Old Saabs, anyone know?

[livi]

Being from Sweden I grew up with SAAB. Learned how to drive with SAAB. I loved the 93/95/96 and even the 99. I mostly had 96 versions and although being a bit tractor-like there was nothing that could beat it in the Swedish Winter. Particularly on twisty roads like rally events.

[wdfifteen]

When I think "old Saab" I think of a 93 or 96 series. Anything with a four cycle engine is too new.



The first rallye I was ever on was in an 850 Monte Carlo - 850cc of 2-cycle awesomeness!



It had a Solex 3-barrel carb that was as big as the engine.




I still have the dash plaque. It was 1969 or '70

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by livi

Being from Sweden I grew up with SAAB. Learned how to drive with SAAB. I loved the 93/95/96 and even the 99. I mostly had 96 versions and although being a bit tractor-like there was nothing that could beat it in the Swedish Winter. Particularly on twisty roads like rally events.

I still remember many years ago when I posted a thread about Saab vs Volvo, you replied something to the effect that Saabs are for the left lane, Volvos for the right. So of course I proceeded to own two Saabs. I figured the Swedish guy was a good source

Interesting the posts about Saabs being unreliable. They have their quirks but were well put together prior to the GM buyout, easy to work on, and last a long time. I had a 9000 Aero and 900SE, the Aero had 235k with the original engine, transmission, and turbo. Never any internal work done but it would still haul ass with an MBC installed.

[rwest]

I concur with Matt, I owned a 1980 900 and knew several other folks who owned Saabs and I used to joke that they must come with 50,000 on the odometer since they all seemed to have high miles and kept running.

Really weird part, is I can't for the life of me remember what happened to mine. I haven't owned a ton of cars and I never drank, so odd that I can't remember!

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

First new car I ever got was a 1980 900 Turbo like this one, except with red velour interior. Awesome car, fast for its day. Super practical, nice seating position. Fold down the back seat and it'd be a wagon. Basic mechanicals were strong, but always little stuff wrong. Every time I'd bring it in for service I'd have a list of 5 things wrong, and when I'd leave 2 would still be not fixed. Turbo wasn't intercooled that year; blew just before the 50K emissions ran out (and I idled it before and after driving). I think I replaced 7 soft alloys from various incidents. Loaned it to my brother when he visited and he stuffed it into a guard rail on a sharp offramp in the rain. Still miss that car...

I remember seeing this car back in the day as a teen and thinking they were pretty sweet! Never owned a Saab. Have had friends and family take the "Saab trip". They indicated that it was the little stuff which eventually wore them down...sorta like BMW ownership? I seem to remember the ignition switch being in the center console, between the front seats...like where the e-brake grab would be.