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Re: 87 900T Vs. 87 9kt
Posted by David Prantl (more from David Prantl) on Tue, 11 Apr 2000 12:13:53
In Reply to: 87 900T Vs. 87 9kT, Joe Krepps, Sat, 8 Apr 2000 19:41:33
>1) How do the 900 and the 9000 compare for 'luggage/cubic footage'(for lack >of a better word) capacity?
If the 900 is a 4-door, you will lose a little space and some loading utility. You can't fit a boxed-up 32' TV-set or a medium-sized refrigerator through the trunk, like you can through a hatch.
The 900 3-door has very similar cargo capacity and utility. The minor differences are: 1. Inside width in passenger compartment with rear seat folded - narrower on 900. 2. Pass-through width from hatch area to passenger compartment - WIDER on 900 (more distance between rear inner fenders). 3. No step-down from hatch opening to trunk floor on 900. 4. No 60/40 rear seat split on 900. 5. One-piece tilting hatch shelf, with up-catch, and auto-drop-down when hatch is closed while shelf is up on 900. 6. Couple of inches less vertical space between hatch shelf (horizontal position) and trunk floor in 900. Both cars have equally weak rear suspension springs, that bottom out easily when the 500lb published cargo-area limit is reached. The 9000 does not tend to visibly sag in the rear when it gets old like the 900 does. Either way, overload springs are highly recommended for both models.
>2) I know a 900 clutch is ~1/2 the cost of a 9000. How about the rest of >the car(cost to fix)?
The clutch is a much less time consuming job on the 900, and the parts cost $200. 9k clutch parts cost $300, and the job requires transmission removal from the car. New clutch M/C is $75 for 900, $150 for 9k. New 900 water pump is $65, 9k water pump is $100. 9k gets a timing chain/guide/gear (timing-cover-off) job done from the side without an engine pull, which is necessary on 900. 9k transmision is removed from the vehicle without an engine pull - the motor/trans combo must be pulled from a 900 to get at the trans.
9k has a smoother-shifting, quieter, and more durable 5-speed gearbox.
>3) Is there any difference in reliability between the two?
Apart from the 900 5-speed undersized pinion bearing, and primary transfer chains prone to breakage under severe turbo abuse, the two cars are similar in reliability. The 9k tough gearbox is a definite plus for me, and shows (qualitatively) less driveline power loss than the 900 setup. The ACC in the 9k drives me up the wall everyday. This is surely a big part of the electrical complaints that plague the 9k. I will be attempting a manual heater control swap this year in my '86 9kt.
4) What should I look for in a 900T?
Professionally (or factory) rebuilt 5-speed tranny would be a definite plus, as would a new timing chain/guides/gear (for 16V).
The 900 feels solid like a SAAB should - the Swedish tank in which you feel invulnerable. It has the great classic look that's unique to a SAAB, and traditional design cues like the reverse-opening hood and center-console ignition. There is a manual sunroof option ! The turning radius is tighter than on the 9k. No trip computer or bulb-out/door-open pictogram is available on the classic 900.
Early 9k cars are smoother, faster, quieter, more comfortable for cruising. They don't feel nearly as solid, and suffer from chronic bottom-door rust. They have insufferable ACC systems, 90% have decrepit old leather seats, with fabric replacements quite difficult to find. 5-door utility is excellent, and not available in US 900 models past MY1980. 9k electric tilt/slide sunroofs often come as a separate glass panel and fabric sunshade. Center-console storage and double-sized glovebox are convenient.
I have surely missed stuff here. The bottom line is that neither car is perfect, and what one lacks, the other makes up for.
Best of luck deciding...
David Prantl david_prantlno39sdcx6spamx782hotmail.com '84 900S, 5M, 210kMi, RIP '86 9000T, 5M, 178kMi '88 9000S, 5M, 137kMi '90 9000S, 4A, 133kMi '89 900, 3A, 115kMi '68 97 Sonett V4, 76kMi, #000467 ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Posts in this Thread:
- 87 900T Vs. 87 9kT, Joe Krepps, Sat, 8 Apr 2000 19:41:33
- Re: 87 900T Vs. 87 9kT, Joe Krepps, Tue, 11 Apr 2000 21:44:41
- Re: 87 900T Vs. 87 9kt, David Prantl, Tue, 11 Apr 2000 12:13:53
- RE: 87 900T Vs. 87 9kT, Swede Boy, Tue, 11 Apr 2000 09:27:15
- RE: 87 900T Vs. 87 9kT, Bonds, John, Mon, 10 Apr 2000 12:06:23
- Re: 87 900T Vs. 87 9kT, Derek Shaffer, Sun, 9 Apr 2000 09:01:41
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