless, of course, the > car has the Aero or Carlsson body kit.] I think, having seen plenty around, and having liked quirks in car (I used to bomb around in a rear engine Skoda and will again) the flat front is the most distinctive. > Carl - take a look at the galleries in http://www.nospam/. The 900 had > two distinct front-ends: a flat-nose (up to MY 1985) and a sloped-nose (1986 > on). > > My reasons for proposing the earlier models are: > > Firstly, the older they are, the cheaper [This is for a Skoda driver > <grin>]. If it fires up, it should be fine. Engine idling problems are very > easily sorted, mis-firing engines are rare (again, easily sorted by > replacing a few cheap electrical components) and the clutch is an absolute > breeze to get to when things go wrong there. Short of that, normal servicing > will keep it running indefinitely. Guess you know what Skoda drivers are like. It's not unusual to find a car donated to the next owner, and have it still running good as new 10 years later. I can find my way round a Haynes manual, and have a fairly good, but always expanding collection of hand tools, a trolley jack, and axle stands. Are idling probs related to Bosch mechanical injection, and the throttle getting gummed up? Seem to recall this being a problem on Audi GT Coupes. How long do the Cam chains last? For some reason, something tells to trust a chain more than a belt, because as it wears, at least you hear the rattle, and know it is time to get it sorted. Skoda cam chanins are supposed to be changed every 35k Miles, but my car as done much more than the 50k on the clock (mileometer was broken when I bought it, and had been for at least 6 months), and is just starting to show signs of chain rattle, and hasn't reached the machine gun stage yet, dealer reckons change with the next 5-10k miles which is about 6 months to a years drving for me). > Secondly, electric windows always fail at some point. The earlier models are > more likely to have manual winders. On older cars, the less electrical > gizzmos, the less hassle. Yeah I apreciate electrical components will fail, burnout, or just drop off. > Carl - The 900i is a great one to start with. The turbos can be a bit risky > on the really cheap ones - you need to know what you're looking for. My 1985 > 900i cost 285UKP and it's run fine for 50,000+ miles while I've had it. Yeah, I realise about the dangers and cost of knackered turbos. I know to look for side to side and from to back float on the bearings on the compressor side (can you get the boost hose off easily and reach in on a Saab 900, and check for play?) But I suppose damaged, broken or just burn off vanes on the blades is a lot harder to see, especially on the exhaust side. believe it or not, a few of us Skud Nutters are sharing knowledge, tools, parts and scrapyard locations, to build a DIY 1 litre Estelle turbo. One guy is an electronic and mechanical engineer, I'm a serious net head, and another is a Skoda trained mechanic, plus numerous other assistants, eggers on, and general trouble makers. it is hoped to be running by xmas, and not burn't out by the new year, but drag racing in the summer. the car has already been converted from swing axle to semi trailing arm rear end, and from 4 to 5 speed. Thanks for the advise. I guess the older Saabs really are worth looking at for the few pounds they go for. -- Carl Robson http://www.bouncing-czechs.com
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