1989 Saab 900 Turbo 16 Convertible

Highlights

Exceptionally low mileage of 25,300 miles
Comprehensive service history with original purchase documentation
Inherited by the current owner in 2005
MOT valid until May 2025

The Appeal

Scandinavian engineers work on a different wavelength. Boasting superb engineering and excellent build quality, the 900 turbo was practically tundra-ready, with powerful turbocharged that didn't break the bank. To this day, the Saab 900 Turbo is a highly desirable retro classic, capable of keeping up with modern expectations while providing a quintessentially 80s and 90s vibe for the nostalgic motorist.

Originally purchased by the owner's grandfather and later inherited by the current owner in 2005, this car has been meticulously maintained and sparingly used, averaging only 700 miles per year. That summates to an incredibly low mileage of only 25,300 miles, which will no doubt raise eyebrows. Backed by a comprehensive service history, the Saab 900 is a car that traditionally eats up miles. As a result, this may well be one of the lowest-mileage 900s in the UK.

History and Paperwork

Registered in 1989
Comprehensive service history compiled, including original purchase documentation from St David's Saab in Exeter, MOT certificates, user manual, service receipts, and tax discs
Originally purchased new by the owner's grandfather in 1989
Spent most of its early life in dry storage due to the grandfather's ill health
Inherited by the current owner in 2005, who used it mainly on weekends and kept it garaged
The car has averaged about 700 miles a year over its 35 years
Possibly the lowest mileage example of a classic 900 Turbo in the UK
MOT valid until May 2025

The Condition

The bodywork is in great shape, with no rust in the usual places such as the bottom of the doors
The underside of the car is in good condition with only minor surface rust on the exhaust
The paintwork is very clean with no scratches, dings, or cracking/flaking paint
There are no rust holes or other rust issues anywhere on this car
All four tyres have good tread, having been replaced around 2,000 miles ago
The space-saver spare tyre has never been used
The car comes with the original hard tonneau to cover the roof when retracted, stored in a carry bag in the boot
The tonneau has only been used once or twice and has always been in its storage bag
The leather interior is in great condition, particularly the rear seats which have rarely been sat in
The bolsters on the front seats have a patina commensurate with their age, but there is no cracking of the leather
The driver's seat has a slight puncture from a screwdriver in the back pocket, which a car upholsterer can easily repair
An Alpine CD/DAB/Bluetooth head unit is installed, with a separate mic for phone calls
The original Kenwood cassette deck is included in the sale and can easily replace the Alpine unit for a more original look
The front speakers have been upgraded with In Phase speakers from Steve Lewis Saab, hidden under the original grills
The petrol and temperature gauges and the rev counter/tachometer don't work, likely due to a faulty flexible printed circuit board behind the cluster
The low fuel warning light still works, indicating the issue is with the gauge rather than the sender
The cruise control doesn't work, presumably connected to the rev counter not working
With minimal work, this car could reach concourse-level condition

The Mechanics

1,985cc four-cylinder turbo powerplant
Automatic transmission with 3 gears
Engine bay in good order
The Saab 900's mid-range acceleration outperformed the Porsche 911 of the time
Mechanically sound with no issues with the drivetrain, suspension, etc., as evidenced by regular MOT passes
The car is fitted with the 'Red APC' unit, boosting performance from 175 to 185bhp
The original black APC is included in the sale
The vendor notes that it cruises pleasantly with a slight burble from the exhaust hinting at its performance
They add that it drives like new and pulls well when the turbo kicks in

BEFORE YOU BUY

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