Saab 900 Classic Buyer's Guide

A quick buyer's guide when looking at purchasing a classic Saab 900.
Musical content courtesy of Epidemic Sound
"Always Been a Dreamer" By Staffan Carlen

[@jamessharpe5114]

Appreciate that info. I'm searching for my 4th. It's been awhile. I couldn't afford keeping them and the kids when I was younger :-) and wifey wasn't parting with the kids, so I put my enthusiasm on hold. Eager to own one again.

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Hope you find another dream Saab James !!!

[@crazypenguine9391]

Right now going through my driving lessons and hopefully will be finished in a month or so. I want to my first car to be a Saab 900, its the car my dad drove when I was growing up and I am not a car guy BUT I love the Saab 900 so much! Thanks for the advice mate.

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Glad it was useful and hope you find yourself a good 900!

[@alex-025x]

Did you get it? 😁

[@WilliamFiler]

I wrenched on a 68 96 and a 77 99 in Sacramento as a kid.

[@DrRock2009]

Wheel arches, especially the front ones, tailgate lower edges, battery tray, front cross member and transmission tunnels are all rust traps as well.

[@BWTECH0521]

I have a viggen, and I just got a sudden urge to get a real saab. Thanks for the info! The hunt begins 😀

[@upholsteryworkshop8979]

Good guide, well done. Another item to factor in on the 3-door coupe/hatchback models- the rear rubber window seals tend to shrink and let water in. The net result is your rear wheel arches start rusting from the inside out. Best way to check is to flip the rear bench seat forward and simply inspect the wheel arches. Seals can be tricky to track down.

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

yeah have experinced this loads with 900 models ! the woes of rust repair on the wheel arches

[@pawpawbandit3871]

@@theclassicsaabguy236 original 9000 cloth seats? sorry if I missed that part.

[@garyshuttleworth3459]

cheers for that, i am also on the hunt for a classic 900

[@davidbauer1485]

Buy the Swedish Saabs for their dashboards. Then leave on a jet plane and tour the West and South Western USA. Buy all the rust free Saabs with cracked dashboards you can find on the cheap. After a stay in Vegas use your winnings to ship the Saabs back to the homeland for dashboard replacement and rust free motoring. :)

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Sounds like a plan !

[@ItsTimePictures]

I cannot even remember the last time I saw a Saab in person.

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

That's a shame

[@bh2155]

Well I see a few of those fake Saabs from 2004 to 2010 here in the United States.😒

[@theinsuranceguy101]

Great tips. Thanks for doing this

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Glad it was useful !

[@scottchristie625]

I’m shopping for my first so thank you!

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Hi Scott !! Hope you find a good example ! Good luck !

[@Share_li]

I currently own a 9-3 I 1998 Convertible and I'm thinking of buying a 900. Thank you for the video!

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Did you buy a 900 Daniel ?

[@itsrighthere1370]

Is your 98 Saab convertible having problems?

[@roostertheguy]

Very good thank you!

[@xcidgaf]

Thank you, very useful information (especially for a beginner like me)

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Glad you liked it and it was useful !

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

I agree

[@MisterDonni]

Hi Saab guy, found your channel and this buying guide which is concise and informative, thank you. I have been seeking a 900T for a while and found a 1998 900 T16S 2 Door Sedan model. Seeking some additional advice if you would be available please? Mark

[@ethelbarton6668]

the drainage straws fall out ..install 3' plastic funnels & drain hoses at each edge of the windsheild.

[@ShadowCode]

Great video, much appreciated! Currently interested in obtaining a 1986 900 Classic 3dr. Hopefully there isn’t too much rust 🤞

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Yeah everything can be dealt with but rust can be a nightmare !

[@courtmarker1779]

buy one face to face with the owner in real time that makes it simple

[@karenfiedler1831]

Yup, worst problem with these cars is the pinion bearing in trans going bad. Good idea to check trans oil as well since it is often neglected. As he said, classic symptom is wining in top gears. Pretty expensive and involved to fix. Leaky steering rack is a bitch to change as well. Engines are generally bombproof if timing chain is maintained.

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Yes that's right ! Thanks for the extra tips !

[@markhonore1502]

Thanks. Im Looking to buy my first saab this Week for full restoration. A red 900 2.0i 16v from 88 with 180.000 km. (112.000 miles) will defenatly look out for the things you reccomend 🙏

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Hi Mark did you buy the red Saab ?

[@racing3060]

SAAB. 👍👍😘😘

[@cashkende]

I’m looking for my first Saab 900. Ideally I would like the 1987 but I’ll settle for what I can get my hands on which at the moment is the 1996.

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Hope you find what you're looking for eventually !

[@itsrighthere1370]

The 1987 Saab 900 was the year of the Talladega Edition. In a convertible or sedan.

[@MANGORAHKA-uh4tt]

I WISHD ID HAD SOME DAY 2 900S

[@MyDustyPickles]

Looking at an 89 900 (non turbo) and they are asking $1000. Can you look at the ad and tell me if this sounds legit? "Cute Saab. Not running as it needs a new crank shaft sensor which they do not make anymore. I am told there is a great work around where you swap a part with a 9000 turbo, but it would take someone who knows cars and has the tools. Lots of new engine parts, new battery, new ignition, decent tires and interior. Would make a great project or parts car. Needs to be picked up via tow. Will consider all reasonable offers."

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Hi about the right price for a decent rust free 900 16v that isn't running - but when they say bring a trailer expect the worst. That sensor can be a bugger though and I had that issue on a car that turned out to be amazing. Worth checking out though - mileage ?

[@MyDustyPickles]

@@theclassicsaabguy236 160k

[@AngelHernandez-ex7ji]

What’s a good price for a 1988 Saab turbo?

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

these days they go for up to 15,000 euros depending on condition

[@scoodydoobi5982]

Would a Saab 900 turbo be a good first car for a 17 year old

[@paulgrahamedwardspencer8137]

The insurance would be very high unless you have won the lottery?

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

they would be a very lucky teenager !

[@rarrdy]

Im possibly going to buy one (n/a tho) will update if I don’t or do buy it just cause

[@owen9157]

I NEED YOUR HELP!! Trying to find a SAAB 900

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Any luck ?

[@owen9157]

Seeing one on Monday and hopefully getting it

[@djmars404]

I’m looking for one as well. What sites are u all finding them?

[@1873Winchester]

2:49 I thought the timing chain was on the front?

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Not on a Saab 900 - it's at the back of the engine towards the bulk head

[@1873Winchester]

@@theclassicsaabguy236 Right I was probably thinking of the gear chains and getting them mixed up in my head. I do have a 900 myself, but never done anything about the chains.

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

@@1873Winchester yes that's right there is a transfer chain from the motor to the gear box below at the front

[@mark..A]

The transfer chain is a tri chain

[@user-jo7ry9cq3c]

北欧デザインと車種バリエーションで人気を博したロングセラー

[@SuperMcgenius]

Don’t forget turbo whine. 😥

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Thanks - good point for turbo models !!!

[@gregj7916]

looked like oil in the coolant expansion tank.....scary

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

It was just that dark blue coolant

[@seankennedy5502]

The salt is a car killer !!! 🤪👎

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

It really is !!!

[@freedomone776]

That black Saab convertible has some of the ugliest wheels I've ever seen on a Saab. Omg get them off and upgrade!

[@theclassicsaabguy236]

Nah I actually replaced my three spoke turbo wheels for these - best wheels to have on a convertible these