I bought this car in summer 2019. It had a tome of service history, hadn't been abused or bastardised like so many 900's are, and - despite being rustier than I had anticipated* - had been looked after and liberally maintained.
I have copious snaps of rusty holes and oily bits and welding, both during and after the above work being carried out, (see here). I have spent thousands on parts and more hours than I'd care to count spannering, welding and making this car the 900 I've always wanted (well, except it's not black. Or a FPT. Or a Carlsson....)
Selling because I just don't use it enough, and can't afford to run it alongside my other cars.. It's criminal, but I have too many and don't do the annual mileage to justify the cost of upkeep. Which is easy to dismiss when it's a nice day, and the sunroofs open and you've got that 3" exhaust burbling away and that turbo whooshing and that addictive boost surge. Did a nice 300 miles round trip to mid-Wales last week and it drove very nicely, although to reinstate, gearbox does whine a bit in high gears/acceleration.
I have had it valued and have priced it accordingly. I'd rather you viewed it to make your own opinions on the cars condition, and I'd also prefer a straight sale, although may entertain a small PX (cash my way) for something classic or retro. Offers welcome.
The MOT was short, so I drove it home, and let it lapse. Knowing it would need welding and brakes for a renewed ticket, what had initially been intended as a short spell of maintenance quickly snowballed and I ended up extensively going through the car to get it back on the road, chipping away at it periodically over the next two years. This work included:
Replaced head gasket (Elring), all exhaust valves, thermostat, valve stem seals.
Replaced complete front drivers side outer wing and inner arch with good quality Saabits panels. I TIG welded these areas and painted them in Lechler epoxy before spraying them in correct 219 Talladega red. Took me ages. It's been done properly (could do with a repaint in solvent 2k, as I just used a rattle can top coat)
Replaced rusted section under battery box
Replaced passenger side drive shaft tunnels and chassis where the lower arm fits (anyone who knows these cars will tell you that's a swine of a job! I've plenty of pictures to hand of this being repaired)Replaced both rear shock absorber top mounting points.
Completely fabricated from scratch half the LH inner arch box section, as this appeared to be made of Swiss cheese, and replaced a portion of the LHR inner wheel tub too once I discovered my hand fitted through it.
Repaired both rear trailing arm mounting points in the front corners of the boot/back of the rear arches.
Repaired a rusted section in the drivers side boot floor.
Stripped the rear axle, had it professionally blasted, then painted it in POR-15 black. New brake kunifer lines fitted and ARB bushes.
New brake calipers to all four corners
New brake discs to all four corners
New brake hoses to all four corners, plus both rubber hoses to rear axle.
New Sachs shock absorbers on all four corners
New turbo BOV fitted (diaphragm was split on the old one). This was performed by Saab Specialists T.R Autos, after trying to diagnose the issue myself had me at wits end.
New fuel filter
New oil and filter
New battery
New heater valve
Stainless fuel tank straps
4 x -20mm Lesjofors springs fitted. I have included the old ones if the new owner was a wrong 'un and wanted to swap them back.
3" JT downpipe has been heat wrapped and fitted along with a decat. This woke the car up immeasurably and I can't stress enough how worthwhile this mod is on a 900 turbo! If you only do one mod on one of these, make it this one!
Relocated the battery to the boot in order to fit the downpipe. This action also reduced the heat around the battery which often kills 900 batteries in their stock location. Cable has been carefully routed, P-clipped and fitted with a kill switch and fusible link (I'm paranoid about fire)
MOT'ed until June 2022, no advisories
173k miles
The slab of receipts, history and paperwork is as thick as a Tolstoy novel.
HPI clear
Very clean velour interior, just a bit of drivers seat bolster wear for charm.
The all-new suspension and brakes make this car drive wonderfully. It boosts well, stops well, it's fast, and sounds unbelievable. I think* everything electrical works too.
Wheels are very clean (but I didn't say "mint"), with no significant curbing.
Great headlining. It's probably been changed before as normally they sag.
Door bottoms are quite rusty. Not quite at the swiss cheese stage, but definitely crumbly McVities. But since it's not MOT relevant and doesn't affect the driveability of the car, I've learnt to live with it.
Bit of a whine from the gearbox on acceleration, worse in higher gears.
There's a suspension creak from the rear when you pull away but goes after about 10mph. 95% sure it's just bushes or the new coil springs squeaking on the rubber pads, since everything under there is new. It sounds worse than it is.
Reverse gear is a bit hard to get into sometimes, but seems easier if you go to it from 1st or 4th on the gate and persevere. Operationally reverse gear is fine.
Bit of an oil drip underneath, not torrential, and not picked up on the MOT. Always lived with it (TADTS, old car). Just thought I'd mention it so no one presses charges.
Bit of an oil drip underneath, not torrential, and not picked up on the MOT. Always lived with it (TADTS, old car). Just thought I'd mention it so no one presses charges.
Selling because I just don't use it enough, and can't afford to run it alongside my other cars.. It's criminal, but I have too many and don't do the annual mileage to justify the cost of upkeep. Which is easy to dismiss when it's a nice day, and the sunroofs open and you've got that 3" exhaust burbling away and that turbo whooshing and that addictive boost surge. Did a nice 300 miles round trip to mid-Wales last week and it drove very nicely, although to reinstate, gearbox does whine a bit in high gears/acceleration.
I have had it valued and have priced it accordingly. I'd rather you viewed it to make your own opinions on the cars condition, and I'd also prefer a straight sale, although may entertain a small PX (cash my way) for something classic or retro. Offers welcome.
Car is in Crewkerne in Somerset and viewings are welcome.
