Feeler - 1989 Saab 900S, all mine (NY)

In the midst of a bout of rationality, I'm thinking about moving my 900S along. I bought it as a cheap project, and it's fulfilled that role admirably, but lately it's not getting used much, and having addressed a lot of the existing issues, it's not much of a project anymore either. Just a quick list of some of the stuff I've done in my few years of ownership (not comprehensive):

- Welded rear shock towers

- Rebuilt cylinder head, new exhaust valves, new timing chain

- Complete cooling system (every hose, radiator, water pump, thermostat)

- All new ball joints and front lower control arms

- Complete new rear brakes, Pagid pads all around

- Front main seal

- New power steering hoses

- New starter

- Replaced automatic seat belts with manual ones (Saab original parts)

There's more, but that's enough to get an idea of what's been done. It's got rust, but crucially both front suspension mounting areas are solid; one is original, and I have a receipt from a previous owner from a welding shop that repaired the other. The interior is really clean. The transmission doesn't pop out of reverse and shifts well (by Saab 900 standards). The engine runs strong. It has a set of 16" Super Aeros on it.

It still needs some work, but it's fairly small stuff. For someone who wants to, as I did, dip a toe in the Saab 900 pool without a major cash commitment to see what it's all about, it's perfect. I'm into it for about $2500, but I'd be happy to see it go to a GRM'r for something around $1500. I'll be happy to go into greater detail if anyone's interested. It's not listed anywhere else at the moment, and I'm in no rush. Registered and insured, test drives welcome.

Where in NY?  Any chance the AC is functional?

In reply to Hoondavan :

About an hour north of NYC. The A/C was functional (and converted to R134) when I got the car, but the clutch failed and I was unable to source a new one separate from the compressor. When I was diagnosing I evacuated the system, and I seem to recall putting a receiver drier and an expansion valve in it, but I'd have to check my records to be sure. If you're willing to put a compressor in it, or have better luck finding a clutch, the rest of the system should be good to go.

Thank heavens you're 1000 miles from me...otherwise this could get dangerous...for me.

You drove that down Sunken Mine Road? Rally car indeed.

God, if only you were close to the midwest.

Why hellllll.. I just bought a '91 900s which is hiding at my son's house and hour from you.  He wants my car!  No.  But for $1500.

fatallightning said:

You drove that down Sunken Mine Road? Rally car indeed.

Good eye. I've had it on a lot of the dirt roads around here - it's hugely entertaining. It really feels at home on loose surfaces.

That looks soooo good. 

If I didn't have the jag I would snap this up in an instant.

Those wheels are worth $500+ on their own. This is an excellent deal for someone who doesn't mind a bit of rust.

In reply to Powar :

Thanks. Your mention of the wheels reminds me that I should have said that there's a second set (the 15s original to the car) with very worn Hakkas on them, as well as a number of spares and some parts for jobs that need doing (handbrake cable, steering rack boots).

Man that's cheap enough to use to teach a kid how to drive a manual.  Glad I'm a bit far away or I'd be fixing my own dinner tonight

Hmmmm....  those wheels WOULD look good on my grey 900 that has two sets of wheels & tires.  Buy the car, swap wheels,  sell to my kid foe $1200.

914Driver said:

Hmmmm....  those wheels WOULD look good on my grey 900 that has two sets of wheels & tires.  Buy the car, swap wheels,  sell to my kid foe $1200.

Seems entirely reasonable.

Ian wants me to sell him the 900s I just bought.  He gets a bonus in two weeks, if O2's is still there, he's buying.

In reply to 914Driver :

Let me know if he wants to arrange for a test drive prior to his bonus. I won't have a huge amount of time flexibility due to the semester starting up, but I'm sure we can work something out.

Will do.  It's already built in his head.  Slight lift, basket roof rack, rallye stickers; how many do you see in the NYC area anyway?

In reply to 914Driver :

Not many, and the ones you do are about 95% convertibles. The car comes with original Saab (Thule) rack and Rally Armor mudflaps, so it's halfway there. I will pull the driving lights (they've been with me through many different cars) but leave the fogs and the custom mount and wiring. If he wants to address the rust in the arches, I think it would be the perfect car for the license plate wheel arch aesthetic, but I've seen them with universal plastic flares as well.

You're such a tease ......

In reply to 914Driver :

I do my best.

Sold pending payment to Son of 914Driver. You two can fight over the wheels.

No fighting - I'm the Dad.