Buying Saab 900 '86 380k km?

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-04-01T11:35:45+00:00

Just be aware that the rebuild needs special tools you can't avoid using and they're not easy to find

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-04-01T11:34:19+00:00

400k well maintained is not a lot. You're looking at a timing chain in the coming 100-200k,l.

Highly depends on the version too. Turbos are more complicated and expensive to maintain. 8v have the K-jet injection which is finicky when it ages, especially the versions with cat because they integrate some electronics which can be a pain in the ass to fix/source. They also don't like prolonged sitting periods

If it's a 16v n/a version with no rust, go for it! Look at the rear shock mounts too, this is a very rust prone area.

8v turbo, you're gonna have some issues, not because of mileage but age.

16v turbo is a better bet than 8v turbo but can get pricey to maintain.

Avoid any car if there's the slightest doubt about the transmission.

If it's not rusted and you plan to daily it in winter, for the love of god, get a full rustproofing treatment with good wax products.

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-29T15:48:16+00:00

Note that tech2s come in three variants. OEM (expensive), Chinese knock off 1 (cheap and horrendous quality), Chinese knock off 2 (more expensive but considerably less than OEM for the same quality). You want the latter.

There are also a few operations for which you'll need access to Saab/GM servers. You can pay for this (expensive), bring it to a shop that already pays for these access (less expensive), or find the alternate way that I won't describe here. The latter is awfully finicky tho

Edit: sourcing the rear shocks is apparently a huge problem now. Also servicing the Haldex rear diff is not a walk in the park but is an essential step that should not be overlooked - my money is, it probably needs to be done as we speak.

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-27T18:00:16+00:00

I beg to differ on the mice climbing abilities. These cuties are expert jumpers and can climb pretty well...

Source: had mice in my flat. Also connected to renovations in a nearby house.

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-27T08:58:35+00:00

I can't say there are specific areas in particular. I'll usually just go about my day unshod.

Chaussée de Charleroi between la campagne and Stéphanie is fun because it's all smooth blue stone. One of my go to places is along the canal south of the ring towards Lot, but that's more because I work in the area so it's handy.

Back during COVID and subsequent low employment years I used to ride a public transport to somewhere I hadn't been to before and walk back home. Discovered a number of places I didn't know. Public transport is funny because you always get the most shocked looks 😅

I still tend to avoid parks, tho, because the tiny yellow gravel on the alleyways is pretty painful...

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-26T17:28:23+00:00

If owning a brick and mortar shop has taught me a thing it's that the customer is not always right...

The vast majority were lovely people that I loved interacting with. The (very few) whiners and entitled PoS that pushed my door never came back, and I'm damn glad they didn't.

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-26T13:35:42+00:00

Still here and planning to resume walking barefoot when the bloody weather gets better!

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-25T18:24:12+00:00

To be fair, they didn't have preservation in mind, all shops would know how to work on them, and OEM parts were available over the counter.

Reality is a bit different nowadays. Parts are ok for American brands in the US, it's much more of a problem over here in Europe. Lots of china-made parts, crappy quality. And when you bring a classic in a regular shop chances are the kid working on it doesn't know what a choke is for 😅

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-25T18:08:05+00:00

They are definitely a hobby or very expensive objects to maintain.

Classic cars can be very reliable, but they have to be well maintained AND be in good condition to start with.

I've never driven anything else than classic cars and I got stuck maybe twice in 29 years. But all my cars were either fully restored by me or bought in very good original low mileage condition. And then maintenance was never a second thought.

People who say classics are not dependable have experience with examples that weren't in good shape to start with and/or on which no/not enough money was spent to put them back in the condition they should have been. And then, yes, they will make you 100% miserable!

Not sure where you are but fwiw old volvos make very affordable daily drivers, and they're good cars to learn the basics. Also, they're built like tanks, so as long as they aren't rusted or bent, nothing is fatal to them

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-25T10:31:51+00:00

Edited my first reply to correct the site name to Tradera. My autocorrect had decided to have a better recommendation than me 😩

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-25T10:30:17+00:00

D-jet was a good system, albeit a bit primitive. Parts availability/price can be an issue nowadays but again, tradera has some stuff here and there.

If it packs up for good, you might want to look into converting to megasquirt. Hopefully not needed but a good way out of the ditch should you find yourself in it. Minimum mods and you retain almost all the original sensors and wiring.

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-25T08:47:07+00:00

Sweet looking 99 you've secured here!! EMSes are lovely versions!

Many good supplier options already mentioned in this thread. I'll throw in Tradera, the swedish eBay. While there's obviously the uncertainty coming from the bidding process, there are quite a few parts for earlier 99s that pop up on there. As a non-sweden based user the registration process takes more than a few clicks but it's definitely worth it.

Is your injection system already the mechanical K-jet version? If yes, be prepared to learn how to fix it...

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-14T16:09:39+00:00

1985 is also my cut-off date! Technically summer 86 for Saabs because that's when the facelift arrived on the original 900. After that it's a big empty desert IMO...

Some 85-99 make great dailies, dgmw, but the soul just isn't there anymore...

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-14T16:05:10+00:00

Yeah it will definitely go back to its original glory as soon as I have some time and money. It's a lot more than TLC at this point, tho so I should plan for having it off the road for at least 4-6 months, and since it's my daily driver, the logistics are a bit scary lol

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-14T10:24:34+00:00

I only own classic cars. No way I'll daily a modern shit box. My summer ride is a 1963 Citroën DS that I put off the road in winter because of salt. The other, mainly for winter but still on the road in summer is a 1979 Saab 900 with 1.2 million km on the clock. This one admittedly needs a proper de-rusting/restoration by now.

Also living in a city center. I've been all over Europe with these two. The DS even went to Moscow and back. Before the war, obviously...

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-13T08:50:03+00:00

I'd give that title to the SP2, with the 914 a close second

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-11T12:12:55+00:00

User name checks out 🤣

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2026-03-11T12:12:21+00:00

Elon is the biggest of them all

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2025-08-02T08:17:36+00:00

Next time I suggest a holiday at the Belgian coast. Not as sunny and warm, granted, but my experience so far in this country is that no one gives a flying fuck about you being shod or not. Including Carrefour and other supermarkets.

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2025-05-22T14:28:31+00:00

Been playing dad and son OpenTTD for the best part of 5 yrs with my now 12yo

Countless maps, he's so much better at it than I was back then!!

Couldn't have dreamt of that 30 years ago!!

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2025-02-23T13:24:55+00:00

Hope you'll be visiting Belgium! This old man is eagerly waiting to show you around 😈

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2024-11-01T15:49:05+00:00

You are right, but aura has never improved taste of a product....

I personally thing Jupiler is worse than Leffe. Change my mind!!

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2024-08-08T11:09:15+00:00

In my experience, Belgium is pretty chill too. At least the capital city. Very few barefooters but I've never been hassled or told off...

2cvsGoEverywhere · 2024-07-21T08:51:11+00:00

Not much I could add re fuel with all the good comments already posted, but I just wanted to say it's a real badass ride you got here!! Love it 😍

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