Saab?

Linas · #1 04-05-2010, 04:57 PM

I am interested in buying an old saab 900. Probably 1991 or earlier, manual transmission and a turbo. Maybe a convertible. Does anyone know anything about saabs, or have any experiences/opinions about them? Seems like it would be a nice small car for the city with some zip.

Poor mans 911??

James Hart · #2 04-05-2010, 05:07 PM

that is a Saab 900 SPG. It was the 'sport' version... My old man had one new (around 1989) and kept it for 5 years (LONG time for my Dad, he has a sickness for new cars).

My Mother has had Saabs from 1978 through 2007 (Brown 3 door, White 5 door, Blue 4 door (all 16valve non turbo 900) a pinkish silver 9000CD and then she bought a Ford), my Dad had a 1978 99 turbo and the SPG, His Brother and family has had 2 900 and one 9000... my Sister and family has had a 900 3 door, a 9-3 and a 9-5.

They are nice cars that are pretty reliable, but DO NEED regular part replacement (ie. Water pump, alternator, timing belt, etc). They aren't too expensive to repair / maintain, but they do need regular visits to the mechanic.

Only issue my old man had with his SPG is that he had all the factory tweaks done (computer, injectors, exhaust, etc) and driven hard like he does... he went through 2 clutches in 5 years.

I'm the black sheep of the family... I drive Volvos

Linas · #3 04-05-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

that is a Saab 900 SPG. It was the 'sport' version... My old man had one new (around 1989) and kept it for 5 years (LONG time for my Dad, he has a sickness for new cars).

My Mother has had Saabs from 1978 through 2007 (Brown 3 door, White 5 door, Blue 4 door (all 16valve non turbo 900) a pinkish silver 9000CD and then she bought a Ford), my Dad had a 1978 99 turbo and the SPG, His Brother and family has had 2 900 and one 9000... my Sister and family has had a 900 3 door, a 9-3 and a 9-5.

They are nice cars that are pretty reliable, but DO NEED regular part replacement (ie. Water pump, alternator, timing belt, etc). They aren't too expensive to repair / maintain, but they do need regular visits to the mechanic.

Only issue my old man had with his SPG is that he had all the factory tweaks done (computer, injectors, exhaust, etc) and driven hard like he does... he went through 2 clutches in 5 years.

I'm the black sheep of the family... I drive Volvos

Yea, the SPG would be nice to have, but it would probably be a long wait on craigslist before one came up. I am pretty competent in doing most non major repairs myself. I used to be a Volvo guy James, I had a 1991 940 turbo and a 1988 240 with a standard transmission. I still love Volvos, but something about Saabs has been growing on me. What do you drive?

James Hart · #4 04-05-2010, 05:30 PM

to better answer your questions...

Yes, If you dig the looks, the Saab 900 is a killer classic car. Try to find a pre 1994. In 94 GM took an Opel and made it look like a 900.

Personally if I was looking to restore a Saab as a daily driver, I'd find a 99 Turbo http://www.saab99turbo.com/ But I thought my Dad's silver 1978 99 Turbo was the coolest thing ever.

James Hart · #5 04-05-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linas

What do you drive?

actually stuck in a Neon. I have a 91 740 wagon that needs a tranny sitting in the driveway. I'm real close to striking up a deal on this 1994 940 Turbo to fix up for the wife to use until I get her wagon back on the road.

I've had the following Volvos since 1984:

1969 P1800 (black with red interior)
1982 242 (green with tan interior)
1985 240 DL Wagon (dark blue and dark blue)
1978 262c Bertone (Silver with black leather)
1991 740 wagon (white with tan leather)

Deluge Of Sound · #6 04-05-2010, 05:39 PM

My uncle had a 900 for a while, cool looking cars.

Mike N · #7 04-05-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

I have a 91 740 wagon that needs a tranny sitting in the driveway.

Sounds like a candidate for a smallblock & TH350 swap

James Hart · #8 04-05-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike N

Sounds like a candidate for a smallblock & TH350 swap

If I had a garage, I would think really hard about that one. The body is 99% and the interior about 85%... the engine had a some injector issues prior to eating the tranny. Too much of a pain to convert to a Turbo car, if I go through that trouble, it may as well get a V8!

nic salsus · #9 04-05-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

to better answer your questions...

Yes, If you dig the looks, the Saab 900 is a killer classic car. Try to find a pre 1994. In 94 GM took an Opel and made it look like a 900.

Personally if I was looking to restore a Saab as a daily driver, I'd find a 99 Turbo http://www.saab99turbo.com/ But I thought my Dad's silver 1978 99 Turbo was the coolest thing ever.

+1 on the older 9's
My mom has had three 9 series over the last twenty years starting with an early '80's non-turbo 900. In a lot of ways this was the best of the bunch if you could stand that it was gutless. TONS of room, great mileage, reliable.

The 900 Turbo that came next was waaaaay more fun to drive with the same roomy hatchbach thing goin' on. Not as good on the gas and although it never came up I've done it in other cars: turbochargers are expensive to repair/replace.

The 9.3 she has now is easily the worst of them. They killed the hatchback thing, more complicated electronics, not great mileage compared to the others.

I have motorcycles to get my sport rocks off so I don't need that in a car and I'd LOVE to find an old 900 non-turbo. Super practical little machines. One of the few front wheel drive cars I have any use for.

blendermassacre · #10 04-05-2010, 08:24 PM

not to make you jealous, but I'm snagging an 88 spg this weekend, most likely. It's up there on the list of attainable dream cars for me. The one I found has a salvage title because of a front end wreck, but has less than 150k on the odometer. It's the usual grey color. the front end has been fixed. The guy is selling it because of left knee problems for a song and a dance. I'll post pics when I can.

I got my saab fever from riding in a friends 94 9000 aero. That thing would send my back against the seat in a heart beat.

warwick.hoy · #11 04-05-2010, 08:24 PM

Dood:

EDIT: Concerning Turbos. I'm leery of older turbocharged cars because chances are the previous owners have had their foot in it the whole time. They think a turbo is an excuse to drive like Mario Andretti.

hover · #12 04-05-2010, 08:31 PM

Older saab? Too finicky to be worth the trouble if they haven't been consistently maintained. Newer GM ones? Nothing but a fashion car out of fashion.

blendermassacre · #13 04-05-2010, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Dood:

EDIT: Concerning Turbos. I'm leery of older turbocharged cars because chances are the previous owners have had their foot in it the whole time. They think a turbo is an excuse to drive like Mario Andretti.

Talk about a gas mileage suck. The guy I'm buying from is older and has had this car for a while. I'm hoping that it's in good shape.