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**no Reserve** 1986 Saab 900 S 16 Valve N/a Hatchback **no Reserve** on 2040-cars

Year:1986 Mileage:200450
Location:

Sidney, Illinois, United States

Sidney, Illinois, United States

1986 Saab 900S 16v n/a

This time around this is a no reserve auction, so get your bids in!!

I do not want to let this car go because in my opinion there has not been a finer car made than a Saab 900 classic and it is so much fun to drive. I had plans of making it my daily driver, however, with that said; I am in graduate school and have moved to a new place where I am not allowed a second car or the space to tinker on it. I have spent over $1500, not including what I gave for it, on projects etc. Therefore; sadly, since the Saab has to be sold; my loss will be your gain!! I would like to see it go to a good home, to someone who really appreciates what they are getting, and to someone who appreciates quality.

The look of a classic Saab is immediately identifiable and the name means you appreciate quality and durability!!

I purchased this Saab 900 in September 2012 because I have always loved classic Saabs. I also wanted a car that I could do a little work to and tinker with as a hobby. My goal when I started out was to do a restoration/preservation back to original factory standards and make this beauty look as stock as when it rolled off the showroom floor. These cars are a breeze to work on and its really quite fun to do so as well. It feels great to do something and see the end result before you fire it up and go for a drive. 

The good thing about this particular Saab and the reason that I bought it was that it didn't need a lot of work; rather, it just needed a little TLC and some standard maintenance/light mechanical that you might expect a 27 year old Saab may need. If you are even remotely mechanical or can follow instructions, almost all jobs on a Saab 900 can be completed yourself or with the help of an assistant.

The interior is in excellent shape and the upholstery is like new! The only exception is a few dashboard cracks that most older Saabs experience and I have tried to detail them in the pictures. Power windows work, Cruise control works, Manual moonroof works (absolutely no leaks). This really is a great car, you have to see it to believe it. I have not yet been able to purchase an original Clarion radio, but as you see in the pictures, there is a radio that came with it. It was installed below the ashtray and a cup holder/change holder was installed up top; however, I kept hitting my knuckles and it was not factory, so I relocated it to its original position. In its place I purchased and installed an original cubby that you can see in the photos as well. The radio works and so does the power antenna. This Saab also has something you do not see very often...rear window louvers!! I haven't seen another hatch with them on...I'm unsure if you can still find them anywhere. 

I have tried to detail all the work I have done thus far, what little jobs still need done (due to my lack of time), and anything you may need to know. I will also list below a list of parts and fluids that I am including as well. Some were for future planned jobs and others just as extra. 

Starting milage was approximately 198,400 and current milage is 200,450

When I purchased this car at the end of September 2012, I drove it home over 400 miles the next day to get a feel for it. This was done without stopping (only for fuel) and was completed without incident. I have used only the best parts available for any job I completed. I bought everything I have used (if available) from eEuroparts & FCP Euro. If not available, it was purchased from other Saab enthusiasts I met through Saab forum/discussion sites.

I have completed the following service and maintenance:

  • October 2012 new Starla muffler installed

  • October 2012 new Hatch struts

{it works like new and the hatch stays up on its own no problem}

  • October 2012 Coolant flush and refill

{I used only Pentofrost NF (Mercedes blue) coolant & distilled water...I first flushed with water until ALL old coolant was removed, then began filling with coolant until it ran blue to ensure a complete change in fluids}

  • October 2012 Gear Box fluid flush and fill

{I used only Genuine Saab MTF 0063 gear box oil...I first drained and filled, then drove for 500 miles, followed by another drain and fill}

  • October 2012 Oil change

{I used Pentosin High Performance II synthetic oil, Mann filter, replaced the drain plug with a new one, and a new drain plug washer}

  • October 2012 Tune up completed

{I replaced the Spark Plugs (NGK BCP7ES), Bougicord wires, Bosch Rotor, Bosch Distributor Cap}

  • October 2012 New fuel filter (Bosch)

  • November 2012 New Driving Light Kit

  • November 2012 Flushed Power Steering System

{I did a complete flush and refill using Pentosin CHF 7.1, which is a mineral base (greenish) formulated for vintage/older autos}

  • January 2013 New Fuel Pressure Regulator and Fuel Rail Hose

{I used a Bosch 3.0 pin regulator (0280160256), replaced the Banjo bolt at the end of the fuel rail, and a Genuine Saab 90 degree fuel rail hose}

  • February 2013 New Headlights

{Sylvania sealed H6054}

  • March 2013 New Wiper Blades

  • March 2013 New floor mats

Parts and fluids that are included with the sale of the Saab are as follows:


  • A Bentley's Saab 900 16 Valve Official Service Manual (known as the Bentley bible)

  • 4 – 1.5 liter bottles of Pentofrost NF

  • 3 – Pentosin Super DOT 4 brake fluid

{I was planning on flushing and refilling the brake lines as standard maintenance}

  • 2 – Genuine Saab MTF 0063 gearbox oil

  • 1- 5 liter jug of Pentosin synthetic oil

{almost enough for a complete oil change}

  • Bosch O2 sensor

{haven't had time to replace}

  • Oil filter and drain plug washer

{for next oil change}

  • VDO fuel level sending unit

  {The fuel gauge works until just below the 1/4 tank mark...To test it out I drove it to see if the fuel light would come on. The gauge read really really low, but no light and not on E, then I ran out of fuel. I assumed it was not fully functional and bought the factory replacement because I was going to replace this next, but haven't had time to get to it yet}

The following parts I purchased to fix a small oil leak between the engine and firewall.

(There is a very small oil leak that has gotten smaller since my switch to synthetic, but persists nonetheless. I was going to pull the crank pulley and replace it just because I had it out and do some other simple maintenance/service while I was in that area because it would be convenient and I wouldn't have to worry about going back and doing it later on.)

  • Oil pump seal (aka Front Crank Seal)

{located behind the crank pulley}

  • Oil pump o-ring

  • Alternator mount bushings x2

  • Alternator belt

  • Water pump belt

  • Power steering belt

Although they are NOT bad and work perfectly fine, while I was doing this job I was also going to replace the Crank Pulley itself and the water pump. Not because either is bad but because I would be in the area and could simply do a preventative job with new parts so I would not have to get back in there again for a very long time. These were the only two things I had not yet purchased for that job. Both are available from eEuroparts with free shipping.

crank pulley $105

water pump kit $55

All told from the things I have seen, this is a job that could be done over the course of a day or spread out into 2 if you wanted. All the resources are out there to show you step by step how to do this job and it is not hard if you have patience, any mechanical know how, and can follow instructions.

Now for the bad, which isn't really all that bad by comparison to some classic Saabs you will see. There is some rust as depicted in the photos. If you want me to look elsewhere and snap a photo to show you, let me know and I will. I have not seen any problem areas other than what is shown and those are just minor spots that seem to always rust on Saabs.

  1. As stated above, there is a small oil leak coming from what appears to be the crank seal. This is a very common occurrence in classic Saabs and not a big surprise in a 27 year old auto. Once fixed, you would be good for as long as you owned this Saab!!

  2. There is also a very small coolant leak that comes from the same area. Likely a gasket needs replacing...again, after 27 years it may wear out. Like I said above, I was just going to replace the water pump and associated seals & gaskets all at once and be done for as long as you own this Saab!!

  3. The A/C needs to be charged...I did not need to use it and therefore, have not had a chance to get to it. The previous owner said it worked for him and it just needed freon.

  4. Small electrical Gremlin in that the central locking system will work, then not work. I replace the fuses and it is fine for awhile but ultimately goes out. Not a big deal, I just use the key or unlock the other door from inside. Its not like it has a keyless entry anyway and you really do not miss it.

  5. Finally, the car sometimes steers a little stiff until warmed up. It seems to be like the belt slips then catches or briefly doesn't catch at all. I have been told by several people that this is also a common thing among classic Saabs. I have not had time to really get into it so it could just be the belt or it may need a new rack, which I have seen for in really good used condition for $100-150.

Please, please, please do not let these discourage you!! This car is really an awesome find and will bring you years of pleasure and enjoyment!! Each is something that can be fixed with relative ease and all are common problems with older Saabs.

In my opinion there has not been a finer car made than a Saab 900 classic. Ask around and anyone who has knowledge of classic European autos will say the same! These cars were made to last and when they rolled off the assembly line they had so many options that we now take for granted, it was insane to think they were so forward thinking. I really wish I could find some way to keep this car or I would not be letting it go. 

 If you are still with me all the way down here...Good luck and happy bidding!!!  

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Junkyard Gem: 1989 Saab 900 Turbo Convertible

Fri, Oct 14 2022

I live in Colorado, where Saabs were loved deeply by residents going way back to the 96 (and I'm sure a few 92s were sold here in the 1950s, though I haven't found any in local car graveyards … yet). By far the easiest pre-GM Trollhattanites to find in Centennial State wrecking yards these days are the 1978-1993 900s, and I walk by a half-dozen for each one that I document as a Junkyard Gem. We admired a gloriously brown 900 Turbo two-door a few months back, but today's 900 Turbo is an extremely rare cabriolet version, the first I've found in a boneyard in at least 15 years. The convertible 900 was available only as a turbocharged version in the United States when it was introduced for the 1986 model year, and that continued through 1991. After that, a naturally-aspirated 900 convertible could be bought here. When in very nice condition, these cars can bring tidy sums. A super-low-mile '87 900 Turbo convertible just sold for $145,000 recently, in fact. This car has more than 843 times as many miles on the odometer as that car, however, and it shows every one of them. It's not terribly rusty, considering, but the sheet metal shows many battle scars, and the interior is about what you'd expect with 33-year-old leather. Last year's film adaptation of Haruki Murakami's short story, "Drive My Car," put the Saab 900 Turbo back into mainstream cultural awareness. However, that car is a two-door sedan; the best-known Saab 900 Turbo Convertible in cinema history is the one driven by Iben Hjelje's character in the film adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel, "High Fidelity." These cars were fairly quick for their time, with 160 horsepower from this DOHC 2.0-liter straight-four in 1989. Having seen more than my share of 900 Turbos going up against same-era BMW E30s and Acura Integras on road courses, I'd put my money on the Saab in a wheel-to-wheel race (that is, in a race short enough to keep the Swede's nervous engine alive). While a three-speed automatic was available on this car, the kind of Americans odd enough to buy Saabs in 1989 also tended to be the type that wanted manual transmissions. In fact, I can't recall ever seeing a (non-Opel-based) 900 with a slushbox. Yes, Opel! Starting in the 1994 model year, the 900 name went on a car based on the Opel Vectra platform. Later on, the Saab 9-5 and Saturn L-Series lived on the same chassis. Given all the luxury features and genuine performance, this car was a pretty good value for the price in 1989.

Junkyard Gem: 1986 Saab 900 Turbo

Fri, May 31 2019

The Saab 900 sold well in Colorado, and owners of these cars tend to hang onto them for decades. For those reasons, I still find 900s while making my rounds of the self-service wrecking yards in the Denver region. The turbocharged models tended to fail more quickly than their naturally-aspirated counterparts, though, so the 900 Turbo can be tough to find today. Here's a 1986 that took its final tow-truck ride into a Denver yard a couple of months back. The 900 received a makeover for the 1987 model year, so today's Junkyard Gem comes from the final year of the 900 with the endearingly 1960s face derived from its 99 predecessor. Most of these cars didn't chug along for quite as many miles as their Volvo 240 countrymen, but that may be attributable more to the differences in driving style between Volvo and Saab owners. The word TURBO had magical connotations during the 1980s, and so most turbocharged cars of the era boasted big, obvious badging. Red car interiors were all the rage during the 1980s and 1990s. Try to imagine the vivid bordellitude of this upholstery before it faded beneath the blazing Colorado sun. Was it a runner when it arrived here? We'll never know. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Born from jets, sure, though the original Saab jet was known as "the Flying Barrel" and wasn't especially graceful-looking. Featured Gallery Junked 1986 Saab 900 Turbo View 14 Photos Auto News Saab Automotive History

Saab-powered Ford is the most unlikely drift car we've seen

Tue, Jan 19 2016

Yes, you read that headline correctly. It's supposed to be a Saab-powered Ford, and not the other way around (although we fully support the notion of a Sonnet with a Flathead V8). Apparently, some lunatic in the UK took an ass-less 1953 Ford Anglia, paired it with a turbocharged Saab engine, and tuned the entire thing to go drifting. We like it. Called Urchfab, it's the subject of Carfection's (the blokes formerly known as XCar) latest video. Aside from looking like an extra from the British version of Mad Max, it has a problem with grip, in that there's just too much of it. This car is a fabber's dream, as we get to see its unnamed owner fashion new bits and bobs for the suspension before having an unfortunate encounter with a wall at Castle Combe. You can check out the full video up at the top of the page for a closer look at this monstrous Anglia. Related Video: