Saab 900s as a cheap shed
Discussion
My nissan sunny supermarket shed is almost due for its mot, and I'm suspecting its going to be uneconomical to get thro again this year..
So... I've started to look for a cheap replacement, and fancy something a bit more substantial this time.
One option I've spotted is late model (ie '97) 2.0 saab 900s.. They seem to go for ~£500 and appear to be not tooo bad..
Average mileages seem to be round the 140k mark, and bodywork appears fairly rust free.
Now, I know these arent the most exciting car in the world, and they are based on cavaliers/vectras, but I only want to to do the 40 mile return commute on wet days that I dont want to ride the bike on, and for trips to the tip.
So, are there any gotyas with these cars, or anything unusual I need to look for ?
I'm thinking anything over £750 with a years mot is to expensive, but at belew that, they seem a good bet ?
So... I've started to look for a cheap replacement, and fancy something a bit more substantial this time.
One option I've spotted is late model (ie '97) 2.0 saab 900s.. They seem to go for ~£500 and appear to be not tooo bad..
Average mileages seem to be round the 140k mark, and bodywork appears fairly rust free.
Now, I know these arent the most exciting car in the world, and they are based on cavaliers/vectras, but I only want to to do the 40 mile return commute on wet days that I dont want to ride the bike on, and for trips to the tip.
So, are there any gotyas with these cars, or anything unusual I need to look for ?
I'm thinking anything over £750 with a years mot is to expensive, but at belew that, they seem a good bet ?
Cracking bulkhead (that's not a euphemism) although whether you believe the issue is a hazard or not is up to you, there appear to be mixed views.
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
They're top cars for the money, I'd say.
Handling is wallowy and a bit vomity, but other than that there's not a lot to worry about.
Cracked bulkheads didn't affect all cars, but would be worth checking for. Engines are strong, with chain cam rather than belt. Much of the underpinnings are indeed Cav, so simple and ready for plenty of ham fisted abuse. You should get 30-35mpg.
I liked mine - not characterful and no driver's car, but comfy for big miles and cheap to run.
Cruise control is very easy to retro fit, if you fancy it.
Handling is wallowy and a bit vomity, but other than that there's not a lot to worry about.
Cracked bulkheads didn't affect all cars, but would be worth checking for. Engines are strong, with chain cam rather than belt. Much of the underpinnings are indeed Cav, so simple and ready for plenty of ham fisted abuse. You should get 30-35mpg.
I liked mine - not characterful and no driver's car, but comfy for big miles and cheap to run.
Cruise control is very easy to retro fit, if you fancy it.
DrTre said:
Cracking bulkhead (that's not a euphemism) although whether you believe the issue is a hazard or not is up to you, there appear to be mixed views.
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
Has anyone yet seen the SAAB official metal plate fix on this?http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t...
So far there's VOSA saying it's not a problem and apparantly some MOT stations saying its a fail - but not recently?
Since everyone's realised SAAB is in poor health have they stopped worrying about it?
When going for a GM 900, go as late as you can. They improved them over the 4 years they built them and the later ones were best. Some early ones were shocking. 2.0 turbo is the one to have. 2.0 is asthmatic, 2.3 is thirsty, V6 needs cambelt changes (the rest are camchain).
If money allows, go for an early 9-3, they're much nicer to drive IMHO.
If money allows, go for an early 9-3, they're much nicer to drive IMHO.
I'm a C900 guy myself but that model is ok if it's been properly maintained. It's comfortable and a great long distance runner. I did Chicago to DC (12 hour drive) with only stopping twice for 5 min to use the loo and I have back problems. Go for the 2.3 turbo If they sold them in the UK. Great performance and milage. Go for a manual though if you can.
tgx4776 said:
I'm a C900 guy myself but that model is ok if it's been properly maintained. It's comfortable and a great long distance runner. I did Chicago to DC (12 hour drive) with only stopping twice for 5 min to use the loo and I have back problems. Go for the 2.3 turbo If they sold them in the UK. Great performance and milage. Go for a manual though if you can.
The only 2.3 turbo in the 900/9-3 body over here was the 9-3 Viggen. Sensonic clutchless manuals are expensive if they go wrong but most will be manual.well... I did it... had my eye on a 900s local to me on ebay for the past week...
Went and saw it last night, just before the auction was ending, and I got it for.....
£360 and 5 pence !!
3 months mot, 3 months tax..
all looks ok, tho of course its always somewhat of gamble at this price/age..
Bloke had had it from 6 months old ! he seemed very sad to sell it, or maybe that was the price !
He'd done 140k in it, dealer serviced every year !
A few scratches, a little dent on the driver side wing, and a little rust on one wheel arch...Other than that all good.. decent tyres, exhaust, clean oil...
oh and a full tank of fuel ! thats got to be worth £50...
interior is a bit mank/grubby.. he's got a labrador that sits in the car, so a bit whiffy and hairy, but easily sorted...
anyway... bargetastic
cheers for the advice guys, I'm well please at the moment.
a few pictures
Went and saw it last night, just before the auction was ending, and I got it for.....
£360 and 5 pence !!
3 months mot, 3 months tax..
all looks ok, tho of course its always somewhat of gamble at this price/age..
Bloke had had it from 6 months old ! he seemed very sad to sell it, or maybe that was the price !
He'd done 140k in it, dealer serviced every year !
A few scratches, a little dent on the driver side wing, and a little rust on one wheel arch...Other than that all good.. decent tyres, exhaust, clean oil...
oh and a full tank of fuel ! thats got to be worth £50...
interior is a bit mank/grubby.. he's got a labrador that sits in the car, so a bit whiffy and hairy, but easily sorted...
anyway... bargetastic
cheers for the advice guys, I'm well please at the moment.
a few pictures
bazking69 said:
Top bangernomics!
Lets just hope it sails through the MOT with little drama.
well, you never know... but that's half the fun hey Lets just hope it sails through the MOT with little drama.
I had a good look, and saw the advisories from last years mot.. nothing too concerning that I can see yet..
I'm tempted to re-mot it now while it still has some, so I've time to sort any issues myself.
irish boy said:
Go for the older c900. I run 2, one rough beater bought for £200 around a year ago which i've covered 15k trouble free miles in absolute comfort. Also have a mint c900 t16s which is just fantastic. proper cars, try one and you won't be disappointed.
+1 The later shape 900's are junk IMO. I love Saabs but the '93 900S almost put me off. A neighbour of my parents had one too, this was his sixth or seventh Saab and he shared my view on this model.Slow, wallowy, patchy build, rubbish electrics, the list goes on...
Whereas the older ones are up there with the all-time greats, especially the T16.
stewy68 said:
irish boy said:
Go for the older c900. I run 2, one rough beater bought for £200 around a year ago which i've covered 15k trouble free miles in absolute comfort. Also have a mint c900 t16s which is just fantastic. proper cars, try one and you won't be disappointed.
+1 The later shape 900's are junk IMO. I love Saabs but the '93 900S almost put me off. A neighbour of my parents had one too, this was his sixth or seventh Saab and he shared my view on this model.Slow, wallowy, patchy build, rubbish electrics, the list goes on...
Whereas the older ones are up there with the all-time greats, especially the T16.
The cabin is a very nice place to be - enjoy!
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