BY JONATHAN CROUCH
Saab's much loved old-shape 900 was in production for decades. By the time it was replaced in 1993, there was a huge and intensely loyal group of buyers awaiting the new car with interest. What they got was a re-bodied and re-engineered Vauxhall Cavalier with typically eccentric Saab touches, like the ignition switch on the floor. After a slow start, sales of this new 900 gained momentum and its reputation is fast approaching that of the original.
These cars are strong, safe, responsive and feel like they'll last forever. They also hold their values well too, so if a 900 interests you, you're making a sensible, if ever-so-slightly unusual decision.
Typically Saab features; whether that's your cup of tea or not, only you can decide. These cars are built for freezing Swedish winters and North American summers Saab's two big markets. So you can expect the cars to have been designed to cope with almost anything you can throw at them. Build quality, safety and crash-worthiness are priorities for the Swedes and the 900 excels in all three categories. Turbos and V6s are fast but not too furious, while the normal 2.0-litre cars are honest and dependable transport, if not exactly capital-F fun machines. Equipment is good on all models; standard spec consists of ABS, electrically heated and powered mirrors, electric windows and driver's airbag. The SEs add air conditioning, alloy wheels and cruise control.
No new-shape Saab 900 is especially cheap, but you're paying for a sound reputation it's reliable and built to last. Ironically, the cheapest 1994 model year S-spec cars are quite well equipped. The true entry-level three and five-door models (which don't even have a cigar lighter) didn't arrive until February 1995. Early cars will be 94L-platers. A five-door hatch with 2.0-litre engine will set you back between £1,100 and £3,100 in 'S' spec. Pay between roughly £100 and £400 more for an automatic. If it's the coupe you're after, a 2.0 with an M-plate should be under £1,500. If the turbo's more your style, look to pay under £2,000 for a 94L-reg SE as either a five or three-door manual. Convertibles start at about £4,600 for the 2.0-litre version. A 2.3-litre convertible will set you back around £4,800 (for a 94 M-plater) or about £7,800 for a 98R car which should have leather trim. The 2.0-litre turbo Sensonic S is relatively rare, but if you find a 95N 1996 three-door Coupe, expect it be about £2,000 or about £3,000 for a leather upholstered 98R.
Avoid high-mileage models, not least because they will probably be in need of work for which parts and servicing can be expensive. Insurance won't be cheap either, particularly if you opt for a turbo. On convertibles, watch for any stains that might indicate leaks around the door and window seals. Also, look out for electrical problems and, on turbos, damage to the turbocharger itself - oil smoke is a dead give-away. You may also notice worn front tyres on these versions.
Based on an M-reg 2.3 S, a clutch assembly is around £160 and an exhaust system should be about £100. The catalytic converter is a bit on the pricey side at nearly £550 but routine items such as front brake pads are a more wallet-friendly at around £40. Alternators aren't cheap, varying from £195 to £400. (All prices are ex-Vat.)
These are cars you need to get used to driving. They may be based on the mass-market Cavalier/Calibra chassis, but Saab's clever engineers have managed to disguise that well. Throw a 900 into a series of twisty bends and the lean is noticeable but the handling is good, nevertheless. Road-holding is consistent. A turbo or V6 will have you grinning on a challenging road but neithers a car you'd get up early on a Sunday just to drive.
The later 900 is far more conventional than most people realise. Is it a cynically marketed Cavalier with old-style Saab touches? Not a bit. A real Saab it is and one that has deservedly brought the company many new fans.
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