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Re: 900 or 9000
Posted by Thomas Garbelotti (more from Thomas Garbelotti) on Sat, 24 Jun 2000 12:35:07
In Reply to: , Kok Chen, Sat, 17 Dec 1988 12:00:00 

I have noticed a fair amount of negative comments concerning 94 & 95
NG900's, most of it due in no small part to the truth that any new model of
any car suffers a few mechanical setbacks.

I would, however, like to stand up, and note that our 1994 900s 5 door (NG)
has performed admirably though its life so far, and we are the original
owners.  During its life, we have paid to replace the serpentine belt and
the plastic pulleys (no39sdcx6spamx78255k), an air conditioning switch (no39sdcx6spamx78250k), and radiator
hoses (also at 55k).  I put new brake pads on at 50k, but the old ones were
not worn that badly to warrant replacement.  Oh yeah, one set of tires, and
we are planning on putting on new tires and shocks this summer.  That's it.

Admittedly, the following were fixed at the dealer free of charge as either
a recall, or a service alert: Serpentine belt (aprox. 5k); retaining bolt
on front seats (10k); added side beam for rear passenger side impact (10k);
water pump (25k).

Also, the car does eat batteries.  Every 2.5 years, on the nose, it chews
up a battery with no warning.  We have had this car in warm climates
(Chicago, Florida, and now Sicily) and it gives no indicator that the
battery is dying, but one day will simply not start.  New battery = no
problem.

All of that having been said, the car has never been towed, had never
stranded us (dead battery was push started, and the recent serpentine belt
break still allowed us to drive 5 miles without damage), and for me that
rates as a pretty damn reliable vehicle.

Purchase price of this car for me was 21.5, basic model, no options.  Total
maintenance over 6 years including tires, oil changes, scheduled services
(except 60k) and repairs has equaled the following, and for the accountant
types, this is rounded to the nearest dollar.

Total maintenance and repairs (12 oil changes - I do 3k -, 15k & 30k
service, 1 set of tires, brake pads (all 4 quarters), air conditioning
switch, coolant hoses, serpentine belt and plastic pulleys) has equaled a
total of $2420.00.  Over 6 years this means an average of $403.33 a year,
or $40.33 a month.  This calculation is based on 60k (the vehicle actually
has 65k), and works out to $.04 a mile.  Not too shabby.

We will be spending approx. $950 this summer on new tires, shocks, and
bushings.  The car needs tires, but we are going to replace the shocks and
bushings as a matter of good maintenance, not due to a problem.

This information is provided only as an informational device for other
SAABnet readers, and is in no way scientifically accurate. However, we are
the original owners, and the above numbers are based on actual repairs that
I have the receipts for (and I haven't lost any).

Without question (and until my '87 tc just dumped her tranny at 130k - but
now it has a EURO spec transmission, much faster, but that's a different
story) the 1994 NG 900 has been the most economical, and reliable car I
have owned.

Thomas T. Garbelotti
1987 900 turbo convertible, silver, 135k. (US spec, euro transmission -
80mph in 5th gear at 3k, top down - used to be 65)
1994 900s 5 door, citron beige, 65k
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