Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 17:58:59 +0000 From: Matt Gibson <gothicknopsamick.org.uk> Subject: Re: Buying a 88/89 900 Turbo - help
[I'm jumping in here without reading the original article, because I've just been fooling around with my news software and lost it, so forgive me if this isn't too relevant...] I bought a 1988 900T16S saloon with full bodykit (and sunroof) last March, for 2000GBP. It had about 130000 miles on the clock, a couple of little spost of body rust, and (most importantly) a full service history. So far it's needed a new battery, some windscreen wipers, a CV joint, a throttle damper, and all four tyres. And that's it, really. I think it's been worth it; when I brought it back from the test drive at the garage I had a big grin all over my face, and it still appears when I drive it on a nice open road. I took a bit of a risk when I bought it, I admit; all I checked was the service history, what it sounded like, how it drove, and basically had a good look around it. And (touch wood) it's a very solid car. Just got through its MOT last week. You might be able to find one cheaper, but I found a dealer who specialised in old Saabs with full history, rather than going for a private sale. No particular reason for that, either: I chose them was that they're in cycling distance of where I live, and I didn't have a car at all at the time ;-) So, for a couple of grand you can get a very good example of the species with a full history and low mileage, if you're lucky. But luck must come into it; I haven't seen another one -- the saloon, that is -- since I've been driving mine. No idea whether the hatchbacks will be cheaper, because there are more of them, or pricier, because of their practicality... M -- "It's the small gaps between the rain that count, and learning how to live amongst them." -- Jeff Noon