Stupid. "Why won't my keyless entry work?" New battery in the remote? DUH!! Helps to have the correct batteries. Note to self: Just because it lights up, doesn't mean it works. :)
Now, I've found a lovely 1985 Saab for sale ($500) and I love it! Needs work.... We already Have a driveway full of cars.... (anyone need a 1978 Alfa Romeo?) Should I go for it? Man at the SAAB yard says No.... Anyone?
does the saab run? if the man at the saab yard says no i would say listen to him. he could be getting rid of it for parts. what are your expectations of this vehicle? your driveway full of cars are they all drivable?
I bought my 1985 saab for same price. I needed a cheap car at the time. my expectations were if it ran for 2 months i would feel it would be worth it. it surpassed 2 months by far. It finally broke down. I went ahead and had my saab guy repair it along with a whole laundry list of other things that needed repaired. I have no regrets fixing my saab up. It has given me good service.
in my neck of the wood i drive a very unique car. when i see another saab driver we kind of give each other the secret wink and nod. something like in the flintstones loyal order of water buffaloes handshake.
if i had problems with a 2005 saab i would be mad. with my 1985 saab i anticipate that there will be problems. somehow the problems with a 1985 car just are not as aggravating as they are with a newer car.
rod
Is it an 8- or 16-valve engine? Is it turbo or naturally aspirated?
An 8-v n/a engine has very little power, about 105 hp. I had an 85 8v n/a and while it was a cool car, it was slow as a dog. topped out at 75 mph, except downhill on i-93.
8v turbos are more rare, but go allot faster...Jeremy
yours must have been on it's last legs..
8v n/a about 110-120hp. they're not quick cars but normally do well over 100mph.
I'll second that. Mine will go more than 75 without even breathing hard.
8-) Smack on ya bum!
Ok a few key things - does the car run and how well does it run? Has the current owner been open and honest about known problems? Does it come with a full or mostly complete service history from time it was first sold? 1985 c900's are rather notorious for wiring issues due to sub-standard looms used in that year, and also the A/C system used in the 85's was a Clarion system from Japan. They're also the first year that Saab sold the 16V engine while still producing 8V cars as well (8V's continued to 1989 I think).
But if the car doesn't have body problems (my 85 has a bit of sill rust - sigh), the engine is good (is the car you're looking at an 8V or 16V?), and if you've been able to test-drive and give everything a thorough shakedown (engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, etc.), get the car checked by a proper Saab mechanic if you can before deciding whether or not to buy it.
We're lucky here in Australia that rust is really only a problem near coastal areas, but in other parts of the world where winter climates are severe and roads get salted, rust is a major issue and you'd need to look carefully to make sure the bodywork is good, esp. underneath and anywhere around wheel wells, etc. where mud, dirt, water, etc. can sit without easily falling/draining away.
Good luck!
Craig.
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