Here's Why a $2500 Saab 900 Turbo May Be The BEST Classic Car Investment You'll Ever Make! 

Hey guys thanks for watching my video! I shot a part I forgot to edit in, the Saab is FWD with an engine mounted front to back with it facing backwards! How crazy is that?? My apologies for leaving that out, and thanks for playing along - Tommy

I have owned every SAAB up until the 9000...96 v4, 96 two stroke, 95 v4, Sonett, 99 two door notch, 99 turbo, 900 sedan, 900 SPG, 900 5 door both turbo and NA; The early engines had H2O pump in the block which required a special puller. Overall excellent and safe cars - quirky yes...designed and built by passionate engineers, ABSOLUTELY!

I've always liked the older Saabs before GM took them over.

That Dolby button is not for surround, but for tape noise reduction. You have a tape player. ;)

Make a video about a SAAB, tell about all the issues with it and booom, 150 Swedish people tells you how to fix it. Bring it to Trollhättan in Sweden and the old SAAB workers will gather around it lika a pit team on a race track and fix everything I started my SAAB life with a 95 from 1974, then a 96 from -79, a 90 from -86 and a 900i from 1990.

When this car was sold, I was a lot runner @ Morrie's for a high school era summer job. This Saab's salesman, Jay D. was often #1 in sales. Lotsa fun at that job, more like a party. Typical of a dealer in the 80's. Also owned an '88 Turbo and later, auto '91 900S. Major oil leak on the '91, (split gasket) which Morrie's replaced under warranty. The dealer in Washington DC area where I bought it dragged their feet. However, when back in Minneapolis, Morrie's was happy to honor the warranty.. Great dealer, have bought multiple cars from them.

There are so many unique and great things about the SAAB 90/900 (more or less the same car). Front wheel drive, engine is mounted backwards with the gearbox underneeth it. So, there is no driveshaft tunnel. Seats are mounted close to the centerline of the car, putting you in the safest place in the car, in case of side impact. To ease entry and exit, the door sills are actually mounted inside of the doors. Engine and transmission in a single unit, mounted in front the front wheels, meaning 60% of the cars weigth was on the driven wheels, making this car almost as good as a 4wd in snow. The heater was mega powerful, and the design of the front wents made them clear the windshield from the drivers main viewpoint, and then outward. The steep front windscreen means that the sun distracts the driver as little as possible, and the big black dash eleminates all glares on the windscreen. Step narrow A pillars mean no car has the ever had so good visibillity, since the Jeep was created :) On the hardtop, the A pillars are actually invisble. The Convertable has a wider A piller, because its also rollbar, unique for a car of that era. No car has ever had a roof as strong as the SAAB. It litterly had a build in rollcage. The rear spoiler is there to reduce the wind effect for the rear passangers. The Canvas top was layered for better insulation, it had a heated rear glass window, a unique feature at that time for a convertable.

Bought a 900s new in 90, had if for ten years, one of the best cars I’ve ever owned.

As a swede the heating make perfect sense. But I do understand the confusion it will make.

Dedicating the video to the former owner was a very nice touch. Thank you for doing that. The 900 convertible is one of my beloved cars from childhood. Glad this one was so cared for & remains in good, appreciative hands. 💜

10:25 unscrew the left dash speaker, look into it from outside the car and see if the vacuum hose is connected to boost gauge. Might have popped off.

Thank you Sandi! For being a awesome car lady. You took care of your baby from birth and now the tfl crew going to treat her like a queen. Sandi rocks.

The ignition was placed in that position to lock the manual vehicles in reverse so if the e-brake failed the car wouldn’t move. It also requires the vehicle to be in reverse to remove the key. I was a Saab tech for many years if you have any questions.

Wow wasn't expecting the In Memory of the previous owner, nice classy touch. I'm glad her ride found a good home.

The passenger seat actually is heated but it is automatic so it doesent have any buttons to turn it on.

Great video! You highlighted many specific examples of how SAABs were superbly designed and ahead of the times. SAAB's turbo lag, 3:46, has been described as "slingshot acceleration"--a lot of fun especially in third gear/3000+ RPM.

I got an 82 turbo with 157k miles last year for $1200. Perfect interior, only issues were with the fuel pump. Took me a few months to fix everything but now runs like a dream.

First Saab I owned for the first almost year got no needed work done to it and ran strong regardless of its 200,000+ miles. Although I’ve read about gremlins online in my experience the 900 proved to me that it’s a quality made car, tough as nails, and featuring a bulletproof engine. Difficult to get perfect, but easy to keep running.

I've been a SAAB fan since I was a little girl. Over the years, my husband and I owned about a dozen. Then, we had kids and ... I was stuck in a minivan for 16 years (gasp!). Getting back into a SAAB was a dream of mine, specifically an old body style 900 such as this one. Alas, three SAAB mechanics warned my husband that buying an old body style would be a money pit, and well, that meant I had to settle. I have a 2007 anniversary 9-3 and he has 2005 Aero, while I love them.. I do still long for the old body style!! This is a sweet one, what a find! Thanks for the cool video!

My mother got one of these when her father stopped driving because he was too old. We called it the "Panzer-Cabrio" which means translated "Tank-Convertible". I did some nice road trips with it and it was really a cool and fun car (even when everybody said it was ugly).

I bought a 2002 Saab 9-3 a couple of weeks ago for £700 (about $850), not quite a classic as this, but it rides so nicely. Drove 500 miles in it last weekend and didn't feel tired or jarred from a rough ride I get in modern vehicles. The Saab 'quirk' that the car has to be in reverse for the key to be removed/engine started threw me a little when I first got in it.

These are such great cars. I remember them new, but we couldn’t afford one at the time. Also nice memorial to Sandi. Three years ago, we bought a 93 Lexus SC400 from Millie P’s grandson. Millie was 92, it had decided to give up driving. It had 37K miles and virtually every option. Out of self respect I did replace the ever so popular Gold Package with original chrome pieces, but we had to leave her gold initials on the door. It’ll always be her car.

My father has owned an exact match since 1996. My parents have toured all over the country including Colorado when I lived in Denver in the late 90's . If you need any hard to find parts or technical advice call Marty at the Meyer Garage, Meyer Iowa. One of the original SAAB dealerships in the country. He still works on and restores SAABs every day. Has a junkyard full of parts cars.

That fuse box is the best i've ever seen. Wow so neat and the access is perfect

I brought one in april during covid 19, the cheapest 900 Turbo in the UK at £1850. I love it!!!

I bought an '88 900 turbo convertible a couple months ago I love it! It's my first non GM Saab

One of the BEST!! Built like a rock. Had a 92 Turbo convertible in black.

The "tilt forward, fold forward" front hood goes back to the 96 model in the '60s. It related to Swedish winters, if you had to access the engine bay in winter the hood would dump snow off forward away from the windshield and engine bay

Congrats on your new purchase! I’m the proud owner of a ‘92 900 T16S 3 door coupe with a 5sp manual transmission (broken) that I’m currently replacing for a good used one. I inherited the car from my father and this video made me miss it a lot! (the gearbox decided to exploit last October). Keep up the good work and enjoy your new car. Greetings from Spain :)

My dad had a Saab 900 turbo convertible and I learnt to drive in it. Amazing car, he went to a 93 turbo. Great car, but not the same as the 900.

a very pleasing and satisfying presentation. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip down memory lane. the Saab was an especially stylish looking vehicle then, and now 30 years later still looks good.

Watching that top go up and down is so satisfying. Finnish craftmanship and swedish engineering at its finest!

Kurt Vonnegut was almost an authorized SAAB dealer! Pure Sweedish iron ore baby! Made the armor on the front of those Tiger Tanks mighty strong! Remember: Slaught Haus Funf!

I watched this video last night. And then this morning, to my surprise, I saw a Saab 900i sedan. I have not seen a 90’s Saab in ages and then happen to see one today. Lol.

That steering column is a very easy fix. It's a steering column bushing. Check the forums, there's a guy there that 3D prints them. You can also fix with a piece of old hose. Do some searching, but it will improve the driving experience dramatically. Great buy at $2500, I think you did fantastic!

I had 5 old school SAAB 900's never a convertible though...... they definitely have character. Ironically,, I've been looking for a SPG or 9000 Aero for about a month now.

I drove my 1987 Saab 900 5 door 30-35K kilometers per year for seven years. The setting on the air vents where you get fresh air to your face but heat on your feet is genious, I've missed that setting on all cars I've had since. Mine was the standard two litre without the turbo, a Stromberg carb with manual choke and manual 5 speed gearbox. It was brilliant in the harsh norwegian winters. And for the size of the car it was incredibly roomy! The best heater system in any car I've owned, once at work I had it sitting idling for 10,5 hours with the heater on max and it just handled it with ease - and it was toasty and warm inside even if it was strong winds and -10 degrees celcius outside. Once in a while I look around for a good used Saab and dream about adding one to the garage as a classic. Take care of your Saab!

Thanks for the memories! My high school football coach had a red 900 Turbo and in the mid 90's during summer conditioning, instead of having us run laps around the track, he would have us push him in his car (turned off and in neutral, but with the parking brake applied) around the school parking lot, while he sang along to Jimmy Buffet on the tape deck. Great memories now, but at the time, I would probably have had a different opinion!

I drove a 9-5 wagon for ten years and put over 300,000 miles on it. 5 speed manual. Super reliable and to date the most comfortable road car I've ever owned,. Also a blast to drive. I've yet to find a car that matches its comfort, performance and fuel economy.

Greatest car ever! Been a fan since 1978. I was finally able to buy one ('86 3 door) in '91. I've loved it ever since. So many innovations and features in this car that have been completely lost in modern automotive design. It's great to see someone from a younger generation re-discover all of the unique features and attributes of this car. Thank you for your video! Looking forward to updates.

Ime on my seventh 900 combi in 30 years., recently lined up a friend with a convertable. I live in a neighborhood where the highschool kids are driving the supercars ,.my neighbors garages are stuffed with German,British, Italian luxury cars .Ime constantly surprized at the amount of respect they give my old saab.

So good to see your appreciation of the Saab 900, they really are a quality car. I keep my 1993 hatch-back in near mint condition even though it is a base model 2.1 non turbo. It is my fourth Saab after a 1987 9000 and 1988 SPG 900. These cars will last long after today's modern electronic disposables are on the scrap heap.

Great car my friend's mom had one in the 80s and always loved the way they looked, if I ever come across one that has been kept well, to the point where it's still reliable as a daily driver, I'd buy it in a heart beat.

I loved my 1990 900 Turbo Convertible, same color as yours. You get used to all quirkiness of SAAB and then you LOVE it!

you did not mention ''road hugging'' zooming along twisty mountain roads is truly a pleasure. Thanks, for your enthusiasm.

That was a steal at the price you paid. It looks like it would benefit from some thorough detailing from end to end, then it will look stunning. If the paint is original, it's single stage and will respond well to polishing. The engine bay will look so much better afterwards also. Good luck with it, if you look after it, it will be very reliable.

I had a 82 Saab 900. Mine had the 8 valve non turbo engine with a 5 speed. I also worked at a Saab dealership for 11 years. I’ll always miss them.

Very good review without alot of drama, helps me to understand my Saab 900 Turbo 1984 better. Thanks Man!

I had a ‘89 Turbo Vert in red w/ 5-speed from 2008-2014. Loved it. Also had a 2000 9-5 Gary Fisher manual wagon, a 2008 9-3 Aero manual wagon, and just yesterday purchased a 2006 9-5 Aero auto wagon. Saabs are great, you’ll enjoy it I’m sure.

I've owned 2 of these now, and they are 100% one of the most fun classics you can buy for less than $5000. Or in my case, less than $1000. Both of mine were bought for $400 in running and driving condition. (and the one I have now is completely rust free) Right now is the perfect time to buy one because like you said, they are appreciating in value daily. People are beginning to realize what I great bargain they are, and more people wanting them, and more of them rusting away has driven up the value of the nice ones. You scored a deal at $2500, even for an auto.

Love it! My first car was an 86 three door, non turbo. It wouldn't get out of its own way it was so slow, but I loved it. Other Saab owners would wave as you passed, and I've never had another car where people did that. Sadly I totaled it in only three months, but the cops said it probably saved my passengers life, because they're built like a tank. I would love to have another one, only turbo this time.

Great video. I have a '94 commemorative 900 convertible, basically the same car but 5 speed manual with a few more bells and whistles. Just shy of 100K and still so much fun to drive. My summer toy!

just bought my first car 2003 saab 9-3 sport linear for 900 and absolutely love it

Center fresh air vents. Got to love them. My 86 accord had them. You can turn the heat on full blast to the floor and windshield but have nice cool air flowing to your face.

I’ve owned 3 of these in different configurations. My 1st was an black 84 spg coupe. Then I wet on the hunt for 2 specific models. A 1986 silver 900 turbo convertible (1st year of the convertible ,last year of the body style with the black rubber bumpers). Then I found my favorite which was a 1987 900 turbo convertible (1st year of the new body with the color matched bumper covers) grey with grey leather and the grey “parade cover” with the SPG wheels. That was my everyday driver for 9 years. I also had an 87 560sel benz at the same time which was my special occasion or family road trip car but I still ended up driving the Saab.m due simply to the fun factor of it. The swept windshield and fairly high seating level gave me fantastic all around views. I also had the passenger heated seat which was “automatic” but it might as well have been called “problematic” since so many things had to be in alignment, weight, temperatures,your chakra, several planets, political parties and oh...Hugh Jackman

I had a 5sd manual '88 900T coupe for 15 years. Loved the car but I blew a coolant hose and head cracked so I had to sell it. I loved having fresh air on your face when the heat was on. Loved the sound and how it drove. I put in my own air vent for the right driver's hand. A 115amp Saab 9000 alternator bolts right in with pulley swap. I had a 4000 dollar car stereo that was amazing, Ronal RT 17" rims, amazing, koni adjustable shocks, heavy load springs in rear. Super fun car for a person that likes to tinker. Cheers

I remember these cars. The mother of a close friend of mine had one (with a five-speed and not a convertible). Saab commercials bragged that they had sold every single one imported into the United States, even all the Alabaster Yellow ones!

I bought a '91 900 Turbo vert in 2010, owned it for 5 years and 40,000 miles (140k when I passed it on to a collector). Fantastic vehicle. Drove it in summer, winter, snow, rain. Superb comfort.

I have a '91 900S 5 door that I gave £1k for, its genuinely the best car ive ever owned/driven! Sure its not without its issues. It has a very minor oil leak, the power steering pump is shot, it needs 2 small patches of welding and the bodywork+interior is generally a bit tatty but overall I couldn't be happier with it. Its pretty much a rolling restoration, im slowly fixing it up bit by bit and one day i intend to have it looking exactly the way it did when it left the factory. (Plus a few little upgrades of course 😁)

I've owned four Saabs. Starting with a '78 Saab 99 all the way up to a '98 Saab 9.5. Great walk down memory lane via a very thorough video! For the record I was definitely blaring '90s rap in mine and I wasn't the only one.

I just got a 92' Saab 900 S convertible as my first car!

SAAB cars were simply wonderful, in the true sense of the word. It's a pity that we weren't told about all the really great safety features., such as why the hood/bonnet opens the way it does.Why is the engine set in the way it is etc. etc. etc! SAAB in it's hey day was a world leader in Rally events too,...it's a helluva a car!

I've waited SO LONG for a Saab in this channel!

Owner of a 2006 9-5. My first introduction to Saab was maybe twenty years ago at a family friend’s house for an Independence Day party. At the time she was a middle school principal and drove a classic black 900 turbo. I thought it was the coolest thing with such a unique design, and there was no mistaking that windshield. Some years later, another friend’s father took us to the local Saab and Porsche dealer, which was pretty exciting for me as both of us kids got to sit in these awesome cars. Saab stands for Svenska Aeroplan AB, though I have come to learn that it also stands for Something Awesome And Badass...because Swedes Are Always Better.

remember seeing a ton of these in the 90ies, loved the windshield, i had no idea how well kitted it was until now, awesome car! Someone should honor them by making a quality Hot hatch Saab 900 turbo

Watching your great video, made me miss my 93 Saab 900 S sedan. I loved that car, which was my 1st car. You forgot to mention the cool front turn signal lights which is nearly as cool as the Citroen DS. The SAAB's what was like an extra headlight that pointed to the side when the turn signals were on. Gives you that extra bit of light when turning at dusk, just in case your headlights weren't on yet.

Tommy, I live in NH and still see some of theses. I've owed 4 Saabs in my life. My last one was a 9-5 Acre I sold it at 248,000 miles. Lol I purchased a 2020 Volvo V60 CC In October, I love it!

Wonderful cars. I loved all of mine. It's nice they're finally being seen as the cool quality cars they always were.

Great review...keep 'em coming.

Just realized you all had this channel; another great one. Enjoying from Chicago!

I just bought my second 1992 Convertible. I’ve owned several Saab’s of all makes and models. Love em!

I remembered Saab crash-tested the living daylights out of every car they developed, including a head-on moose collision test.

Saabs were very popular in Minnesota because they were the first cars with front wheel drive. I learned to drive in a 1968 Saab purchased in Duluth, Minnesota. We lived across the bridge in Superior, Wisconsin. The 1968 had the Ford V4 engine. My friend had an earlier Saab with the 3 cylinder 2 stroke engine. It was a special hoot.

I own a tuned 1999 9-3, i love it

I LOVE IT

Great video. I had 2 Saab 900 sedans. The transmission went out in both. Each time it was after a transmission flush. If I had it all to do over, I would have gotten the transmissions repaired and kept them. They were both otherwise in good shape. Both were automatic. I wish I had them now.

This is the exact car I had from 08 to 15, when I moved out and my dad said I had to get a newer car because he couldn't help me maintain if I wasn't living at home. So then I got a 9-3 convertible from 2006. It's a good car but my 900 was so much better.

Thank you for showing us this beautiful car, I grew up with these cars in Sweden.

The boost gauge fault is probably a vacuum line popped off somewhere. I've enjoyed seeing fresh eyes experiencing these cars, it's nice to know they are appealing to the upcoming generation too.

If the heat/ac confuse you, it's not the vent system's fault. In my brain it's brilliant!😊 Brilliant distribution of heat here in Skandinavia. Heat on your feet, cold air in your face, keep you awake and allert.😊

The door handles are not delicate, the hood rollers are not rollers, but sliders, the hood vent (tropic vent) also helps the engine stay cool as it is mounted backwards in this front wheel drive car (pretty noteworthy), the key location is not a theory, but a fact, your window switches are correct and seem to be in great condition (by the way, they are fully rebuildable, yep, the entire switch can be dismantled and cleaned/repaired very easily), the power locks also actuate the boot, should've shown the tool kit ;) Not criticizing, just noting for anyone interested. Extremely easy cars to work on. I've never had to obtain any of the specialty tools 'required', but have managed to make my own or find a workaround. GREAT cars in snow. A friend of mine has gotten 300hp out of 2 of his, 350hp from another and just finished one that delivers just over 400hp. a bit much for a front wheel drive car, but whatever lol Thanks for covering this wonderful vehicle!!

Been thinking about that 600$ '94 turbo convertible down the road

I had a 1995 Volvo 850 turbo that I drove for 20 years and then donated it to a family that needed a car. I hear it it still alive. I see a lot of design similarities between the SAAB and Volvo.

These old 900's were awesome! I had the privilege of being a Saab service writer and I can tell you no company valued their owners the way Saab did! They warrantied things well beyond the factory warranty to keep their owners happy. Also the majority of Saab owners were maintenance fanatics! Thats why the manual goes to over 200k service labels. One quirky thing you missed is the engines in these cars are actually backwards! Belts all face the firewall! GM killed Saab. The difference when GM took over was drastic. it was so sad!

I absolutely love the idea. Almost makes me want one for myself.

My next door neighbor had a beautiful new dark blue 94' 900 convertible and it was ALWAYS broken. He finally sold it around 1996 and bought a used 91' Lincoln LSC and he said it was the best car he ever owned, he sold it in 2002 with 180000 miles on it and it still purred.

When I was young, my father and I changed the lyrics of “Oh Lord, won’tcha buy me a Mercedes Benz “ and we said, “ Oh, Lord, won’tcha buy me a Saab 900 Turbo!”

Lol I live in MN and we still have Morrie's Subaru dealership. That folding mirror is so odd. The big trunk is super cool. I wish we could make convertibles like this again

Wonderful happy memories of the best car I ever owned, a silver 1984 900 Turbo 5 door, and its predecessor a 1976 99 5 door in bright orange. The Volvo 364 was great too. Not as much fun, but it got me out of some serious winter situations in Norway. The rag top turbo 900 was always on my list. Saw so many scrapped in the late ‘90s. Very sad, and what a waste. The cheapest I saw one of these was £200 ($275-300?), and it was running but a bit tired. Easily restorable. Thank you for sharing Peace

I liked the tribute at the end, very classy.

I love SAAB since the 80's because my granddad had a late model 99-series in Scarabee green with tan interior. I was a little kid back then but my love for SAAB still exists. My boss 15 years ago had a few 2000-2005 models 9-5 Vector Estate which I love even more! You better keep that beautiful white 900 Convertible in good shape because they become rare as you mention. And if you watch Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkcon you see also he loves the 99 and 900 turbo from the 80's-90's! I especially appreciate you mention the balance between performance/sportivity and comfort. I have driven countless cars in my life (I've been car detailer) and even BMW and Mercedes can't cope with this, SAAB will always be better at this! Saabs are so good because they kept going engineering even despite being out of budget. That unfortunately made them bankrupt, but at least they didn't accept to create bad cars.

Took mine from Littleton up to Berthoud yesterday afternoon. Pandemic and still a traffic jam on I 25. Intermittent rain so had to keep the top up and running a bit behind schedule (had to pitck up cold Guinness and Oatmeal Stout.) Hot enough that the old gal got a little hot in the jam. Cranked the heater on defrost and got by (thank god for super sophisticated Sweedish heater control!) A bit of a Finnish Sauna feel and some choice words for Scandinavian cooling. By the time I got to the dinner the Irish and English stouts had warmed to cellar temperature. Yummy. Feeling good I put the top down and headed back to the big city. Cooler sunset temps and absolutely no problem racing back, a perfect open air ride in the dark. All forgiven of the Swedish wonder car and yet another SAAB story.

I have this exact model in same colour in Uk where we drive on the correct side of the road!?- loved em for over 40 years and have had various models all Pre gm - never let down !! Thanks for the enthusiastic review from a much younger generation than I am and who will carry on the memory of the craft of car making in this marque

A family member of mine has a rare Viggen convertible version they've owned since new. Its super turbo laggy but mental once the turbo comes in. Masses of scuttle shake and torque steer but bags of character. A proper modern classic SAAB.

such a pretty car, my grandpa had one while i was growing up and I want one more than ever now that he's passed

I’ve had my 84Turbo for 16 years now. Drove it from Seattle to Maine and back a couple years ago, would do it again no problem. The only problem is East of Mississippi up into New England people haven’t seen these in years,so everywhere I stoped people would come and ask about my Cah!

With an automatic gearbox, not all that economical a car, but still the Saab 900 is 'the most intelligent car ever built'.

On my fifth Saab. Have had a 9000, three 9-5s including an Aero, and now a 9-3, but never a 900. Come to Vermont, they're everywhere!

You found a really great car. Saabs are great as long as you take care of them. Frequent Mobil 1 synth oil changes and enjoy. Very little is different from the SPG, so you can do a lot to these, but the auto trans is a big power limiter, since it cannot handle as much as the manual. One thing to keep an eye on is the APC module up top near the radiator. The 2 wires tend to pop up on it and you lose boost control. Push em back down, and problem is solved. Very cool to see someone seeing how cool they are, for the first time!

These are beautiful Swedish classics... manufactured in Uusikaupunki, Finland :)