Tomorrow I'm Looking at...

[LowStandards]

A 1989 Saab 900 FP Turbo! This one infact:




What are peoples thoughts on these? As far as I can tell, there reliable, fast - 7s(ish) to 60, they look sweet and there very cheap!

Any pro's/Cons?

[Neil]

That's cool, but it aint no stack light coupe!

[michiel]

hmm, they're cool and always sound nicely burbly, but won't the steering wheel be on the continental side?

[LowStandards]

No, sorry, its not a foreign jobbie, i just shopped the plate on as the one in pic was right shabby and i wanted it on me desktop!

[Stiff]

Nice cars, suprisingly quick for thier weight too. That one looks quite stealthy, any more pics? I'd push that O/S indicator back in at the top too

[RetroWarwicK]

cam chain swap is an engine out job so confirm status if yer gonna buy it. as its a proper saab, parts can be a little pricey. fully galvanised so any rust = crash damage

[LowStandards]

The only rust is on the filler cap and a little on one corner of the bonnet!

[maggot998turbo]

parts are reasonanble from german french & swedish! good performance car for the money! bewhere of the rust on any old motor! as always, try to buy the best possible, 900turbos handle well & are errrrr "spritely" to say the least in 2nd, make sure you get one with a decen body, engine & box & ya ok! nice cars for sure

[michiel]

2002gimp said:

No, sorry, its not a foreign jobbie, I just shopped the plate on as the one in pic was right shabby and I wanted it on me desktop!

Ah, and I should have looked for the wheel instead of focusing on the plate...

[Hirst]

I think those Saabs are fantastic, always seem to have mega mileages though!

[LowStandards]

91k this one...

the paints flaking on the plastic bodykit, but its done in grey anyways, so i'd be spraying it black to match the car. Satin the bonnet, half cage... Enjoy

[xbo11ox]

See if the clutch is slipping.... hopefully it will be as they are so easy to change, that the job is a pleasure to do!

[trg1984]

i like saab turbos alot, onlyexperience of one is when my uncle test drve one and didnt buy it cos it scared him haha. he's not a woofter honest

[Danger High Voltage]

The 'leccy windows can be a problem on those too! Pricey to repair as the motors generally need changing!

In my opinion though, they are still a fantastic looking car and are becomming a true modern classic!

[tonycocacola]

thats a lovely looking W123 coop. ;D

[gravelrash]

Saabs are really great cars, like all cars they have their far share of problems. I had a T16 for 3 years and covered over 140k, sold it on with over 290k on the clock, if looked after they just keep going.
Problems, head gaskets are an involved job, usually a skim will fix but have been known to crack between ports.

Gearbox, sat in the sump with its own oil supply these are weak if the car is driven enthusiastically, and like poor quality wobbly children's play pony poo to find good one. Engine out to fix!

Leccy windows are weak and costly to change, a repair kit is available.

Seats are comfy, but if you are on the lardy side ( like me ) they can pull the front bracket out of the floor. Also crack the frame that goes up the back of the seat.

Clutch pedal has a tendancy to break its weld and spin on its pivot tube ( worth checking if you think the clutch is dodgy)

Tail light leak letting water into the boot finding its way out via the arches.

If you have the handbrake in the front wheels the callipers are an ass come mot time, need careful setting up.

They are soo much fun to awn and soo easy to tune for more power. Mine was one of the few cars I ever regretted selling.

Enjoy. Ade

[Stu]

Looks ace - makes me wonder why I've never had one yet.
Ticks all the boxes for me, boxy 80's design, pretty ugly, plenty of power... I want one!

[Paul H]

maph2 said:

fully galvanised so any rust = crash damage

Are you sure about that? I'm sure someone on here had a 900 convertible that was rusting around the screen pillars, and I've also seen plenty with rusty rear arches & door bottoms. Still very rust-resistant compared to other cars of the same age though

[LowStandards]

Well I went to look and whilst body wise she was in real good condition the engine had some issues. It wouldn't start unless cranked over and over, and the main issue was there was no boost, at all!

Only once in 1st did get that kick in the ass we expect with 80's turbo's. I reckon the either the wastegate was dead or something was amiss with the boost controller.

Ah well, going to look at this one on Sat instead, its the 'notchback' one which i prefer to the fastback

[gravelrash]

No boost. Hmmm if you could hear a hissing noise from the left footwell, then the over boost protector was either u/s or a pipe split. not unusual for turbo actuators to stick. Or even the re-circ dump valve to leak.