Cast Iron cars..Mercedes 240/300D, Volvo 240, what else (SAAB?) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Carrameow · #1 03-29-2005, 09:50 AM

In my experience the Mercedes W123 240D and 300D and Volvo 240's were the most bulletproof cars I owned. They both got me close to 350K miles. The Volvo 240's rusted more.
The Volvo's always had a sunroof problem, but Mercedes sunroof's outlast the engines (Why is that?)

Now I am looking for a SAAB because I miss a 5 Speed badly. I have heard both good and bad about SAABs, but overall they are also supposed to be Cast Iron. I know there styling is Retro, but thats why I want one!

Anyone got any experience?

Richard Eldridge · #2 03-29-2005, 09:58 AM

What about a Beemer? They tend to be pretty bulletproof, they hold their value and 5-speed Beemers abound. They are a bit pricey, though.

I don't know much about Saabs. There are a lot of good websites that will tell you what you need to look for, what parts break down and so on.

rg2098 · #3 03-29-2005, 10:37 AM

Personally I love Saabs, always have alway will. saabcentral.com/ is a great site.

The only major problem I know about it the pre 94 900s liked to eat transmissions every 100k but I have never owned one and have no experence with it.

joeltjen · #4 03-29-2005, 10:52 AM

also check www.saabnet.com - a very comprehensive site that also has a similar and helpful forum for the classic 900 style. I owned an '87 900 SPG for awhile and loved it. No major issues - just the annoying little things like an occasional electrical gremlin... the engine is "backwards" so you would really benefit by picking up a bentley manual if you get one...

good luck!

Pete Burton · #5 03-29-2005, 10:56 AM

I drove Saabs (99's) for 10 years almost exclusively. The 900, which was heavily based on the 99 is also a great car. They do, however, have an issue with the longevity of the 5-speed. The 99 had a nearly bulletproof 4 speed. The cars are easy to work on, and right there with MB and Volvo for safety. The hatchback holds an amazing amount.

300sdlguy · #6 03-29-2005, 10:57 AM

With repect to the sun roofs outlasting the engine....I guess thats only for the 123's. It's NOT the case with the a mid to late 80's w126 or w124's, their "plastic" sun roof mechanism's seem to be designed to fail. I have had 5 of them all together and each one required the assembly be rebuilt and new improved "plastic" parts installed and once those parts failed.

stayalert · #7 03-29-2005, 11:05 AM

Some of those saabs had hoods that open backwards as well....Had a 900 a long time ago. ignition switch in between the seats was always a challenge for a coffee drinkier (or should I say spiller) like myself....I too had hears of the trnsmissions being a weakish link....

Pete Burton · #8 03-29-2005, 01:30 PM

Saabs - great, comfortable, heated seats, great heater, weak A/C, next best thing to 4WD in the snow and woods. Turbos are nice but they don't spool up quick like a Volvo. Some fuel systems in the 90's were troublesome and others almost troublefree IIRC from friends. Good friend of mine bought a 89 900 5 speed turbo used in 94, still drives everyday-

TwitchKitty · #9 03-29-2005, 01:43 PM

I drove SAABs years ago. My last one was a '79 5-door 900. If you buy a SAAB get the oldest, oddest one that you can find in great shape.

I especially like the early 70s cars with 4-speed on the column and a freewheel device. They had an industrial feel to them. Wagons are great from this era.

A two-stroke Sonnett would be the ultimate SAAB for me.

#10 03-29-2005, 02:05 PM

I had a roomate in college that had a 1984 Saab 900 Turbo, his parents bought the thing new, and put about $4000 into the thing before giving it to him. He got a few speeding tickets in the thing, and it was trouble free for most of the time he was at school. I think they thing had around 250,000 miles on it, and it looked like new...

andersbenz · #11 03-29-2005, 02:18 PM

Dodge Dart/Plymouth Valiant family of cars with the 225 slant 6 or the 318 V-8 are as about cast iron as you can get.

I had a Dodge Aspen with a slant 6 and a four on the floor and that car could take a beating.

Needles to say, very different driving experience from a SAAB 96/99/900

Pete Burton · #12 03-29-2005, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwitchKitty

I drove SAABs years ago. My last one was a '79 5-door 900. If you buy a SAAB get the oldest, oddest one that you can find in great shape.

I especially like the early 70s cars with 4-speed on the column and a freewheel device. They had an industrial feel to them. Wagons are great from this era.

A two-stroke Sonnett would be the ultimate SAAB for me.

I agree with all of this, but unless you are retired there isn't enough time in the day for locating parts. The only thing that saved me is I had a place to keep a few parts cars.

eastsidejp · #13 03-29-2005, 03:30 PM

I have a 93 9000 with 140k 5 speed and still running great. It is a non turbo but still quick enough and amazing gas mileage. Good solid daily driver

JP

83-240D · #14 03-29-2005, 07:45 PM

http://www.greasecar.com/clasi_view.cfm?adID=522

83-240D · #15 03-29-2005, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andersbenz

Dodge Dart/Plymouth Valiant family of cars with the 225 slant 6 or the 318 V-8 are as about cast iron as you can get.

I had a Dodge Aspen with a slant 6 and a four on the floor and that car could take a beating.

Needles to say, very different driving experience from a SAAB 96/99/900

my ex had a slant 6 duster, 71 , it hink, that had 4 rear ends put into it and she was a cautious driver.

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