Early SAAB 900s
Discussion
Anyone know where all the early Saab 900s (and Turbos) have gone, the early-mid 80s models that is?. I'm referring to the early "flat fronted" pre face lifted cars. My dad bought his first 900 (a GLS) in the early 90s, then about a year later decided he wanted something better and happened to see another one for sale at a local garage, this being a 1984 2 door Turbo SE, so p/x it for that. It was only recently, through looking at the purchase receipt for the Turbo, that it had covered a staggering 130,000 miles (this was 1993), whether accurate I don't know.
I've heard Saabs are known for their high mileage without any major engine issues. Shame you don't see many 900s (particularly the early flat front model) anymore, I think the early 900s were the best looking IMO. To be honest, I don't think Saab's were ever that popular or common. I suspect most have now gone to the scrapyard in the sky.
I've heard Saabs are known for their high mileage without any major engine issues. Shame you don't see many 900s (particularly the early flat front model) anymore, I think the early 900s were the best looking IMO. To be honest, I don't think Saab's were ever that popular or common. I suspect most have now gone to the scrapyard in the sky.
Edited by Jukebag on Friday 29th September 10:53
Jukebag said:
Anyone know where all the early Saab 900s (and Turbos) have gone, the early-mid 80s models that is?. I'm referring to the early "flat fronted" pre face lifted cars. My dad bought his first 900 (a GLS) in the early 90s, then about a year later decided he wanted something better and happened to see another one for sale at a local garage, this being a 1984 2 door Turbo SE, so p/x it for that. It was only recently, through looking at the purchase receipt for the Turbo, that it had covered a staggering 130,000 miles (this was 1993), whether accurate I don't know.
That's not staggering for a 9 year old Saab back then 
When my Dad bought his 1990 (G-prefix) Saab 900S in 1994, so just under 4 years old it had 96k on the clock.
Around 1986-ish a mate of mine bought a 1981/2 X-reg 900T which had over 150k on the clock!!
Brilliant cars.......but awful gearboxes.
I was a SAAB mechanic from 1979 ,months after the 900 was introduced to 1995 2 years after it stopped and saw
some significant mileage on some cars ,due to shorter service intervals back then of 5000/6000 miles ,some cars came in
almost monthly.
Their rust resistance wasn't all it was cracked up to be and as you say ,few survive.
Engines ,if looked after were long lived ,timing chains being a weak link on some but gearboxes were weak too, as said above.
Turbochargers on later cars also lived a lot longer than early ones.
some significant mileage on some cars ,due to shorter service intervals back then of 5000/6000 miles ,some cars came in
almost monthly.
Their rust resistance wasn't all it was cracked up to be and as you say ,few survive.
Engines ,if looked after were long lived ,timing chains being a weak link on some but gearboxes were weak too, as said above.
Turbochargers on later cars also lived a lot longer than early ones.
I had an 3 door red 81 GLS, back in 1985-6.
The rear hatch used to rust. On mine, the engine came loose (who knows what had been done to it) and after the second hand dealer took it back to sort out the brakes, it rolled away through a garden centre greenhouse.
The dealer ended up paying, obviously didn't know anything about front wheel handbrakes.
I traded it in for a new Citroen Visa D in 1986 because,although it felt like it was built like a tank, it replaced a rusty Alfetta and I was very disappointed when it started rusting in the rear hatch (everywhere else was fine though).
The rear hatch used to rust. On mine, the engine came loose (who knows what had been done to it) and after the second hand dealer took it back to sort out the brakes, it rolled away through a garden centre greenhouse.
The dealer ended up paying, obviously didn't know anything about front wheel handbrakes.
I traded it in for a new Citroen Visa D in 1986 because,although it felt like it was built like a tank, it replaced a rusty Alfetta and I was very disappointed when it started rusting in the rear hatch (everywhere else was fine though).
lucido grigio said:
Now I have to back pedal a little.
If that car is an SE ,with leather and AC standard,it would have had those wheels on an 83.
Those wheels were then fitted standard to all 84MY cars.
I'll take off my anorak now.
And don't forget the PCD changed around 86, when the handbrake moved aft.If that car is an SE ,with leather and AC standard,it would have had those wheels on an 83.
Those wheels were then fitted standard to all 84MY cars.
I'll take off my anorak now.
I found this on line - if you don't mind a leftie and have deep pockets....
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...
Couple more here:
https://www.autouncle.se/en/cars_search/Saab/900?s...
and here..
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/search.html?dam...
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id...
Couple more here:
https://www.autouncle.se/en/cars_search/Saab/900?s...
and here..
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/search.html?dam...
Back in the early 80s my neighbour used to do 60,000 in a year and then sell the car cheap to an employee. He used his cars hard, sometimes coming home with the discs glowing, yet they were as tough as nails. He bought them year on year and never had problems.
Edited by lowdrag on Monday 2nd October 11:09
This was mine, sold back in '09 with 138,000 miles on it.
Only rust on it was on the bottom of the driver's door.
Checking the MOT history, it was still MOT'd until August this year.
I wonder if the last owners either really loved driving it, or had spare clocks for it and were taking the p*ss because between August 2010 and July 2011 it did 108,000 miles, then between July 2011 and Oct 2012 it did another 138,000 miles!
It then dropped back a little bit, but it was showing 387,000 miles on it's last MOT!
Only rust on it was on the bottom of the driver's door.
Checking the MOT history, it was still MOT'd until August this year.
I wonder if the last owners either really loved driving it, or had spare clocks for it and were taking the p*ss because between August 2010 and July 2011 it did 108,000 miles, then between July 2011 and Oct 2012 it did another 138,000 miles!
It then dropped back a little bit, but it was showing 387,000 miles on it's last MOT!
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