Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 15:05:56 +0100 From: Grunff <grunffnopsam.com> Subject: Re: Looking to buy a classic 900
Max wrote: > HI, > > I'm as a well a classic 900 fan, owning a 1985 Turbo and I can understand why > you like this terrific car. Even 17 years old, my car is still fascinating to > look at and to drive ! > But, it's true that the maintenance cost are horribly expensive. I've just > changed all the brake system in the UK a few months ago and it cost me 700 livre > (to change 2 discs, 2 brake calipers, and the brake pads)! If by 'livre' you mean UK pounds, you were well and truly ripped off. Pads (x 4 wheels) = £40 Discs (x2 front) = £30 Calipers, rebuit (x2 front) = £130 Total parts = £200 Labour - if doing it all together, then a maximum of 1 hour per wheel at the front, half an hour per wheel at the back, plus half an hour to bleed. Which comes to 4 hours. At £60/ph that comes to £240. Total cost = £440. If you do it yourself (not beyond most people, my girlfirend is quite capable of doing all this on a Saturday morning), then it's £200. > So if your budget is limited, think twice because that kind of costs is common > for that car. > Don't forget to consider that you can't really afford to make the 900 mend at a > Saab garage as it often requires very specific tools and knowledge. Knowledge maybe, tools not. > Indeed, you > don't find easily the Saab dealers, as they are not a lot in many countries, > compared to VW's for instance. > Well, I hope that this opinion won't disappoint you, I tried to be as objective > as possible, but if you ever go for a classical 900, know that it is a > wonderfull car ! I think the real point is this. If you are prepared to learn a little about how your car works, do some of the basics yourself, and shop around for parts, owning a C900 can be extremely cost-effective. If, however, you're going to hand your car over to a Saab garage with a blank cheque every time it needs some work, then you need to be very rich to own one. -- Grunff 1985 900 16vT 1990 900 16v 1987 9000 T