thinking of buying saab 900

Gerry

I've been toying withthe idea of getting an old model saab 900. I owned a 900 S 16v. in america and loved it. It has so much more character than modern cars
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here has any advice or tips about what I should look for when buying one.
I have driven an lpt and thought it had plenty of go, but still want to try a turbo. Now, any class ( pre 94 ) 900 that is up for sale is gonna have 100k+ on it, so does anyone know if it is worth getting a full turbo anymore, or is it too likely to be clapped out?
Thanks for any help.

dahamsta

Saabs wear well, but be prepared to pay through the nose for one, they're very popular. Particularly 900's. Particularly Turbos.

adam

beezkneez

As long as its black and you name it 'midnight venom 2' then i reckon your onto a winner!

KTRIC

I had a 94 Mk11 Saab 900s a while back. It looked very similar to the Mk 1 model and it was the best car I've ever had. Always got looks in it. ABSOLUTE STYLE ON WHEELS !!

dahamsta

I agree with beezkneez on the colour, if not the name. And of course it should be a two door.

adam

Borzoi

dahamsta wrote:

And of course it should be a two door.

adam

With roof optional

I've a '95 900, so it's the NG model. 2.0 LPT

Really the only thing to look for is a good service history, the belt pulleys are items the seem to need replacing every few years.

As an aside, my mechanic took in a pre 94 900, with 120K that hadn't been looked after. It cost 5K to restore if completly - to like new standards - but it's good for the same mileage again

Gerry

Yeah, I'm not in any rush, so I'm going to find one with a full service history.

peasant

Stay away from automatics, the gearbox is too weak.

AFAIK only very few LPT's were made just before they changed to the new model. All other turbos are full blown ones anyway 175 bhp or 165 with cat.

Go for a 16v if you can. Lookswise the 3 door hatchback is obviously best, but also dear, the 5 door is livable with, provided you get it cheap enough. For some strange reason, the extremely ugly 2 door "saloon" commands the highest prices ...I'd stay away.

Engines are quite longlived, service history is still a good thing. The more regular the oil change, the better the oil, the happier the turbo.

Suspension components (bushings, shocks, etc) can be a bit weak ...had to replace mine regularly.

Good, specialist service may be hard to find. Not many people actually want to work on old Saabs ... not even all Saab garages.

Make sure the windscreen is ok ...can be hard to get a replacement.

If you can't find a decent 900 ... also consider a 9000 CSE ...really good 96 or 97 ones with leather and all the works can be got for 4000 or less.

Not as good looking as the 900 but a very nice drive and fierce quick from 80 km/h to 120 km/h ...exactly where you need it for overtaking ...even with the 2 liter LPT "only"

dahamsta

Borzoi wrote:

With roof optional

Absolutely. Bloody tricky to pick up a black turbo convertible though!

Gerry

Cheers for the advice.
Not interested in the 9000 ( too boxy ), and would never have considered an automatic anyway, or a 5 door. One thing I've noticed is that the gearshift can get a bit vague, I presume its not too difficult to sort this.

peasant

Vague gearshift could actually be a sign of worn engine mounts ...another weak point I forgot to mention.

Actually, it is quite important to check these! The innermost mounting seems to be the weakest and most prone to wear or breakage. To replace it, the whole engine / gearbox assembly has to be taken apart and the engine lifted out completely ....veeery expensive. So make sure that all mounts are good.