Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

**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!!!  

Auto Services in Illinois

Youngbloods RV Center ★★★★★

Automobile Parts & Supplies, Recreational Vehicles & Campers, Truck Caps, Shells & Liners
Address: 5146 Heartland Dr, Joppa
Phone: (866) 595-6470

Village Garage & Tire ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Tire Dealers
Address: 841 N Main St, Oak-Brk-Mall
Phone: (630) 469-9700

Villa Park Auto Clinic ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Tire Dealers
Address: 299 E Saint Charles Rd, Mc-Cook
Phone: (630) 832-3160

Vfc Engineering ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Diagnostic Service, Automobile Inspection Stations & Services
Address: 4657 N Ravenswood Ave, Cicero
Phone: (773) 275-4832

Valvoline Instant Oil Change ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Auto Oil & Lube, Automotive Tune Up Service
Address: 10611 Lincoln Trl, Venice
Phone: (866) 595-6470

USA Muffler & Brake ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Brake Repair
Address: 11044 S Western Ave, Mount-Greenwood
Phone: (773) 238-1333

Auto blog

Saab 900 SPG is the latest Petrolicious love story

Thu, 03 Oct 2013

The latest video from the crew at Petrolicious covers one funky Swede - a 1989 Saab 900 SPG. Produced from 1978 to 1998, the 900 enjoyed a long history, and thanks to its iconic look, it's quickly becoming a modern classic for the off-kilter car enthusiast. The SPG, short for Special Performance Group, makes this a particularly rare find, with owner Jordan Melville saying, "I didn't even realize what I had at the time."
Melville gives a rundown of his life with the 900 and his passion for Saab overall, even reflecting on that dark day that saw the Swedish brand closed its doors. As always, the videography is excellent and the story is intriguing in this latest video from Petrolicious. You can view the entire video down below.

Why won't automakers slap on a turbo badge anymore?

Thu, Sep 10 2015

Where have all the turbos gone? Not the actual pieces that go in the engine, mind you, those are everywhere these days as automakers downsize cylinder counts and boost efficiency and CO2 claims. But the turbo badges and fanfare are missing. Back when turbos were something to get excited about there was "turbo-driven," "turbonium," and "The Turbo Zone," among other silly lines. But now that basically every car is getting some sort of boost even on the lowliest trims, automakers are almost sliding in the turbos under the radar. Or if you look at some of the nomenclature, pretending they don't exist at all. The 911 Turbo badge shows where the car goes from being sane to lunatic. It's an important border. The latest automaker to hide that it has boosted the turbo presence is Porsche with the 2017 911 lineup. Even the standard Carrera models now get turbocharged flat-six engines, meaning the 911 Turbo models aren't quite as special as they once were. Porsche is in a sticky situation with this. The 911 Turbo, after all, signifies where the 911 family takes off from being a sports car and becomes the Ferrari fighter. The 911 Turbo badge shows where the car goes from being sane to lunatic. It's an important border, but now Porsche has crossed it and is trying to downplay the fact. There are a lot of exaggerations with displacement badges today, with claims the 2.0-liter turbo four in a Mercedes C Class equates to a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter six to make a C300. Volvo is pretty far up there, too, saying an XC90 T8 means V8 power, even though it's a 2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged four with electric assist. I don't know why BMW can't just call the car a 330i Turbo, rather than inflating the numbers up to 340i. Saab tried all of this back in the '90s when it decided to turbocharge its entire lineup, from light pressure units all the way up to models actually called "Saab 9-3 HOT" (for high-output turbo). But then the brand deleted any external reference to the turbo under the hood and people wondered why they were buying a $42,000 four-cylinder convertible. And that didn't turn out well. Even though these turbo replacements often make more power than their naturally aspirated predecessors, they're very different engines. People knew something changed when they exchanged their leased 328i with a 3.0-liter six for a 328i with a 2.0-liter turbo four.

Saab US bankruptcy plan gets legal green-light

Thu, 18 Jul 2013

It feels utterly bizarre that we're still talking about Saab, but Reuters is reporting that the bankrupt Swedish manufacturer's American arm has gotten approval from the US Bankruptcy Court to liquidate its assets and pay back creditors. As part of the plan, secured creditors like Ally Financial will receive full repayment. Unsecured creditors, consisting of those affected by abandoned leases and contracts will get anywhere from 25 to 82 percent of their money back.
There are currently $77 million in unsecured claims, according to Reuters, but that number doesn't include claims from former Saab dealers. Naturally, the entire affair is full of lawyers and legalese. A trust formed on the Saab side will be negotiating with creditors and their affiliates in an attempt to reduce claims against Saab. This sounds like the start of a long and sordid affair...