Project ideas

A Classic 900 Turbo.

Okay, okay, so I had to do a SteveH "my car is the best in the world ever" post, meh.

The above line says, a C900 Turbo can go for silly money, because Saab owners* tend to be a loyal bunch. I don't expect you'll find one for the price.

*cough mutter mutter now on my second.

"DervMan" gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

I paid £500 for mine last summer. Tidy looking black 3dr T16, dark grey leather. OK, I've done a few jobs to it - but the only bodywork has been having one driveshaft tunnel welded up, and swapping the bonnet for one without filler in the rear corners.

Do that

Been there, done that (non-turbo). Don't do that.

Big heavy car, as big and heavy as my Carlton GSi was, same power engine (you get what, 20bhp more from the turbo?) no luggage space and useless back seats. It went round corners well *for the size of it* but frankly the 1.8 turbo TT I was playing with earlier on beat the pants off it.

Get something small and snorty. Much more fun, if you're just after a toy.

Clio 16v? Tatty ones go for that sort of money, but if you tidy it up you'll make a few quid. Allegedly quite good fun to drive too. Or the is the RSi as well, 1.8 8v - but they're not as cool :-)

AX GT with a Saxo VTS engine would be my choice ;-) You can probably scrap those parts together for the money. Maybe...

Good thinking Batman. Have always liked them. Are the 8v Turbo's any good or is it a 16v or nothing?

Yeah that's another good call. I remember racing on of those in Nat's MR2 and we struggled to keep up.

Me and a mate we're talking about that the other day. Possible project for later down the line :)

It's not even a going to be a toy as such - it's just something to do that'll be a giggle. 232bhp and RWD even with 1.5t to carry about should be worthy of a laugh or 2. i don't car if it couldnt beat a modern tart mobile in a drag race. And being practical is definitely not an issue - as long as it's got at least 2 seats that's all we need.

But anyway, the one I was looking at is a no-go, but I will be keeping my eye out for any more that come up locally.

You might find a 5 door for peanuts.

3 doors with full aero kits are the silly money ones. I got lucky. Adrian and Mike P will be along soon to say they did too.

Could Sir be tempted by a Xantia Activa? Not 100% sure if or when it'll be for sale as I'm going to spend a few months at my own leisure getting the Golf sorted MOT-wise, and then quite possibly flog the Activa. So it might not be compatible with your idea of a summer project....

8v less power, but more low down torque. Later "special edition" ones had an intercooler and apc too.

I've only had 16v but been a passenger on a couple of them and very fast (but they were heavily modded).

I would if a decent 16v didn't show.

Elder gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

FPT 5-dr? Rocking horse.

and convertibles.

Mine's sans tupperware - and, imho, all the better for it.

That was yesterday, mate...

Elder gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

More likely to find a decent T16 than T8, though.

Oh agreed - but £500 is proportionally a lot more than £300...

Me too. Unfortunately, Charlie doesn't. She thinks the Classic 9-3 / 9-3 hatchback / older 9-3 / first generation 9-3 / whatever Saab-ers call it is too dated.

I think it's timeless... :-/

As Eldar says, slightly different character. They feel slower if you're nailing it everywhere but a bit more workable if you're driving "keenly but not flat out." My first Saab Turbo experience was in an 8v, which in its day was approaching stupidly rapid. The later 16v engine is more refined, more progressive, but just as much fun, really. Either / or - maybe buy on condition rather than donk?

Yep. I picked up my T16 for £500. I've had an 8V turbo too, which I thought was actually nicer to drive than the T16 around town - more torquey but even more lag. Get one with an APC and you can fiddle with the boost and fuelling levels yourself. Alternatively, the LPT cars without intercooler and APC are usually cheaper and not caned as much, but you can turn one into a full blown 16V turbo with secondhand bits and patience without too much bother. The usual Saab forums are a good source of info for modding. 220BHP possible without too much expense. Much more than that and they eat gearbox bearings :-)

Just don't buy one with the later front and earlier front handbrake...

Mike P

Erm, says the man who had the best car ever (Ka), that wasn't, because the Accord was, only that wasn't either, because a diesel Saab is, unless it's petrol, when it's the bestest car in the whole world ever.

Of course, we can't forget the best car in the world a few years ago, which was, as I recall, a MkI diesel Mondeo.

Still, at least my wife doesn't hold the purse strings in our house when it comes to buying automotive toys.

Not entirely sure where you get these ideas from because I've never claimed any of these.

Or this.

Of all the things to argue about in a relationship, the car isn't one of them. It's all about priorities.

Whereas I couldnt give a toss what Nat thinks :)

Oh yeah, thats the plan, but I just wanna make sure the 8v is no sloach.