I found another car off of my wish list on CL- although not a turbo. I was surprised the search here yielded no results.
What does the hive think of this? (I think I already know the answer...)
I found another car off of my wish list on CL- although not a turbo. I was surprised the search here yielded no results.
What does the hive think of this? (I think I already know the answer...)
They have been discussed a few times but probably hard to find the threads, not really a common topic.
I picked up a 900S sedan almost exactly like that for SWMBO a few years back. Didn't compare to either of the two turbos I had, but definitely simple, quirky transportation. She really enjoyed it. Make sure the front right (passenger side) frame rail isn't rotting out, they can accumulate leaves and dirt and disintegrate even when the rest of the car looks great (I lost a turbo hatch that way). The transmissions do not take abuse well, but are less worrisome than on the turbo cars. Other than that, the headliner is probably sagging, the dash will peel and crack and the door panels will fall apart, but nothing else in the world drives like a classic "real" Saab and it's an experience to be had at least once.
I thank you for your input sir! And I must admit it is more positive than I expected 
Google fu did in fact turn up some GRM info (I didn't think of that yesterday) so I will read more today.
Drive it, and drive some others. I've found substantial variability between them. More so than many other cars.
Interiors all seem to be falling apart now. Even at the car shows, they are all looking pretty ratty inside.
That said, they certainly are quirky and unique. If you can handle that, there are worse ways to spend $1,800.
Good advice, thank you foxtrapper!
I was just comparing the cost of some basic replacement parts at rock auto- surprisingly they are not a great deal more than the VW I planned on buying.
At least on top, that looks really, really nice!
Listen to the advice of others who know about them, I've only driven my C900 once 
.
That said, you should get it. Definitely.
becareful with the 2.1. It tends to blow headgaskets after a couple hundred thousand miles. It is basically a bored out 2.0 and the spaces between the cylinders is very tight.
mad_machine wrote: becareful with the 2.1. It tends to blow headgaskets after a couple hundred thousand miles.
I do love this forum. Yes, watch for that short-lived 2.1 
So if I were to buy the car today, I would (theoretically) have 32,000 before it explodes?
I emailed the seller asking for images of the underside of the car- his response:
"There is no rust on the car for the exception of a couple of paint blisters. The motor is a 16 valve 2.1L non turbo 4 cylinder. I fix and restore Saabs as a hobby I know a fair amount about them. This car was very well maintained throught it's life. I have all the repair records. It is one of the better ones that I have worked on. Hope this answers your questions."
Hmmmm....
mad_machine wrote: becareful with the 2.1. It tends to blow headgaskets after a couple hundred thousand miles. It is basically a bored out 2.0 and the spaces between the cylinders is very tight.
don't let the possibility of a HG repair to deter you. They are not hard cars to work on. The hardest part about replacing the HG on my 2.1 was the bolts on the front of the engine. These are on the chain side, and bolt upwards into the head.. the trouble is that you are working right up against the firewall, so it takes a fair amount of flexibility and smaller hands to get the job done.
As the guy who rebuilt the transmission on my turbo told me.. the 2.1 is probably the best transaxle, it is the least stressed out of any of the 900s.
If the seller is the real deal, huge bonus. Chances to buy well-maintained Saabs are not going to increase as time goes on.
I have a trip to Columbus to make next weekend, and still don't have Mr. Government's check in hand. I'll see if this is still for sale when I'm ready.
Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice!
foxtrapper wrote: Interiors all seem to be falling apart now. Even at the car shows, they are all looking pretty ratty inside.
What car shows are you going to with daily driver condition Saabs in it?
if I ever get my 87 turbo back together.. it has a perfect interior 
Blue velour here. 80s baby....
My wife had a 9000 with the black over tan combo; very nice looking ride.
Back to this car - dash looks like it's completely crack free in the picture.
What's going on with it anyway? I meant to ask earlier...
mad_machine wrote: if I ever get my 87 turbo back together.. it has a perfect interior
just not had the time.. the garage is half an hour away and my work schedule has me in too early in the morning to work on it before work and too late to go out there before it gets dark.
Even my boat project (Sitting in the driveway 50 feet from me) has stalled due to this
Life does tend to get in the way. Especially that pesky work work we have to go to all the time!
mad_machine wrote: just not had the time.. the garage is half an hour away and my work schedule has me in too early in the morning to work on it before work and too late to go out there before it gets dark. Even my boat project (Sitting in the driveway 50 feet from me) has stalled due to this
crankwalk wrote:foxtrapper wrote: Interiors all seem to be falling apart now. Even at the car shows, they are all looking pretty ratty inside.What car shows are you going to with daily driver condition Saabs in it?
Carlisle is the big one.
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