1992 SAAB 900 TURBO 16 AUTOMATIC
ENGINE 1985cc/4-cyl/DOHC POWER 158bhp@5500rpm TORQUE 188lb ft@3000rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 127mph 0-60MPH 9.6sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 28mpg TRANSMISSION FWD, 3-spd auto MoT Oct 2022 ODOMETER 75,058km (46,638 miles)
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
It runs perfectly. There’s no play in the power-assisted steering lock-to-lock, and the suspension is spot-on; no bangs or groans from bushes, springs or dampers over a variety of road surfaces. The engine pulls cleanly through the rev range, with no flat spots and the temperature quickly settling to dead centre on the gauge. The autobox shifter is precise and kickdown responds instantly from the well-adjusted throttle. The brakes are a good match for the performance. As a Japanese-market car, the speedo reads in km/h.
BODYWORK CHECK
There are original finishes almost everywhere – but the rear bumper was resprayed in early 2018 and the headlamp reflectors replaced and reassembled. The bonnet, redone at the same time, needs taking back to bare metal to match the rest of the car: the new paint has reacted. Elsewhere, it’s as good as an original 900 could be; there’s no rust in the door apertures, the factory underseal is undisturbed and the rubber boot lip spoiler is the original. Bodywork is dentfree. Four Kumho Ecowing 01 tyres – fitted when the car arrived from Japan in October 2017 – are nearly new in terms of tread and the unrestored alloys are in fine shape.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
A lot’s been done, with good results. The car received a model-year-correct dash in 2020 to replace the damaged original; it now lives under a cover to protect its top. A new headlining was also fitted then alongside secondhand rear headrests, retrimmed in matching grey leather. A lightly worn, leather-wrapped steering wheel supplanted the rubber rimmed item fitted at the factory. The seats are free
of cracks, and the surrounding trim, vinyl and carpet are all excellent. The JVC head unit didn’t power on.
UNDER THE BONNET
It’s a well-presented, original engine bay; only surface rust on an inner wing top and a slightly flaking rocker cover need any attention. The car was recommissioned mechanically when it arrived from Japan in 2017. All fluids and consumables were replaced, including belts and a new fuel pump. In the vendor’s care, a new ABS accumulator and pressure switch were also fitted, and during lockdown new brake pads were fitted and the system bled. It had a major service last year.
THE CCW VIEW
A tempting prospect! UK buyers weren’t offered a turbo four-door saloon after 1987 – and there’s reams of documentation to prove its provenance. All of the difficult jobs – performed by SAABtec and others – have been done, and there are conversion guides online should a selfshifter put you off.
PROS History, mileage, mechanics, performance CONS Bonnet needs a repaint