RE: SOTW: Saab 900 Turbo

[kwak]

Lovely shed. Someday soon, I will get a turbo instead of my n/a one.
Love the red colour, although as has been said, it needs some work to keep it looking good.

[soad]

I love it.

[Deranged Granny]

900T-R said:

Transverse engines normally come with an end-on gearbox. If the engine sits in the middle(ish), the gearbox output will be at 1/3rd of the width of the car or so. Of course, you can put a bearing on the other end so the longer shaft is supported at an equal length to the shorter one, but you still have to deal with slightly different inertias (inertiae?) for left and right.

Of course; thank you. Sorry - wasn't thinking.

[Griffit]

I love these and should really think about getting a good'un to keep. A friend's parents had a mint 2dr Turbo in metallic grey/silver back in the day that got me into them. Not sure if I'd go 2 or 3 doors (or cab)?

I see that the seller of this particular one must have recently bought it though for more than the current selling price... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3610340.htm. I wonder what they found out after purchase

[ceriw]

the main rusty bit you have to watch out for0n the 900 is at the bottom of the front suspension turrets.. had one of almost all of the saab range. the 99 ems was a favourite but the 900t16s was the best all rounder. Some 99 turbos had the saab water injection kit -pretty rare in '85.

[kwak]

Griffit said:

I love these and should really think about getting a good'un to keep. A friend's parents had a mint 2dr Turbo in metallic grey/silver back in the day that got me into them. Not sure if I'd go 2 or 3 doors (or cab)?

Depends on what you want really. The 3-door is generally seen as more desirable, so can be a bit more expensive. They are more pratical, and imo better looking.
The 2-door has a non-folding back seat(afaik), so doesn't have the cavernous boot that the 3 and 5 door ones have. It is a bit stiffer and will have less rattles(I can hear the boot lid rattle on bigger potholes). Not sure if you could notice the difference while driving.

[Walter Sobchak]

I remember buying one of these when I was 19 for 600 and was really excited about getting my first turbocharged car, it was unfortunatly an auto, turned out it had overheating issues, that no one could seem to find the answer for-I had to leave the heater on full to keep the heat down, it got stolen in the end-the security on it was so bad, the ignition key literally did turn with a screwdriver, and I sadly only had TPO insurance, so not a fond memory for me.

Edited by Walter Sobchak on Friday 16th March 14:24

[sday12]

Dunclane said:

This would be my choice if it stays below a bag!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAAB-900-16v-2ltr-TURBO-...

LPT.

[suffolk009]

Have had a couple. The first - silver 900 Turbo - developed an expenisve gearbox rebuild habit. The second - black 900 turbo 16V - took me and a mate to LeMans for the first time (got all the camping gear in the boot and didn't even need to lower the seat), then a few months later it let me down on honeymoon in Scotland. The gearbox developed a problem! My new wife and I travelled the length of the country in the back of an AA transporter.

Inevitably the first baby arrived and the instruction was to get a five door estate. The saab went, an impreza arrived.

Loved that turbo whoosh, and torque steer really wasn't an issue. I miss those three spokes, and the oddly high dashboard and the weird shaped windscreen.

[marshall100]

Good Shed, engine bay looks like someones been sick in it, is that normal?

[Beanoir]

i'd rather spend my 1,000 on the other type of "23 year old leggy Swede"

[Beanoir]

Griffit said:

I love these and should really think about getting a good'un to keep. A friend's parents had a mint 2dr Turbo in metallic grey/silver back in the day that got me into them. Not sure if I'd go 2 or 3 doors (or cab)?

I see that the seller of this particular one must have recently bought it though for more than the current selling price... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3610340.htm. I wonder what they found out after purchase

Well worth pointing out this, a little bit suspect if you ask me...

I notice the first advert had plenty of pictures of rust on the car, but the new advert says "no faults"...and no mention of rust. But why would you buy it, fix it up and sell for less (assuming he paid somewhere close ot the asking price).

Has SOTW uncovered a dodgy sale I wonder?

[Crazy Don]

I bought a 9000 16v Turbo with 150,000 miles on the clock. Kept it for 3 troublefree years cruised across Europe at high speed with family and all their kit, wonderful car.

[noclue]

Bought one like this for 400, ssmoke around in it for 6 month, put a new headliner in for 50 of material (fiddly job though!) and sorted some rust and paint for prob about 40 in stuff and sold for 1100 (did look great when finished)

Should be a good bit of bangernomics and even the oportunity to make a few quid

[NiceCupOfTea]

As already said, rust is the killer on these - anything else can be sorted, be it turbo, gearbox, etc.

Check the rear wheelarches and boot floor. Also lift the rear seats and check round the edges of the inner arches. Driveshaft tunnels and front crossmember also worth keeping an eye on.

Truly unique cars though, don't ever want to have to sell mine.

[my93wrx]

Griffit said:

I love these and should really think about getting a good'un to keep. A friend's parents had a mint 2dr Turbo in metallic grey/silver back in the day that got me into them. Not sure if I'd go 2 or 3 doors (or cab)?

I see that the seller of this particular one must have recently bought it though for more than the current selling price... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3610340.htm. I wonder what they found out after purchase

Well spotted, hope potential buyers see this and ask the question. #dodgy

[alfettagtv2000]

love these cars but the gearboxes are almost a consumable, give it some beans and expect the box to growl itself to death after 100K....replacement is an engine out job....

[NiceCupOfTea]

alfettagtv2000 said:

love these cars but the gearboxes are almost a consumable, give it some beans and expect the box to growl itself to death after 100K....replacement is an engine out job....

Or "enjoy" it but drive with mechanical sympathy and it last significantly longer! (185k and counting on my 'box)

[tomoleeds]

the black colour makes this car,wheeler dealers did one on one of there early shows

[V8 FOU]

Beanoir said:

i'd rather spend my 1,000 on the other type of "23 year old leggy Swede"

More likely to be a bit baggy at that price......
Damn expensive those 23 year olds if you want a good one that hasn't been 'round the block too many times.... buy the car it'll be cheaper. They'll both leak if they're fked tho'