1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Yes, there are definitely several SAAB quirks. At the home page of this site, check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. (I'll link it below.)
1) The ignition key, you might have noticed, is on the "floor," between the two front seats. That is the first, probably the most noticed, quirk.
2) The engine is placed "backwards" in the engine bay. Old generation SAABs placed the engine parallel to the length of the car, not parallel to the front drive axles, as in most front-wheel drive cars. The engine "front" and its belts are closest to the firewall in an OG SAAB 900, while the "back" of the engine faces the radiator.
3) Turbo SAABs (I've never owned one, alas, so Turbo folks should comment here) always have better acceleration times, more power, more standard features, a higher resale value, and nearly as good fuel economy as their same-model-year non-turbo siblings.
4) Turbos have more switches and gadgets to keep the fine turbocharged intake system operating safely and smoothly (like a turbo overpressure switch to stop the fuel pump, stalling the engine to keep pressure from building, a safety mechanism) and may, therefore, have more potential for something to go wrong. (But I still want a Turbo, someday!)
5) Oh, yes, there's that SAAB mystique (which you must know about, after all those years of eyeing SAABs!) of being an exclusive, or at least odd-ball, type of car.
This is by no means a definitive SAAB quirk list. Make sure to get the 16V SAAB Bentley manual. It's great! eEuroparts.com has them for $37.90 + s/h. Check out their site for other SAAB parts, too. And check out Townsend Imports (http://www.townsendimports.com) for good technical info, in case you are a Do-It-Yourselfer!
Micah in NC
'84 900S, 207K mi.
'90 900, 61K mi. (Mom's)
(Both non-turbo, alas.)
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