Should you embark on a Swedish Dream (or Nightmare) with this rock-bottom price Saab 900 NG?
If you’ve got a few thousand Ringgit lying around and you’re looking for something unique to play around with, you might want to give this neglected 2nd gen 1997 Saab 900 a whirl. It has been making the rounds for many months, but right now it has reached rock bottom pricing at just RM3,500. Sure, you might be able to get a better deal on a car in better condition but these cars are pretty rare and most owners will cling on to them until their dying day.
The Saab 900 was an iconic Swedish car that many still have a soft spot for. The original 900, based largely on the 99, featured some really interesting design choices such as a curved windscreen, an engine that was mounted transversely with its output shaft facing forward, a gearbox that drove the front wheels and acted as the engine’s oil sump, and a ignition barrel in between the front passengers. Most of these innovations were done in the name of safety and aerodynamics but many still were made out of necessity. Saab was a very small company and had to make do with the limited resources they had.
The second generation Saab 900, known also as the 900 New Generation, came following General Motors (GM) ownership of Saab. At the time, American rival Ford Motor Company had purchased Volvo Cars and General Motors was looking to also own a slice of the Swedish action. GM’s ownership of Saab had pros and cons. On the plus side, you should be able to source some wear and tear parts more readily as there was some part-sharing with the Opel Calibra, Opel Vectra, Vauxhall Cavalier, and Saturn L-Series.
Mind you, NONE of those vehicles were sold in Malaysia, but at least you might be able to slowly source parts from overseas markets. The other plus side is that this generation of the 900 still has strong Saab roots with the same 4-cylinder engine being used but this time mounted in a more conservative transverse layout. Another major plus is that the interior still looks and feels very much like a Saab with very plush seats, high quality upholstery, unique cockpit features like the Black Panel, deployable cupholders and the stacked vents. The only let down is that plastics don’t feel super good.
I think there’s another plus to owning this car and that’s the body style. On first glance it may look like a 4-door sedan but this is actually a 5-door hatchback which makes it practical for moving bulky items as the rear seats can be folded to reveal a cavernous boot.
On the negative side of things this isn’t a collectible item. The original 900s are, but the Saab 900 New Generation is seen by collectors as being tainted by GM and they may have a point. It’s a much more conservative vehicle and the fact that its DNA has been mixed with other brands dilutes its appeal. It’s also the case that this generation introduces larger engines and even includes a V6 as its flagship where in the previous Saab 900, the 2.0L turbo was more than enough performance for Saab to maintain its appeal.
Parts will certainly be difficult to come by, but if this is a 2nd or 3rd car then the issue is less of a stress factor. Just think of it as a low cost project car that you can use once in a while if you miss having a unique and lovable old vehicle in your garage.
If you’re worried about finding a reliable mechanic who knows Saabs in and out, try Road Rebels Garage in Shah Alam. From our understanding, Navind trained under the previous ‘Saab guru’ Mr. Yap in Ara Damansara for years before starting his own place. He does high quality work at a reasonable work and is thorough. This is not a paid endorsement.
How should you go about this project?
The first step would be to contact the dealer and then to contact Road Rebels Garage. If the garage can inspect the vehicle before your purchase you will have a clearer idea on the scope of work involved and whether it is really worth the money and time. Pay the garage for this service. Check for accident or flood damage too.
The next step would be to decide on what you want to do with the car. Do you want to return it to stock form, keep it as low cost and running as possible, or push the limits. Keeping it low cost and running will mean focusing on mechanical issues and then slowly visually enhancing the car with a paint job, new badges, a full detail and more. Whatever the case may be, set aside a realistic amount of money and time. Don’t expect any return on your vehicle as it’s not a Convertible or Coupe.
