What to Buy: 1979–1993 Saab 900

From the September 2023 issue of Car and Driver.

Echoing the design of the long-running 99 that preceded it, the updated and modernized Saab 900 was the car that brought the fringe Swedish brand into its closest proximity to the mainstream, which honestly wasn’t that close. When we drove a Saab in 1977, we said, “When you get all done cracking Saab jokes, you’ll find the one thing that is even more fun is driving Saabs.”

From launch the 900 was available with a turbo, and the boosted models are far more desirable, particularly when mated with the five-speed manual transmission (a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic was optional). Rare notchback four-door sedans lack the cargo capacity and standout shape of the two- and four-door hatches. A somewhat flexy convertible arrived for 1986. Cars from 1990 and later received modern safety updates such as anti-lock brakes and airbags.

Fuel economy, front-wheel-drive traction, a good ride-and- handling balance, panoramic visibility, and innovative features (seat heaters, a center-console-mounted ignition switch, a cabin air filter) are hallmarks of the 900. So too is Saab weirdness, present in its pinnacle and independent form here, before General Motors bought and diluted the brand.

Contents

Engine

Most 900s came with a 2.0-liter fuel-injected inline-four (naturally aspirated versions grew to 2.1 liters in 1991) mounted longitudinally under a front-hinged clamshell hood and driving the front wheels. First-year regular 900s made 115 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque, while Turbos had 135 horses and 160 pound-feet. The powerband was peaky, with the turbos coming alive above 2500 rpm, accompanied by a distinct whistle.

For 1985, a new double-overhead-cam 16-valve head and intercooler on the Turbo gave it 160 horsepower. The midrange 900S got a 125-hp naturally aspirated 16-valve engine in 1986. Also launching in 1985 was the Special Performance Group (SPG) package, featuring a body kit and tri-spoke wheels. In ’87, SPGs got a bump to 165 horses, which rose to 175 in 1990.

Value

Saab 900s are climbing in value, but not as quickly as contemporaries such as the E30 BMW 3-series or the Volvo 240. Turbos and SPGs are more highly prized—a 246-mile 1987 Turbo convertible sold in August 2022 for a shocking $145,000—but solid Turbo examples, even convertibles, are still available for under $20,000. Buy now or sob later.

Problem Areas

Rust is your enemy. Slide back the plastic trim that rims the wheel arches to look for rot. And be sure to check the suspension mounting points, front and rear; catastrophic oxidation here is common and very challenging to repair. While engines are durable, you should check the timing chain and tensioner for wear. Transmissions are also solid but show their initial weaknesses in first and reverse; if it pops out of either, the gearbox is a candidate for a rebuild. Ignition tumblers wear out, as do the seat heaters, turn-signal stalk, and vacuum-actuated cruise control. Comradely repair and parts support is available at saabnet.com.

John Roe|Car and Driver

Recent Sales

1985 900 Turbo sedan (February 2023)
Price: $17,250 Mileage: 93,000 miles
1993 900 S hatchback (June 2023)
Price: $8750 Mileage: 136,000 miles
1988 900 SPG (March 2023)
Price: $12,250 Mileage: 193,000 miles
(Sales from Bring a Trailer.)

1985 Saab 900 Turbo
160-hp 2.0 liter inline-4, 5-speed manual, 2908 lb
TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.5 sec
1/4-mile: 16.5 sec @ 83 mph
Top Speed: 128 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 217 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.75 g
From C/D, December 1984. Acceleration times adhere to our old rollout rule of 3 mph.

Headshot of Brett Berk

Contributing Editor

Brett Berk (he/him) is a former preschool teacher and early childhood center director who spent a decade as a youth and family researcher and now covers the topics of kids and the auto industry for publications including CNN, the New York Times, Popular Mechanics and more. He has published a parenting book, The Gay Uncle’s Guide to Parenting, and since 2008 has driven and reviewed thousands of cars for Car and Driver and Road & Track, where he is contributing editor. He has also written for Architectural Digest, Billboard, ELLE Decor, Esquire, GQ, Travel + Leisure and Vanity Fair.