We have Pat L. to thank for throwing this modern classic our way. A 1987 Saab 900S 16V two-door hatchback has been on the streets of Coronado, CA for a few decades, piling up 170,000 miles, and now needs a new home. If that attractive red paint is your color, then maybe you should dig up $6,900 and become this car’s new owner. Your friends need the chance to overuse the old “Saab Story” joke, don’t they? In any case, look at the ad here on craigslist for (some) further detail before you buy a one-way ticket to San Diego from wherever you are.
At the risk of offending, let’s just say that back in the day, fussy, particular people bought Saabs, or that Saabs made their owners into fussy, particular people. It’s a role that Subaru has assumed (not for everyone) in a niche of the market these days. Someone had to, as the Swedish carmaker met its demise about a decade ago after, near the end, being in GM ownership. Speaking of Subaru, though, there was even a time when a rebranded and rebadged Subie went to market as a Saab. This was the Impreza in 9-2X clothing offered first in 2005. It quickly became known as the “Saabaru,” whether by enthusiasts or detractors is not clear. Notably, it was the first AWD offering from Saab, which had been focused on FWD cars long before those became the norm, especially on North American roads.
The fact that the owner specifies that this one if “not a turbo” tells you two things: that’s what people often look for, and yet that without it, you’ve probably got a car with greater long-range reliability. The 900S was a series that went from the late-1970s to the late 1990s. The 1987 model year brought some cosmetic changes. The “S” designation shows you that this one is not a turbo, but the “16V” suggests that the car has the 16-valve engine rather than the 8-valve version. Those familiar with the marque will tell you that 170K is nowhere near worn out. The car itself looks clean and is claimed as well maintained. Where’s the paperwork, obsessive first owner? Oh wait—there’s no claim of single ownership here, and in fact, the car seems to have been in both California and Arizona during its lifetime.
Buy this and you’ll have an iconic hatchback that runs with a five-speed manual transmission and features a manual sunroof. Everywhere you go, someone will want to tell you about their Saab, or an old neighbor’s, because this car will push a button in their memory that they’d probably forgotten about.
Looks to be a clean 900S. One cool fact about the 87 model is the handbrake works on the front calipers not the rear. This was another safety consideration Saab did in addition to the ignition key being located between the seats to reduce knee injuries. This 87 still uses the small pinion bearing in the transaxle to it’s important to drive these up to highway speeds and listen carefully for gear whine as shifting through gears 3-5. Also drive the car in reverse and make sure there is no ticking noises when backing. Either one of these walk away.
The Alfasud also featured the novel feature of having the hand brake mounted on the inboard front calipers from its tntroduction.
The cable is a B I T C H to replace though.
Always reminded me of a Harley Sportster. Transmission inside the engine, so to speak.
And, where she is not a turbo, she is not fast off of the line. The S has gobs of torque and the gearing is very tall. I have an ’86 S and, before her engine spun a bearing (dreaded former owner never changed the oil and the engine coked up) she was great fun to drive. Once you get them moving, the S goes right along.
Saab began to attach the parking brake to the rear wheels in 1988 and they beefed up the gearbox in 1989. I’ve never had any issues with the drivetrains in my C900s……..the newer cars, well, let’s just say that the gearboxes that GM foisted upon Saab starting in 1995 weren’t the most robust transmissions ever to be put in a Saab.
Brian, Saab lasted for 22 years after the GM debacle…….GM bought half of Saab in 1990 and then occupied the remaining 50% in 2000. The final cars to come down the line did so in 2012. A lot of folks throw stones at the newer cars, but I have 5 C900s, 3 real 9.3s (including a Viggen), a NewGen 900 and 2 99s (including a Turbo) and they all have that Saab soul. Turbochargers are not an issue…as long as you change the oil every 3000-5000 miles, flush the coolant every other year and never overheat the engine, the turbocharger will last the life of the car.
My brother had the same cherry red 1987 900s 3dr. 5 speed, but with the rear spoiler. I still have my cirrus white 1991 900s 3dr. 5 speed with 3,400 original miles.
Had a virtually identical car except ’88 model year… same exterior, same interior… My first of many Saabs. Loved the car. Handled well, comfortable (best seats) and extremely practical. With the rear seat folded down it was amazing how much you could fit in the thing. Put over 200K mi on it… only got rid of it because the tin worm started to take hold. I don’t remember ever having any serious problems with it… just typical maintenance stuff… exhaust, brakes, water pump… do remember one weird breakdown… during a raging thunderstorm the windshield wiper mechanism decided to disassembled itself… leaving me quite blind…
Luckless–
Same thing happened to me in my ’88 SPG. The cord that runs the wiper mechanism failed in the middle of a driving rainstorm. I had the passenger’s wiper only……..I spent an hour driving down the highway leaned over into the passenger’s seat so that I could see where i was going. I was stiff and sore for a week after that.
Indeed…..strange things break on a Saab.