I invite you talk to me about SAAB 900 classics...

[laser wheels]

Seeing as I will become the proud* owner of one of these fine automobiles later this week please feel free to tell me you stories about the sexy Swede known as the SAAB 900 classic...

[Vince70]

I had a 1983 Saab 90 years ago which seemed to be a cut and shut version of a 99 front end and a 900 rear and must say it was faultless if slightly juicy..

 

The headlining was the only thing that was shot on the car and I found the seats the most comfy seats I've ever had in a car plus showed no signs of wear and even with 190000 on the clock it felt tight.

Plus I found the curved windscreen a real bonus when pulling out of side roads.

I don't know if it's just a popular myth but apparently it's powered by version of a slant 4 as found in triumph cars back in the late 70s. But gearboxes are supposed to be a weak point on the turbo versions.

[Spiny Norman]

Great cars, I'd have another in a shot.

Look for driveshaft tunnel rot, rot in the door bottoms on the inside, the boot floor, the  bonnet, the lower edges of the wings, particularly under the plastic trim, and the tailgate if it's a hatch. Headlinings fall, dashboards crack, carpets rot from water damage caused by blocked drain holes, particularly the driver's side. Window & mirror motors give up  the ghost too.

Mechanically check for rattly timing chains and gearboxes popping out of gear, particularly on hard driven turbos. 900s all have Saab's own engine, which can go on for ever if they're looked after.

Very nice to drive, if you can get used to the odd driving position, very roomy for tall people, less so for fatties as they're quite upright & narrow inside. Very easy to get in and out of, which is probably why so many older folk hang onto them so long. Hatches have HUGE boots.

Turbos are amusingly quick. Never got tired of showing some modern POS the way hme when they thought they'd just blast past this weird looking green car in front

A good one will go up in value, a bin will be a useful source of bits for a good one. 




 

[barefoot]

Wow, 90 years ago!

[laser wheels]

I had a 1983 Saab 90 years ago which seemed to be a cut and shut version of a 99 front end and a 900 rear and must say it was faultless if slightly juicy..

 

The headlining was the only thing that was shot on the car and I found the seats the most comfy seats I've ever had in a car plus showed no signs of wear and even with 190000 on the clock it felt tight.

Plus I found the curved windscreen a real bonus when pulling out of side roads.

I don't know if it's just a popular myth but apparently it's powered by version of a slant 4 as found in triumph cars back in the late 70s. But gearboxes are supposed to be a weak point on the turbo versions.

 

 

Great cars, I'd have another in a shot.

 

Look for driveshaft tunnel rot, rot in the door bottoms on the inside, the boot floor, the  bonnet, the lower edges of the wings, particularly under the plastic trim, and the tailgate if it's a hatch. Headlinings fall, dashboards crack, carpets rot from water damage caused by blocked drain holes, particularly the driver's side. Window & mirror motors give up  the ghost too.

 

Mechanically check for rattly timing chains and gearboxes popping out of gear, particularly on hard driven turbos. 900s all have Saab's own engine, which can go on for ever if they're looked after.

 

Very nice to drive, if you can get used to the odd driving position, very roomy for tall people, less so for fatties as they're quite upright & narrow inside. Very easy to get in and out of, which is probably why so many older folk hang onto them so long. Hatches have HUGE boots.

 

Turbos are amusingly quick. Never got tired of showing some modern POS the way hme when they thought they'd just blast past this weird looking green car in front

 

A good one will go up in value, a bin will be a useful source of bits for a good one. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excellent stuff, chaps! From what I can gather the FOAD 900 of which I will be purchasing has the saggy headlining as well as the rusty doors and wings so that much I know. One thing I have found reassuring is the number of specialists and breakers flogging spares on the interwebs so no worries there. Even headlining kits are available for about a ton if it bothers me too much!

[Asimo]

Clutch can be changed without removing either engine or gearbox.

 

I'd like a 2 door auto.