Rear View Mirror: USED CAR GUIDE: SAAB 900 SERIES

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jan 30, 2005 | by Brian Twomey

OLD, cheap but credible, much loved with a cult following, the original Saab 900 is as cheap as store brand toilet roll but considerably more durable.

They don't make them like this anymore, the 900 was the definitive Saab but rather then rattling on about how much of an appreciating classic it is, here's a guide to help you find out for yourself. Basically, buy as late as possible.

The model finally died in 1993 with convertibles lasting until '95. Basically, they are capable of mega-mileage if looked after properly which means no hard driving when cold, proper oil changes and replacing of timing chains and tensioners every 60,000 miles.

They are thirsty cars; pre-1988 models had front wheel handbrakes which were weak and critics, while praising the performance of the Turbo models and the 900's stability in difficult driving conditions, cribbed about the under-steer.

Check for cracked Turbo manifolds as they get quite hot. Avoiding the Turbo models doesn't make it any more reliable or less complicated to check.

Convertibles can still attract big money, especially as they are in demand and may appreciate. Turbos too are becoming rare but bog standard cars are still bus-fare money, despite the strength of the components or the vast boot.

They can be difficult to find but I saw a beautiful 900 Convertible for e5,900. A spotless Turbo will be about e1,000 less while a mint 2.0 will be sub e4,000 but you can pay in the hundreds for something the dog wouldn't sleep in.