Saab 900 S | Shed of the Week

As the cold weather approaches, Shed’s views switch to weatherproofing the spouse and children abode and exclusively to fixing at least some of the rot holes in the porch woodwork. Ordinarily, considering is as much as he receives, but 2022 will be unique. This 12 months Drop has been ready to secure the solutions of a significant Swede called Bengt who has just moved into the village. Bengt is about the exact same dimensions and construct as Thor, practically as handy with a hammer, and most amazing of all keen to get the job done at Shed’s Scroogelike rates of pay. 

So, although Mrs Drop enjoys the working experience of a big lad banging away in her vestibule, Shed is extra intrigued in Bengt’s properly-informed views on classic Scandi metal, like this week’s sub-£1,500 (nicely, exactly £1,500 if we’re staying pedantic) giving, a 1995 900S from the glory times of Saab. 

Once more, the pedants may say that 1995 was six a long time into the a lot less-than-wonderful days of Common Motors’ involvement with Saab. Five years soon after our 900 was developed, in 2000, GM amplified its share in the corporation from 50 to 100 for every cent. A ten years or so later on, the put together effects of global financial disarray and their possess one of a kind administration strategies resulted in GM rapidly offloading its ailing acquisition to Spyker. Just after many unwell-fated makes an attempt by Chinese consortia to revive and leverage the manufacturer from there the Saab title fell dormant. 

Will it at any time resurface? Who is familiar with. What Drop does know is that this 900 looks a large amount improved than the GM standing would propose. The worst advisories in the last 16 years’ well worth of MOT experiences have been worn tyres, marginally blocked washer jets and minimal exhaust blows. There has been just just one take note in the last 6 several years, specifically some light energy steering fluid seepage found in last December’s examination. 

What is most likely to pop up this year? As with the destiny of Saab, no one is aware of, but the photos in the ad, the reduced mileage, the thoroughly stamped seller provider historical past for the car’s initial ten yrs and the enthusiastic phrases of the vendor recommend the answer could very well be ‘not a lot’. 

If that turns out to be the situation, what could your future year’s motoring be like? Perfectly, the to start with point to repeat is that this is not a pre-1994 vintage 900. It’s a 1995 ‘New Generation’ transverse-engined 900 based mostly on the Cavalier/Calibra platform. The 2.3-litre 16-valve non-turbo 150hp four-pot beneath the bonnet has some heritage, though. It goes back again not just to aged Saab periods but, with impressive plenty of binoculars, aged Triumph occasions. It can be a strong and easy unit, the kind that Drop definitely likes for the reason that he can kind so several challenges by way of easy old-university cures like checking the plugs, changing the distributor cap, or, for that genuinely skilled look that the old villagers like, by squirting Easystart all over the engine bay.

If all else fails he can constantly check with for a lend of Bengt’s hammer. These 900s were being injected and they did have ECUs which could conk out in excess of time, producing rough/no running, but that is rather rare. Heater hoses blow but untimely engine blowups as a result of snapped cambelts (which transpired rather a little bit on the 2.5 V6s) would not be relevant listed here as the timing is performed by chain.

Paired up with a 4-pace vehicle box, as here, the 1,295kg 2.3i will produce 10-second -60 instances, mpg figures in the mid-20s, and annual motor vehicle tax calls for of £295. The last two of individuals are the downsides of old-university motoring, but on the as well as aspect there is certainly lots of awesome wood and leather right here to increase a bit of luxury to your day. Bengt says he’d jump on it no difficulty and that age only issues if you’re built of cheese. He pretty likes the Saab also.