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

[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?

[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.

[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.

[priapism]

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

[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.

[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.

[BrooklynMW]

Otherwise, we get something practical as a second car...and no offense, but NO Mazda Proteges!!!

Practical cars in the running are:
-Subaru Outback
-Subaru Forester
(did I mention I love Subarus?)
-VW Golf or Jetta

-Her mom's old 99' Honda Accord (ew, gross, but probably free)

[BrooklynMW]

Well, it seems Saabs bring the same opinions as any other older car. Some of you hate em, some of you love em.

We'll just see what we end up with. Since I would probably be in charge of keeping the car maintained, I'd say she's getting a BMW. However, if she is willing to maintain her own car, I would enjoy riding around in a 900 Turbo from time to time.

[TrackjunkiE30]

I bought my wife a Saab 93T. After 3 months, I sold it and bought her a 5 series. BUT as mentioned previously, the older Saabs are great & very reliable.

[Naplm00]

AVOID, they are hard to work on and parts are expensive

just buy another e30 if you want torture

[IronJoe]

Get a BMW ! The 80's saab's are POS, the motor is on top of the transmission then they put the fan belts between the engine and the fire wall (no room to work/engine is backwards). Then the clutch is up front by the radiator oh oh and the e-brake is designed in the front brake calipers.

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.

[delatlanta1281]

A 1993 Protege was my first car. It was actually kinda fun to drive with the 1.8l fourbanger and a 5 speed gearbox. Got good gas mileage, had a lot of fun with the e-brake in parking lots in the winter.
I bought it for $700 and for 2 years I haven't had a problem with it. Right when I was ready to move it just simply didn't start (it wasn't a battery issue). I'm sure it was gonna be an easy fix, but since I had to move in two days from Indiana to California, I didn't have any time to investigate the issue, so I just sold it to a junk yard for $350.

I'd go with a Protege from my experience:)

Thats's what I had. I bought a 93 SOHC with 80k on it for @ 2500 bucks in 97. I finally gave it away to my buddy's little brother in 00 with @ 250k on it. I loved that car. He drove it throughout highschool and finally sold it to some brasilians for @ 500 bucks. Then he bought an e30. The reason I gave him my protege was B/c I had bought my e30 as a repacement and had a company car as well.

[QUKBMER]

Get a BMW ! The 80's saab's are POS, the motor is on top of the transmission then they put the fan belts between the engine and the fire wall (no room to work/engine is backwards). Then the clutch is up front by the radiator oh oh and the e-brake is designed in the front brake calipers.

[Conki]

Get a mazda protege. they are reliable and get great gas mileage.

A 1993 Protege was my first car. It was actually kinda fun to drive with the 1.8l fourbanger and a 5 speed gearbox. Got good gas mileage, had a lot of fun with the e-brake in parking lots in the winter.
I bought it for $700 and for 2 years I haven't had a problem with it. Right when I was ready to move it just simply didn't start (it wasn't a battery issue). I'm sure it was gonna be an easy fix, but since I had to move in two days from Indiana to California, I didn't have any time to investigate the issue, so I just sold it to a junk yard for $350.

I'd go with a Protege from my experience:)

[delatlanta1281]

Get a mazda protege. they are reliable and get great gas mileage.