Pushing the C900

[rpiereck]

I have had the C900 for 2000 kilometers already, I have been driving it a lot, and truly enjoying this car. My last two gas tanks were calculated at 26.7 and 28.1 mpg. Even if I take into consideration that my trip meter could be off, it's pretty decent fuel mileage, if the error is 10% the gas mileage could be 24.0 to 25.3 mpg, not bad at all, and that is a mix of slow city driving with some highway driving.

Another thing I am enjoying on this car is how composed the car is. I have pushed it beyond what I have thought the car could do on corners and I haven't seen the car understeer yet. It does tilt pretty good, with stock springs and shocks and (I think) no sway bar, but it is very stable and neutral on corners.

Lately I have been pushing the throttle a bit harder, and over 3,000 rpm the engine sings and wails pretty well, and there is some good power in there, it certainly surprises me. There is none of the nervousness or boost rush as on a turbo, but it's all steady power from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm. At low rpms the engine has loads of torque, more than the turbo engine on my NG900.

With already 2,000 km with me at the wheel I have already noticed what needs to be done, what needs to be fixed. The car needs new brakes all around, These still bite well but they have not much life left, and the rotors are pretty well scored, and sometimes they will whistle. I'll be doing pads and rotors soon. I will also be investing in a set of four winter tires by October/November. Ideally I would like to buy a set of 16" wheels for summer tires, and put winter tires on the 15" manhole cover wheels I got on now. The cabin air filter is filthy, I pulled it out yesterday and looks like it's been there for a few years, even the foam padding around it was all crumbly. I'll buy one soon. I will also need a new distributor cap and rotor, the ones on the car right now are worn. Some external beautification I want to do too is to install the proper badges on the rear and sides. I never cared too much for de-badged cars, especially when they are stock. I also need a small trim piece for my front left bumper lip.

I have also had some small damage to the car. I was driving to Rothenburg ob der Tauber last weekend when all of a sudden it felt like the seat cushion had ripped and my seating position dropped a good two inches. I pulled over on the side of the road, and inspected the seat. There was no damage to the red velour cover, or to the foam padding underneath it. What had ripped was the tight rubber and canvas piece under the foam, that provides the seat with its firmness. After that I didn't drive the car again during the weekend, and on Monday took the seat to an auto furniture specialist in Rosstal, the guy is an artisan that works from home, he does mostly leather work, everything from shift boots to steering wheels and entire interiors. I gave him the car's seat and he kept it overnight. The repair cost me just 30 Euro, and what he installed looks better than the factory stuff.

I just returned from a nice hour long drive after spending another hour at the car wash, cleaning out polen and tree sap... This car is addictive.


Saw this 900 Aero for sale today. 275,000 km, cracked dash, dry leather, steel wheels with hubcaps and they want 5000 Euro for it. Crack Pipe.

[nordwulf]

That's pretty good gas mileage, I was expecting something closer to 20 mpg. Well, especially with the spirited driving style of the average Saab enthusiast.

I have only driven a 900 for a short distance but was surprised how nice they drive for an older car. But I get the same thing in my 9-5. Must be that unique Saab engineering that is present in most of the Saabs.