by "saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
Published 04/29/2017 at 19:26
by "saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
Published 04/29/2017 at 19:26
No Tags
STARS: 21
This morning, I bought the car I’ve dreamed about since I was 12/13 - a naturally-aspirated C900. Yeah, I know, I was a strange kid. The NA version is cool cuz nobody wants it, less goes wrong and the engine bay is so much easier to work in.
It feels extremely solid mechanically and the body is really really clean, but there are a few little cosmetic things I’m going to have to fix, but I’m thankful since it means I got a serious deal on the car.
Passenger side moulding peeling off. I’m not sure about how to reattach it, but perhaps a couple dabs of silicon would work?
The driver’s side fog light lens is busted and the bracket was a bit bent. I bent it back, looks better now, but needs a new lens for sure. The passenger sun visor mirror is loose and needs to be anchored in the frame as well.
There’s one nasty clouded spot on the hood, but it looks like the car hasn’t been waxed in a loooong time, so I imagine it’ll come out with some polish and buffing. I’m so excited about this thing. Got some leather conditioner on it and it looks remarkably good inside.
Tally-ho!
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
04/29/2017 at 19:32, STARS: 1
That rear is T H I C C
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
04/29/2017 at 19:32, STARS: 0
Cool! I’ve driven both the turbo and the non-turbo and I preferred the no turbo because the turbo took so long to do anything. I also keep forgetting where the ignition is! True story.
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
04/29/2017 at 19:48, STARS: 0
Man, that is beautiful!
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 19:48, STARS: 0
Haha, I share(d) an ‘06 9-5 wagon with my parents for a long time and so I’m used to it. The turbo in that thing kicks in really low, but I’ve driven a couple SPG C900s and wished it was lower end too. The noise is the part that you want in a Saab, though!
edit: The non-turbo only made ten or so fewer HP from the factory, too.
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 19:50, STARS: 0
You’re tellin’ me! I’m gonna buy a futon and stick it in the cargo bay because it’s huge. There was a mahoosive wolf spider living in there that thought so too... I almost had a heart attack.
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 19:51, STARS: 2
Thanks! I agree, haha :D Maybe it’s all the cleaning products and leather reconditioners, but I’m riding a euphoric high right now. It should last until catastrophic transmission failure.
"Tristan" (casselts)
04/29/2017 at 20:02, STARS: 0
MOAR PICS! I seriously dig it!
"Svend" (svend)
04/29/2017 at 20:04, STARS: 1
Nice car.
I loved 900s and 9000s of that period in time.
I’d take a 9000 now (even found a gorgeous one on carandclassic for £4,000) if I could.
My dad took me out in a 900 when I was younger to delivery a courtesy car to a customer when he worked for a SAAB dealership, that thing was rapid. It just wanted to go and keep going.
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
04/29/2017 at 20:07, STARS: 0
That is purdy! :D Congrats!
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
04/29/2017 at 20:09, STARS: 1
5 speed? And yeah, that’s some good fun right there.
"fintail" (fintail)
04/29/2017 at 20:11, STARS: 0
If it was a turbo, you could be Arlo Pear.
Nice wheels.
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 20:21, STARS: 0
Five speeds, yessir!
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 20:23, STARS: 0
The 9000 is a dreamy ride, but man I wouldn’t want to own one. Saab’s weak point was their electrical systems (and transmissions and head gaskets and...), so with all that complexity and gadgetry in the 9000, it’s a little more than I want to deal with. Still, I have a white diecast 9000 Turbo on my desk because they’re so pretty.
Also, relevant badass 9000: http://www.saabplanet.com/new-saab-9000-racing-project-by-swedish-racing-developments/
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 20:24, STARS: 0
I’ll destroy it some to complete the Pearedness.
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 20:24, STARS: 1
Thanks a bunch! I’m so excited to get it gleaming.
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 20:26, STARS: 0
I’ll post some more once I’ve washed, clay bar’d and all that. Probably Monday since I can’t get insurance until then and I don’t want to wash chemicals straight into Lake Washington and the Puget Sound. s/o to Seattle’s storm drain routing.
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
04/29/2017 at 20:35, STARS: 0
Since you got the na, you can turbo it yourself! Much more fun that way
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 20:36, STARS: 0
I could twin turbo it myself... Hmmmmm. ;)
"Liam Farrell" (ackrunner)
04/29/2017 at 20:43, STARS: 0
My moms first real car was a 88 900 coupe white on blue with the 5-speed. She loved the car, and we’re looking to get a convertible turbo now.
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 20:48, STARS: 0
Sweet! If you can find an SPG convertible, check it out. Those have one of the nicest engine notes ever. I’m jealous of your mom’s car. :)
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
04/29/2017 at 20:50, STARS: 1
Sounds like a good 1st mod! How hard could it be..?
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/29/2017 at 20:53, STARS: 0
Here, let me take my grinder to the hood to make room.
"fintail" (fintail)
04/29/2017 at 21:58, STARS: 1
Here’s the look you need to aim for:
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
04/29/2017 at 23:05, STARS: 0
My experience with Saab clutches over the years has been that they’re a bit soft, and they’re easy to stall because it’s difficult to get the engagement point. Still, better to stall it, because a new clutch might require remortgaging your house.
"Tristan" (casselts)
04/30/2017 at 01:00, STARS: 0
Hmm... I wonder where my storm drains run since I’m easily within a half mile of the Willamette River. My driveway is big enough that no suds run out towards the road, at least.
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/30/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 1
Seattle’s planning for the storm drains was some kind of terrible. I don’t know how many other cities did the same stupid move, but it could be pretty common now that I think about it.
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/30/2017 at 13:36, STARS: 0
I like the engagement point, but wish that the overall travel started a little higher and yes, softness is a little annoying. I’m hoping to hell that I never have to do the clutch replacement, but it’s something I’ll have to learn to replace myself I suspect.
edit: Also a good reason not to get the turbo because it cuts out a hugerer cost when the clutch goes and the turbo goes and a couple steps when you replace the clutch.
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
04/30/2017 at 14:36, STARS: 0
I recall the Car Guys talking about how easy the clutches were to do in earlier Saabs - right in the front because of the engine orientation.
"saabstory | fixes bikes, breaks cars" (saabstory)
04/30/2017 at 19:27, STARS: 0
And without the turbo there’s a big ol gaping cavern on the passenger side of the engine that lets you get better access. But clutch jobs are a step above the mechanical stuff I’ve done. I’m mechanically minded (I wrench on bicycles for a living) but that’s still a little scary to me. Maybe I’ll come around. For now, I’m just gonna be careful to treat the clutch nicely. :D