Any opinions/advice on purchasing a early 90s Saab??

S

SnapDemon

· Registered

Joined Apr 10, 2002

·

660 Posts

Discussion starter · #1 · Oct 24, 2005

Only show this user

I am looking at used vehicles for around $4000- $5000 and have come up with a few low mileage (<40,000) saabs. I know it isn't rare for them to get over 200,000 miles on them, but how are the maintenance issues???
How is parts price/availability???
Is there a ton of known problems with these cars????
What are some other options I have for this price range that will be a unique well built car without having to have it in the shop all the time???

VW=VWVORTEX.com ------- SAAB=?????????.com
Thanks in advance
Marcus

 

C

coop

· Registered

Joined Jan 13, 2002

·

3,471 Posts

#2 · Oct 24, 2005

Only show this user

saab.net
unless you are mechanicly inclined or have a good saab mecahnic i would walk away, an old 900 is like a glorified vw gti

 

N

nourdmrolnmt1

· Banned

Joined Feb 27, 2004

·

4,011 Posts

#3 · Oct 24, 2005

Only show this user

Re: (coop)

depends on the other owners maintnence just like any car, but a lil bit more so.
saabcentral.com is good.

 

Diamond Dave

· Registered

Joined Mar 24, 2001

·

8,035 Posts

#4 · Oct 24, 2005

Only show this user

Re: (coop)

Quote, originally posted by coop »

saab.net unless you are mechanicly inclined or have a good saab mecahnic i would walk away, an old 900 is like a glorified vw gti

Only part true. They are straightforward and logical and quite simple to work on. Parts are reasonable and the cars perform quite well.
Only a fool buys a used european car without first getting a pre-purchase inspection

 

S

saabassguy94

· Registered

Joined Apr 20, 2005

·

276 Posts

#5 · Oct 24, 2005

Only show this user

Re: (Diamond Dave)

saabcentral.net and saablink.net are good for forums...
thesaabsite.com <- where i order all my saab parts. compared to the saab mechanic back home, these parts (brand new) are about 60% of the price. very good customer service. find anything you need pretty much with some aftermarket stuff.
if you get an early 90's Saab, make sure it is 5 speed, the automatics had some transmission problems (dad had a 91' 900 turbo w/ automatic.... transmissions = bad... on the other hand he had a 90' with 5 speed... not a single problem.)

 

C

coop

· Registered

Joined Jan 13, 2002

·

3,471 Posts

#6 · Oct 24, 2005

Only show this user

Re: (Diamond Dave)

Quote, originally posted by Diamond Dave »

Only part true. They are straightforward and logical and quite simple to work on. Parts are reasonable and the cars perform quite well.

like i said a glorified gti

don't get me wrong i've driven some spectacular 900/9000turbos but most of them should only be considered beaters at this point and be treated as such, but thats my view on most cars of the same vintage

 

C

coop

· Registered

Joined Jan 13, 2002

·

3,471 Posts

#7 · Oct 24, 2005

Only show this user

Re: (saabassguy94)

Quote, originally posted by saabassguy94 »

saabcentral.net and saablink.net are good for forums... if you get an early 90's Saab, make sure it is 5 speed, the automatics had some transmission problems (dad had a 91' 900 turbo w/ automatic.... transmissions = bad... on the other hand he had a 90' with 5 speed... not a single problem.)

they do have some issues once they have 175k miles or so on them, but you should watch out for popouts and troulbe getting into reverse on higher millage examples