Saab 900 as a daily?

[chrispmartha]

Right as my application for a lease was strangely turned down I think I’ve taken my bat and ball home with leasing and thinking of getting something a little ‘different’.

I don’t do many miles per year (around 3,000 last year) and I walk to work so thinking about it leasing a £40k car doesnt make a whole load of sense.

I’ve always loved older Saabs and love the 900’s, anyone know or have run one as a daily? I’m not naive with Classic Cars as I had a 1974 Citroen DS which I regret selling (but needs must at the time) ive seen a few for sale and although id love a pre GM 900 im not totally against the idea, any a few that Ive thought about going to see fairly close to me.

This looks utterly fantastic

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...



And i quite like this GM era one
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...




Or an early 9-3



Am I mad? Or does anyone have any other suggestions for daily classics?

[morgenja]

I've been considering exactly the same thing, so will be really interested in what others have to say. I also have experience with classics but my situation is a bit different in that I'll be doing up to 15-20k miles per year so I just don't know if I'd simply feel too guilty driving a clean classic or modern classic like that - even if I go all-out with the dinitrol.

I want something interesting but with that milage I might end up with a civic dtec. This is a real head/heart one for me.

[oilrag1]

I see no reason why not ,assuming of course you pick the right car to purchase initially.,and can be confident in your own spanner skills, 900 classic ,yes but watch out for rust around rear end ,rear shock mounts /wheel arches/floor,with gm 900-93 you only need saab tech 2 support if you get a problem with ecu's,central locking pairing and radios. gm ng900 clutches can be annoying and expensive on certain models ,cable clutch on early gm 900 wasnt best set up ,astra cables fit and improve sllghtly, bulkhead to rack rack tie bar is good mod , look for bulkhead cracks or evidence of repair,known problem area. All saab seats are superb .so good for long distance.
I run a 97 Talledega 900 SE 180bhp 3 door as a daily , its used as a lemans trip car often 33-35mpg ,it works for me , nil depreciation ,low cost insurance ,spares -neo bros ,pfs and martins saab (EBAY)offer good support. just keep it clean underneath as well as topside and service it properly.

[chrispmartha]

Im no good with spanners so would need a decent local specialist , I think theres a few round West Yorkshire

[Meldonte]

Do it. Daily'd this for 6 years until I got a newer 9-3. Ironically the c900 has been far more reliable.

Up your way you've got malbraad saab as largest specialist for the older stuff..

[chrispmartha]

Meldonte said:

Do it. Daily'd this for 6 years until I got a newer 9-3. Ironically the c900 has been far more reliable.

Up your way you've got malbraad saab as largest specialist for the older stuff..

That is absolutely lovely, dont think my budget will stretch to something like that though, cheers for the suggestion i may give them a call

[Belle427]

A more modern 9-3 may suit, reasonably cheap to buy and run.
The 1.9 Ttid is a cracker, the petrols are too but a bit harder to find.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-9-3-2-0-Turbo-Aero...

Edited by Belle427 on Sunday 2nd February 14:36

[chrispmartha]

Belle427 said:

A more modern 9-3 may suit, reasonably cheap to buy and run.
The 1.9 Ttid is a cracker, the petrols are too but a bit harder to find.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-9-3-2-0-Turbo-Aero...

Edited by Belle427 on Sunday 2nd February 14:36

Not a fan of Diesels plus would prefer something a bit more ‘classic’