These are old cars. If your son is handy with a wrench he might get by. The worst thing is for him to call you from hundreds of miles away with a problem at midnight in the frigid cold far away from his campus.

I love my Saab, but I am stuck at times with the problem of the month, be it an electrical short, a dead relay, or some hum or popping sound I can't identify. I am handy with a wrench, so I get by pretty well. I also changed my car from my daily driver to my summertime weekend car (it is a convertible).

Buy a 900s and at the same time buy a bentley manual. Buy a car that is post 1988 so the brakes are better and the parts are more available. Get it with a manual tranny. Do not get a convertible as he will need the rear end storage. Have a mechanic swap out the alternator regulator unit for a new one. Consider replacing the clutch and rebuilding the tranny. Immediately replace all fluids and wires, plugs, rotor, brake pads, heater control valve, fuses, etc... Immediately spray the lock mechanism with WD40 as it likes to get gunked up and stuck in the winter time. Make sure your son leaves the stereo alone until you are confident that he won't cut important wires or vacuum hoses when he cluges in his new unit, (trust me, he will want to put in a new stereo, and stuff back there likes to get messed up).

Best of luck. There are others here who will tell you these are dependaable cars, etc.., but I have found that these cars are great to drive, nimble as hell, easy to upgrade, but annoying at times to maintain. My entire family owns Saabs. 4 brother-in-laws, father-in-law, and one sister-in-law. I love Saabs, but it is sometimes a love hate relationship.

posted by 141.149.46...

• What's a good 900 for a student, and what to look for?, JohnD, Thu, 25 Nov 2004 05:37:35
  • Thanks for all the info!! Went with the rec. for a 9000, John D, Mon, 29 Nov 2004 17:31:51
  • Re: What's a good 900 for a student, and what to look for?, Saana88 , Fri, 26 Nov 2004 19:08:56
  • can still be a good choice, tomg, Thu, 25 Nov 2004 21:18:33
    • I think its smart - longish - just one guy's opinion., JDSaab, Fri, 26 Nov 2004 08:57:24
  • suggest a 9000, 88-92, nt moore, Thu, 25 Nov 2004 10:32:07
    • Agree with NT Moore n/m, Chaz, Thu, 25 Nov 2004 20:36:56
    • one more thing, nt moore, Thu, 25 Nov 2004 11:29:10
  • Re: What's a good 900 for a student, and what to look for?, No Snaab, Thu, 25 Nov 2004 08:15:31
  • typo above: "sold" should be "solid" in body of mesg NM, JohnD, Thu, 25 Nov 2004 05:43:15
    • Johny, difficult question..., Chaz, Thu, 25 Nov 2004 07:46:05 <-- Viewing This Message
      • love-hate, that's for sure!, Brian, Thu, 25 Nov 2004 18:35:32
      • Re: Johny, difficult question..., bj, Thu, 25 Nov 2004 09:00:13

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