This is one of the more interesting threads I've seen in a while. Lots of good thinking.
I've had an 84 c900 since new that runs well, has been painless to own. Am probably turning it over to my daughter who loves the style (lots of c900s here in NH) and getting a NG900 or 9-3.
From what I can tell, safety is probably better on the NGs due to modern structural engineering. Transmissions are still a weak spot, but a local tranny shop tells me only Toyota, Honda and Mercedes make really good transmissions these days. But how often do you have to do a clutch? I normally run cars to 150K plus and have done one clutch in 30+ years of driving (on the Saab at 75K after 40 miles of stop and go every day--my wife slips the clutch a bit)
Electrical stuff is a problem on a lot of modern cars and Saabs seem to be no exception.
Reliability and durability are not always the same thing. From what I see, the older NGs problems are apparently fixable and the cars seem to run and run--but oil changes are critical. My closest experience is my friend's 98 NG900 turbo, which has basically just had routine maintenance and has 135K on it. He finally did clutch, shocks and a couple other things at 125K. A couple of switches failed otherwise. Not too shabby. My indie says the NG cars just have a different set of problems. He says c900s and especially 9000's keep him in business. Says the auto trans in the NGs is very good, to avoid the 5spd prior to 98.

posted by 68.64.101...

• Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3, Todd inMA, Wed, 25 Sep 2002 22:21:44
  • I own one of each, NG900 is big improvement...., Mike Lynch , Fri, 27 Sep 2002 15:46:54
  • my 0.02 worth...., Rollmo, Fri, 27 Sep 2002 13:10:47
  • Re: Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3 (a bit long), Noel, Fri, 27 Sep 2002 11:03:55 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3, vince, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 14:55:32
  • Re: Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3, jp, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 11:26:38
    • Re: Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3, morlok, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 21:39:38
  • I have both. Only time will tell., Talladega900, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 11:03:41
    • Fixed a lot of my torque steer w/alignment..., b.flippo, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 18:09:29
  • Re: Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3, compaqted, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 10:31:07
  • Re: Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3, Bruce, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 02:16:57
    • Re/ knocking classic Saabers, Kevin, Sun, 29 Sep 2002 08:52:26
    • Re: Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3, BHarvey, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 11:21:17
      • c900 stiffer??? I think not. 25% stiffer in the NG..., Talladega900, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 11:49:54
        • Re: c900 stiffer??? I think not. 25% stiffer in the NG..., Jeremy R., Thu, 26 Sep 2002 18:37:37
          • Re: c900 stiffer??? I think not. 25% stiffer in the N, BHarvey, Fri, 27 Sep 2002 11:08:02
        • ...and the new 9-3 is 130% stiffer than the NG. n/m, b.flippo, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 18:05:09
  • Re: Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3, rob , Thu, 26 Sep 2002 00:40:42
  • Re: Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3, GM, Thu, 26 Sep 2002 00:29:10
  • disagree, Scott Paterson , Wed, 25 Sep 2002 23:39:43
  • Re: Old style 900 vs. new style 9-3, AdamB , Wed, 25 Sep 2002 23:19:39

No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.

• Prev by Date: I've seen three, bRAD, Fri, 27 Sep 2002 10:43:44
• Next by Date: Re: c900 stiffer??? I think not. 25% stiffer in the N, BHarvey, Fri, 27 Sep 2002 11:08:02
• Main General Bulletin Board

StateOfNine.com

SaabClub.com

Jak Stoll Performance

M Car Covers

Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

Random Saabnet.com Member Gallery Photos (Click Image)