SOTW: Saab 9000 2.3 CSE

Swede dreams are made of this; shed finds a turbocharged exec express for 750 quid

By Riggers / Friday, 10 July 2009 / Loading comments

Ikea style in a terraced world

This week’s shed isn’t exactly what you’d call a rare beast. According to our friends at Wikipedia, a healthy 503,087 Saab 9000s were sold between 1985 and 1998. This particular example does provide a lot of metal for your money, though. Almost 4.8 metres of sophisticated Swedish luxury, powered by a 200bhp 2.3-litre turbocharged four is up for £750.

The Saab 9000 was launched in 1985 as part of the Type Four project, a multi-manufacturer collaboration that also produced The Lancia Thema, Fiat Croma and Alfa Romeo 164. In fact the Lancia, Fiat and Saab even share common body parts, although the Alfa’s coachwork is a more bespoke affair.

This particular 9000 is a second-generation 2.3 CSE, so that means it gets the full-on 200bhp turbo rather than the weedier 170bhp low-pressure version. It’s not the quickest 9000 – that honour went to the 225bhp Aero model, which had a larger Mitsubishi turbo rather than the regular Garrett T25, but we reckon you’ll hardly be left feeling short-changed. Also – as with its fellow countrymen the Volvo 850s – sending much more than 200bhp sent through the front wheels of a Saab 9000 via 1990s-spec suspension and tyres is a recipe for torque steer and melted rubber.

Can you still go caravan banger racing?

This one has an auto gearbox, some very clean-looking cream leather upholstery and not-exactly-stratospheric miles. It also appears to belong to somebody who hasn’t yet learned the intricacies of photoshop and doesn’t wish to splash the reg plates of their car across the internet. So they’ve simply removed them. At least, we hope that’s the reason for the absent number plates. The only other worry is that tow hook -has this been used to tow the dreaded caravan?

So if you’ve got a hankering for a spot of Giugiaro-designed (seriously) Swedish style, a 200bhp 9000 at three-quarters of a grand might be a good place to start looking.

Advert reads:

98,000 miles, Very good condition all round, Unmarked Cream Leather interior, Climate Control, Heated Seats, Every electric, Excellent engine and Autobox, Full Service History, Every MOT from new, very well maintained and drives with no problems, 2 brand new tyres recently, 8 months MOT, sensible offers accepted. £750 ONO.

07838 028895

9000 was originally styled by Giugiaro	We think it still looks good, too
Interior looks tidy...	Gotta love those classic Saab headrests
2.3-litre four good for 200bhp	Presumably this pic means this doesn't work...