What shall I do with my Saab 900?
Alas, I feel it may be time for a parting of the ways between me and my much loved but underused Saab 900.
I bought this car as a runaround when I crashed my Viggen in mid-2007. I chose this 900 because it was the first release of the 16 valve Turbos here in Australia and I’ve always wanted to maintain an older, iconic Saab. I think it’s pretty important that some people try to preserve these older cars and keep them going and it always brings a smile to my face to see one on the street.
I think I paid a little too much for the car, though, and whilst I love it, that overpayment has soured the ownership experience a little. Also, coming off the Viggen crash, this was somewhat of a therapeutic purchase, too. I’d just lost a fantastic Saab and wanted something to fill the void. When this car came up, I just jumped at it.
I’m a Saab blogger. I had to have a Saab, pronto!
As I write this, the car is parked at the bottom of my reasonably steep driveway and I know that it has maybe one or two more ascensions up that driveway before the clutch completely lets go. I’ll probably put it in to get fixed in the next few weeks but after that, I’m not sure how much more I’ll drive it. I use the Alfa for my day-to-day stuff now and the 900 only comes out on weekends.
I like a car with a bit of history and significance and this one definitely fits that bill. Not only is it one of the first 16 valves turbos and not only does it have the reasonably rare all-red interior, I believe it was also one of the first of it’s kind brought into Australia. I don’t have any documented proof of that, it’s just that it’s a Euro spec car with a slightly different dash configuration than the Aussie cars. This led my mechanic to believe that it was one of the press cars that was brought here prior to the general release. He was working on them at the time, so who am I to argue?
But is that enough? Long story short - I’m not sure if this is the right classic Saab for me and the knowledge that I’m going to have spend near enough to $1,000 to get it right isn’t filling me with any joy, either.
So now I have two problems.
First, I have to sell it, and sell it well. By sell it well, I mean I’d ideally like to sell it to a home that’s going to preserve it. I don’t really want it going to some yahoo just because he’s got the cash and wants something relatively inexpensive with a turbo.
Second, I have to replace it with another classic Saab to make sure I’m sticking to my own ethos. But what?
A recent addition to the stable of fellow Tassie Saabnut, Drew B, has got me thinking. Actully, it was taking a drive of my brother-in-law’s Mazda MX-5 that first got me thinking, but a recent ride in Drew’s latest purchase solidified my thoughts.
Here it is:
Drew’s new car is a very rare 900 Convertible Turbo S. There were only a handful of these brought into the country. They’re very hard to find, even when they’re not for sale. Drew was fortunate enough to find this one the first day appeared online at a dealership in New South Wales. He bought it that day and dealer said that he’d already received several calls about it.
After driving the MX-5 in Canada I started thinking that a convertible would be a bit of fun. After going for a ride in Drew’s convertible last weekend, I started thinging a Saab convertible would be a whole lot of fun. So much fun, in fact, that I would even consider buying the automatic version, which would be only the second time I’d be buying an auto in my whole life.
The convertible’s a classy car. It’s comfortable. It looks absolutely fantastic and it’s one of the few practical convertibles out there. Well, as practical as a convertible can be.
And what’s more unique thn a convertible from Scandinavia? And isn’t the Saab convertible as much of an icon as any other Saab design? It was so unexpected from Saab, and so well executed. It’s probably Saab’s signature model out of the current range.
I know I’ll probably get a rush of seller’s remorse as soon as someone drives my 900 down the street. I hate selling cars for that very reason. But the convertible’s not a bad replacement, eh?
What do you think? I’m I deserting a car in need of a good home? Do we ever really “own” a car anyway? Aren’t we just charged with the responsibility of taking car of it for a time so we can pass it on in good order to the next person?
Thoughts appreciated.
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Beautiful Convertible! Buy one Swade! I would if I could afford one.
Regarding your wonderful 900.. Sell it to that actor that was the first to drive a celebrity lap in TopGear Oz.. Colisamo was it?
And hey boys and girls, wouldn´t it be great if TopGear Oz did a special on Enthusiasts, Swade and include a drive of the Turbo X????? (They are probably monitoring TS so… Please guys, just do it
)
Your 900 looks just like the SPG I had in Canada. I think it is beautiful (and more practical than the convertible). Repairs to cars this age are usually not economically justified, if it is just the matter of transportation involved. However, if you don’t relish seeing yourself at every corner, the joy of this unique icon is an emotional reward.
Set the price you are prepared to either spend on it, or let it go at. If someone values it more than you do, then you will both be happy with such a transaction.
Arnold
To my knowledge there are not much better ways of transport than open top motoring, except walking.
I wouldn’t hesitate (if the economics are OK).
Keep it.
Either way sounds like a great choice; the 900 convertible is quite classy…
Send the 900 to me. Skip on that particular convertible — it’s got automatic disease.
The convertible is the best way to fly. Enjoy the top down motoring every chance you get.
It put’s a smile on my face every time I turn the key. Far superior to any other convertible on the market today. Many years ago, Lexus ran an add that a car driving down the road. The camera panned a circle around the entire car, then the voice came in and said: “Because you only go around once…”
That add stuck with me.
Yeah, send the 900 to me too. What I would give for a silver bullnose SPG…
The clutch is cheap’n'easy to change, Swade. Less typing, more spannering. Get to it…
Given the choice between your 1985 900 Aero and that (admittedly beautious) 900 Turbo S Convertible (BTW, what year is that?) I’d go with the Aero. I know, I’m nuts. The Aero is older and may require more money in upkeep, but boy is that a stunning car. And the rare pre-87 front end and bumpers just “look right” on that car. I think you’ll really regret if you sell it. You know how you feel every time you see a nice Saab 99? You might want to keep that in mind.
Why are you looking to replace it again? I see you’ve already made the decision to invest in the new clutch for your Aero. Are you thinking the ‘vert will have a lower-cost-of-ownership? You already mentioned that your Saab is not a “daily driver” anyway (your Alfa is), so are you just taking the Aero for granted?
You requested opinions. Mine is to keep the Aero.
x50 @ Alex
I have an edwardian grey bullnose SPG. some days I don’t feel like fixing or maintaining it… keyword: somedays…
you have a gorgeous silver SPG (thats what we call them stateside). i wouldnt sell it just for any other c900!
My first reaction would be to try to get some help and do the clutch myself. What a beautiful classic. On the other hand, the vert is a fabulous car and would be more suitable for the rare occasions you use this «weekender» but I would not go with an automatic - but that’s just me. Also, the top mechanism can be very big bucks to fix if (when) the hydraulics go. BEWARE! I was drooling over a mint condition black vert recently and felt like buying although we need a third car like a hole in a boat. Luckily, it wasn’t for sale.
The 900 convertible would be great, but don’t get an automatic!! You’ll regret it my friend. The 900 convertible with a 5 speed could be the way to go. I wish I could buy your 900 Aero!!!!
It’s too bad GM Australia doesn’t have an equivalent to the U.S. GM Heritage Collection. Your 900 Aero would be a lock for entry into it, judging by its rarity and condition. I would suggest you try and sell it to the U.S. GM Heritage Collection, but I don’t think they’d be interested for two reasons: 1.) it’s RHD and intended for a market outside the U.S. and 2.) GM’s so broke they’re selling their own home!!!
Actually, come to think of it at CAS (the firm that refurbishes cars destined for the Heritage Collection) I saw a Holden in their shop. No Holden has ever been sold in America, so maybe they don’t have a non-American exclusion for the collection…
Heck, just keep it. Don’t get seller’s remorse.
Swade - I had a similar decision to make (you may recall I had two 9-5 Aero (cosmic blue and red and both MY01 manual). We were looking for something to run errands with in town and which would not be that heavy on maintenance but still keeping our heritage intact (being the only family in town with two MY01 9-5 Aeros was not something we wanted to trade up).
Luckily, the suiter (that is, the guy who wanted the red 9-5) was so persistent that he would follow my other half to our suburb and would occassionally pop in and request her to convince me to sell. I got tired and sold the red 9-5 Aero and to date, I regret that decision. Now I am stuck with a Hyundai Matrix MY02 and a new Honda Civic sedan MY08. I get asked: what did you do with that beautiful red 9-5 ballistic missile of yours? I am too ashamed to admit I sold it. Mike C said: “Because you only go round once.” Fix the SPG and you will have no questions to answer, believe me. And besides, you drove it how many thousands of miles back home and wrote about it on this blog, you remember? How can you sell it? You posited my opinion, Swade.
Hi there! I’ve been reading this blog for couple of years, but never used to write something… I live in Russia and own 2 classic 900s. Now I’m in process of rebuilding my old 86 900i into a 16V Turbo. I started this rebuild because it’s impossible to buy good Turbo C900 in Russia, and about SPG you can only dream. When I read about your problem I had only one question: is SPG 900 really what you need, does it make you feel a little bit better every time you look at it? If so you must keep it, otherwise let it go. Maybe someone is dreaming about it?
I’m going to go one step further and tell you to restore the Aero, that’s a rare and beautiful Saab, and as a leader of the Saab community you owe it to that car, what could be THE quintessential Saab, to hold on to it and keep it in as nice shape as possible.
I’ll give you $500 if it includes shipping.
Adrian: ROFL, my thoughts exactly. If you have the “clutch tool” it’s in the front on a 900, NBD!
Yeah but, really be honest, how often would you actually be able to use a convertible in Tassie?
Good weather + day off = when?
Gripen, it’s a 10/92. The Turbo-S version was only available for several months in MY92. Unlike the other, older, 900T cabs sold in Australia, this version is essentially an AERO with the roof cut off; has all the same gear as the hard top Aero - kit, electric seats, Lucas FI, Mitsubishi TE0512b turbo, 175hp redbox APC, etc. Manual versions weren’t available in these very last cars, and in Oz only several 900T manual cabs were sold anyway. I’m no fan of auto boxes either, but it depends on the car. To be honest, though, the manual box isn’t really suited to city driving, and the auto best suits the ‘cruiser’ nature of the convertible, I reckon. Allows one to focus on the drivng experience than fumbling with a notchy gearbox. Smaller turbo and Lucas injection with much higher fuel delivery than the Bosch cars, means that the S is no slouch; it’s a very quick car, and probably faster off the line than the manual of the same type that I have. Early cars with auto boxes suffered badly from lag from the Garrett turbocharger.
Drew
Robin, 12 months is the roof works!
Just do what I do: good weather = day off
Swade, what is the build date of your Aero? I have a review published in late ‘84 by Motor Manual which said it was testing the only 16S Aero in Australia. It’s only one page and amounts more to just a drive really. I don’t think the Aero was oficially released until mid/late ‘85 when it replaced the two tone 8 valve SE turbo as the best equipped and most expensive 900 available. For the ‘86 model, the Aero lost a bit of power due to the adoption of unleaded fuel in Australia, which probably makes the ‘85 more desirable.
The way it seems to me, you haven’t yet experienced 9000 ownership, my friend.
start a living musem down under
then buy the vert
Keep yours… I have no personal experience, but I’ve heard those 900 verts are so wallowy that it’s flat out dangerous to have one that powerful. You’ll never realize how good that car is until you get rid of it, sadly.
Did anyone else notice that Supra in the vert pics?
The auto isn’t worth it in the C900.
I say keep the Aero unless you actually have a nice manual vert lined up.
Nice Supra Drew, yours or Liz’s?
a.
i just realized, that 900 is about as Saaby as Saab gets. And yes, doing the clutch yourself is easier than on most cars, but its still a project.
keep the c900!
When it comes to spare parts, for almost every european brand, I would suggest looking into the German or Spanish/Portugese markets. They have loads of new noname (and branded) quality part and I believe it would be quite inexpensive to have parts shiped to you. Could somebody in these countries have a look at clutch parts and get a quotation? If you do get a quotation, please do NOT name the supplier here since that would be unfare to Swades current site-sponsors. We should all show them the respect they deserve.
Cheers/Tom
Great idea Swade, that convert is just beautiful! I’m sure with a little help from your friends you will find one. I can really see you in that. It’s a timeless classic that is not defined by gender or age. Mate, I will start my search now!
Clutch kit is around $350 from Eurocarparts, and should include the release bearing (normally around $100 separately). The LuK units I’ve got from them usually also include the spacer ring for the pressure plate.
I’d also do the crankshaft main seal and spigot shaft seals while you have the opportunity, and (as a minimum) throw a kit in the slave cylinder. Ideally, this early type part should be replaced with the later “bellows” type which was far less problematic. Seals and cylinder also available from Euro.
DB
So when are we doing them, DB?
You know, I’ve always wanted to import a RHD Saab into the US. Just for grins.
But I have to agree with the consensus here, keep it and fix it. Although the c900 convertibles are simply awesome, and I agree with the comments above that the automatic transmission is more suited for the light city cruising that the ‘verts do than the 5 speed.
Well you’d be trading a super car for the same super car, but topless. You live in oz, which is known for sunlight, you got nice mountain drives in tassie, mountain drives in verts are simply awesome… I’d go for the convertible!
How much would you sell it for Swade? And how much do you think it would cost to import it to west coast of USA?
As a convertible owner, I have to say get a convertible. I don’t think you will regret it. They are more practical than you think. I just brought home a table in it (with the top down) that I don’t think would have fit in my Subby Forester!