WHAT IS IT?
Saabs were never common or mass-market vehicles but had a loyal following. Their unique Swedish design philosophy, all-weather capable front-wheel-drive, early adoption of turbo-charging, and aircraft design heritage stood out at the time. The Saab 900 came as a useful 2-door hatchback or as a sedan. The convertible was introduced in 1986 and immediately became a darling of the suburbs and Yuppies of that era. They were terrific highway cruisers with ample turbo boost yet small and light enough to have fun on more spirited roads. They were also very comfortable with an early focus on ergonomics (which they attributed to the aforementioned aircraft heritage) and very comfortable bucket seats.
WHY THIS ONE HAS “BEST ONE ON THE PLANET” CHOPS
Saab convertibles of this era seem to have survived the ravages of time more than their sedan and hatchback counterparts likely due to their fair-weather use rather than daily driver status. Honestly, with their well-insulated tops and creature comforts one could have used one as a daily despite the relatively smaller trunk space. In any case, this one stands out due to its apparent originality, the attractive color combination of white over dark red, and preserved nature. Common issues on these included cracked dash tops, worn-out leather on the seats, and trim deterioration. The leather on this car has just a slight amount of patina, which indicates it’s been well-maintained and likely stored indoors. The dash is damage-free and the slight bubbling on the glovebox door is minimal compared to most which haven’t been replaced.
Common issues on these included cracked dash tops, worn-out leather on the seats, and trim deterioration.
Having worked at a Saab dealership when this car was still under warranty, I know that these were often a 3rd or 4th vehicle. Comfortable, middle-aged couples on a first-name basis with their wealth managers bought these for weekend golf outings and dinner dates. They were almost always garage-kept, meticulously maintained, and rarely saw snow, unlike most other Saabs.
This example suggests exactly that kind of life. There’s nothing outstanding about its condition, for better or for worse. I’m seeing all the same Saab ageing issues I witnessed in my ’84 900 sedan. The color combination is fantastic, though. It’d be a great way to arrive at RadWood, but falls a little short of “the best.”
This is a really nice used classic 900, the interior has a mellow patina rather than looking factory fresh. It’s a lovely car, but certainly not the best.