Final Year Classic: 1993 Saab 900 Turbo – SOLD!

December 2, 2021 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Lately, there’s no denying sellers of classic Saab 900s are asking increasingly higher prices for these turbocharged Swedes. You can’t blame them, really, as Saab is an iconic brand that built cars that were equal parts eccentric and impressive, with excellent straight-line speed from its turbocharged engines. This 1993 900 Turbo hatchback is a final year model originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist in Muethen, Massachusetts with a variety of desirable OEM features for $6,200. Comparing this price against the NADA Price Guide confirms this private seller has his 900 Turbo priced above the “High” estimate of $4,500, but NADA may still be a few years behind a proper Saab valuation.

Saab’s story is well known in enthusiast circles, with many failed attempts at emerging from various financial and structural deficits and subject to the whims of one-time owner GM. Whether accurate or not, one of the most common laments is that GM stripped away the qualities that made a Saab a Saab and simply turned into another division of the largest domestic automaker. That’s a big part of the reason why the classic 900 continues to be a draw among enthusiasts, as it is an incredibly distinctive driving experience that the later models failed to capture. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine, clamshell hood, three-spoke “Aero” wheels, hatchback body – these are all qualities that set the 900 apart, and you likely won’t see enthusiasts clamoring to buy a tired 9-3 twenty years from now (a 9-5 Aero wagon? Well, that’s a different story.)

The Hagerty Insurance YouTube Channel provides this interesting video by Jason Commisa on how this generation of Saab 900 foretold where automotive engine design was heading:

The seller doesn’t provide any details on the car’s mechanical history, so it’d be wise to ask questions before taking the plunge. If it’s been abused in any way, the manual transmission is known to be a weak spot as it can’t take repeated clutch dumps and redlining in the turbo models. The seller notes that it comes loaded up with a variety of final-year features like the desirable lower body cladding lifted straight from the SPG models, along with the tri-spoke wheels. The maroon/merlot paint is a nice change of pace from the usual blacks and navy that 900s of this vintage seem to always wear, and looks to be in good shape. The interior surprisingly features cloth buckets, which look a lot better after this many years and 185,000 miles than the leather seats typically do. These are fun cars that are surprisingly quick in turbocharged form; grab this example before it disappears off the internet.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Last year of that classic 900 look; 5-speed, turbo, SPG panels, rear window louvre, little-to-no rust, SPG wheels; more pictures available on request. if interested, provide name and phone number or you will get no response.“

Do you have a Saab 900 story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!