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Re: Which are the best worst years for a saab 900?  1 Saabers Like This Post!
Posted by Larry West [Email]  (#1140)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Larry West) on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:23:16
In Reply to: Which are the best worst years for a saab 900?, Esteban, Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:06:58 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
All years have their advantages and disadvantages. As others posted, it depends on what you are willing to put up with, and what the tradeoffs are.
Most of this is US market spec...
79 & 80 had the Saab 99's 8 valve "B" engine. An extremely reliable powerplant, except that the water pump is built into the block, and the repair kits for these are, at best, difficult to find. Some have converted to an electric pump, but I wouldn't. Also, this gives you a different turbocharger and wastegate. Interior bits are somewhat unique to these years. Later parts will fit, but may take some work. Upholstery is unique, falls into disrepair easily, and is hard to find. Front brake discs mounted behind the hub, requiring removal of the entire axle assembly to change (these can be updated...). Last years of the full-size spare tire. Only 3-door and 5-door models built. Models were the 900, 900 GLE, 900 EMS, and 900 turbo. non-turbo 8 valves were 115 hp, turbos 135 hp.
1981 Saab changed the car a bit. Introduced the 4-door sedan (no hatch). In the US, only 3-door and 4-door models sold. Other markets kept the 5-door. Far rear floor changed, mini spare now under the trunk floor, trunk lining changed. New "H" motor with belt driven water pump, and crank driven oil pump eliminates the extra shaft in the motor. Intake pressure operated wastegate on the turbo. lighter front hubs with brake discs you can change easily. New upholstery styles. New door mirrors and door glass. Models were 900, 900S, 900 turbo
1982 The major introduction was late in the year of the APC system. APC allows the use of less-than-optimal fuel grades on turbocharged cars.
1983 First appearance of Leather seats in a Saab (in "EAG" package). Window tint became bronze instead of green/blue. Power windows.
1984 Grille is different, power window switches moved to center console.
1985 First 16 valve engines. 900 turbo SPG offered. Ventilated front brake discs, and anti-roll bars on 16v turbos (maybe only SPG this year, all turbos in 86). First sales of 900 two-door in USA. USA market now held 2 door, 3 door & 4 door. The 5 door soldiered on in other markets.
1986 Classic Convertible introduced - 350 cars for the US market. 900 S got the 16v non-turbo motor. Last year for the flat nose.
1987 bumpers, grille, headlights and front corners modified to a "conformal" or "Aerodynamic" look, which the 900 was to keep until they stopped making them. 900 SPG gets a little performance boost over the stock 900 turbo.
1988: new brakes, wheels, etc. The 900 adapts the running gear of the 9000. Better brakes with e-brake on the rear. All models get ventilated front discs. All models get anti-roll bars standard.
(The passive belts made their appearance about 1987, and didn't fully go away until 1990 when all 900s came with a driver airbag standard. The belts are NOT on all models, and are easily changed over. The only caveat is the mounting for those seats differs from cars with out the passive belts in the same years, though it is the same as for 1991 and later 900s.)
1990: all 900s had the 16v motor. 125/128 hp non-turbo, 165 hp turbo, 175 hp SPG. Airbags & ABS standard. Leather standard on S and turbo.
1991: non-turbo motor bored to 2.1 liters at 140 hp. First appearance of headlight wipers on US spec cars (non-us cars always had them). Window trim became black on all models. 900S convertible introduced to US market with 2.1 non-turbo motor.
1992: dropped the "900". Now only 900S & 900 turbo.
1993: last year for the 900 hardtops. Special "commemorative" edition 900 turbo built.
1994: Classic sold as 1994 in Convertible body only. All built before end of summer, 1993, as US law required dual airbags in any car built after about September 1993.
The non-turbos can be just as much fun as the turbos. You don't have the straight line speed, but you have the same cornering (or can get it...) ability. Plus, since you can't develop quite the same amount of momentum you can with the turbo, going through the twisties can be a bit easier.
(if you don't believe me, ask the guy in the beryl green SPG who was being dogged by me in a 1980 99 on the 2000 Saabtoberfest run. He could only hide on the straights...)
Non-turbo 16v motors MUST be driven at over 3,200 RPM to get any meaningful power out of them. If you're just dawdling along, you don't have to rev them like that, but if you want performance, they've gotta be in that rev band.
Unless you absolutely need to, avoid the automatic transmissions. They are an older 3-speed design, cannot be upgraded to anything more modern, can be very spendy to repair, and guzzle gas a lot faster than a manual will.
The 1979 only had a 4 speed manual. GREAT gearbox!
Early (1980 & part of 81) 5-speeds were self-destructive. Be very hesitant about a car in those years claiming to have the original tranny. Later 5-speeds were good, but they couldn't keep up with the motors, unfortunately! Upgrading to a later trans is not really a problem.
Go for a later car if you must have air conditioning. 79 & 80 had somewhat kluged together systems, though they were from GM, so parts are probably still available.
There are a ton of other detail changed made over the years that I didn't include, but this should give you the big picture.
I wouldn't tell you to avoid any particular year, but rather look at the car as a whole.
_______________________________________ Current: 2002 9-5 Aero Kombi Cosmic Blue 2000 9-5 SE sedan, Imola Red 1990 900S Rose Quartz, Auto Past: 1999 9-5 LPT Combi 1999 9-5 LPT sedan 2002 9-5 Arc 1990 900 5-speed 1986 900 turbo Convertible 1991 9000 turbo 1980 99 GLi 1986 900 turbo 1986 900 S 1991 900 turbo 1984 900 turbo 1976 99 GL
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