Saab 900 turbo - Any good?
Discussion
A can of worms to open!
Mid-to-90s covers the GM900 and the "Classic" (same shape as GM900) 9-3 models which replaced them. The 9-3s are much improved over the GM900s. I've had both and found both reliable. In my view, you want to get a HOT (High Output Turbo) model 9-3 if you want performance, but the 185bhp models will also give pretty good mid-range performance. Handling is not the best (but not as terrible as some people say in my view) - there are quite cheap things you can do to improve it anyway.
Mid-to-90s covers the GM900 and the "Classic" (same shape as GM900) 9-3 models which replaced them. The 9-3s are much improved over the GM900s. I've had both and found both reliable. In my view, you want to get a HOT (High Output Turbo) model 9-3 if you want performance, but the 185bhp models will also give pretty good mid-range performance. Handling is not the best (but not as terrible as some people say in my view) - there are quite cheap things you can do to improve it anyway.
If buying a GM900 (94-98) buy the most recent that you can. It was constantly improved through its life and some of the early ones were pretty awful.
3 engines available:
2.0 n/a - awful. Very slow, needs ragging everywhere and so appalling fuel consumption.
2.3 n/a - better, can pick up its skirts when required but you can see the fuel guage diving (150bhp)
2.0 turbo - the only option IMHO (185bhp)
If it was my money I would look at early 9-3s - much better car and you also have the option of the LPT.
3 engines available:
2.0 n/a - awful. Very slow, needs ragging everywhere and so appalling fuel consumption.
2.3 n/a - better, can pick up its skirts when required but you can see the fuel guage diving (150bhp)
2.0 turbo - the only option IMHO (185bhp)
If it was my money I would look at early 9-3s - much better car and you also have the option of the LPT.
Woeful I'm afraid - probably the worst car Saab have ever made 
Gassing Station | Saab | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff