Used buying guide: Saab 900 Turbo

The Turbo’s glamour was enhanced in 1986 by a stylish two-door convertible model, followed by a facelift in 1987. This ushered in new headlights, front side lights, a new grille and integrated bumpers. Later models, which also gained cruise control, are considered more economical. An all-new 900, known as the ‘new generation’, arrived in 1994 but that’s for another time.

Over a two-generation 20-year production life, 908,817 Saab 900s were built and around a quarter of those were Turbos. Numbers in the UK have dwindled significantly over the years but cared-for 900 Turbos still aren’t too hard to find, especially if you have around £10,000 to spare. Alternatively, this slice of Swedish automotive history can be yours for £3500 if you don’t mind high mileage and a bit of work. 

An owner’s view 

Ed Weaver: “I’ve been enamoured with Saab since the 99. I’ve owned a turbocharged 9-5 estate and a convertible 9-3, but I really wanted to own an older model and the 900 seemed the most logical choice. I bought a rather shonky 1987 16-valve Turbo convertible for £7000. It had around 125,000 miles on the clock and I restored it to a more usable state. Driving the car is wonderful and it’s great all year round and in all weathers but it’s bittersweet in a way, given Saab is no longer with us. I’ll probably keep it a few years and look to move to a hard-top one day.”

Buyer beware… 

Engine: It’s incredibly durable. Some owners claim it can cover over 400,000 miles without a major overhaul. It is recommended to change the timing chain at 125,000 miles, which is a more difficult job for 8v models. Turbochargers are capable of lasting up to 200,000 miles but keep an eye out for white exhaust smoke. The APC electronic knock/boost monitor can also break, noticeable through poor performance or pinking.

Transmission: Gearboxes fail if used overzealously. Models with early four-speed manuals are a bit safer because of the reduced power of those variations. With the five-speeder, a faulty unit can cost up to £2000 to replace. Investigate if the car jumps out of gear. Gearboxes can last up to 300,000 miles if not driven too hard. 

Body: Some owners have complained of corrosion and rot – one of the main issues with aged 900 models. Sills, sunroof, fuel filler, door bottoms and wheel arches are key areas to look out for, as well as the battery tray, screen surrounds and front bulkhead.

Interior: Not a big problem area but some repairs may be pricier than expected. Headlinings can drop and take time to fix and speaker grilles are sought after and particularly expensive. Seats can suffer from fading and collapsed foam.

Also worth knowing

The 900 had 14 special editions in its 15 years and a few were exclusive to the UK, such as the Ruby, which had a 185bhp Carlsson engine, red exterior paint, body-coloured bumpers and grey alloy wheels. Inside, there was buffalo leather trim and Zegna wool inserts in the door panels and seats. Just 150 were made. They were the last first-gen 900 Turbos sold in the UK. 

How much to spend 

£3500-£5499: Some cars here are touching 200,000 miles and could well need work.