The early 2000's 9-5's are a screaming bargain right now imo. It was a mature platform in 2003 and the B2x5 series are good engines with some known but easy things to deal with. Ignition cassette, TPS, and potential sludging (if they followed to extended oil change recommendations at the time) are probably top 3. Just don't get a sludge car, and the other two are like 10 and 30 minute jobs to deal with. Make sure the trans shifts, that sort of stuff, of course.

No contest I'd go for a newer 9-5 over a c900 for a reliable daily driver that takes me to work in comfort with no drama.

An 00-02 9-3SE can be had for pretty cheap too and the short stroke B205R with the Viggen intercooler, TD04, same head, etc. is a really nice combination.

 

I have been driving c900s to work (75 mile round trip) for over 7 years now. A lot depends on what condition the particular car is in when you get it, how well you take care of it, and how easy it is to DIY the things that inevitably break.

c900s are pretty easy to work on and fix. That's what keeps me driving them. Plus, for my driving tastes, I prefer the road feel of older cars.

 

A c900 is like driving a nice go-kart, and a 9-5 is like driving a welfare Mercedes.

To enjoy a classic 900 you really need to be all-in on the quirikiness, the occasional rattle, and the oddness, etc.

A 9-5 is SO much more of a refined car. Roomier, smoother, tighter, etc but like you say....maybe a bit "boring".

If you like driving, and like the feel of an old car, try out a classic 900. If you prefer to just ride along and have a coffee....the 9-5 is your car.

 

my last 9-5 was a 2005 aero and i went into that car after a 9000 aero and omg there was no comparing them the 9k was so much more of a drivers car and the 9-5 just never grew on me (i was just getting to accept it after 6 months and then it was stolen) i haven't driven a c900 in about 13 years but from what i remember i really loved that old car (i guess it was a little newer at that time but it was still a 10 year old car then)

 

The c900 is a love it or hate it car. I love it, and love absolutely everything about it. Its my fulltime summer rig, rain or shine.

I was a 9k Aero guy beforehand, and the 900 is a bit cruder, a bit harsher, a bit smaller, a bit slower, a bit less refined, etc. That being said.....every day I drive it I get someone commenting about it.

You don't get that in many vehicles.

 

every day I drive it I get someone commenting about it.

You don't get that in many vehicles.

Amen to that brother!

I have both a c900 and a 9-5 Aero (wagon). The c900 is my summer car, then Aero my winter beater. I drive the c900 nearly every day in the summer, and it does everything I need it to do perfectly. 75 mile round trip commute to work and back, no prob. I drove it 3+ hours to SOC last year in NY, and that was a bit of a long drive in a 30 year old car... normally for drives that long I'd wanna be in the Aero. But around town day to day stuff, the c900 is just a blast.

 

I read "summer" car...what about in the winter is it because they are close to being collector cars and do not want to expose to salt?

 

In New England, exactly! We've lost so many c900's to nothing other than rust. The salt the SHIT out of the roads around here.

If I lived someplace where they didn't salt the roads, I'd have no problem rocking a c900 all year long. I had an 85 SPG as my winter rig years ago. Awesome car in the snow, the road feel is unlike anything I've ever been in. After all, these cars were designed/built in Sweden, they can handle a little cold and snow.

 

All of my first cars were c900's. I loved them. Then, over about 10 years, I moved on to a few 9000 Aeros, a few OG 9-3's, 99 viggen, and 03 9-5 Aero. After all of those, I spent about 6 months last year (summer/fall) in my SPG, driving a few days a week in it.

While I still loved the car (particularly the looks of it), it was a HUGE adjustment going from more refined, newer saabs/cars, back to a c900. The ride quality, utility, # of creature comforts, needed maintenance, etc, were all annoyances that I could never have dealt with if the car was my full-time daily driver. With that being said though, it's probably a totally different story if the car you're looking at is well-sorted, has AC, updated maintenance, etc. Beyond that, I'd say: c900 = summer car, not daily driver, unless you're conditioned to love the things that make the car the unique driver it is.

If I were looking for a cheap Saab daily driver, I'd go with the following priority:

1. 9-3 sports sedan 03+, they are awesome cars. $3000 gets you a nicer earlier one
2. 99-02 9-3 4dr hatch, more reliable than a 9-5, more room, etc. These are all over for $1500-2500.
3. 9000…awesome cars, not usually maintenance whores, but hard to find nice ones
4. 9-5. Pretty decent overall cars, good ride quality, but engine failure = undeniably worrying issue.

 

I've been daily driving c900s for almost four years. Winters in Vancouver aren't harsh like out east, so salt is mostly not an issue. My commute is about 100 km (~60 miles) per day.

I have a couple of 900s. The nicer ones I drive in nicer weather.

They're a blast to drive, especially on the highway. And I love the rarity & uniqueness of them.

Put another way, I would hate not to drive one every day!

 

well said guys thank you for all the input you can understand why I'm torn... I work on and am around these new cars daily and I HATE them everything is boring and so cookie cutter-ish (if that's a word).... that is my push for the c900 and on the other side is the common sense and reliability aspect .... the wife says "sure you can have the old 900 but you have to get rid of the 99"

 

I used to DD c900s back when they could be had for $500-2000. I started driving 9-5's because they are now sub $2k cars that are more tune-able, comfortable, spacious and reliable. May not be as fun or cool as a nice c900, but the $5k+ price tag for a worthy one just seems excessive. I supplement my fun with 2 motorcycles.

 

9-5.. all day.
If you're just driving it, and changing oil/wear-and-tear parts, early 9-5 is the way to go.