I quite agree about the '84 900. I have driven/owned two 1984 900S 3-door 5-speeds (the first is still with me, albeit a driveway-sitting parts donor).

I like the peppy response, throaty 8-valve exhaust note (wait 'til your muffler goes!), great gas mileage, and (what I consider) the more classic look of either black or silver headlight fascias and sealed beam headlamps.

The '84s I've had were problematic in the overheating department, so (upon the excellent mechanic, Tom Townsend's, recommendation), I installed the cooler 82°C thermostat and matching radiator fan thermo-switch. His philosophy is keeping the engine cool, and here in the "sun-belt," I agree. Also, he turned me onto the tip of using non-corrosive Mercedes-Benz coolant in SAABs, instead of even the SAAB factory coolant. He has also worked on M-B cars, and realized he'd never seen a head gasket repair job--ever--on a Benz which ran M-B coolant EXCLUSIVELY. He started putting the M-B juice in SAABs, and voila! Head gasket jobs on SAABs with the M-B juice plummted to nearly none. (At $15 per gallon, it's not much more than SAAB factory coolant and it's better insurance, but that's my opinion.)

Another thing I've replaced is the much-talked about "black-tipped switch" below the top radiator hose on the engine, screwed into the thermostat housing. I replaced it with the red-tipped, higher temperature switch. See this old post (copy & paste) for more details: http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/bb/900/index.html?bID=212742

For my first '84 900S experience recollection, paste this URL into your browser: http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/bb/900/index.html?bID=219920

Kudos on finding an '84 (anything) with only 84K miles on it!

Micah in NC
'84 900S, 233K mi. (see, they last a long time; it's my daily driver!)

posted by 216.77.233...

To find out how to install fog lights on your '84 (it's pre-wired for 'em) click here to see my old Saabnet post.

• 1984 Saab 900 8-valve for commuting..., AzureBlue, Tue, 22 Apr 2003 17:50:41
  • I totally agree: '84 "was a very good year" (long), Micah in NC, Wed, 23 Apr 2003 07:36:59 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Glad to hear the 84's are so well liked..., Wally Kniaz, Wed, 23 Apr 2003 09:14:39
  • Re: 1984 Saab 900 8-valve for commuting..., Quincy, Wed, 23 Apr 2003 05:56:31
  • Re: 1984 Saab 900 8-valve for commuting..., Patrick c, Tue, 22 Apr 2003 18:32:38
  • I used to use my 85 8V for commuting, Trev, Tue, 22 Apr 2003 18:30:28
  • Re: 1984 Saab 900 8-valve for commuting..., bj, Tue, 22 Apr 2003 18:07:32

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