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My experiences, long
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Posted by Luis (more from Luis) on Sat, 3 Feb 2001 22:12:01 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: Things to look for when buying a used 900?, GTI Jason, Sat, 3 Feb 2001 18:15:11
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Hey Jason and Group,
This is my second post here but I am on my second SAAB (started in '93), I am not a mechanic, and my knowledge is limited so feel free to correct me if I am wrong.
I have just gotten my new(used) SAAB '87 900s 3Dr to replace my '82 900 Turbo 4Dr. The reason I got rid of the '82 was due to body rot, apparently, the mechanic noticed(after taking the car apart) that the windshield was leaking onto the driver's side floorboard and causing it to rot due to a heavy accident earlier in its life causing things not to line up 100% (read, bad repair job). To make a long story short, the 82 should have never been redone, but my dad got it cheap ($600 with an extra engine,tranny and turbo) and decided to redo it, and make it a fun project for him, so needless to say there were many pains with it. So I now have an '87 900s 3Dr 5spd 163K, and I got my girlfriend to buy a '90 900s 3Dr auto 133K.
What I have learned:
1)SAABs are high maintenance vehicles, these are NOT gas and go type cars like Hondas, and Toyotas. But they are MUCH more fun than those cars as well.

2)I guess the biggest thing to go on these cars is the tranny, the last about 120K mi. (on average, many exceptions). Speaking of trannies, if you know how to drive stick, get the manual!!, you have 2 extra gears since the auto trannies are only 3 speeds (girlfriend doesn't know how and a SAAB is not the car to learn on). Comparing my car to hers, mine definitely feels much quicker, and revs lower too.

3)The Turbos are much more fun than the NAs, but like you mentioned, it adds another piece to the maintenance equation. Although Turbo's don't usually provide much more of a headache, in fact average life span is about the same on turbo vs NA (correct me if I am wrong here). In either iteration, SAAB motors are torquey (which makes for good pull you into the seat driving) The '82 8v Turbo (~140 hp?) vs the '8716v NA (125hp), the Turbo was faster, but up to 2500 rpm in 1st, i think the 16v NA is quicker, after that the power (torque i guess) flattens, whereas the turbo kept on pulling you into the seat up until 4500. I wanted a turbo, but I wound up with a NA because it was cheaper, and available locally though my mechanic. All in all, the 16v with the 5 speed is good, and I am happy with mine. Although I did love the fact that overtaking was so much fun with the turbo (especially on inclines) 55 --> 85 before you knew it :). I hear the 8v NA motor is a tank (110 hp), but not quite as peppy as the 16v.

4)Don't worry about high miles, I seriously considered 3 cars an '85 turbo with 200K, an 86 SPG with 220K, and my 87 900s with 163K. The SPG was my favorite(sucker was faaast) but it would have required more money to get it to a point where I would want it than I had to spend, amongst other reasons.

5)These trannies do not like abuse aka, if you wind up racing civics (Veedub guys are notorious for doing this :), and dropping the clutch too many times, you will get yourself an $1800 tranny replacement bill. Don't ask me how I know this... If you are gunna goof around, let the motor do the work the way it was designed, in the midrange...

6)In '88 the Classic 900's got a the 9000 brakes, most guys here consider them better. This also meant the parking brake moved to the rear tires. Just FYI all 99's(Since 69 i think?) and 900's have 4 wheel disc brakes.

7)Don't worry about gadgets etc, most SAABs(especially non base models) come with plenty to keep you occupied. Let's see my favorite include power windows (even my '82 had em up front), Heated Seats, Power Mirrors (again even in 82), sometimes they are even heated (like on my gfs '90), headlight wipers, power antenna, the dash arrangement is excellent (everything is in a logical place), The A/C isn't great, but the heating is. The windshield is great, except when you have to look up at traffic lights. Again the more gadgets like automatic sunroofs, and passive seatbelts are more things to spend money on, whereas your arm is much cheaper to maintain.

8)Classic 900's are unabodied. aka if you bend a fender, you can't just unbolt it and put in a new one, you either have to bend it back to the right shape or do some cutting and welding, makes for expensive body repair. Wheel wells tend to rust out first, and bondo doesn't quite cut it.

Like I said, maintenance is a must with these cars, stay on top of it and it will keep both you and the car happy, if not you will wind up cursing lots (again don't ask me how I know). The big things to check on the car before you buy is whining noise coming from the tranny especially in the high gears, the A/C does it work? check to see that everything power works, Sunroofs also sometimes leak. Cosmetically, dashes crack, and headliners sag. I rely on the mechanic alot more than most guys on this Group due to the fact that I don't have a garage and tools at my disposal, but in any case a good knowledgeable SAAB mechanic is a great asset, there is a listing on the web site. As you probably already know, this website is a great asset, and most of the guys here recommend the Bentley repair manuals. These cars are great after having a P.I.T.A. (even by SAAB standards), I went and got another one! I even got my girlfriend to buy one!

Hope this has helped,
-Luis

BTW where are you located, might help us recommend a mechanic/dealer.
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