Daily Driver Saab?

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

If you can get a classic 900 SPG (special performance group) I would go for it. The most fun one I owned of all of them for sure. 2 doors w/ hatchback. If I ever bought a Saab again this would be what I would look for.

Viggen's suffer from HORRIBLE torque steer. There used to be a "Viggen rescue kit" brace system sold aftermarket for it, not sure if it's available anymore.

Like this?

TSN: Retrieving Classified Photo

I had a Taurus SHO for a long time. I know torque steer...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Keep an eye on the forums, at this point most of the good older cars are probably in the hands of enthusiasts. I'm sure there are a few Craigslist unicorns out there but probably a higher preponderance of crap than anything else. You can still get a really nice classic Saab for not much money.

Btw, the 9000 Aero is a great car but stay away from any of them equipped with TCS. It is an antiquated first attempt at traction control that can disable your car and is very difficult to fix.

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

Like this?

TSN: Retrieving Classified Photo

I had a Taurus SHO for a long time. I know torque steer...

That's the one. 900SPG. There is one year you want to avoid, 1989 or 90 I think(??), because of the annoying automatic seatbelts (remember those?). Some people have removed them so it can be done.

[Nickshu]

Aside from the SPG the "holy grail" Saab is the 1993 900 Turbo Commemorative Edition. Limited production car w/ a dash plaque stating the car's number sequence in the edition.

+1 on what OneWhipped said about the 9000's with TCS. The TCS throttle bodies (where the problem is) are expensive and unreliable, get stuck in limp mode when they fail, which is often. BTDT on my 9000's I owned.

[1990C4S]

I could live with this:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5756300111.html

Wrong side of the country for me...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/5761731141.html

[1990C4S]

The 9000 seems a bit pricey for '94 with so many miles. Maybe they are rare enough that they fetch those prices.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

it's an Aero. $5K would be a great score.

[beepbeep]

Why? Is it hip nowadays? The ones that are dependable are rather pedestrian and getting really old. New ones are Opels in drag.

Basically, the 9-5 engine "last real SAAB" is junk. It is 9000 engine made cheaper/worse by using thinner piston rings, less oil and no oil level sender. Most gasoline 9-5's are sludged to death before 200000 miles. Ironically, GM engines used in later 9-3 are better than SAAB ones used in 9-5.

9000 and 900og engines will last forever but chassis will not.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

it's an Aero. $5K would be a great score.

This probably a very good car...

1993 SAAB 9000 aero

If it was closer I would tow it home.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I agree but you'd have to live with the green.

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by beepbeep

Why? Is it hip nowadays? The ones that are dependable are rather pedestrian and getting really old. New ones are Opels in drag.

Basically, the 9-5 engine "last real SAAB" is junk. It is 9000 engine made cheaper/worse by using thinner piston rings, less oil and no oil level sender. Most gasoline 9-5's are sludged to death before 200000 miles. Ironically, GM engines used in later 9-3 are better than SAAB ones used in 9-5.

9000 and 900og engines will last forever but chassis will not.

Forgot about that...the years where they put the catalytic converter directly under the oil pan were the sludge years. If you know about it you can just clean out the oil pan and strainer every so often. Or just avoid those years. Similar issue as Toyota had during that same era. Seemed to be mitigated by oil change frequency and type of oil used IIRC.

[Otter74]

Here's a 9-5 wagon in Portland:

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/5766069654.html

[beepbeep]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

Forgot about that...the years where they put the catalytic converter directly under the oil pan were the sludge years. If you know about it you can just clean out the oil pan and strainer every so often. Or just avoid those years. Similar issue as Toyota had during that same era. Seemed to be mitigated by oil change frequency and type of oil used IIRC.

It can be mitigated permanently by fitting 9000 pistons and rods (if you bother opening the engine). But once engine is sludged, things get worn (turbo goes first, then chain stretches) so de-sludging only prolongs the inevitable.

Pity, as car itself (9-5) is rather good. 9-3og is soggy Opel Vectra chassis fitted with same sludge-prone B205 engine as 9-5. Avoid.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Otter74

Here's a 9-5 wagon in Portland:

1999 Saab 9.5 Wagon eccellant 140K

I could drive something like that. But now they have me worried about the 9-5 engine.

[Jay Auskin]

I've had many Saab 9-3's (hatchback), and currently drive a 2006 9-3 (sedan). I really like the hatchback model, but as a daily driver, the sedan is really comfortable, drives better, and has been rock solid. Zero issues, but I understand that isn't the case for many.

I really like the "OG9-3" (hatchback). Good Viggens are getting scarce. Personally, a 9-3 SE HOT version with a tune will be very fast. My two cars ago Saab was a 2001 9-3 SE HOT, and it definitely wasn't a drag racer. You hit 3000 RPM and the tires start to spin. Shifter is rubbery. But, the power when the revs are up there is a lot of fun. As long as the car didn't have any previous issues, change the oil with Mobil 1 0W40 every 5000 miles, and you'll be fine. My dad still drives my old one. The engine sounds great for a 4 banger.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

it's an Aero. $5K would be a great score.

When it was new, the Aero was the fastest stock production sedan in the world.

[1990C4S]

I found a 1993 900 SPG car somewhat close...gotta go drive it.

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I found a 1993 900 SPG car somewhat close...gotta go drive it.

Do it!!

[livi]

Just my Point of view but from groing up in SAAB country when SAAB and Volvo still was 80% of all cars you ever saw on the road, having owned or driven almost every model up to mid 2000 I would say they are all boring, understearing tractors. Great for hauling family and stuff but tedious as an Active driving vehicle. The one exception would be a few models of the old 96 with the gear shift on the steering column. Still a tractor and slow but so odd and fun to drive. Also pretty much the only car I have never even being Close to get stuck in the snow with.
Just my personal reflections off hand.