Saab 900 First car for an 18 year old?????
Discussion
As I am still saving for my first car, I am always looking at different potential first cars. I am always changing my mind, I want something 'Classic' and just different from the stereotypical first cars as I am sure you know what they are..
I am mad about old cars and always have been, why a Saab 900? My dad currently has a 2007 2.3 9-5 Turbo Aero, and before that in around 1987 he had a 1983 900 Turbo, which saved my parents life when it came to getting hit on the passenger side by a van going 40Mph. My dad was told by the Fire men who cut my mum out of the car that if they were not in a saab, she would not be alive, and neither would I be now!
I have not spoke to my dad yet about having a 900 as a first as I am sure he will say 'No chance' but I am hoping some members on here may think otherwise or may have had a 900 as a first and could advise me.
I did some normal quotes on MoneySuperMarket for a rough idea on insurance and the cheapest was £3.2k annually, not sure what classic insurance will be like, I know that Footman James have started insuring young drivers again but only on specific vehicles.
I noticed 900's go for around £1,000 - £3,000 so they are within my budget.
Advice would be greatly appreciated, or recommend some other classics as a first?
Thanks!
Matt
I am mad about old cars and always have been, why a Saab 900? My dad currently has a 2007 2.3 9-5 Turbo Aero, and before that in around 1987 he had a 1983 900 Turbo, which saved my parents life when it came to getting hit on the passenger side by a van going 40Mph. My dad was told by the Fire men who cut my mum out of the car that if they were not in a saab, she would not be alive, and neither would I be now!
I have not spoke to my dad yet about having a 900 as a first as I am sure he will say 'No chance' but I am hoping some members on here may think otherwise or may have had a 900 as a first and could advise me.
I did some normal quotes on MoneySuperMarket for a rough idea on insurance and the cheapest was £3.2k annually, not sure what classic insurance will be like, I know that Footman James have started insuring young drivers again but only on specific vehicles.
I noticed 900's go for around £1,000 - £3,000 so they are within my budget.
Advice would be greatly appreciated, or recommend some other classics as a first?
Thanks!
Matt
Go for it! I got mine as a first car, and it's still my only car 5 years later. My parents used to have a saab dealership back in the '90s, and were relieved that I wanted one, as they felt sure that i would be safe 
. If your parents feel worried about the power, get a non-turbo one, they are still fast enough to keep up with traffic with ease.
I absolutely love mine, the only reason i'd sell is to get a turbo one. Its reliable, very cheap to run for me on lpg, practical(last weekend I took it to spa with 2 bicycles in the back and space to spare), and icy cool. It's incredible the amount of non-car people have complimented me on it. Even some girls!
. If your parents feel worried about the power, get a non-turbo one, they are still fast enough to keep up with traffic with ease.I absolutely love mine, the only reason i'd sell is to get a turbo one. Its reliable, very cheap to run for me on lpg, practical(last weekend I took it to spa with 2 bicycles in the back and space to spare), and icy cool. It's incredible the amount of non-car people have complimented me on it. Even some girls!
I looked at getting one as a first car and they're not a bad choice. Insurance is fairly cheap provided you choose the least powerful engine, and although they'll require regular maintenance, they're not like a proper classic in that you need to be constantly doing major work.
You're unlikely to get classic insurance at your age, but I'd shop around, add your parents as named drivers etc etc and see what quotes you get. IMO, £3200 is way too much, unless you live in Bradford you shouldn't be paying over £2500
You're unlikely to get classic insurance at your age, but I'd shop around, add your parents as named drivers etc etc and see what quotes you get. IMO, £3200 is way too much, unless you live in Bradford you shouldn't be paying over £2500
Back in around 1995 my first real car aged 18/19 (after a Series 1 Land Rover) was a 1984 Saab 900i 3 door, metallic light blue with grey velour. Wonderful car.
Easy to work on, fast enough, solid, safe, reliable. The insurance, I remember vividly, was 1274 TPF&T. Lots of money back then.
I say go for it.
Easy to work on, fast enough, solid, safe, reliable. The insurance, I remember vividly, was 1274 TPF&T. Lots of money back then.
I say go for it.
Edited by benjj on Wednesday 29th May 13:52
benjj said:
Back in around 1995 my first real car aged 18/19 (after a Series 1 Land Rover) was a 1984 Saab 900i 3 door, metallic light blue with grey velour. Wonderful car.
Easy to work on, fast enough, solid, safe, reliable. The insurance, I remember vividly, was 1274 TPF&T. Lots of money back then.
I say go for it.
You beat me to it benjj! I was just going to say what you want is an early '80s 900i with a 5 speed 'box. One of the most under-rated cars made; and if you can find one with Bridge of Weir hide all the better.Easy to work on, fast enough, solid, safe, reliable. The insurance, I remember vividly, was 1274 TPF&T. Lots of money back then.
I say go for it.
Edited by benjj on Wednesday 29th May 13:52
One of the best cars ever to drive in bad weather.
J
You're right about weather etc. It gave a great feeling of security in the most inclement weather, especially high winds.
Here's a great Saab fact for you:
The original 900 was designed with the door handles as load bearing features. Thus you can tow a 900, out of a snow drift for example, by a door handle if nothing else is available.
Try it on a GM Saab and it won't be pretty
Here's a great Saab fact for you:
The original 900 was designed with the door handles as load bearing features. Thus you can tow a 900, out of a snow drift for example, by a door handle if nothing else is available.
Try it on a GM Saab and it won't be pretty
LOGiK said:
Insurance would be the limiting factor. Try Flux, Peter James and Footman James. When you're 21+ try Lancaster.
I think FJ only want people with A series engined classics these days though. Good luck.
Footman James can insure a young driver on a 2.2 litre Rover 2200TC, see if the club (if there is one)can persuade them to do you on a Saab. Anyway, if you want the Saab, get the Saab. I think FJ only want people with A series engined classics these days though. Good luck.
£3200 for one year's insurance, Ho*y Sh*t!!!! They really are greedy ba*t*rds these days.
When I was 19 (1987) I had a 1979 Mk3 3-litre Capri S and insurance was under £200 in my own name.
SAAB 900 excellent choice BTW
But . . . . . £62 / week (EVERY single week of the year) just for insurance and before any other motoring costs such as fuel, servicing, unplanned maintenance, consumables, road-tax, MOT, etc, ????
Think it through carefully bud. All the best.
When I was 19 (1987) I had a 1979 Mk3 3-litre Capri S and insurance was under £200 in my own name.
SAAB 900 excellent choice BTW
But . . . . . £62 / week (EVERY single week of the year) just for insurance and before any other motoring costs such as fuel, servicing, unplanned maintenance, consumables, road-tax, MOT, etc, ????
Think it through carefully bud. All the best.
Edited by quiraing on Monday 3rd June 21:35
Rovering Member said:
LOGiK said:
Insurance would be the limiting factor. Try Flux, Peter James and Footman James. When you're 21+ try Lancaster.
I think FJ only want people with A series engined classics these days though. Good luck.
Footman James can insure a young driver on a 2.2 litre Rover 2200TC, see if the club (if there is one)can persuade them to do you on a Saab. Anyway, if you want the Saab, get the Saab. I think FJ only want people with A series engined classics these days though. Good luck.
Just out of interest do you think they would touch me on a SD1 2300?
I am still looking at the many possibilities.
Matt
Not my first car but I saved during my gap year and in 1998 at the age of 19 I bought an 11 year old 72k mile 2door normally aspirated 900 on carbs. Anthracite with red velour interior - one of the last flat fronted cars made
It was heavy on fuel but everything else was magnificent - the balance, the brakes, the comfort and the feeling that it was hewn from granite.
Over the next 4 years it ferried me to and from uni, took me on holiday, regularly took me on the 200 mile round trip to visit my now wife in Plymouth and I was pretty successful competing in 12 car rallies and generally enjoying the freedom it afforded me, a friend drove into the back of my car in a Daewoo Nexia at a t junction. I and my passengers were unharmed, the SAAB suffered a small dent to the rear wing. The Daewoo was a write-off.....
I loved that car like no other before or since but unfortunately (and ironically) once I had finished uni and was in full time employment I couldn't afford to fuel it for my 500 mile a week commute.
If you can afford it, go for it.
It was heavy on fuel but everything else was magnificent - the balance, the brakes, the comfort and the feeling that it was hewn from granite.
Over the next 4 years it ferried me to and from uni, took me on holiday, regularly took me on the 200 mile round trip to visit my now wife in Plymouth and I was pretty successful competing in 12 car rallies and generally enjoying the freedom it afforded me, a friend drove into the back of my car in a Daewoo Nexia at a t junction. I and my passengers were unharmed, the SAAB suffered a small dent to the rear wing. The Daewoo was a write-off.....
I loved that car like no other before or since but unfortunately (and ironically) once I had finished uni and was in full time employment I couldn't afford to fuel it for my 500 mile a week commute.
If you can afford it, go for it.
jonnylayze said:
Not my first car but I saved during my gap year and in 1998 at the age of 19 I bought an 11 year old 72k mile 2door normally aspirated 900 on carbs. Anthracite with red velour interior - one of the last flat fronted cars made
It was heavy on fuel but everything else was magnificent - the balance, the brakes, the comfort and the feeling that it was hewn from granite.
Over the next 4 years it ferried me to and from uni, took me on holiday, regularly took me on the 200 mile round trip to visit my now wife in Plymouth and I was pretty successful competing in 12 car rallies and generally enjoying the freedom it afforded me, a friend drove into the back of my car in a Daewoo Nexia at a t junction. I and my passengers were unharmed, the SAAB suffered a small dent to the rear wing. The Daewoo was a write-off.....
I loved that car like no other before or since but unfortunately (and ironically) once I had finished uni and was in full time employment I couldn't afford to fuel it for my 500 mile a week commute.
If you can afford it, go for it.
I accidentally drove mine through the back of my dad`s garage, tiny dent on the bonnet where it bent the handle on his vice .It was heavy on fuel but everything else was magnificent - the balance, the brakes, the comfort and the feeling that it was hewn from granite.
Over the next 4 years it ferried me to and from uni, took me on holiday, regularly took me on the 200 mile round trip to visit my now wife in Plymouth and I was pretty successful competing in 12 car rallies and generally enjoying the freedom it afforded me, a friend drove into the back of my car in a Daewoo Nexia at a t junction. I and my passengers were unharmed, the SAAB suffered a small dent to the rear wing. The Daewoo was a write-off.....
I loved that car like no other before or since but unfortunately (and ironically) once I had finished uni and was in full time employment I couldn't afford to fuel it for my 500 mile a week commute.
If you can afford it, go for it.
2nd car, aged 17 after I'd written off my Dolomite Sprint (ahem....) Was a 1976 Saab 99GL 4 door - the progenitor of the 900. Two years and 50k miles later it was an awesome car - quick-ish, comfy predictable, solid as a very rocky rock and, if not reliable then, very simple to work on.
Sort out some classic insurance and do it!
Sort out some classic insurance and do it!
talksthetalk said:
Nice choice, but remember a coupe or sedan is way cooler than either of the hatches
When the 99/900 hatch was introduced it was known as the 'combi coupe' - the practicality outweighs the slightly gawky looks...actually the 3dr turbo is almost 'iconic' but I never cared for 5-doors...2dr/4dr saloons came a little later and discontinued in '90 ish - quite hard to find now.
alfettagtv2000 said:
talksthetalk said:
Nice choice, but remember a coupe or sedan is way cooler than either of the hatches
When the 99/900 hatch was introduced it was known as the 'combi coupe' - the practicality outweighs the slightly gawky looks...actually the 3dr turbo is almost 'iconic' but I never cared for 5-doors...2dr/4dr saloons came a little later and discontinued in '90 ish - quite hard to find now.
Interesting factoid - the only body shell where the headlining board can't be removed without taking out some glass is the 4 door - 3 and 5 doors it can be removed through the hatch, 2 door can come through a door if you remove the front seat. 4 door has smaller door apertures!
Lovely things, but keep on top of rust. Not many cooking examples have been saved. My dad had a lovely 3 door 16v back in the day and it was a great thing.
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