Saab’s 900 was a long-lived model that – like many cars – benefited from the factory’s learning curve. This car was born near the end of the car’s 1978-1998 production run, and it’s available here on craigslist for $18,500. The new owner can drive it away from Tigard, Oregon (if you send me chocolates, I’ll go look at it for you!) Curvette sent us this tip – thanks! Resplendent in Imola Red with a tan convertible top and matching leather, this car won several awards at the 2024 Saab Club of North America’s Concours d’Saab. Belying its 137k odometer reading, the paint is near excellent with only a few tiny flaws. The top works very well, though the fabric is showing its age.
Consistent with Saab’s funky approach to its product, the engine was “backward”, with the crank operating at the front and the transmission sitting under the engine, driving the front wheels. The first Turbos were oil-cooled Garrett units, but refinements brought a water-cooled type. This engine is a 16V 2.0-liter four-cylinder, equipped with an intercooler, good for approximately 160 hp. These were spunky performers, racing from zero to sixty in about 8.5 seconds. Since 2018, this example has seen a host of maintenance work including new drive belts, thermostat, cylinder head and gaskets, engine mounts, transmission cooler lines, intake manifold, and PVC Valve. The exhaust system was replaced in 2021. While the tires have few miles, we’re not told how old they are. The underside is a bit crusty.
The upholstery is in good condition with no rips or tears. The dash wears a cover, which could mean trouble underneath. The car retains its original radio and stereo, but the player won’t accept CDs. The air conditioning has been recharged with R134. The headlamps were replaced with Euro units five years ago.
Both bumpers were refinished to look like new. No doubt this car has been coddled through its history, both mechanically and cosmetically. And Saabs have developed a collector appeal. Clean late-model examples will sell in the mid-teens, and high-performance variants (SPG) can reach much heftier prices. But our subject car’s mileage might warrant a discount from the ask; what do you think?
A rare automatic Swede 🇸🇪
I forgot to mention that, thx!
I always thought these were cool cars. This one really looks outstanding. Nice color combination. Looks like it would be a blast to just drop the top and enjoy!!! Always thought the ignition being near the shifter was so unique. Great fifind Curvette and a great write up too Michelle. I enjoyed it.
I used to valet cars in the 1990’s and Saab’s if the had a manual trans they had to be put in reverse to remove the ignition key at least on some models if I remember.
They are a blast to drive.. I had a green ’94 turbo convertible and took it cross country both ways, from AZ to FL, to CO, and to the west coast twice from northern CA up into OR and WA, and I drove it from Denver to northeast NE one summer to visit my aunt and step grandmother. My most memorble time in it though was cruising through Louisiana one night at around midnight with the top down on my way back to AZ when a caravan of truckers passed me doing over 100mph, but I didn’t know that until I caught up with them. Holy moly was that ever fun. I found out Saab convertibles tend to want to go airborne with the top down at high speed though so I had to back off and let them speed away into the dark of night. This one is a fine example.. although I’m not sure I’d want an automatic.
I had a 900 Turbo convertible. I can’t say enough good things about its performance- I should have never sold it. I needed to repair the windshield wiper linkage on it once, which required the removal of a plate that the wiper motor was bolted to (according to the factory manual). No matter which way that I turned it, it wouldn’t clear the AC compressor and alternator, which are located at the rear of the engine, near the firewall (IIRC). Finally, I sought out the wisdom of my SAAB Master Technician (hard to find), who informed me that the cowl on the convertible was further forward than on the sedan by just enough to prevent the easy removal of the motor. Why make it easy, right? The manual transmissions are the weak point in these cars. Shifted gently, they are a joy, but are easily damaged by carelessness, and transmission parts are getting difficult to find, I believe.
“I should have never sold it. ”
A phrase most of us here have used repeatedly. ;-)
This must be a legacy issue with Saab design: my 96 had transmission issues: the bearings became high friction items. It was okay round town but any freeway driving and you could feel it start to bind up. A used replacement had the same symptoms and I was fortunate enough to find someone who could rebuild mine. Too bad they continued that “feature” in the newer models.
Top down fun and great to drive, these Saabs are holding steady in the market. Great color combo.
??SHOW CAR”?? What did the owner do? –drive it home and “SHOW” it to his spouse>
Have Butthead explain it to you…
You failed Reading Comprehension?
Former new car too. Anytime I see the word “crusty” I run.
Despite the fact that it one a prize at one car show, are these now priced that high? Or is the seller asking for the moon?
Damn GM to Hell for all time for killing Saab. Didn’t want China to buy it and now they build Buicks there. I was surprised when the Swedish government took no action against it.
Not really. The ones they were producing at the end due to all the cross platform trickery were far from a SAAB like this lovely vehicle. They had already lost their quirkiness.
They were more like Swedish meatballs made by McDonald’s.
With a little quality maintenance, these cars will go well past 300k (I drove one that long, and it didn’t use a drop of oil all those miles). Reliable and a pure joy to drive.
These are great units but not without their quirks as noted above. I lived in Vail in the 80’s and the police force had a fleet of these, performed well at high altitude harsh winter conditions.
It always surprised me that Saab seats were as hard as concrete and still they were comfortable. How did they do that?