Why are Saab's so cheap
Discussion
Classic 900s actually make very decent money, more so in continental Europe. Those (and older models) were mainly owned privately and as they stayed 8-9 years with the first owner on average they were always in short supply on the secondhand market even when current. The GM-era models have lost their individuality to a large extent and are being dumped into the lease/fleet market mainly like all the other largeish saloons. At which point it's down to the equation big car + not an Audi, BMW or Mercedes = non-existant residuals.
Edited by 900T-R on Thursday 13th November 19:30
I really wanted to like my 900 but it just wasn't that satisfying to own. It had this really irritating habit of demanding new front calipers every six months because a pin in the handbrake mechanism within them broke and could not be repaired. They were £140 each 10 years ago. There were other stupid things like the brakelight switch was still on the left hand side of the car and operated by a torsion bar, which broke, which cost a packet. It was all almost worth it for the fantastic bonnet opening mechanism though. It was absolutely fantastic in snow too.
The post GM ones have almost no appeal to me apart from perhaps the 9-5 estate.
The post GM ones have almost no appeal to me apart from perhaps the 9-5 estate.
AnotherClarkey said:
I really wanted to like my 900 but it just wasn't that satisfying to own. It had this really irritating habit of demanding new front calipers every six months because a pin in the handbrake mechanism within them broke and could not be repaired. They were £140 each 10 years ago.
Weird, haven't heard of that before. The old Girling front handbrake callipers were a bit b*ll*cks though, on a car covering a low annual mileage (and mostly motorwys, too) they always seemed to need attention come MOT time. As I'd already spent lots on making it go and handle I decided to have it converted to the later rear handbrake system with late model 9000 callipers, discs and Ferodo Racing pads (oh, and the early two-tone 9000 Aero wheels!). 22.5 hours of labour on the invoice - still best money I spent on that car. Finally I had brakes
(and the Ate callipers are far more reliable)...AnotherClarkey said:
There were other stupid things like the brakelight switch was still on the left hand side of the car and operated by a torsion bar, which broke, which cost a packet.
Ah, the joys of (factory) RHD conversions of the era... Yes, I remember reading that they had changed the calipers after mine was built (an '87) and that mine had 'the dodgy ones'.
I remember getting a really ratty 99EMS as a courtesy car once but it was an absolute revelation to drive - much more wieldy and sporting. I should have just asked for a swap!
The RHD conversion could have been worse - could have been a VW!
I remember getting a really ratty 99EMS as a courtesy car once but it was an absolute revelation to drive - much more wieldy and sporting. I should have just asked for a swap!
The RHD conversion could have been worse - could have been a VW!
It was the 9-5 estate that captured my eye...Handling doesn't concern my too much as my commute is a46 and m4 and when I have the family in with me I probably won't be flying around corners anyway.
obviously the aero seems the first choice but diesel (sorry) also needs to be considered for efficiency purposes
obviously the aero seems the first choice but diesel (sorry) also needs to be considered for efficiency purposes
I have been a passenger in a 9-5 estate for a few hundred miles but never driven one. They are certainly refined and comfy but beyond that I can't really comment. The sliding boot floor is quite nifty.
Looking at some of the Saab fora the 9-5 seems less afflicted by horrors than the 900/9-3. Like all these prestige bargains with gasp inducing spares prices you just have to ask yourself one question - "do you feel lucky?".
Looking at some of the Saab fora the 9-5 seems less afflicted by horrors than the 900/9-3. Like all these prestige bargains with gasp inducing spares prices you just have to ask yourself one question - "do you feel lucky?".
AnotherClarkey said:
I have been a passenger in a 9-5 estate for a few hundred miles but never driven one. They are certainly refined and comfy but beyond that I can't really comment. The sliding boot floor is quite nifty.
Looking at some of the Saab fora the 9-5 seems less afflicted by horrors than the 900/9-3. Like all these prestige bargains with gasp inducing spares prices you just have to ask yourself one question - "do you feel lucky?".
I bought a GM900 for £650 quid and wound it up to 160k miles with the only casualty being a new rear section for the exhaust, a brake line, and a few sets of tires. Looking at some of the Saab fora the 9-5 seems less afflicted by horrors than the 900/9-3. Like all these prestige bargains with gasp inducing spares prices you just have to ask yourself one question - "do you feel lucky?".
Maybe I was lucky but it never felt that way. It was the Saab 2.0 engine in it.
R5GTTGaz said:
I bought a GM900 for £650 quid and wound it up to 160k miles with the only casualty being a new rear section for the exhaust, a brake line, and a few sets of tires.
Maybe I was lucky but it never felt that way. It was the Saab 2.0 engine in it.
Well of course if you get inot bangernomics and choose your car wisely, you can do a lot worse than an old Saab... Just be prepared to sell for spares or repair when something expensive breaks... chances are you'll almost get your initial outlay back as there's always someone in need of parts...Maybe I was lucky but it never felt that way. It was the Saab 2.0 engine in it.
Consumables for Saabs are no more expensive than for a Cavalier these days... it's the price of bespoke (body/trim/instrumentation etc.) parts that can hurt the wallet.
Edited by 900T-R on Friday 14th November 07:03
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