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| SAAB Buyers Guide |
Sunday, 06 July 2008 |
‘CLASSIC’ 900 (1979 - 1993)
Available in many guises that include 2, 3, 4, 5 door and convertible models, these cars were very
solidly built and many are still going strong with well over 200k on the clock.
The T16 aero is
particularly sought after (and is still a stunning car) along with the convertible models. Problems
include rusting of inner wings, wheel arches & door bottoms. Gearbox faults are common with
synchromesh & pinion bearing failures. Frequent oil & filter changes of paramount importance especially on turbos, which smoke once worn. Also check steering carefully.
9000 (1985 - 1998)
Highly practical, particularly in hatchback mode, the 9000 was a very spacious and safe car.
Also very quick in turbo form, it was surprising economical for its size.
Wings and doors are now sometimes corroded, steering racks and wishbone bushes often
need replacing. Watch out for noisy engines which may indicate timing chain, balancer chain
or sprocket wear.
900 (1994 - 1998) & 9-3 (1998 - 2003)
The 900 was another safe and well made car. Combining good performance and economy, and
a high quality and very roomy interior. Its detractors pointed to the shared GM platform, but failed
to notice the quality components attached to it. The 900 was constantly developed and improved,
and featured very smooth engines fitted with balancer shafts.
The car was further advanced to
evolve into the 9-3 model, which featured numerous enhancements - particularly to handling
and steering. The car has suffered very few corrosion problems, but steering racks and gearboxes
need checking carefully. The SID (SAAB Information Display) combined a trip computer with
other functions - such as radio station and outside temperature indicators. Loss of pixels make the
display hard to read, but can in most cases can be restored.
9 - 5 (1998 - 2005)
Elegant and spacious, and particularly refined in SE spec, the 9-5 was introduced as a replacement
for the 9000 model It was not offered as a hatchback,but was produced as either a 4 door saloon or as a very stylish estate. The interior was superbly designed, and the seats were noted for their size &
comfort. All models featured a turbocharger, including the diesel versions.
Engine oil again needs frequent replacement , in order to prevent sludge build-up which can seriously
damage the whole engine, usually through a blocked pickup. The oil breather pipes can also break down
& contribute to this problem. Problems with gearbox synchromeshes, particularly reverse, are again not
uncommon. SID versions 1 & 2 lose their pixels, the direct ignition cassettes can fail, and the engine must be removed for timing chain & tensioner replacement.
Please note : This brief introduction to the SAAB range is intended to highlight some of the most
common faults specific to each model, and therefore does not cover all known faults. Standard car buying procedures, such as checking for any accident damage, independent mechanical inspection & HPI checks are of course the basic methods that must be applied to buying any vehicle.
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