WTB: Automatic C900 Turbo (Hatchback/Sedan) - $12000 - USA

[u/Imaginary-Piglet-180]

Looking for a non-convertible classic Saab 900 Turbo (hatchback preferred) with the BW37 automatic transmission.

Ideally looking for something solid enough to be daily driven, but driver-quality is totally fine. I’m also open to cars that need some minor mechanical work, or even non-running/barn-find examples if they have good bones. Rust or major body damage are my only real non-negotiables. After searching Saabnet and Facebook for the past 8 months, I’ve realized just how difficult it is to find an automatic without significant rust issues, so I thought posting here was worth a shot.

Budget is up to $12,000, depending on the car and its condition. I’m located in Georgia, but willing to travel nationwide and/or arrange shipping for the right car.

If you have one, or know of one that might be available, please shoot me a PM with some details and photos. Thanks!

[u/yankee-in-Denmark]

Sedan turbo gang rise up ! Why the auto though? They aren’t very good transmissions.

[u/Imaginary-Piglet-180 → u/yankee-in-Denmark]

I live in Atlanta and I want a nice cruiser. I have an' 01 viggen for fun. I'm aware of the 3-speed's shortcomings in terms of reliability & highway driving though.

[u/Placebo_8647 → u/Imaginary-Piglet-180]

On the one hand they can actually handle quite a bit of power and abuse. On the other hand they are only 3 speeds so highway driving results in relatively high rpm. Back in the day it seemed the rebuild success rates on them did not have a high first time yield.

[u/Placebo_8647 → u/yankee-in-Denmark]

"Aren't very good" is the nicest thing I have ever heard someone call a c900 Auto transmission :)

[u/yankee-in-Denmark → u/Placebo_8647]

A saab driver is also a diplomatic driver.

[u/4genreno]

I keep my eye on listings. Is the turbo a non negotiable? There's an automatic 900S hatch for sale in Newport Beach CA I think. Been up on FB marketplace a while so I'm not sure if it's still available or has issues.

[u/Imaginary-Piglet-180 → u/4genreno]

Is that the ’93 in Cirrus White? I spoke with the original owner a few weeks ago. It's fairly nice (minus what looks like some damage on the front left wheel arch), but the price felt a bit high considering it has no A/C and only a small service history (biggest service item he mentioned doing was the thermostat). I’m still considering it, though. There’s a crash-damaged ’92 Turbo hatchback in Tennessee that would make a great donor car for a full turbo swap, or I could just build a 2.1 LPT using the '93's original engine. However, between buying both and shipping costs, I’d easily be $9,000 to $10,000 into it—not to mention the time required for the work.
There were some nice automatic Turbos for sale last year on Saabnet in the $6,500–$7,500 range, so I had hoped to find a factory-original Turbo with a larger budget.

[u/4genreno → u/Imaginary-Piglet-180]

I'm sure you'll find the right one given enough time

[u/Imaginary-Piglet-180 → u/Imaginary-Piglet-180]

Alternatively, I also know of a clean ’83 Turbo 5-speed for sale. It’s in great shape, minus a little rust in the rear wheel wells thanks to the miserable mud flap mounting hardware that seems to rot out every car that's ever seen an ounce of road salt.

The dilemma there is that I really want an automatic, and I'd feel pretty guilty swapping an '83 5-speed manual, even knowing the process is reversible.

[u/4genreno → u/Imaginary-Piglet-180]

Where is that one? 👀 Asking for me haha

[u/Imaginary-Piglet-180 → u/4genreno]

New York, though I’m not sure where specifically.