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1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
The 900 convertible is a really fun car to drive, and can be a fairly inexpensive car to maintain if the right one is purchased, however, a poorly maintained example can hemorage money quicker than I thought possible. Like you mentioned, the tops can be incredibly troublesome, but some people on the board seem to have been fairly lucky with them. The problem is, the mechanism is overly complicated with something like five or six motors and an array of sensors and microswitches syncronized by a computer in the trunk. It seems like most cars eventually have problems with these so I would suggest getting the entire mechanism looked at by someone knowledgable in the top system, as well as the rest of the car.
As for motors, there were three engines offered in the 900, the 2.0L turbo, which I have in my convertible, the 2.3L normally aspirated engine, and the 2.5L v6. The 900se was offered with the turbo and the v6. The 900s was only available with the 2.3L. Manual and automatic transmissions were available with all three.
I can't speak for the power in the v6 or the 2.3, but the turbo engine paired with the 5 speed is a pretty potent combo, and the most easily modified if you're into that sort of thing. Plenty of passing power on the highway in fifth and even more in fourth. With the manual, turbo lag isn't bad at all and is nearly nonexistant above 3000 rpms and not bad above 2000. There are also a few simple mods to help reduce it even more. I can't speak for the turbo lag in automatic cars.
I've heard alot of horror stories about the v6 but I've also heard good things. The 2.3 seems to be a pretty reliable engine, and the turbo seems to be pretty reliable as well. As for the turbo reliability, most cars seem to be on their original turbos well over 100,000 miles. Black smoke coming out of the tailpipe on hard acceleration is the easiest way to tell if the turbo is on its way out, but by then its really far gone. On a test drive, the boost gauge should get about four fifths of the way through the yellow in first and second gears and just touching red in the remaining three. Things to look out for on the turbo (can't coment on the other two) oil leaks, which many seem to have to varying degrees, and the serpentine belt. The former can range in price form cheap to very expensive (rear main seal comes to mind). The serpentine belt is a piece of cake to replace and is about 60 to 70 dollars if you do it yourself with the short belt configuration. Also, watch out for worn syncros in manuals and clutch cables as well in the pre '98s. Direct ignition casettes in the turbos I've heard can be in troublesome, but mine has been fine so far.
As for model years, the '95s are said to be the most troublesome, something I can personally attest to, the later years are supposed to be the best with the fewest problem areas and lower mileages to boot.
Higher mileage cars seem to be a good bet if they have been maintained well.
The most important thing to look for is that the previous owner took good care of the car with regular oil changes, belt changes, cooling system care, etc. Definitely have the car looked over by a competant Saab mechanic familiar with the convertibles, and contact Saab to try to get the history of any car your considering with the VIN, not to mention a carfax report.
Good luck and happy Saabing!
posted by 24.186....
, Thu, 24 Apr 2003 13:53:47
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