FAST SAFE FUN (Saab 900)

Member Name: fritzin

Product:	Saab 900
Date:	05/07/05 (1379 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Relatively reliable, safe, efficient, and fun

Disadvantages: Costly repairs, weak transmissions.

I got my first and only Saab 900 Turbo, a grey/lightblue 1987 that has got me through college and beyond. This car replaced an 1988 BMW 535 that was ruined graduation day with an accident with a drunk driver, Irony. To replace this car I found a $2000 Saab 900 Turbo, at first it was only temporary. But the Classic 900(8v), 900s(16v), and 900Turbo(16v)or SPG have many labels, one I hold true to, they grow on you.
The Classic 900 was made from 1979-early1994, a terrific lifespan for a single line of automobiles. However a 1979 900 is a far cry from a 1993 Turbo Convertable of SPG(Special Performance Group), but paying homage to the original design that dates back to the Saab 99 from the early to late 70's is needed. All or most 900 componants are interchangable.
Driving at first will seem sluggish in acceleration, until you take them to the highway and cruise over 60, its peak accelleration is dangerously between 60-130, before that they are slow and need lots of down shifting to make it up hills briskly.
There Transmissions are natoriously weak and slow shifting but a ginger driver can make them last longer. Make sure you keep the clutch replaced as specified.
Riding in the car is fairly spacious with a huge boot, this can hold large TV's or 60 gallons of water(I moved into and out of college with one very large load in my 900Turbo). The steering of the car is crisp and smooth, the front tyres really dig in which trades short tyre life for a glued to the road feel, especially in rain. Good snow tyres all round are needed for confident snow holding. In snowy weather the gearing of the transmission is actualy worth while, it sorta keeps your car and you in check.
Holding is predictable and there is a definate cut off point in gripping power, when mastered you will love windy roads though. I recommend high quality shocks all around(Bilstein or Koni), not for performance entirely but also these cars are very heavy with a full tank and one passenger(3800lbs) so sturdy shocks are a real must.
Repairs cost a bit unless done by owner, the two best manuels readily available are the 'Bentley manuel' and the 'Haynes manuel'. Most parts are very reasonable(I've had good luck with rebuilt items such as brakes). Key componants to test and replace if needed are the front ball joints and brakes all around. Can be done safely by owner.
These cars have orthopedic heated front seats and headrested rear(16v/Turbo) available in either leather or cloth. Interior night lighting is good but there are many bulbs to keep replaced, so too with the exterior lighting. Very visable to other cars when making turns or braking at night, I recommend finding a 900 with foglamps, if it doesn't have them most 900's were prewired for standard two wire foglamps that bolt quickly to the car(a cheap and valuable upgrade)the switch is located to the left of the stearing wheel.
You can find a good Classic 900 or Turbo for about $2000, anything under this may need serious repairs, if you are wanting somethign to collect or 'hotrod' then a SPG Turbo for $3000-6000 is for you. The convertable is fun but the handling is a little off and the Turbo versons seem overpowered, these summer cruisers run $2500-6000. The 4door models still offer respectable family/friend safety for $1500-3500. For turbo models, 84-87 turbos do not have water cooled Turbochargers so there turbobearings tend to burn out if you don't let them idle for a minute each time you shut it off. The 1988-93 Turbos have water coolled Turbochargers and are thought to be nearly indestructable. I own a 1987, this is a transisional year where the car got a new front end but not the newer more reliable watercooled turbo. Also, 1988-93's have better front brakes.
Final word, these cars are pretty cheap, pretty safe, sorta relaible, and a whole lotta fun. They seem perfect for students to early professionals(or retired professionals wanting to revisit their college days). And these strange practical cars still turn heads.

Summary: Alotta fun for the buck

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