Does anybody know anything about Saabs? (or recommendations for a 2nd car)

[QUKBMER]

Owning both, I'd say the Classic 900s (c900) and BMW e30s are very similar. Definitely not a POS.

And yes, the motor is in "backwards" but it's unfair to say there's "no room to work". In fact, because it's backwards a clutch job can be completed in under two hours! They were designed for the long haul, and significant thought was put into efficient servicing. The engine bay is large and roomy, there is a lot of room to work. Starter, alternator, water pump, etc is all easily accessible from above. I have done virtually done every standard repair job on one of my family's 8 Saabs and I can say with confidence that from an ease of servicing perspective, you can do MUCH worse. The "youngest" in our fleet has 180k, and they all run like champs.

The 2.0L and 2.3L turbo motors make great daily drivers. Predictable FWD, excellent passing power, better-than-average fuel economy. I still get 30+ highway with my SPG. For a missus' everyday car, I'd recommend a 94-98 9000 Aero, they are great daily drivers and they had a good automatic trans, and are new enough to have the desired creature comforts. Avoid the newer 900s (the first GM-platformed car, 1994+) and c900s with the 3-speed automatic.

Oh, and the e-brake only operates the front calipers in 1987 and older cars. In an emergency situation it's often safer than ripping the e-brake and having your rear end swing out.

I guess everybody in socali that had one had a P.O.S. then. I worked at the dealer and a independent shop and when the warranty went out they started falling apart. I hated having those cars come in. When i got into MBZ and BMW shop it was a breeze after that.

[Ryann]

I'd say the Classic 900s (c900) and BMW e30s are very similar. Definitely not a POS.

As previously stated, the GM era 900's are junk. The classic 900's, particularly '87-'91 are awesome cars. Weak spots are transmissions and interior quality. SPG's are the coveted model and have special wheels, body kits, and higher boost pressure.

[priapism]

Check out Two Guys From Sweden on Sawtelle in West LA.

[Asbradley21]

SAABs from the last 15 years suck. SAABs from before that are awesome but require proper maintenance unless you want it to overheat or have various other problems.

Mind you, I loved the hell out of my old 87 900S. Although right after it sold it pretty much bit the dust on the new owner.

[p nut]

I'd go for that free Accord. I'm in the minority, as I love Honda. Maybe stale and boring (stock), but they run nearly trouble free and cheap to keep it running.

A friend had an 89 900 Turbo and it wasn't the most reliable. And uber expensive to fix.

[BrooklynMW]

I'd go for that free Accord. I'm in the minority, as I love Honda. Maybe stale and boring (stock), but they run nearly trouble free and cheap to keep it running.

A friend had an 89 900 Turbo and it wasn't the most reliable. And uber expensive to fix.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Accords with automatic transmissions run into bigtime tranny problems at around 100,000 miles?

[DaveSmed]

I love how everyone talks about the E30 like its super reliable.


...Except for central locking, all of the interior, check control, gauge cluster, engine idle, auto trans, etc, etc, etc.

It's a 20 year old car. Most of the bad ones are in the junkyard by now. If it's kept up, the Saabs are a very decent car. Gotta make the woman happy....

[u3b3rg33k]

I'd recommend a Saab 9-2x :D
Good AWD, decent power, plenty of room for stuff.

[Mike The Bavarian]

I'd recommend a Saab 9-2x :D
Good AWD, decent power, plenty of room for stuff.

you mean a sabaru? If you're going swedish get a volvo...saabs are pretty known to have a very soft chassis and a dumb amount of torque steer...ask me how i know.. there brakes are also the same as an e30s...only the car weights 3200lbs

[mr.vang]

get a crx 40+ mpg on the freeway

[F34R]

My Mother likes her 93 900 turbo.

[87e30]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Accords with automatic transmissions run into bigtime tranny problems at around 100,000 miles?

Early 6cyl honda/acura J series engines were more prone to transmission issues if the fluid wasn't changed at the scheduled intervals.

If I recall correctly there is a filter inside and if it starts to clog up and not do it's job then it wears down the clutch packs prematurely. Cars with properly changed transmission fluid didn't have a problem.

Something like that. I'm not transmission guru. There was this uber nerd on my old accord forum that got way into it.

[87e30]

I love how everyone talks about the E30 like its super reliable.


...Except for central locking, all of the interior, check control, gauge cluster, engine idle, auto trans, etc, etc, etc.

haha. I totally agree with you. (I can't believe I'm saying this...)



Resume hating you after this post.

[TS323]

i would honestly get:
- Volvo
- Honda
- Another e30

all of these cars are abundant in the junkyards down here, really easy to work on and easy to find. there's not much need for AWD out here (subaru) and id stick to something you know how to work on and one where parts are easily accessible.

welcome to pretty much no rust thoe :)

[u3b3rg33k]

you mean a sabaru? If you're going swedish get a volvo...saabs are pretty known to have a very soft chassis and a dumb amount of torque steer...ask me how i know.. there brakes are also the same as an e30s...only the car weights 3200lbs

I believe it's called a Saabaroo.