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**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!!!  

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Scroll down for the official NHTSA statement.

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