Re: finding a car for the wife (no audi content!)

[Al Youngwerth <alberty@apexxtech.com>]

At 06:50 PM 10/12/97 -0400, John Seitz wrote:
>Hello-
>
>Sorry for using some bw ....
>
>does any one out there with any Saab skills know what kinds of problems are
>known for a 1985 900 Auto.  We saw one today that we like it has about 135k
>and looks good but it was a dealer and they were closed?  I would be getting
>the wife a Quattro in a heartbeat but she needs an automatic!!   And the
>pain 4000/5000s are just don't hold up as far as the auto goes?
>

Having owned Saabs for the past 5 years (hopefully becoming a '91 200QT
owner today), followed the Saab mailing list for a couple of years and
currently owning an '86 900T convertible I can offer the following advice:

Find a competent Saab mechanic to inspect the car. A Saab can look good,
run well and need $2500 or more in repairs. Join the Saab mailing list and
ask for advice on a mechnanic in your area (www.warp.org).

>From what I've heard, the automatic used in that vintage of Saab is
reasonably reliable (although pretty pokey, like 120hp to push a 3000lb
car, if it's a Turbo, 160hp but it doesn't build much steam until 2500 rpm).

The motors are pretty much bullet-proof. The turbos are very reliable. I
have 152K on my Turbo convertible and it runs an looks like new (but needs
about $800 in repairs). The 5sp shifts like hell and only lasts between
100-150K behind a turbo (but that isn't an issue for you).

Mostly, the rest of the car is made from very high quality components that
tend to last a long time.

Good luck...
Al Youngwerth
alberty@apexxtech.com